The World Cup will be contested by the champion of the Madrid Candidates tournament, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and the Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren, who finished second in Madrid after completing a great comeback.
Magnus Carlsencurrent world chess champion, will not defend his title next year against the Russian candidate Ian Nepomniachtchi. The Norwegian has made his decision public today, but he had been warning that not defending his crown was not among his plans if the same game format was maintained.
The Norwegian has confirmed that “I am not motivated to play another world” and promised “to be the best in the world and not worry about the World Championship.” His resignation causes the world championship to be disputed by the champion of the Madrid Candidates tournament, Ian Nepomniachtchiand the great Chinese master Ding Lirenwho came second in Madrid after completing a great comeback.
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
From the FIDEon president Arkady Dvorkovich, has stated that “Carlsen he deserves nothing more than the respect of FIDE and the entire chess community, whatever decision he makes regarding his career”. Also noting that “his decision not to defend his title is undoubtedly a disappointment for the fans, and bad news for the show. Leave a big void. But chess is now stronger than ever – thanks in part to Magnus – and the World Championship Matchone of the longest and most respected traditions in the world of sport, will continue.”
Contradicts FIDE
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Carlsen has also revealed that in his meeting with Dvorkovich in Madrid during the final day of the Candidates, he already informed of his decision: “As many know, I was in Madrid for the conclusion of the Candidates tournament. I agreed to meet with Dvorkovich y Emil Sutovsky – CEO of the FIDE– to talk. He had no request for that meeting. They did come up with a couple of suggestions, but the bottom line was that I was there to tell them that I would not be defending my title in the next World Championship match. We had a little discussion. They made their suggestions, some of which I liked, some of which I didn’t.”
Carlsen thus follows the path of Bobby Fischer, that after winning the world title to Boris Spassky 50 years ago now, he later gave up defending the title against Anatoly Karpov, so the Soviet was proclaimed world champion.