World Chess Championships

[Alan Ruffle]

Dear All

Magnus Carlsen has declined the opportunity to defend his world chess championship title on the grounds of lack of motivation. To his and the championships great credit.
Ian Nepomniahtchi (Russia) challenger in 2021 has qualified again quite correctly to challenge for the title under competition rules and via the Candidates tournament.
Ian with a number of top Russian grandmasters have written to Mr Putin stating their lack of support for the war with Ukraine.
I am an admirer of Ian Nepomniahtchi he won me over with his first half performance in the match.
BUT
Britain is sending twelve tanks to Ukraine.
Russia continues to send bombs onto Ukraine cities and civilians.
Other world sporting bodies have ostracised Russia.
FIDE should invite Ian Nepomniahtchi to withdraw from the world championship match.

Yours Sincerely.
Alan Ruffle

[Matthew Turner]

I can see you have really thought this through, so who are you proposing Nepo is replaced by

[John Upham]

Britain is sending twelve tanks to Ukraine.

Incorrect.

Fourteen Challenger 2 Tanks with either Chobham or Dorchester reactive armour are being sent.

"Around 30 AS90s, which are large, self-propelled guns, are also expected to be delivered."

[John Upham]

I can see you have really thought this through, so who are you proposing Nepo is replaced by

Karjakin?

Perhaps Hans Niemann...

[Mick Norris]

It starts on 7 April but still no venue announced I think

[Matthew Turner]

Mexico has apparently gone, but there are repeated rumours abiout Kazakhstan stepping in. This has been confirmed by Ding, who also mentioned Argentina (with a small change in dates).

[Ian Thompson]

It starts on 7 April but still no venue announced I think

Announcement expected at the end of this week - https://twitter.com/FIDE_chess/status/1 ... 9874501634

[Graham Borrowdale]

I have to admit I had forgotten about this match. It will be interesting to see whether the new champion gets any recognition, or they just get seen as ‘FIDE Champion’, as Karpov did in 1993. I am sure Carlsen will still get lauded.

[IM Jack Rudd]

Kazakhstan would make geographical sense, bordering as it does the home countries of both players.

[John Upham]

Kazakhstan would make geographical sense, bordering as it does the home countries of both players.

I would recommend that Sasha Baron Cohen is made Master of Ceremonies at the opening and closing.

They could chose the same national anthem as played in error at the 2012 International Shooting Grand Prix, Kuwait

[Mick Norris]

It starts on 7 April but still no venue announced I think

Announcement expected at the end of this week - https://twitter.com/FIDE_chess/status/1 ... 9874501634

Thanks Ian

[Matt Mackenzie]

I have to admit I had forgotten about this match. It will be interesting to see whether the new champion gets any recognition, or they just get seen as ‘FIDE Champion’, as Karpov did in 1993. I am sure Carlsen will still get lauded.

Though its not like Carlsen will have an "alternative" world title as Kasparov did then.

[Roger de Coverly]

It will be interesting to see whether the new champion gets any recognition, or they just get seen as ‘FIDE Champion’, as Karpov did in 1993.

1974/75 is also a precedent when Fischer declined to defend the title on FIDE's terms. Back then, Karpov as challenger was declared champion. With Fischer not playing at all, he soon became accepted.

[John Upham]

It will be interesting to see whether the new champion gets any recognition, or they just get seen as ‘FIDE Champion’, as Karpov did in 1993.

1974/75 is also a precedent when Fischer declined to defend the title on FIDE's terms. Back then, Karpov as challenger was declared champion. With Fischer not playing at all, he soon became accepted.

FIDE surpassed themselves from 1999 until 2006 covering themselves in large amounts of glory.