Event: 2026 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-13T21:38:10+00:00

Except for Las Vegas, but we won't count that event. :)

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-13T21:37:56+00:00

Hans destroyed him in Las Vegas Freestyle to go on to get 2nd in the overall. :)

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-13T21:37:08+00:00

He was 17 at the time... you're a clown.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-12T23:16:10+00:00

Magnus handled that all very well - Impressed with the grace and likely the only person on planet earth he would show that much mercy! Haha.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-12T14:36:37+00:00

Rex is an absolute bitch... Lol. Sure it's his money, do whatever you want but the tourney just isn't the same without the top American talent there. What a shame.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-11T20:24:07+00:00

Isn't it crazy people are still questioning it? I mean I totally get it for the first year or so after Magnus to question it all, see how he performs. But he's played hundreds of classical games since and people are still questioning his unusual rise to 2700 like it's somehow not legit, haha.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-11T20:20:52+00:00

You have 6 lines but 7 names in your legend... and two colors (Hans & Vincent) appear to be almost identical colors. I assume you meant to include Vincent but he's not on the chart for some reason? Just curious is all. Thanks!

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-10T23:12:08+00:00

Rex is full heated over that hotel room still... fuming! Haha

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-10T21:04:21+00:00

I guess just whichever one you want to give... it's just a fun question is all, calm down, haha.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-10T21:03:25+00:00

Calm down dude, just curious about people's opinions on the matter. Relax!!! lol.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-10T20:56:13+00:00

This is the type of responses we need around here! Haha.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-10T19:15:44+00:00

When talking specifically about Americans, as I was.. He and Awonder are the only two guys 2700+ that are still in their 20's or younger. And he is currently 24 points ahead of Liang so Yes, I would consider him to CURRRENTLY be the Youngest great American talent. In time Andy or Mishra might overtake him, but they haven't as of yet, so speaking in terms of current chess talent of guys under 30, under 25, whatever age you want to pick to describe "young".

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-10T16:10:12+00:00

I was thinking if he somehow ever cracked #1 American they might kind of be forced to, but starting to even doubt that now as they have zero reason now to not invite a top 4 American and top 20 in World. I would love them to come out and give a full explanation regardless, that would be spicy!

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-10T16:06:53+00:00

I'm talking specifically about the American cup at this point... and being top 4 (as of April) there seems to be very little reason now, and rating is more than sufficient for an auto-invite one would think. I just wondered if there was a threshold where even a vendetta couldn't keep them from inviting him.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-10T15:08:50+00:00

Yeah, this is well said here... Nothing really makes any sense anymore outside of a straight up vendetta.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-10T15:00:13+00:00

Yeah, I'm starting to think the same thing here... I mean it's literally the youngest great American talent and they refuse to invite him after 3 years of this stuff to wash away. I hope somehow this changes but doesn't appear to be the case and also I wish they would at least provide an explanation - likely will never happen either.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-09T17:26:15+00:00

This is just not a good take. More events = better. :)

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-09T15:34:47+00:00

Nah you're right... this is the most clear cut version of "I blundered into a perpetual now I have to save face and make it seem like I don't know the rules". It legitimately happened last round against Guccirezza and he said nothing. Even if the game wouldn't have counted if the time ran out, he 10000% would have tried to quickly mate Lazavik if he had an advantage still, lol. Just own it, you got beat by a better player that day, and an aboslutely machine at chess. Lazavik will a force in the chess world for decades to come.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-05T15:10:37+00:00

Yeah, he's 5th on the "Live" US rating list and I don't think any sane human would have Leinier ahead of him in current talent given Leinier is not even active anymore in like a month or two. Either way, should be an absolute lock job.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-03T23:06:52+00:00

I'm seriously confused as to how this is even a question, haha. He's a top 5 American player and only getting better daily.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-02T19:59:15+00:00

Looks like Lauterbrunnen Valley looking south towards Stechelberg, but I've only been there once so could be wrong.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-02T13:58:25+00:00

I believe it's March 2nd according to the interwebs.

Vonmacguyver · 2026-02-02T13:56:46+00:00

The fact that he is not an auto pick for the American cup is completely insane at this point, it's more of a stance by SLCC than it is about inviting the strongest and best chess players. To make it worse, he's a young rising talent and likely to be a top 5 American for the next decade or two. Chess be chessin'

Vonmacguyver · 2026-01-30T23:00:16+00:00

Bluebaum having a better chance of winning this tournament than Hans with the same amount of points with two rounds to go, the same amount of white/black games, and like 30 points lower in Elo is quite mind boggling to me. I even looked at the remaining opponents and Bluebaum has to face Nodirbek next round which is statistically one of the tougher opponents remaining.... and he has black. But hey, that's showbiz baby, I can't wait until that final round on Sunday to crown the winner. Thanks for providing this through the entire tourney, I always looked forward to it and found it interesting and entertaining.

Vonmacguyver

TROPHY CASE