Fuss about chess superstar Magnus Carlsen: Other stars in the scene accuse the world association FIDE of giving the Norwegian preferential treatment at the current rapid chess world championship. But the Carlsen camp won’t let that stand.
Chess superstar Magnus Carlsen has once again made the headlines for the wrong reasons these days. Because the Norwegian is allegedly being favored at the current World Rapid Chess Championship in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, some of his competitors are taking to the barricades.
On Tuesday, Russian grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi addressed the world governing body FIDE and the World Cup organizers via Twitter/X and wrote: “As we know, all animals are equal. But some are more equal than others. Is it fair to give Magnus Carlsen a private one “To provide a lounge where he can rest and prepare for the next game with a laptop, while no one else has such an opportunity?”
Grandmaster laments “serious injustice”
The American Fabiano Caruana shared the post with which he obviously agrees and wrote: “It cannot be made clear enough that everyone should play under the same conditions.”
The French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave also got involved. He wrote that he had no problems with the lounge for Carlsen: “But access to a computer between games is a serious injustice.”
Carlsen-Lager denies allegations
The question is: What is true about the allegations? The Carlsen camp says: nothing.
Father Henrik told TV2 that his son had no access to a laptop between games. And FIDE also assured that everything would be fair. However, the association also explained that some players do have access to private rooms and that, according to the regulations, all players are allowed to use computers between games.
“…then that’s a bit unfair”
Meanwhile, the renowned chess journalist Tarjei J. Svensen explained that a certain preference for Carlsen in the form of a private lounge area has been the norm since 2016. “He’s in the spotlight more than other players and gives more interviews. So he has one [Raum] for his own safety and privacy.”
“TV2″ expert Maud Rødsmoen also noted that Carlsen, as by far the scene’s biggest star, is particularly besieged by fans and TV cameras at tournaments and is therefore certainly entitled to a certain amount of special treatment. “But if only Magnus is offered this […]then that’s a bit unfair.”