WCC Format

Background

For the London Chess Classic another chess website had Carlsen invited for the show and he revealed some rather very interesting details about his mental state during the World Championship Match and details about the match itself.

On whether he’ll play in 2 years

I don’t know. I’ve always got a running joke with the team… so you were part of the team, you didn’t know whether I was going to play the match, did you? ...It was never a sure thing. It was a good experience this time in London. I didn’t feel as many nerves as I did last time in New York, it was a better experience, but I don’t know. It’s still not my favourite event.

(Why was he considering not playing? Never read anything on this anywhere? Anyone know or read something on this?)

On the format he prefers

My current favourite, which it has been for a while, is to keep the same format as now, except that each day you play 4 rapid games instead – relatively short rapid games, let’s say 15+10, as you play in the World Rapid – and you get one point for each day.

If you want to see who the best player is make them play as many games as possible, and if you keep the rapid format then there’s still room for opening ideas, preparation and everything, but the time allowed to conceal your weaknesses and everything is not there. You just up the stakes, you increase the chances for errors and everything, and I think it makes it more exciting and it gives a more real picture of the best players.

(Personal Note - I don't agree at all with this format of only rapid games.)

On whether not winning the match in classical chess diminishes his title

A little bit, obviously, but I’ve played so poorly in classical chess for so long now that I cannot be too greedy at this point. I’ll take whatever World Championship I get! I’m not a dominating player in classical anymore, by any means.

 

(I feel its a very interesting admission to make, and Magnus is not one I think anyone expects to be humble. He really must be feeling a blow on his game.)

 

On still being the no. 1

Barely, the amount of luck I’ve had to have to stay no. 1 is just incredible. Don’t get me wrong, I still consider myself the best player – it’s just that when you’re just more or less equal to the others, or a little bit better, to always be no. 1 in the rankings you have to be pretty lucky.

 

On becoming the champ in classical, rapid and blitz chess

I’m going to take back the triple throne. No usurpers are going to be left alive!