Magnus Carlrsen, elitism and a split in the community.

I have been following chess for some time now, and only recently have I began playing due to the recent boom on Twitch  chess content, as well as my own personal interest. At first I assumed that chess was all about the game, however that no longer seems to be the case as I learn more about the top players.  Personally I want to become competitive in chess, as well as having fun at the same time, however it seems that in the chess community you can only choose one of these. You are either a competitive chess player, or a casual player, you can not be in the middle.

This is mostly due to the actions of certain grandmasters who have played the game for a long time. Name in particular being Magnus Carlson. Previously I thought the guy was an idol, a person I aspire to be, however I no longer believe that's the case.  For a game that evolves with the more players playing the game, its a shame that the world champion that is the 'figure head' of chess discriminated against pretty much everyone who isn't him, and actively discourages new players, and sows drama throughout the community, no longer making the game just about chess, and more about his personal grievances. Grandmaster is a title that takes a lifetime to earn, something I wish to achieve, however it feels less valuable when the top GM dishonors the title with his elitism.

I feel as a newer player I am able to give an authentic opinion on chess elitism, and wanted to start a dialog to see if this is just a 'me' thing or if there is some merit to this feeling I have.

"you are either a competitive chess player, or a casual player, you cannot be in the middle" is wrong. You can be in the middle. Just look at Hikaru. Despite being a competitive chess player, he still plays chess casually. He isn't serious at all when he plays chess casually. Just search up his name on YouTube and see both the competitive side of him (in tournaments) and the casual side of him (in his YouTube channel)

I know of him, I find him as a new idol. I share a lot of his opinions, though I dont understand why he is so hated by other GMs

Most modern GMs get the title early. In general, if a player isn't an IM in their teens, then they likely will never make GM. A lot of the top players make GM before they are out of their teens.

In the realms of chess players, they are elite. How they act as a GM is going to run all over the place.

Hikaru can sometimes be cocky.

That's what makes Hikaru Hikaru. He did do the bongcloud opening at a tournament afterall.

I prefer someone being cocky then someone who calls those that watch Mangus Calrson's livestreams "idiots" and "untalented"

Don't follow idols.

its sad but true and I wish it wasn't a problem but elitism isn't something you can argue with

Interesting thread. 

+1

Are you refering to something specific Magnus said or did?

I mean magnus is just magnus he's just vibing

I don't think he actually discourages players

Pretty much every stream clip of him I see him talking down to people especially those that he plays. When Pogchamps was going on he was incredibly critical of those that participated, and although I get that chess can be competitive, and he does respect opponents that are strong, but taking his rival Hikaru for example, he "respects his chess" when asked why he disrespects Hikaru by a stream viewer. 

So I saw that youtube clip where he basically says that life is too short to care about PogChamps. I can't say that I disagree...

+1 he encouraged me to start

I mean, I'm fine with Magnus. But chess**. 

I remember one of the commentators saying "Hikaru is a loser" 

Same here, but he has plenty of time to meet a clown and organize a flea circus. I guess he was widely compensated though.

(I know, I know, but everybody is entitled to have a particular obsession).

Haha true. Max would be a worthy contender for PogChamps 4. To be fair to Magnus though, I've read somewhere that Max stalked Magnus in Europe and made him play a quick game between the rounds of a tournament Magnus was playing...

I must try that with Olga Girya.