New Delhi: The five-times chess world champion GM Magnus Carlsen said that he would not be defending his title next year. He informed the chess fans about his decision on a new podcast called, ‘The Magnus Effect’. Now, according to the rules, the winner of the Candidates tournament will play against the second position holder, which means it will be a world championship match between GM Ian Nepomniachtchi and GM Ding Liren.
Carlsen had his doubts and was thinking about not playing the match for more than a year. Once he also stated that he wants to face new generation opponents in the world championship match, GM Alireza Firouzja in particular. “I don’t have a lot to gain, I don’t particularly like it and although I’m sure a match would be interesting for historical reasons, I don’t have any inclinations to play and I will simply not play the match,” Magnus Carlsen said. He also hinted at participation in the world championship in future, indicating he might return to play the Candidates.
He had a meeting with FIDE’s President Arkady Dvorkovich and Director-General Emil Sutovsky during the Candidates tournament, but the FIDE officials failed to convince him to defend his title. World number 1 also told that he has discussed the same with his team, and with Ian as well.
He repeated in his podcast that he is not retiring from the game. The player also told about his tournament ahead, which includes, Grand Chess Tour, Chess Olympiad in Chennai (where he became the world champion), FTX Crypto Cup and the Sinquefield Cup.
Ding Liren reacted to the news by surprise as he did not expect Magnus to withdraw. “But I am very excited about playing a world championship match, to fight for the crown, next year,” Ding told chess.com.
The game of chess has seen similar instances before, in 1946 GM Alexander Alekhine died as the reigning champion. In 1975, GM Bobby Fischer did not agree to the match format and decided not to defend his title, eventually the title went to Candidates winner GM Anatoly Karpov.
