Magnus Carlsen, who extended his reign of the chess empire to more than nine years with a resounding win over challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi in Dubai on Friday, understands that sport is neither equal nor fair. Going by some of his quotes during the World Championship match, the Norwegian is probably happy with the cruel consequences of being a sportsman.
Carlsen made the first time control of 40 moves with just six seconds to go in the pivotal 136-move sixth game of their match. Still, he has welcomed the new regulation of no increment in the clock for the first 60 moves, less rest days and playing three games in a row. “It is not entirely pleasant (lack of increment), but it’s appropriate,” he said.
On the experience of ending Game 6 after midnight and starting the next game on the same day, he said, “It messes up everybody’s schedule. But this is why we are here. So that’s fine.” On another question, the 31-year-old five-time matchplay champion said, “It meant that we would get into a serious struggle and I was happy with that.”
Carlsen’s fascination for suffering — and his willingness to play minus and equal positions till the opponents blink — has made him one of the all-time greats of the sport. His domination can be compared only with Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov.
Seven-time National champion Praveen Thipsay told TOI, “I think it is not the suffering but the challenge to his intelligence and creativity in defending counter attacking that give him all the fun he expects to get from the game. It stimulates him. Unlike many others, this stimulation means more to him than mere winning.”
In an era where players’ dependency on chess engines has grown manifold, Carlsen’s scholarly rival Anish Giri said on chess24 broadcast, “Magnus goes for positions which will give chances for human moves.”
Anand added on the FIDE broadcast: “The worst thing is opponents don’t realise what they are facing. The position looks harmless and then Magnus does his thing (outplay them in the endgame).”
Carlsen, unlike Kramnik (champion from 2000-07) and Anand (2008-12), is not happy just to keep his title.
He will celebrate his title by playing in the World Rapid and Blitz championships in Warsaw, Poland, during X-Mas later this month.
Carlsen seems open to different ideas. “The ideal system to find a world champion depends on what you want the world champion to be. Whether you want to find the best player in the world and what that (best) means; and how you balance that with an exciting and sporting contest,” he said after winning it.
Carlsen won’t mind losing the traditional privilege of playing the next title match as a defending champion. The rest of the chess world is finding it tough to keep up with him.
Next World title match
The eight-player Candidates tournament is scheduled next year with the winner taking on Carlsen early 2023. Only two spots are vacant (via GP series). The five qualifiers so far: Nepo, Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland), Sergey Karjakin (Russia), Alireza Firouzja (Iranian turned French), Fabiano Caruana (USA) plus wild card Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan).
Who will be Carlsen’s and chess fans’ preferred opponent for him? World No. 2 Frouzja, just 18, the youngest to break the Elo 2800 barrier. Carslen said. “His performance was great in the Grand Swiss tour. It motivated me.”
Carlsen made the first time control of 40 moves with just six seconds to go in the pivotal 136-move sixth game of their match. Still, he has welcomed the new regulation of no increment in the clock for the first 60 moves, less rest days and playing three games in a row. “It is not entirely pleasant (lack of increment), but it’s appropriate,” he said.
On the experience of ending Game 6 after midnight and starting the next game on the same day, he said, “It messes up everybody’s schedule. But this is why we are here. So that’s fine.” On another question, the 31-year-old five-time matchplay champion said, “It meant that we would get into a serious struggle and I was happy with that.”
Carlsen’s fascination for suffering — and his willingness to play minus and equal positions till the opponents blink — has made him one of the all-time greats of the sport. His domination can be compared only with Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov.
Seven-time National champion Praveen Thipsay told TOI, “I think it is not the suffering but the challenge to his intelligence and creativity in defending counter attacking that give him all the fun he expects to get from the game. It stimulates him. Unlike many others, this stimulation means more to him than mere winning.”
In an era where players’ dependency on chess engines has grown manifold, Carlsen’s scholarly rival Anish Giri said on chess24 broadcast, “Magnus goes for positions which will give chances for human moves.”
Anand added on the FIDE broadcast: “The worst thing is opponents don’t realise what they are facing. The position looks harmless and then Magnus does his thing (outplay them in the endgame).”
Carlsen, unlike Kramnik (champion from 2000-07) and Anand (2008-12), is not happy just to keep his title.
He will celebrate his title by playing in the World Rapid and Blitz championships in Warsaw, Poland, during X-Mas later this month.
Carlsen seems open to different ideas. “The ideal system to find a world champion depends on what you want the world champion to be. Whether you want to find the best player in the world and what that (best) means; and how you balance that with an exciting and sporting contest,” he said after winning it.
Carlsen won’t mind losing the traditional privilege of playing the next title match as a defending champion. The rest of the chess world is finding it tough to keep up with him.
Next World title match
The eight-player Candidates tournament is scheduled next year with the winner taking on Carlsen early 2023. Only two spots are vacant (via GP series). The five qualifiers so far: Nepo, Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland), Sergey Karjakin (Russia), Alireza Firouzja (Iranian turned French), Fabiano Caruana (USA) plus wild card Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan).
Who will be Carlsen’s and chess fans’ preferred opponent for him? World No. 2 Frouzja, just 18, the youngest to break the Elo 2800 barrier. Carslen said. “His performance was great in the Grand Swiss tour. It motivated me.”
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