After narrow escape against Abdusattorov, Carlsen admits he's struggling in Freestyle Chess: 'I have felt so clueless'

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen isn’t pleased with his performance in Freestyle Chess at the Paris Grand Slam. He narrowly escaped defeat against Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the quarter-finals, admitting he’s struggling to adapt to the unique demands of the format.

Magnus Carlsen had a lucky escape against Uzbekistan Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov on Thursday as he
progressed to the semi-finals of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025 Paris leg. The world No.1 Carlsen will be hoping to win the Paris leg of the Grand Slam after finishing third in the inaugural Weissenhaus leg.

However, the Norwegian was tested to his limits by the 20-year-old Abdusattorov on Thursday after winning the first game in the quarter-finals match. Carlsen had a 1-0 lead but Abdusattorov, who was playing with White pieces, secured more active positions from the opening and used a tactical fork in the middlegame to win an exchange.

Abdusattorov’s questionable decision to recapture on c5 on move 33, however, led to an endgame where he was up in material but burdened with two sets of doubled, isolated pawns.

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