Jan Buettner along with Magnus Carlsen raise US$12 million (Rs.100 crores) for Freestyle Chess

Jan Buettner is a successful entrepreneur who has been part of many successful projects. In February 2024, he launched the Freestyle Chess format with Magnus Carlsen and the first tournament took place in Weissenh8:37 aus, Germany. Now after 9 months since this first event Jan has raised US$12 million (Rs.100 crores) for the Freestyle Chess League with Left Lane Capital. In this interview with IM Sagar Shah, Jan speaks about how the funds were raised, and what is the future of Freestyle Chess.

Timestamps of the full interview:

0:00 - Introduction and congratulations
1:32 - Partners from Left Lane Capital
5:28 - How Jan, Magnus and Team started the collaboration with Left Lane Capital
7:35 - Next year's event at Weissenhaus!
8:37 - Freestyle Chess in India?
9:38 - USD 12 million from Left Lane Capital
13:47 - The business model for Freestyle Chess
16:36 - Prize fund for the players
18:58 - Qualification system for the players
22:59 - Tournament partners and different venues
25:20 - Broadcasting and theme of the tournament
27:25 - "Drive to Survive" Success of Netflix and it's past
29:20 - Involvement in German Chess
30:22 - The Hunted King
30:55 - Working with Magnus Carlsen and his involvement in the project
33:21 - Will Magnus exclusively play Freestyle Chess?
36:04 - Finishing thoughts and Thank you!

Video: ChessBase India

#Chess #ChessBaseIndia #FreestyleChess
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[himankghosh]

Timestamps of the full interview:

0:00 - Introduction and congratulations
1:32 - Partners from Left Lane Capital
5:28 - How Jan, Magnus and Team started the collaboration with Left Lane Capital
7:35 - Next year's event at Weissenhaus!
8:37 - Freestyle Chess in India?
9:38 - USD 12 million from Left Lane Capital
13:47 - The business model for Freestyle Chess
16:36 - Prize fund for the players
18:58 - Qualification system for the players
22:59 - Tournament partners and different venues
25:20 - Broadcasting and theme of the tournament
27:25 - "Drive to Survive" Success of Netflix and it's past
29:20 - Involvement in German Chess
30:22 - The Hunted King
30:55 - Working with Magnus Carlsen and his involvement in the project
33:21 - Will Magnus exclusively play Freestyle Chess?
36:04 - Finishing thoughts and Thank you!

[Chesstrugles.roadtogm]

Incredible news! This is a massive win for the chess community. Jan Buettner and Magnus Carlsen are true visionaries for taking Freestyle Chess to new heights.

[divyanshuchadha]

Props to Jan. Chess world does not get enough sponsorship so huge shoutout for closing such deals. Excited for FC season 2

[sandipanroy]

Really looking forward to it. Sounds great.

[Jack]

Only chess journalist who's actually focusing on chess content instead of milking the already senseless Kramnik/Hans/Cheating BS. Kudos Sagar Bhai ❤

[premdasyesudasan]

Let us all here pause for a moment to remember the Great Bobby Fischer, who always wanted big money for chess.

[odisea]

At the Chess Champ Event For Female Creators, different members of the organization are threatening the participants during the tournament.

[Randomthings]

All for chess but sadly they are going to lose money

[syonnain]

Very elitist, lol. Let's see how engage the chess fans.