Keymer & Niemann (5/5) share lead grenke Freestyle Chess @ Karlsruhe

German No. 1 chess player GM Vincent Keymer and GM Hans Moke Niemann (USA) have taken control of the Freestyle Chess Open “A” at the grenke Chess Festival in Karlsruhe, Germany. Both players lead with a perfect score of 5/5 after five rounds. They will face each other in Round 6 in a direct clash for the sole lead.

Behind Keymer & Niemann, the tournament remains tightly contested. A group of six players follows on 4.5/5, including World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. The chasing pack is made up of established world-class players, with one exception: German Grandmaster Daniel Hausrath, currently ranked outside the world’s top 1000, is holding his place among the elite.

Sunday’s round 6 and 7 are set to define the structure at the top, with the leaders meeting and the chasing group paired against each other. The winner of the Freestyle Open A qualifies for the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship 2027. At the same time, the race for three qualification spots for the FIDE Women’s Freestyle Chess World Championship remains open.

With more than 3,500 participants across all sections, the grenke Chess Festival is the largest chess tournament in the world. In the Freestyle Open “A”, a prize fund of €205,250 is at stake, including €60,000 for first place.

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Official Site: https://www.grenkechessopen.de/en/

Photo Courtesy: Stev Bonhage / grenke Freestyle Chess 2026

Press release: Till Behrend / grenke Freestyle Chess 2026