World chess federation reacts to Carlsen’s ‘I’m larger than FIDE’ response: ‘It didn’t work for Fischer and Kasparov’

The disagreement between FIDE and Magnus Carlsen over the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour continues, with Worldwide Chess Federation CEO Emil Sutovsky responding to the world No.1’s current declare that
FIDE wants him greater than he wants them.

FIDE and Carlsen have been at loggerheads ever because the international chess physique rejected Freestyle Chess Gamers Membership’s (FCPC) try
to model their upcoming Grand Slam Tour as a “World Championship”.

Whereas, prime gamers like Carlsen and world No.3 Hikaru Nakamura have alleged that FIDE is
threatening gamers in opposition to becoming a member of Freestyle Chess, the Worldwide Chess Federation has accused FCPC of making “divisions within the chess world” and threatened authorized motion if Freestyle Chess tries to current its tour as World Championship.

Reacting to FIDE’s sturdy statements, Carlsen lately remarked that the governing physique wants him greater than he wants them and that he refuses to conform to something he considers unsuitable.

“Chess will at all times be larger than I’m, however particular organizations, perhaps not. I’m usually good, however I can’t agree with issues I consider are unsuitable,” Carlsen advised Playing Insider. “They (FIDE) want me greater than I want them.”

FIDE reminds Carlsen of Kasparov’s previous failures

FIDE CEO Sutovsky has now referred to as out Carlsen for his newest assertion and reminded him that legendary former world champions Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov had additionally tried to undermine the chess federation’s authority prior to now however didn’t maintain their efforts.

Whereas Fischer clashed with FIDE within the Nineteen Seventies, Kasparov broke away and created the Skilled Chess Affiliation (PCA), which later closed down because of an absence of sponsors.

“I’m larger than FIDE” idea didn’t work even for Fischer and Kasparov – who tried it being reigning World Champions, whereas having an actual dominance over their rivals on the time. In fact, initially the general public might again a celebrity vs the governing physique. And you could lure in a few naive buyers. However that’s unsustainable – and we noticed many examples of the sort,” Sutovsky wrote X.

When one sees public rhetoric coming from Freestyle Chess leaders, it turns into clear, that the mission is sure to fail.

” F U “, “They’re so silly”, “Horse sh.t” and many others.

And why all that? Since you need your non-public mission to be referred to as World Championship? As a substitute of discovering a…

— Emilchess (@EmilSutovsky) January 28, 2025

“At this time FIDE might be in the most effective place ever – and chess neighborhood sees it – we ship unprecedented variety of initiatives world wide, we hold growing prize funds for prime gamers and help for academic and social applications, and we are able to plan far forward because of our partnerships East and West.

Sutovsky added that FIDE would “love” to work with non-public initiatives however are additionally prepared for “battle”.

“We’d like to work with any non-public mission – particularly with formidable ones. However if you need a battle – strive us,” he added.

Sutovsky additionally slammed
Nakamura for utilizing phrases like “Horse sh.t” whereas criticisng FIDE amid the continuing controversy. Sutovsky, who’s a Grandmaster from Israel, additionally alleged that Freestyle Chess leaders are pushed by “cash” of their combat in opposition to FIDE.

“When one sees public rhetoric coming from Freestyle Chess leaders, it turns into clear, that the mission is sure to fail. ” F U “, “They’re so silly”, “Horse sh.t” and many others,” Sutovsky wrote. “And why all that? Since you need your non-public mission to be referred to as World Championship? As a substitute of discovering a method to cooperate – as we do with a number of main organizers, to align the Calendar as we proposed for the advantage of gamers and followers.

“So, to hype the issues up you begin a marketing campaign belittling classical/common chess, orchestrating media publications, and spicen it up with private assaults?

“That’s not the way you win hearts or cash. And cash is by far the principle goal for this business mission.”

Sutovsky added that Freestyle Chess leaders are working for the advantage of a “few individuals” and their “angle will result in failure”.

“That is additionally not the way in which to attraction to chess neighborhood: you could rent attorneys and attempt to persuade some gamers to violate their obligations. Nevertheless it gained’t work at massive – particularly when you don’t have anything sustainable to supply. And chess gamers know that FIDE delivers and can hold delivering,” he mentioned.

“And also you utterly neglect total chess society, specializing in few individuals curiosity – and for that sake go to battle, demanding your mission to be referred to as World Championship?

“All of the above (and there’s way more) are indicators of the angle that may result in a failure.

“FIDE is thought for its readiness to be conscious, versatile, and to go additional miles in the direction of companions, and particularly gamers – and that was mistaken for weak point.”