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‘Magnus Carlsen doesn’t have a say on who to invite’: Jan Henric Buettner on Hans Niemann playing Freestyle Paris edition

Jan Henric Buettner, the man behind the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, says he chose not to ask Magnus Carlsen's permission before inviting Hans Niemann for Freestyle Paris edition.

Magnus Carlsen (left) at the World Rapid and Blitz 2022. Hans Niemann at the Riga Grand Swiss tournament. (PHOTOS: FIDE/Lennart Ootes, Anna Shtourman)

Jan Henric Buettner, chess’s newest disruptor, has said he doesn’t need Magnus Carlsen’s permission to invite anyone after Hans Niemann revealed that he will be participating in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour’s Paris edition, from April 8 to 15.

Hans Niemann and Magnus Carlsen were involved in a bitter lawsuit after Magnus Carlsen had pulled out of the 2022 Sinquefield Cup after losing to Hans Niemann. There were allegations that Niemann was cheating, which were never proved. While the lawsuit was later settled, Hans Niemann has frequently trained his guns on Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura.

“Magnus doesn’t know it yet, but I will tell him after his game,” Freestyle Chess head Buettner told TV 2.

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“I chose not to ask for his permission now. Magnus doesn’t have a say on who to invite.”

Niemann on Thursday has announced his participation.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to compete in the Freestyle Paris edition. Winning the Grenke Open last year was an incredible experience, and I am eager to return to the Freestyle/Grenke Open. No matter what opportunities come my way, I will continue to let my chess…

— Hans Niemann (@HansMokeNiemann) February 13, 2025

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to compete in the Freestyle Paris edition,” he wrote on X.

“Winning the Grenke Open last year was an incredible experience, and I am eager to return to the Freestyle/Grenke Open.

“No matter what opportunities come my way, I will continue to let my chess speak for itself. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey.”

Hikaru Nakamura, who too has had fair share of feud with Niemann calls it an interesting choice.

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“This is the first I’ve heard about this announcement,” he told Take Take Take.

“So, I mean, that’s an interesting choice for sure. But, you know, it’s chess. And at the end of the day, I think we’ll see the chess speak for itself.”