Carlsen’s decision stirs new debate
September 8, 2014
Magnus Carlsen’s decision on Sunday to defend his chess world championship title against Vishy Anand in Sochi, Russia in November wasn’t entirely well-received in Norway. Some say Carlsen conceded too much to the Russian power brokers behind the tournament, and has too much at stake, while others called it “a good day for chess.”
He did not, however, want to play in Sochi but was vague about the reasons. Carlsen and his team wanted to move the match out of Russia and postpone the world championship at least until January.
After weeks of resisting the Russian-led international chess federation’s plans to move forward with a new championship tournament in Sochi, Carlsen finally signed the contract committing him to play in it, to defend his title. “He is a chess player, he is the world champion and had a very good experience playing in Chennai last year and winning there,” his manager Espen Agdestein told Norwegian Broacasting (NRK) on Sunday. “So defending his title is something he of course had a very, very strong desire to do.”
“It has been a difficult decision for him,” Agdestein told NRK. “We have tried to move the tournament from Sochi and postpone it because of the difficult and unstable political situation.” Agdestein also said the decision on Sochi as a venue was made fairly recently, “and Magnus has been busy” playing in the major Sinquefield Cup tournament in the US, right when the FIDE was pressuring him with a contract-signing deadline.
“We got a little extra time to make the decision, but otherwise they (the officials at chess federation FIDE) haven’t been willing to budge on the issues we think have been important,” Agdestein conceded.
Carlsen hasn’t been doing well at the Sinquefield Cup, nor did he do well in the recent Chess Olympiad in Tromsø. But instead of refusing to play in Russia, which would have resulted in the Russian reserve player effectively taking his place, Carlsen is now game for the games in Sochi.
“I’m very satisfied that he signed,” FIDE vice president Israel Gelfer told NRK. “He had a lot of questions that were answered by FIDE, myself and the (FIDE) president. We are very glad that he understand that it was not logical to postpone the tournament.”
Torstein Bae, a Norwegian chess commentator, said Carlsen’s decision was “positive for chess, both for Norwegian chess because we can get a Norwegian world champion for many years ahead and not least for international chess, that we avoid another new split like we once had that was unfortunate for chess. It’s a good day for chess.”
Full article here.
Then those norwegians should show the money.. so that FIDE can hold it in Oslo. beggars cannot be choosers goes the saying..
yeah as if sochi was decided at the last minute. gimme a break Mr Agdestien. When chennai was fairly decided last time, you talked of a paris bid ignored.. Now sochi was a surprise.. what’s the next spin .. Oslo bid for $5M rejected..
Magnus…
It is time you fired your manager.. A one in a lifetime player like you.. and he lets go off an opportunity to stage the game in your backyard.. I am sure a developed country like norway has tons of sponsors.. but some work had to be done.. Even Danialov could rope in money in dollar starved bulgaria.. but your manager is just taking it easy..After the WC.. he got to go..
Pity that professional chess has become a pawn in a power game being played by Vlad the Invader.
It’s true that Magnus seems to need better people to handle his affairs – to represent his brand, so to speak.
But it’s also true that FIDE is not a transparent organization. It’s heavily influenced by the Russian Federation.
The last FIDE leaders with real integrity were Olafsson and Euwe.
It’s NOT upto Magnificent Carlsen nor chess in general to make a point against Pathetic Putin, the Pleasure Pope, Communistic Cancer, Ignorant IS, Rubbish Religion or other political and non-political issues around the world. For that, there are more effective/powerful tools: more stupid disrespectful people with bombs. They’ll just start a war. When it’s over, peace kan set for a couple of decades.
No! MagCar should play and proof again he’s still the most consistant, brilliant, accurate and best player ever. (Dispite the recent outstanding achievement from FabFab, which made some people instantly think FabFab is the World Champion?). MagCar achievements (since he’s been playing) in our digital tech-era, on an overall level that has increased substantially in the last decade, are unique. He can and should write more history!It’s not the time (now) to make a statement what so ever!
Play Magnus! Play! Your presence in any tournament, makes the tournament interesting. Your impact lies in chess, not politics.
The norway PM comes to tromso for photo -op?? She could have pulled out 3M from educational budged as chess has educational value.. well once again it goes back to Agdestein mismgmt.. Agree with the point the way fide runs.. 3M prize money and players get just 50% of it.. the side dish became the main dish
If Rex Sinquefield can put on the most scintillating chess event in recent history for 350K in prize money, why should anyone put up 3 or 4 million to host an event between two players who’ll probably put the world to sleep with draws?
WCC matches just aren’t worth the asking price…not for anyone with business sense. Political entities spending public funds or “shady” money…that’s all that’s left.