Magnus Carlsen has declined to defend his FIDE World Champion title. The news was announced by Carlsen himself in a sponsor’s podcast. “I have informed my team, FIDE and Ian [Nepomniachtchi] that I will not play the upcoming World Championship match in classical chess”, says Carlsen and adds that “I am not motivated to play another World Championship match.”
In the podcast, Carlsen does not rule out the possibility of returning to the classical FIDE World Championship in the future . He also makes it clear that he will continue as a full time chess player – but not in the World Championship cycle.
Carlsen chose the International Chess Day to break the news about skipping the World Championship. Today Carlsen and Nepo play in round 1 of the Grand Chess Tour. Follow the games live here
Breaking news, stay tuned for all details on Chessdom.com (all Carlsen news here)
New Podcast ????
World Chess Champion @MagnusCarlsen alongside long time Unibet Expert @MagnusBarstad
First episode w/video exclusively on https://t.co/PG1TgTrBuy
– Carlsen announcement on the World Chess Championship
– Vegas & WSOP
– Prem top scorer 22/23
– The Wager Part 1 — Unibet (@unibet) July 20, 2022
Welcome to our new podcast.
The Magnus Effect????
For everyone that has been on us about changing it from Norweigan. Here you go. Brand new.
Hope you like it.
And I really hope I dont lose The Wager???????? https://t.co/xKEzdeTZEP — MagnusBarstad (@MagnusBarstad) July 20, 2022
FIDE President reacts to Carlsen’s decision not to defend the title
Earlier today, the World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen confirmed in a public statement his intentions to not defend his title in 2023.
In view of that, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich has issued the following statement: https://t.co/KVhJnLfYD5 pic.twitter.com/kXEsgZBjjc — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 20, 2022