Carlsen Might Only Defend Title Vs. Firouzja
Did Magnus Carlsen play his last title match?
Photo: Maria Emelianova/
PeterDoggers
Updated: Dec 14, 2021
Chess.com
GM Magnus Carlsen might be letting go of his world title in classical chess unless GM Alireza Firouzja will be his opponent for the next match. "If someone other than Firouzja wins the Candidates Tournament, it is unlikely that I will play the next world championship match," the world champion said in a podcast on Tuesday.
The Candidates Tournament is scheduled for June 2022, and the next world championship is tentatively planned for early 2023. The reigning champion might not be part of it.
At the final press conference after game 11, Carlsen already seemed to be hinting at this possibility when he gave a slightly puzzling answer to the question of whether he expects to eventually let go of his title on his own terms or by losing to a new challenger. "First of all, that's a very good question. I cannot answer it right now," he said.
Four days later, Carlsen provided more details in a new podcast for sponsor Unibet with his good friend Magnus Barstad, recorded in Dubai (also covered by VG). The bomb has been dropped: Carlsen feels he only wants to defend his title in another match if Firouzja will win the 2022 Candidates.
"If someone other than Firouzja wins the Candidates Tournament, it is unlikely that I will play the next world championship match," Carlsen said. "Then I think I can say that I am happy."
At the closing ceremony in Dubai, the Norwegian superstar mentioned that his motivation for the match hadn't always been at its highest. In the podcast, he said that the joy of winning was "not close to" what he envisioned.
In general, Carlsen wasn't as motivated as before: "It has been clear to me for most of the year that this world championship match should be the last. It does not mean as much anymore as it once did," he said, adding: "I have not felt that the positive has outweighed the negative. I want to quit when I am at my best."
In the podcast, Carlsen noted that Firouzja's fast rise to the top somewhat changed his mind. He repeated what he had said at the final press conference: "I have to say I was really impressed with his performance in the Grand Swiss and in the European Team Championship, and I would say that motivated me more than anything else."
PeterDoggers
Updated: Dec 14, 2021
Chess.com
GM Magnus Carlsen might be letting go of his world title in classical chess unless GM Alireza Firouzja will be his opponent for the next match. "If someone other than Firouzja wins the Candidates Tournament, it is unlikely that I will play the next world championship match," the world champion said in a podcast on Tuesday.
The Candidates Tournament is scheduled for June 2022, and the next world championship is tentatively planned for early 2023. The reigning champion might not be part of it.
At the final press conference after game 11, Carlsen already seemed to be hinting at this possibility when he gave a slightly puzzling answer to the question of whether he expects to eventually let go of his title on his own terms or by losing to a new challenger. "First of all, that's a very good question. I cannot answer it right now," he said.
Four days later, Carlsen provided more details in a new podcast for sponsor Unibet with his good friend Magnus Barstad, recorded in Dubai (also covered by VG). The bomb has been dropped: Carlsen feels he only wants to defend his title in another match if Firouzja will win the 2022 Candidates.
"If someone other than Firouzja wins the Candidates Tournament, it is unlikely that I will play the next world championship match," Carlsen said. "Then I think I can say that I am happy."
At the closing ceremony in Dubai, the Norwegian superstar mentioned that his motivation for the match hadn't always been at its highest. In the podcast, he said that the joy of winning was "not close to" what he envisioned.
In general, Carlsen wasn't as motivated as before: "It has been clear to me for most of the year that this world championship match should be the last. It does not mean as much anymore as it once did," he said, adding: "I have not felt that the positive has outweighed the negative. I want to quit when I am at my best."
In the podcast, Carlsen noted that Firouzja's fast rise to the top somewhat changed his mind. He repeated what he had said at the final press conference: "I have to say I was really impressed with his performance in the Grand Swiss and in the European Team Championship, and I would say that motivated me more than anything else."
Is Alireza Firouzja the only player with a chance to play Carlsen in 2023?
Photo: Maria Emelianova/Chess.com.
The world champion emphasizes that he does not intend to quit chess in general. For example, he is very motivated to defend his rapid and blitz titles in Warsaw (Dec. 26-30).
"I will continue to play chess; it gives me a lot of joy. Already in the middle of the world championship here in Dubai, I started to look forward to playing the world rapid and blitz this Christmas."
And it seems we don't need to worry about losing Carlsen for classical chess either as he has set a new goal: that of breaking 2900 Elo.
"I have never had it as a goal before because I felt that it was too difficult. I have improved my rating again a bit now, to 2865, and it is at least a goal you can set. It does not feel completely impossible, but at the same time, I know that I have to be on top every time I play. There is no room for error. It is something to motivate oneself for."
If Firouzja fails to win the Candidates, we might see a repeat of the scenario in 1975, when the chess world got a new world champion without the reigning champion losing a match. The 11th world champion Bobby Fischer forfeited his title after failing to agree with FIDE on the details for a match against Anatoly Karpov, who was then awarded the title.
As the Norwegian GM Jon Ludvig Hammer points out, this time around we might see a match between the winner and the runner-up of the Candidates.
The world champion emphasizes that he does not intend to quit chess in general. For example, he is very motivated to defend his rapid and blitz titles in Warsaw (Dec. 26-30).
"I will continue to play chess; it gives me a lot of joy. Already in the middle of the world championship here in Dubai, I started to look forward to playing the world rapid and blitz this Christmas."
And it seems we don't need to worry about losing Carlsen for classical chess either as he has set a new goal: that of breaking 2900 Elo.
"I have never had it as a goal before because I felt that it was too difficult. I have improved my rating again a bit now, to 2865, and it is at least a goal you can set. It does not feel completely impossible, but at the same time, I know that I have to be on top every time I play. There is no room for error. It is something to motivate oneself for."
If Firouzja fails to win the Candidates, we might see a repeat of the scenario in 1975, when the chess world got a new world champion without the reigning champion losing a match. The 11th world champion Bobby Fischer forfeited his title after failing to agree with FIDE on the details for a match against Anatoly Karpov, who was then awarded the title.
As the Norwegian GM Jon Ludvig Hammer points out, this time around we might see a match between the winner and the runner-up of the Candidates.
Magnus Carlsen may opt against world chess defence due to lack of motivation
Carlsen retained world championship title in Dubai
Magnus Carlsen says he is ready to shock the chess world by giving up his world championship title – because defending it no longer motivates him. The five-time world champion retained the classical title in emphatic style in Dubai last week, crushing his Russian challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi 7½-3½, but now says he has other priorities.
“It’s been clear to me for most of the year that this world championship should be the last,” he said. “It doesn’t mean as much any more as it once did. I haven’t felt that the positive outweighs the negative.
Carlsen’s epochal world title triumph proves an antidote to perfection
“For those who expect me to play the world championship next time, the chance that they will be disappointed is very great.”
The 31-year-old said the only thing likely to persuade him to keep defending his title would be if his next opponent was the brilliant 18‑year‑old Alireza Firouzja, who recently broke Carlsen’s record as the youngest 2800-rated player and is now ranked world No 2.
However, Firouzja still has to qualify from an eight-man candidates tournament to earn the right to play Carlsen.
“It is important for me to say that I do intend to play chess,” said Carlsen, who has hinted before that he is unhappy with the format of the classical world championship, which he thinks should have shorter time controls. “I will continue to play chess, it gives me a lot of joy. But the world championship has not been so pleasurable.”
How Magnus Carlsen won chess back from the machines
Speaking to the Løperekka podcast for his sponsor Unibet, Carlsen said: “If someone other than Firouzja wins the candidates tournament it’s unlikely I will play the next world championship match.”
Instead Carlsen, who is already the highest ranked chess player in history, has set his sights on becoming the first man to break the 2900 barrier.
“There is so much more I can try to do,” he said. “I am very motivated to get the rating to 2900. I have never had it as a goal before, because I felt it was difficult. I have raised the rating a bit again now, to 2865, and it is at least a goal you can set. It does not feel completely impossible.”
Carlsen retained world championship title in Dubai
‘It doesn’t mean as much any more as it once did’
Magnus Carlsen insists he has other priorities outside of the world championship.
Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Sean Ingle
THE GUARDIAN
Tue 14 Dec 2021
Sean Ingle
THE GUARDIAN
Tue 14 Dec 2021
Magnus Carlsen says he is ready to shock the chess world by giving up his world championship title – because defending it no longer motivates him. The five-time world champion retained the classical title in emphatic style in Dubai last week, crushing his Russian challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi 7½-3½, but now says he has other priorities.
“It’s been clear to me for most of the year that this world championship should be the last,” he said. “It doesn’t mean as much any more as it once did. I haven’t felt that the positive outweighs the negative.
Carlsen’s epochal world title triumph proves an antidote to perfection
“For those who expect me to play the world championship next time, the chance that they will be disappointed is very great.”
The 31-year-old said the only thing likely to persuade him to keep defending his title would be if his next opponent was the brilliant 18‑year‑old Alireza Firouzja, who recently broke Carlsen’s record as the youngest 2800-rated player and is now ranked world No 2.
However, Firouzja still has to qualify from an eight-man candidates tournament to earn the right to play Carlsen.
“It is important for me to say that I do intend to play chess,” said Carlsen, who has hinted before that he is unhappy with the format of the classical world championship, which he thinks should have shorter time controls. “I will continue to play chess, it gives me a lot of joy. But the world championship has not been so pleasurable.”
How Magnus Carlsen won chess back from the machines
Speaking to the Løperekka podcast for his sponsor Unibet, Carlsen said: “If someone other than Firouzja wins the candidates tournament it’s unlikely I will play the next world championship match.”
Instead Carlsen, who is already the highest ranked chess player in history, has set his sights on becoming the first man to break the 2900 barrier.
“There is so much more I can try to do,” he said. “I am very motivated to get the rating to 2900. I have never had it as a goal before, because I felt it was difficult. I have raised the rating a bit again now, to 2865, and it is at least a goal you can set. It does not feel completely impossible.”
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