Armenian Grandmaster Levon Aronian Wins $200,000 Title at Las Vegas Freestyle Chess Grand Slam

Armenian chess grandmaster Levon Aronian has won the 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas. Held at the luxurious Wynn Resort from July 16 to 20, the tournament featured 16 of the world’s best players, competing in a high-speed 10+10 blitz format with a total prize fund of $750,000. Aronian’s flawless journey through the competition not only earned him the $200,000 first-place prize, but also reaffirmed his legacy as one of the greatest chess players of his generation.

Over the course of just three days, Aronian defeated the top three players in the world: Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Arjun Erigaisi, before overcoming Hans Niemann in the final. His victories were decisive and elegant, showcasing both his strategic mind and decades of elite experience.

On July 17, Aronian shocked the chess world by beating World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in a 2–0 blitz tiebreak during the group stage. Carlsen, widely considered the strongest player of the modern era, was left behind in the lower bracket with no chance of reaching the final. The win not only gave Aronian momentum heading into the knockout rounds, but also sent a strong message to the rest of the field: he was back, and he meant business.

The next day, Aronian faced off against World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura in the quarterfinals. The match was intense—each player won one rapid game, sending the match into blitz tiebreakers. Aronian swept both blitz games with confidence, eliminating Nakamura and advancing to the semifinals.

In the semifinals on July 19, Aronian faced India’s top young talent, World No. 5 Arjun Erigaisi. Aronian once again displayed his composure and experience, winning the match and earning his place in the final. By this point, Aronian had defeated the World No. 1, No. 2, and No. 5 players in just three days—an extraordinary feat rarely seen in elite-level chess.

In the final round on July 20, Aronian played against World No. 19 Hans Niemann of the United States. Niemann, a rising and controversial figure in chess, was no match for Aronian’s consistent precision and creative strategy. Aronian won the match and claimed the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam title.

Chess.com celebrated the victory on their official Instagram page, writing:

Levon Aronian’s name has long been tied to Armenian pride and chess excellence. He was central to Armenia’s global success in team chess competitions, helping secure world titles and earning admiration from Armenians worldwide.

However, in 2021, Aronian made the difficult decision to leave Armenia and represent the United States. He explained at the time that the move was due to a lack of government support for chess and his personal growth. “I have always been proud to represent Armenia,” he said, “but I could no longer afford to waste years waiting for changes that never came.”

Despite changing federations, Aronian has never distanced himself from his roots. He continues to speak with deep affection for Armenia and its people, and many Armenians still see him as their own.

Even while wearing different colors on paper, Levon Aronian remains, in spirit and in heart, an Armenian champion.

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