The chess world was speculating, but World No1 Magnus Carlsen officially confirmed he would not participate in the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024.
The race for the Candidates Tournament 2024 concluded this January when FIDE announced the qualifiers for the event. Surprisingly for the chess spectators, the announcement included Magnus Carlsen, who repeatedly spoke in public that he would not be playing in the qualifying event for the World Chess Championship.
Commenting on the FIDE post about the Candidates line-up, Magnus Carlsen tweeted: “Thanks for the invite, I just don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member right now“, practically confirming what he previously said about his participation in the event.
Five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen decided not to defend the World champion title in 2023, explaining that he is not motivated to play another world championship match. “I donโt have a lot to gain. I don’t particularly like it, and although Iโm sure a match would be interesting for historical reasons, I donโt have any inclinations to play and I will simply not play the match“, said Carlsen in a podcast. However, he left the door open to return to the World Championship someday in the future: “I donโt rule out participation in the future, but I also wouldnโt count on it”.
When Carlsen decided to play in the FIDE World Cup in the summer of last year, the fans had a small hope he would return to the World Championship cycle. As he got closer to the qualification spot, it became clear that Magnus Carlsen wouldn’t be there anytime soon. In a post-game interview of the World Cup Round 4 Magnus went upset about his blunder in the game against Vincent Keymer: “I thought if I’d lose that’s gonna be another humiliation at the World Cup (…) Almost since day 1 I’ve been wondering what am I doing here. Why am I spending all this time playing classical chess which I just find it stressful and boring“. (The complete post-game interview can be seen below)
Later during the tournament, when Carlsen advanced to the semi-finals and got one step away from the Candidates spot, he said he will not play in the Candidates Tournament if it’s held under the current format: “Under the current format, there is absolutely no chance (to play in the Candidates). Everybody should just operate under the assumption that I will not play the Candidates“.
The International Chess Federation FIDE informed that Magnus Carlsen sent a formal letter declining the invitation to the Candidates Tournament on January 13, 2024.
“Despite qualifying for the Candidates Tournament 2024 by winning the 2023 FIDE World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, world #1 Magnus Carlsen officially withdrew from the event. Carlsen had previously stated his disinclination after reaching the semifinals of the World Cup and in some private interviews; however, the formal Letter of Decline was received by FIDE today, January 13, 2024.”, reads FIDE announcement.
According to FIDE Candidates regulations, Carlsen’s spot for Candidates went to the next highest finisher in the 2023 FIDE World Cup, Nijat Abasov (2641, Azerbaijan).
In addition, the earlier agreement between FIDE and Grand Chess Tour from 28th April 2022 stating that “the two top finishers of the 2023 Grand Chess Tour Series will qualify for the Candidates 2024” was silently abolished without any official statements.
Featured photo by Niki Riga
