Magnus Carlsen Becomes First Chess Player to Achieve 2900 Elo Rating

On June 21, Magnus Carlsen became the first player in chess history to reach a 2900 Elo rating. He achieved this historic milestone not in classical chess, but in the emerging format of freestyle chess.

This is a groundbreaking achievement, as no player has ever reached the 2900 rating mark in classical chess either. Throughout a career filled with silverware, Carlsen had one elusive dream: to surpass the 2900 Elo barrier in classical chess—something no chess player has ever managed to do.

Carlsen, a five-time World Chess Champion and the world’s No. 1 ranked player for nearly 15 years, came close several times. His highest classical Elo rating was 2882, achieved in May 2014, six months after defeating Viswanathan Anand to win his first world title in 2013.

Now, Carlsen has finally broken the 2900 mark, though in freestyle chess—whose ratings were officially unveiled on Thursday. It's important to note that these ratings are issued not by FIDE, the global governing body of chess, but by the freestyle chess organization.