podcast

The TRUTH about FREESTYLE Chess | Jan Buettner PODCAST

11.03.2026
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Today I’m joined by Jan Henric Buettner — co-founder of Freestyle Chess, one of the boldest projects in the chess world. We talk about why chess, in its current form, may never truly become mainstream, what has to change, and what chess can learn from Formula 1. We also discuss the difference between classical chess and Freestyle Chess, and why Jan believes the future belongs to Freestyle. We dive into the FIDE vs Freestyle conflict and why Hikaru Nakamura, one of the biggest names in chess media, is not part of the project. Don’t miss it!

Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader

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My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips

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Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chess-with-mustreader/id1745521337

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mU5WbBXgDklyN3jm6GMSN

All platforms: https://mustreaderchess.mave.digital

My podcast with Levon Aronian: https://youtu.be/3EuVAo74L4U

My podcast with Fabiano Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo

My podcast with Wei Yi: https://youtu.be/TeQ-yS9EWRY

My podcast with Anish Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q?si=kJmwzyxph6XJ2Jdp

My podcast with Erik Allebest: https://youtu.be/1cCrMcUTDj8

And other LEGENDS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkAzovIvBvGxzaDCVwmo-ZJDtrilrJLjS

Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus

— Intro

— Freestyle World Championship

— “It turned out very differently”

— How Freestyle Chess began

— What went wrong with Freestyle?

— What’s next for Freestyle?

— Why the Freestyle Tour struggled

— Chess is not interesting?

— Freestyle more interesting than classical?

— Freestyle struggles with funding

— What Freestyle achieved in 2.5 years

— Can chess be Formula 1?

— How to make chess watchable

— Why not rapid instead of Freestyle?

— Magnus’s choice

— Freestyle or rapid: same thing?

— Chess media is just getting started

— FIDE vs Freestyle

— World Championship without Hikaru

— Gukesh took Hikaru’s place

— World Championship qualification

— How can chess become profitable?

— ChessCom — the most successful chess company?

— Jan on his own chess level

My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

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#chess #magnuscarlsen #freestylechess #fischerandom #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm