Carlsen Drops Out of WC Cycle!

Maybe too simple an explanation, but it seems like it's worth it to sit out a cycle and let the old guard get a little bit older -- that way you're (Carlsen) is much less likely to fail.  Carlsen's generation isn't much of a threat to Carlsen.

I think of it as a mix of fear and logic.  He's guaranteeing his future success by running away today.  IMO the unhappiness with FIDE policy is a red-herring so to speak, even if Carlsen himself doesn't think of it that way.

Not at all admirable, but it makes sense.  And I'll be disappointed not to see an Anand-Carlsen match asap

My 2 cents.

It does make some sense but still seems like a poor decision. Kasparov likely became stronger than he had been previously as a result of playing several matches against Karpov when Karpov was at or near his peak. If he had sat and waited for Karpov to get old he might have won the title anyway but probably wouldn't have been as strong a champion as he was. Right now it looks like all of Carlsen's chief rivals are significantly older than him and so maybe he could benefit from waiting, but that situation may change and if it does he will not be as strong as he could have been.

Exactly. Kasparov mentiones that again and again about Karpov. Kramnik said the same, he said it would've been a great experience for Carlsen even if he didn't win the candidates.

Of course, if the world champ has an advantage (playing less matches), then one could argue that it wouldn't accurately represent the best player because the challenger may not be playing in top form. On the other hand, what would be the point of world champ when the crown would be so easy to lose?

What would be the the value of a 10 or 20 year reign if the crown would be so easy to keep?

I dunno

I don't think many kings gave up their crowns because they didn't feel worthy of keeping them.

The fact that Carlsen has left the WC cycle is bad news. On the other hand, Grischuk is in now. Isn't that great?

Not really.

Carlsen may be boxed in. He refuses to play until the rules change...and some of the top players do not support him. If enough top GMs favour the "match play" then according to FIDE, they will be forced to keep it after the current cycle. Thus, Carlsen will either have to "change his mind" ( and look like an idiot )...or remain on the fringe...

...either way this turns out...the kid really knows how to draw a crowd.

Will there be candidates matches to determine a challenger or a candidates tournament ? 

I'm not sure if you actually read the letter, no where in it is Carlsen mentioning the things you speak of. Refuses to play in a match? He didn't say, he only said he would leave the 2008-2012 cycle.

Manymercsmike:

Carlsen seems extremely mature about his chess, despite a small recent slump (perfectly natural!). Really, the fact that he got to 2800 so quick says absolutely everything, and I don't think his maturity of handling a match would be any problem, whatsoever! You can't get to 2800 without incredible maturity, that is if you're 19 (or is it 20?); prodigies can often make it to grandmaster level, but to go beyond to any where near a world champion requires insane dedication for anyone. It is impossible to be a 2800 just by riding on your talent. Yes he hasn't played in matches, but I don't think that he's in any way "not ready" for match play. I'm sure he would be happy with preparing all kinds of stuff, it's just what 2800s like to do. The only problem in my eyes that comes with his youth is simply his lack of experience, but as you're still just playing chess, I don't think that is such a huge disadvantage.

I think it's something he will have to adjust to, sure, but he should be able to do so well enough, and for the most part his chess can do the talking.

I thought Carlsen played well at Nanjing which is matchplay ?

Nanjing was a round-robin tournament.

 lol you actually follow the tournaments.

Why is it funny that I follow the tournaments?

tricklev wrote-

I'm not sure if you actually read the letter, no where in it is Carlsen mentioning the things you speak of. Refuses to play in a match? He didn't say, he only said he would leave the 2008-2012 cycle.

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I beg to defer.

He has indicated to FIDE that he will not participate in the upcoming Candidates Matches which will lead up to the WCC. He has thus refused to play. He goes on to explain that the reason why he has decided not to participate, is because the current format offers the current champion an unfair advantage. Clearly, if the current format remains unchanged, then his reasons for not playing remains. He then proposes an alternative format which he  thinks to be more acceptable. And, his last statement clearly says "My current plan is to continue to participate in well-organised top-level tournaments and try to maintain the no.1 spot..."

Clearly, you have a different opinion of what he said. Please share.

Carlsen will NEVER be World Champion and he knows it, thus the charade.

How many peoples play in the matches ?