India, Jan. 3 -- Israeli Grandmaster Emil Sutovsky is currently engaged in a dispute with World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. The 47-year-old CEO of FIDE garnered significant attention on X, previously known as Twitter, during the controversy surrounding the World Rapid Championship's jeans incident. Following this incident, Carlsen accused FIDE of intimidating players involved in the Freestyle Chess Tour by suggesting they would be excluded from the World Championship cycle. In response to Carlsen's allegations, Sutovsky took to X to refute the claims, encouraging fans to consult D Gukesh, a member of the Freestyle Chess Players Club.

Sutovsky subsequently criticized Carlsen on X after the Norwegian shared the World Blitz title with Ian Nepomniachtchi. The two Grandmasters faced off in the final, but the sudden-death format did not yield a definitive winner. In a widely circulated video, Carlsen was heard advising Ian to "play short draws" if FIDE did not permit them to co-hold the title.

In his commentary on the recently concluded World Rapid and Blitz Championship on X, Sutovsky made an indirect reference to Carlsen. He first questioned why various streamers and media outlets had minimized Carlsen's criticisms of chess icon Viswanathan Anand. Following the jeans incident, Carlsen had remarked that Anand was unfit for the role of FIDE's deputy president. Sutovsky noted that it seemed simpler for streamers to target him rather than confront Indian chess enthusiasts who were defending Anand.

"It is amusing how certain platforms and streamers trivialize the 'we can just keep making draws' argument, just as they downplayed Magnus' criticisms of Vishy three days prior, as if it never occurred. Naturally, it is easier to confront me than to engage with Indian fans. They will likely attempt to redirect attention or claim it was merely a joke," he stated.

He subsequently analyzed the Freestyle Chess Tour and subtly criticized Carlsen. Carlsen is a co-founder of the Grand Slam Tour, alongside German entrepreneur Jan Buettner.

"The entire public relations strategy is at play. Initially, one must acquire a stake in a significant platform or company, then engage influential individuals for your projects, followed by inviting players to your Tour based on your discretion. Consequently, these quasi-independent players align with you, allowing for considerable autonomy. However, this is not entirely accurate. Social media remains uncontrollable and is currently very influential. Additionally, FIDE will not remain silent. At least I will not, and I intend to be involved for a considerable duration," he remarked.

In December, FIDE reached an agreement with the FCPC, officially recognizing the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour. This agreement was facilitated by figures such as Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura. A press release from the FCPC also indicated that discussions regarding an official freestyle world championship were underway.

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