The Chess World Cup 2025 is taking place in Goa, and many eyes are on India’s emerging talent D Gukesh. Yet the event has also been marked by the notable absence of former World Champion Magnus Carlsen, a gap that has provoked discussion among fans and commentators alike.
Carlsen has not only chosen to skip the World Cup but has publicly said he will not be pressing a challenge for the World Championship against Gukesh next year.
Why did Magnus Carlsen sit this one out?
Carlsen has repeatedly criticised FIDE’s approach to classical chess, the time controls used in marquee events such as the World Cup and the World Championship, and the broader direction of the sport. His disagreements with the international federation extend back some time, including his support for the Freestyle Chess movement.
He also declined to defend his World Championship crown in 2023, clearing the way for Ding Liren to take the title. Ding, in turn, was defeated by D Gukesh in 2024.
What did Carlsen’s coach say?
Peter Heine Nielsen, Carlsen’s coach, took aim at FIDE and the World Cup in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote:
"The World Cup is underway. The top three players aren’t participating; instead they are competing in a weekly online affair, 'Titled Tuesday.' That would spark outrage in any other sport, yet in chess it is treated as normal."
Not Just Carlsen: Nakamura and Caruana Also MissingCarlsen is not alone. Grandmasters Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana have also opted out of the event. All three have previously cited modest prize funds and steep travel and organisational costs as key reasons for stepping back from some FIDE competitions.
Carlsen has said his relationship with FIDE was “pretty destroyed” after a contentious episode at the 2024 World Rapid and Blitz Championships, often referred to in media as the “jeans scandal.”
Speaking to Norwegian media earlier this year, he said,
"The relationship that my team and I have with FIDE is pretty destroyed. At least with the current administration."
He also confirmed he will skip this year’s World Rapid and Blitz Championships, adding that under the present circumstances his participation was "completely out of the question."
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