Moscow: The 16th world chess champion, Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, called on Russia’s Arkady Dvorkovich to resign as International Chess Federation (FIDE) President.
Earlier on Monday, 3 February, it was announced that FIDE and the Freestyle Chess Tour, co-organised by Carlsen, had failed to reach an agreement on cooperation due to disputes over the recognition of the status of the world championship regulator. Earlier, during 2024 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York, the Norwegian accused FIDE of threatening chess players with disqualification from world championships if they played in the Freestyle Tour.
Carlsen cited the text of Dvorkovich’s correspondence with his father, in which FIDE chief had promised the Norwegian that regardless of the disputes between FIDE and the Freestyle Chess Tour, the players would not be affected in any way, and that they would be able to decide where to play independently without fear of sanctions from the federation.
“Coercion of players, misuse of power and broken promises. FIDE President Dvorkovich, to convince me to play the Rapid & Blitz in New York, you wrote Dec 19th to my father: ‘Just want to pass a message to you and Magnus that whatever happens between FIDE and Freestyle in terms of recognition, players will NOT be affected in any way. They can decide on their own and FIDE will not take any negative action,'” Carlsen said on X.
“You added later that day: ‘I will step down if my word will be undermined by the Council.’ By forcing players to sign an unacceptable waiver you have reneged on your promise. Will you resign?” he added.
Carlsen, widely regarded as the all-time greatest chess player, held the world title from 2013 to 2023, making four successful defenses. The Norwegian voluntarily gave up his fifth defence.
