Identified for his outspoken character on chess boards and social media, chess legend Vladimir Kramnik lately accused Magnus Carlsen of blackmailing FIDE, into coming to an settlement with the Freestyle Chess Gamers Membership (FCPC). In a sequence of tweets, Kramnik requested some severe inquiries to FIDE and the Norwegian grandmaster.
FIDE chief added D Gukesh to the drama involving Magnus Carlsen.
The previous classical world and world chess champion requested FIDE for the explanations behind their acceptance of a non-public occasion, which is the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour. He additionally accused Carlsen of threatening FIDE to withdraw his participation from the continuing Speedy and Blitz C’ship, if an settlement wasn’t reached. That is additionally in distinction to Carlsen’s accusations.
The World No.1 accused FIDE of threatening gamers who have been prepared to take part within the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour. In the meantime, Carlsen was kicked out of the Speedy and Blitz C’ship in New York on Friday after he refused to vary his apparel regardless of a warning.
FIDE chief assaults Magnus Carlsen, brings D Gukesh into the drama
Since then FIDE chief Emil Sutovsky has gone on to make clear the state of affairs on X. First, he knowledgeable followers that Carlsen hasn’t been banned from the continuing championship, however can resume on Saturday, because of the guidelines. Then he went on to reply to Carlsen’s earlier accusations of FIDE threatening gamers, that they might not be allowed to play within the World C’ship cycle in the event that they signed with Freestyle Chess Slam.
Sutovsky wrote, “Important clarification: The claim that FIDE threatened players who were willing to participate in Freestyle Chess Tour is a lie. We were happy to cooperate (as we cooperate with Grand Chess Tour, for example), to align the calendars, etc.”
“We care about players, and about their opportunities – constantly improving prize funds and conditions in all our events, and working with numerous partners who conduct their tournaments outside of FIDE. The only thing we insisted on – no Series or Tour can be called World Championship unless FIDE approves it. FIDE is the governing body of chess, and any World Championship should either be conducted or approved by FIDE.”
The grandmaster additionally went on to state that he had already spoken about it publicly on Carlsen’s co-owned Take Take utility. He additionally urged followers to ask reigning world chess champion D Gukesh for the reality.
“I spoke about it in detail in my interview for Take Take tonight. No player was threatened – and to that effect one may ask Gukesh, Fabi, Nodirbek and others”, he added.
The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025 will start on January 4, and it consists of 5 occasions throughout 5 continents. The lineup for the primary occasion will see the likes of Carlsen, Gukesh and Viswanathan Anand in motion.
In the meantime, Kramnik took a dig on the tweet in an oblique method. A fan jokingly commented on the submit, “Should we trust the goat who speaks out his minds or the fide who does not know it’s know rules?”
Kramnik responded, “Probably neither”.