South Africa is set to make chess history as it hosts the final leg of the prestigious Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, a groundbreaking global tournament co-founded by five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen and German internet entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner.
The event will take place at the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, an ultra-luxurious eco-resort near Hermanus, from 8 to 11 December 2025.
This marks the first time the world’s top chess grandmasters will compete on South African soil, and the local chess community is buzzing with excitement.
Who is Jan Henric Buettner?
The man behind bringing the event to South Africa, Jan Henric Buettner, is no stranger to innovation.
A German tech pioneer and venture capitalist, Buettner helped build AOL Europe and later launched BV Capital (now Headline Ventures), which has invested in companies like Groupon, GoToMeeting, and Sonos.
After decades of success in Europe and the US, Buettner now lives in Wilderness along the Garden Route and has turned his focus to luxury hospitality and chess promotion.
“South Africa is a special place for me,” Buettner said.
“Bringing the Freestyle Chess Tour here is about showcasing the best in the world, not just in chess, but in hospitality and natural beauty.”
What Is Freestyle Chess?
Freestyle Chess, also known as Chess960, shakes up traditional chess by randomising the starting positions of the back-rank pieces.
This levels the playing field and forces players to think creatively from the first move, rather than rely on pre-studied openings.
Magnus Carlsen has long championed the format as a fresh, exciting alternative to classical chess.
“Freestyle Chess is the future. It’s unpredictable, fast-paced, and more engaging,” said Carlsen.
Who Will Be Competing?
The Cape Town event will feature the world’s top 25 grandmasters, with appearances expected from:
- Magnus Carlsen (Norway)
- Hikaru Nakamura (USA)
- Fabiano Caruana (USA)
- Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia)
- Alireza Firouzja (France)
- Gukesh Dommaraju (India – reigning World Champion)
- Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France)
- Levon Aronian (USA)
With a record prize pool of $750 000, and plans to increase it to $1 million, this tournament boasts the largest prize fund in chess history.
A Global Tour with a Local Finish
The tour began at Buettner’s Weissenhaus Private Nature Luxury Resort in Germany and moved on to Paris, Karlsruhe, and Las Vegas.
The Cape Town finale at Grootbos will cap off the tour in spectacular fashion.
Located on 3 500 hectares of pristine fynbos, Grootbos offers the perfect setting for a world-class chess showdown – secluded, luxurious, and surrounded by nature.
Why This Matters for South Africa
Hosting the Grand Slam Tour is a watershed moment for South African chess.
It’s the first time local fans will get to witness a chess event of this magnitude live – featuring world champions and global superstars.
The event is also expected to:
- Boost chess interest and participation among youth
- Bring international media attention to South Africa’s sporting and hospitality sectors
- Highlight the Garden Route and Cape Overberg as premium destinations for global events
🗓️ Event Dates: 8 to 11 December 2025
📍 Venue: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, near Hermanus
🎟️ Details on ticketing and public attendance are expected to be released soon.
