The final of the World Blitz Chess Championship in New York between Magnus Carlsen and Jan Nepomnjaschtschi ended in a draw – it was an excitement. A competitor suspected fraud. Carlsen contradicts this interpretation.
“I have never pre-arranged a draw in my career”he wrote on “X,” referencing a video. In it you can see and hear Carlsen talking to his opponent Jan Nepomnjaschtschi from Russia about the outcome of the game and a suggestion to the umbrella organization FIDE. He said: “If they refuse, then we can just play short draws until they give up.”
Carlsen: “Bad joke”
He later wrote: “In the video I joke with Jan. This was obviously not an attempt to influence FIDE.” The content of the conversation is a “bad joke” Carlsen continued: “I think the game itself showed two players who play chess at a high level, who are equal and both deserve a win.”
“They’re both tired and nervous”
According to the association, it was only when the score was 3.5:3.5 that Carlsen stood up and publicly suggested to his opponent that he should not continue playing. The main referee accepted this after FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich had previously agreed. In his position, according to the tournament regulations, he is authorized to make a decision in unforeseen cases.
Defending champion Carlsen now shares the title with Nepomnyashchi. At 3.5 to 3.5, both players won twice each, three games ended in a draw.
“We’re both tired and nervous. Some people will like it, others won’t. That’s just how it is,” 34-year-old Carlsen commented on the unusual outcome.
Niemann with harsh criticism
“The chess world is officially a joke,” wrote Carlsen’s intimate enemy Hans Niemann from the USA at “X”. Niemann, who had lost to Carlsen in the quarterfinals, reacted indignantly. “I can’t believe that the Official Chess Federation is controlled by a single player, for the second time in a week. There can only be one world champion”wrote the 21-year-old.
Carlsen competes in jeans again
Carlsen, who had clearly defeated Nepomnyashchi at the conventional 2021 World Chess Championship, also competed in jeans on the final day. There had previously been a dispute with the world association FIDE over the dress code. Ultimately, the association decided that the official dress code should continue to be adhered to, “but elegant, small deviations (which may include jeans that match the jacket) are permitted.”
Won an explosive duel against Niemann
On the way to the final, Carlsen won the explosive duel against the American Hans Niemann in the quarterfinals. Before the game, Carlsen said about Niemann that the 21-year-old was of course not his favorite opponent.
Carlsen had made allegations of fraud two years ago, and the subsequent legal dispute with Niemann was only ended a year later. After Carlsen’s victory on New Year’s Eve, the two opponents briefly shook hands, and the world number one quickly looked away.