Carlsen, the world’s highest-rated chess player since 2010, will take a seat in Weissenhaus, Germany, to compete in freestyle chess, previously known as Chess960 and Fischer Random. The starting position of the back row pieces is randomized, removing a top grandmaster’s lifetime of memorization and theory on how to open a chess game.

This isn't just another chess tournament though, with a public spat between Carlsen and the promoters of the FCGT with FIDE in the build-up to the tournament.

The five-tournament series will unfold through the year, with Paris, New York, New Delhi and Cape Town being the other four host cities. It will end with the final competition from December 5 to 12

Freestyle Chess Grand Slam tour boss Jan Henric Buettner and all-time great Magnus Carlsen have called on International Chess Federation (FIDE) president Arkady Dvorkovich to resign after talks over an agreement about the new series fell through.

The long-standing feud between Hans Niemann and Magnus Carlsen escalated once again, as the American Grandmaster launched a personal attack on the Norwegian chess icon via social media.

Magnus Carlsen, a 34-year-old Norwegian, is among the greatest chess players of all time.

World No.1 Magnus Carlsen has accused FIDE of coercion and broken promises after its dispute with Freestyle Chess escalated. The feud centers on FIDE's opposition to Freestyle's use of the "World Championship" title.

Disagreement over right to regulate any 'World Championship' and waiver for players to appear in unsanctioned league

Further talks with Fide futile, says Freestyle Chess promoter Jan Buettner; Fide says Freestyle Chess refused to acknowledge its status as sole regulator of the World Championships