The World Chess Federation (FIDE) has responded to Magnus Carlsen’s bold suggestion that he is bigger than the organization. Referencing former champions Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov, FIDE remarked that similar attitudes from past legends ultimately ‘did not work’ for them, signalling a sharp rebuke to Carlsen’s stance amid the ongoing freestyle chess controversy.
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The war of words between FIDE and Magnus Carlsen over the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour continues, with International Chess Federation CEO Emil Sutovsky responding to the world No.1’s recent claim that
FIDE needs him more than he needs them.
FIDE and Carlsen have been at loggerheads ever since the global chess body rejected Freestyle Chess Players Club’s (FCPC) attempt
to brand their upcoming Grand Slam Tour as a “World Championship”.
While, top players like Carlsen and world No.3 Hikaru Nakamura have alleged that FIDE is
threatening players against joining Freestyle Chess, the International Chess Federation has accused FCPC of creating “divisions in the chess world” and threatened legal action if Freestyle Chess tries to present its tour as World Championship.
Reacting to FIDE’s strong statements, Carlsen recently remarked that the governing body needs him more than he needs them and that he refuses to agree to anything he considers wrong.
“Chess will always be bigger than I am, but specific organizations, maybe not. I’m generally nice, but I will not agree with things I believe are wrong,” Carlsen told Gambling Insider. “They (FIDE) need me more than I need them.”
FIDE reminds Carlsen of Kasparov’s past failures
FIDE CEO Sutovsky has now called out Carlsen for his latest statement and reminded him that legendary former world champions Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov had also tried to undermine the chess federation’s authority in the past but failed to sustain their efforts.
While Fischer clashed with FIDE in the 1970s, Kasparov broke away and created the Professional Chess Association (PCA), which later closed down due to a lack of sponsors.
“I am bigger than FIDE” concept did not work even for Fischer and Kasparov – who tried it being reigning World Champions, while having a real dominance over their rivals at the time. Of course, initially the public may back a superstar vs the governing body. And you may lure in a couple of naive investors. But that is unsustainable – and we saw many examples of the kind,” Sutovsky wrote X.
When one sees public rhetoric coming from Freestyle Chess leaders, it becomes clear, that the project is bound to fail.
” F U “, “They are so stupid”, “Horse sh.t” etc.
And why all that? Because you want your private project to be called World Championship? Instead of finding a…
— Emilchess (@EmilSutovsky) January 28, 2025
“Today FIDE is probably in the best position ever – and chess community sees it – we deliver unprecedented number of projects around the world, we keep increasing prize funds for top players and support for educational and social programs, and we can plan far ahead thanks to our partnerships East and West.
Sutovsky added that FIDE would “love” to work with private projects but are also ready for “war”.
“We’d love to work with any private project – in particular with ambitious ones. But if you want a war – try us,” he added.
Sutovsky also slammed
Nakamura for using terms like “Horse sh.t” while criticisng FIDE amid the ongoing controversy. Sutovsky, who is a Grandmaster from Israel, also alleged that Freestyle Chess leaders are driven by “money” in their fight against FIDE.
“When one sees public rhetoric coming from Freestyle Chess leaders, it becomes clear, that the project is bound to fail. ” F U “, “They are so stupid”, “Horse sh.t” etc,” Sutovsky wrote. “And why all that? Because you want your private project to be called World Championship? Instead of finding a way to cooperate – as we do with several major organizers, to align the Calendar as we proposed for the benefit of players and fans.
“So, to hype the things up you start a campaign belittling classical/regular chess, orchestrating media publications, and spicen it up with personal attacks?
“That is not how you win hearts or money. And money is by far the main objective for this commercial project.”
Sutovsky added that Freestyle Chess leaders are working for the benefit of a “few people” and their “attitude will lead to failure”.
“This is also not the way to appeal to chess community: you may hire lawyers and try to convince some players to violate their obligations. But it won’t work at large – especially when you have nothing sustainable to offer. And chess players know that FIDE delivers and will keep delivering,” he said.
“And you completely neglect entire chess society, focusing on few people interest – and for that sake go to war, demanding your project to be called World Championship?
“All the above (and there is much more) are signs of the attitude that will lead to a failure.
“FIDE is known for its readiness to be mindful, flexible, and to go extra miles towards partners, and especially players – and that was mistaken for weakness.”