Following the unprecedented decision by Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi to jointly claim the World Blitz title at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship, American grandmaster Hans Niemann took to social media to express his outrage. He accused FIDE, the international governing body of chess, of capitulating to the influence of the players. Niemann, who has previously faced controversy, directed his ire towards both Carlsen and FIDE with pointed remarks.

“The chess community has become a farce. THIS HAS NEVER OCCURRED IN HISTORY. I cannot fathom that the official chess organization is being swayed by a single player FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS WEEK. THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE WORLD CHAMPION!” Niemann declared on X, denouncing the shared title as a significant deviation from established norms.

Niemann, who previously faced off against Carlsen following allegations of cheating made by the world No. 1—an accusation that resulted in a prominent legal battle—expressed strong opinions regarding the existing power dynamics. He characterized Carlsen as a “judge, jury, and executioner,” highlighting the influence he perceived the Norwegian had over decisions in the chess community.

The American grandmaster was unreserved in his remarks, stating, “There is only one world champion. It is not a title that can simply be ‘SHARED.’”

Niemann expressed that permitting two players to jointly hold the esteemed title diminishes the essence of the competition itself. He also took issue with FIDE, implying that the organization had permitted “money and power [to] corrupt absolutely.”

Niemann expressed that permitting two players to jointly hold the esteemed title diminishes the essence of the competition itself. He also took issue with FIDE, implying that the organization had permitted “money and power [to] corrupt absolutely.”

In his farewell remarks, Niemann pledged to exert greater effort in pursuit of a fair opportunity for the title in the upcoming year: “I will dedicate myself fully to reaching the finals next year to guarantee that no ‘CHAMPIONSHIPS’ are unjustly ‘SHARED’. Forward we go.”

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