The world’s number one chess player has caused a stir and faces accusations of match-fixing after sharing his world title with his Russian rival.
Norwegian chess champion Magnus Carlsen, 34, was drawing against Ian Nepomniachtchi, also known as Nepo, at the World Blitz Championship on Wednesday when he leaned over the board and offered his opponent a deal.
“Would you agree to share first (place)?” Carlsen asked Nepo, in a video shared on X.
In the blitz format, chess players have three minutes and two seconds added to the clock per move to complete a game.
But instead of continuing to play until one player won, Carlsen’s rival accepted his suggestion.
The move was later approved by International Chess Federation (FIDE) officials, making Carlsen and Nepo world champions and splitting the $90,000 prize pool.
The decision, however, has angered chess fans and other players.
American chess grandmaster Hans Niemann, 21, who was eliminated by Carlsen in the quarterfinals, addressed X to criticize the outcome of the game.
The world’s number one chess player has caused a stir in the community and faces accusations of match-fixing after sharing his world title with his Russian rival. Magnus Carlsen (left) prepares to play Ian Nepomniachtchi on Day 2 of the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship at Cipriani Wall St on December 31.
The decision has angered chess fans and other players.
In the blitz format, chess players have three minutes plus two seconds per move added to the clock to complete a game.
‘The world of chess is officially a joke. THIS HAS NEVER BEEN DONE IN HISTORY. I can’t believe the official chess body is being controlled by a single player FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS WEEK. THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE WORLD CHAMPION!’ he wrote.
‘There is a world champion. It’s not a title you can just “SHARE”.
Niemann had already sued Carlsen for $100 million two years ago for defamation, but both sides eventually reached a settlement.
Chess prodigy Christopher Hikaru Nakamura also condemned the action, telling his two million YouTube subscribers that it was “completely unacceptable” and that FIDE officials had “effectively bowed to Magnus’ wishes.”
‘I myself was in a playoff against Magnus Carlsen for the 2019 World Blitz Championship and there was no such proposal. So why do we suddenly find ourselves in a situation where everything is fine?’ he added.
Chess fans also weighed in on social media.
One X user wrote: ‘Pathetic joke. The players are deciding for themselves and FIDE publishes openly about it. The last man standing should be the champion. When did the player become bigger than the game?
Another said: ‘And FIDE agreed? I didn’t know that Fide submits to Carlsen’s whims.
This is not the first time Carlsen has been at the center of controversy. Earlier this week, the world chess great quit the World Blitz Championship after being told by FIDE that he couldn’t participate if he was wearing jeans.
“(I don’t know) what it’s called in chess, but in other sports it’s called match-fixing,” said another.
Match fixing is a term used when players intentionally try to achieve a predetermined result by violating the rules of the game.
The world chess champion responded to the allegations in a social media post.
“The match itself showed two players playing high-level chess, evenly matched and both deserving of a victory,” he said.
Others, however, praised the result and the unity of the players.
An X account called the moment “the greatest act of sportsmanship and professional decency I have seen in my 63 years.”
Another wrote: “Two grandmasters at play – a wonderful decision.”
This is not the first time Carlsen has been at the center of controversy.
Earlier this week, the world chess great quit the World Blitz Championship after being told by FIDE that he couldn’t participate if he was wearing jeans.
He was fined $200 after being given the opportunity to put on the correct clothing, which he refused.
However, after being told he would not be allowed to continue, he allegedly responded: “I’m out, fuck you.”
In a statement, FIDE said its dress code rules were designed to “ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.”
However, after significant backlash, FIDE announced that it would relax its dress code to allow for “minor and stylish deviations” from its official list of acceptable attire.
As a result, Carlsen said he would return to the tournament, but would continue to wear jeans as a matter of principle.