Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana meet Saturday in the Freestyle World Championship final. The match runs February 13-15 in Las Vegas with three classical games, three rapid games, and blitz tiebreaks if needed.
Freestyle chess, also called Chess960 or Fischer Random, randomizes the starting piece positions on the back rank. That eliminates most of the opening theory that defines classical chess. In theory it levels the playing field. In practice it rewards the players with the deepest feel for chess and the best intuition in unfamiliar positions.
Carlsen is the overwhelming favorite. He won the last two editions and has an unbeaten record in top-level freestyle events stretching back three years. His ability to find natural development and piece coordination without book lines is unlike anyone else in the game.
Caruana is the right opponent to test him. Without the preparation advantage that defines classical play, his calculation precision could prove decisive. Both players have spoken about preferring this format. It shows. They take more risks in freestyle, and the games are better for it.
Start time Friday is 14:00 Pacific Time. Broadcast on Chess.com.