Tensions continue to escalate within the chess community, as FIDE's director general, Emil Sutovsky, has responded vigorously to remarks made by prominent figures such as Magnus Carlsen. This comes at a time when certain grandmasters are attempting to distance themselves from the sport's largest governing body.

Sutovsky took to X to address comments made by Carlsen and Jan Henric Buettner, co-founders of the Freestyle Chess Players Club.

In an extensive post on the platform, Sutovsky criticized both the organization and the methods employed by Freestyle Chess. He stated, “When one observes the public statements from the leaders of Freestyle Chess, it becomes evident that the project is destined for failure. Expressions such as ‘F U’, ‘They are so stupid’, and ‘Horse sh.t’ are indicative of this,” remarked the director general.

FIDE is recognized for its willingness to be considerate, and adaptable, and to go above and beyond for its partners, particularly the players, which has sometimes been misinterpreted as a sign of weakness, Sutovsky elaborated.

He further pointed out that similar attempts to break away by former chess icons Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov ultimately failed. The notion of being "greater than FIDE" did not succeed even for Fischer and Kasparov, who attempted this while they were reigning World Champions and held significant dominance over their competitors at that time.

Sutovsky addressed a remark made by Magnus Carlsen in a recent interview, where Carlsen stated that "specific organizations… are not bigger than I am," in reference to his choice to withdraw from most FIDE events in favour of alternative forms of play.

"Initially, the public may support a superstar against the governing body, and a few naive investors might be attracted. However, such a situation is not sustainable, as we have witnessed in numerous instances," cautioned the Israeli chess grandmaster.

Sutovsky asserted that FIDE currently enjoys a position of relative strength, making it challenging for Freestyle to contend with a successful organization.

"At present, FIDE is arguably in its strongest position ever, and the chess community recognizes this. We are delivering an unprecedented number of projects globally, continually increasing prize funds for top players, and enhancing support for educational and social initiatives, all while being able to plan for the future thanks to our partnerships in both the East and West."

He expressed openness to collaboration, describing the Freestyle initiative as an 'ambitious project,' but stated that if Buettner desired a conflict, as he claimed in a recent interview, FIDE would be fully prepared to engage.

"We are eager to collaborate with any private initiative, especially those that are ambitious. However, if you seek a confrontation, we are ready to meet that challenge," Sutovsky concluded emphatically.

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