Magnus Carlsen, Nepomniachtchi Share Blitz Title: Controversy Ensues

The decision by Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi to share the World Blitz Championship title at the FIDE Rapid and Blitz Championship in New York has caused significant uproar in the chess world. The controversy escalated after a video surfaced where Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi appeared to strategize on how to pressure FIDE into allowing them to co-win the title. Many prominent chess figures have voiced their criticisms, with accusations of possible match-fixing and manipulation of tournament rules. This article breaks down the sequence of events and reactions from top grandmasters and analysts.

Key Events and Reactions

The Final Match

• Carlsen won the first two games, but Nepomniachtchi fought back, leveling the score at 2-2.
• The final match went into a tiebreak, with both players drawing three games in a row.
• At this point, Carlsen suggested they share the title, which Nepomniachtchi agreed to.

The Controversial Clip

• Carlsen was heard telling Nepomniachtchi that,
• “If FIDE refuse, we can just play short draws until they give up.”
• The conversation raised suspicions of potential match-fixing.

Reactions From Chess Community

• Hans Niemann, a U.S. grandmaster, expressed his disbelief and anger, accusing Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi of breaking rules and calling for an investigation by the FIDE Ethics committee.
• Vladimir Kramnik, a former world champion, mocked FIDE’s failure to anticipate this scenario and criticized the regulations.
• Srinath Narayanan, an Indian grandmaster, condemned the actions of Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi, drawing comparisons to the Wimbledon 2019 final to highlight the absurdity of their approach.
• Daniel Naroditsky, another grandmaster, sarcastically remarked on the flexibility of rules, suggesting that if sharing the title was allowed, many other competitors could have lobbied for similar treatment.
• Susan Polgar highlighted the previous incident involving Nepo and Daniil Dubov, who were penalized for making a pact to draw their game.

Match Fixing Allegations

• The clip, where Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi discussed using draws as leverage, led to accusations of match-fixing and raised doubts about the integrity of the tournament.

Regulation Criticisms

• Critics noted that the lack of a clear regulation for a shared title in the final match left room for manipulation, leading to debates over FIDE’s role in maintaining the integrity of chess tournaments.