Magnus Carlsen has been under scrutiny since the conclusion of the 2024 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships held in New York. Initially, he faced controversy due to the jeans incident during the Rapid Championship, which escalated during the Blitz Championship when a viral video emerged, alleging match-fixing.

The Blitz final commenced with Carlsen securing two victories, placing him in a commanding position where only a draw was required to clinch the title. However, Ian Nepomniachtchi mounted a remarkable comeback, winning the subsequent two games and leveling the score at 2-2. In the sudden death phase, both Grandmasters played to three consecutive draws, after which Carlsen suggested that they share the title, a proposal that Nepomniachtchi accepted.

Reports indicate that FIDE officials present at the venue were initially opposed to Carlsen's suggestion but eventually acquiesced to his request. Subsequently, a video circulated on social media showing Carlsen instructing Ian to play for short draws if FIDE did not permit them to share the title. Carlsen later clarified that his remarks in the viral video were made in jest and were intended as a critique of the inadequate tie-breaker regulations. The video, however, was met with disapproval from fans and both current and former players, with many chess Grandmasters noting that in other sports, title matches often extend for hours until a definitive winner is determined.

FIDE president defends Magnus Carlsen

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich has publicly addressed the ongoing controversy for the first time, offering his support for Carlsen during an interview with ChessBase India while also expressing his discontent with the existing regulations.

Regarding the shared blitz title, Dvorkovich remarked, "This situation serves as a lesson regarding the regulations. They were not adequately structured, essentially creating a scenario that could persist indefinitely, which is undesirable. After two games, it was unexpected that the outcome would unfold in this manner, yet Ian managed to return to the game and equalize the score, leading to the current situation."

He further stated, "It is evident that the regulations were flawed. My primary argument is that the players lacked genuine motivation. This was apparent even without the videos, which I only viewed the following morning, showcasing their lighthearted comments. I genuinely believe it was somewhat of a jest, as they were aware of the cameras positioned right in front of them."

Dvorkovich continued, "I did not view the video prior to making my decision; I simply perceived that there was a lack of motivation at that moment. Additionally, it was only a few hours before the New Year. We were all in a celebratory mood! While it is indeed a sport and we expect competitors to strive until the very end, the motivation had significantly waned, making it challenging to exert oneself fully. At that juncture, I did not see any alternative solutions, and those in communication with me did not propose any other options. Consequently, there was little discussion on the matter, and everyone seemed to accept it."

In addition to the controversies in New York, Carlsen has faced criticism from Indian chess enthusiasts for his remarks regarding D. Gukesh. Following the 18-year-old's victory over Ding Liren, which made him the youngest world chess champion in history, Carlsen commented on a podcast that the match did not meet the expected standards and expressed criticism towards Gukesh.

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