Defined: Why Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi have been accused of match-fixing after sharing World Blitz title

World No 1 chess participant Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi
agreed to share the 2024 FIDE Blitz Championship title in New York, marking the first-ever time that this competitors has had joint winners. Carlsen and Ian fought tooth and nail within the open part’s remaining of the World Blitz Championship. Carlsen started the ultimate with two wins over the Russian.

Nonetheless, the Norwegian was in a cautious place after his queen and pawn evaded Ian’s rook pair within the first recreation. As soon as Carlsen gained the second recreation with white items, he had a 2-0 lead over Ian and wanted only a draw to clinch the World Blitz Championship title.

Ian fought again with a victory within the third recreation to make the scores 2-1, nonetheless in favour of Carlsen. Ian was tactically good within the rook pair vs rook and bishop endgame, which allowed him to remain alive within the competitors. Within the fourth recreation, Ian as soon as once more employed his tactical brilliance by sacrificing his knight to clinch a victory that equalled the scores 2-2.

The sudden dying adopted subsequent and each Carlsen and Ian had an accuracy of 98 per cent, with all three video games ending in evenly-fought attracts. The 2 gamers then had discussions with the Worldwide Chess Federation (FIDE), after which Carlsen proposed to share the title to which Ian agreed with none hesitancy.

After the ultimate, Carlsen stated that he was happy to share the World Blitz Championship title with Ian. “It feels excellent to share gold with Nepo. We reached a degree the place it had been an extended day. We performed many video games, we had three attracts and I felt that I might maintain enjoying. Nevertheless it was a pleasant answer to share the win, it was a great way to finish it,” Carlsen informed Norwegian media outlet NRK.

Match-fixing allegations emerge

Whereas the duo shared the World Blitz Championship title, a video went viral on social media the place Carlsen and Ian may very well be heard speaking backstage in the course of the remaining. “Simply play quick attracts till they provide up,” Carlsen may very well be heard telling Ian within the video. A number of followers on social media accused Carlsen and Ian of match-fixing. Magnus : “In the event that they like refuse, we will simply play quick attracts till they provide up.”

“Isn’t this match-fixing, @FIDE_chess? Dubov & Nepo had been double forfeited final yr for pre-arranging a draw, why wasn’t comparable motion taken this time round?,” requested a fan.

Magnus : “In the event that they like refuse, we will simply play quick attracts till they provide up.”

Is not this match-fixing, @FIDE_chess? Dubov & Nepo had been double forfeited final yr for pre-arranging a draw, why wasn’t comparable motion taken this time round? pic.twitter.com/WjyteaztLi

— Abhiraj (@mytywarriorking) January 1, 2025

“It’s flawed, in fact, at many ranges. It additionally reveals Magnus’s intuition to resort to blackmail if Fide insists on following the laws. The place does energy reside within the chess world, in 2024 or 2025?,” requested Indian chess grandmaster Srinath Narayanan.

It is flawed, in fact, at many ranges. It additionally reveals Magnus’s intuition to resort to blackmail if Fide insists on following the laws.https://t.co/YXaxfAwHKU

The place does energy reside within the chess world, in 2024 or 2025? https://t.co/IVCb76yX7a

— Srinath Narayanan (@srinathchess) January 1, 2025

“Disgraceful,” one other fan wrote on “X”.

They clearly talked about fixing the match..!!
Its caught on digicam.!!
Disgraceful.!@HansMokeNiemann @chess_insights @GMHikaru @anishgiri https://t.co/nmPmENK2AP

— Izanami (@_Mithya_Lost) January 1, 2025

Carlsen’s denims controversy

Final week, Carlsen had been concerned in an issue after he violated the match’s costume code by carrying denims on the FIDE World Fast and Blitz Championships. Carlsen refused to alter his denims to the formal outfit, and this prompted the
FIDE to disqualify him from the match. Nonetheless, a few days later, Carlsen
introduced that he would take part within the Blitz Championships after the FIDE relaxed guidelines pertaining to gamers carrying denims.