Carlsen Confirms He Will Formally Decline Candidates Invitation

GM Magnus Carlsen was included in FIDE's full lineup for the Candidates tournament this week, but in an exclusive interview with Chess.com the former world champion says that he is formally turning down the invitation to play in Toronto.

This week FIDE unveiled the official lineup for the highly anticipated Candidates tournament, the event that determines the challenger for a world championship match against reigning champion GM Ding Liren at the end of 2024.

Included in the field is GM Alireza Firouzja, who wrapped up his spot last-minute by winning an open tournament in France with 7/7, and GM Gukesh Dommaraju who picked up the necessary points in the FIDE Circuit race to surpass GM Anish Giri through the Chennai Masters.

Also included is the former world champion, who earned his spot by winning his first FIDE World Cup. The announcement led to a cold shoulder by the Norwegian, citing American comedian and actor Groucho Marx.

Thanks for the invite, I just don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member right now https://t.co/F0w05xdWP9

— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) January 3, 2024

Carlsen: "I Don't Enjoy It"

In an exclusive interview with Chess.com's Kaja Snare in Oslo this week, the former world champion explicitly confirmed his decision to decline FIDE's invitation.

With a grin, he stated: "I am not playing the Candidates. Don't worry about that!"

When questioned about the reasons behind his decision for not playing more world championship matches, Carlsen candidly expressed: "I would say the main reason is that I don't enjoy it. It's as simple as that. "

Carlsen, who won five world championship matches against GM Viswanathan Anand (2013 and 2014), GM Sergey Karjakin (2016), GM Fabiano Caruana (2018), and GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2021), says there need to be significant changes for him to return to the cycle.

"I think under the current format with the time control that is, it's extremely unlikely that I will compete in the classical world championship again."

Carlsen Doesn't Miss The World Championship

Carlsen reflected on the last two years since he relinquished his world championship title.

"I really don't miss it. I really like the life that I have now. Both playing from home, but also travelling and playing tournaments. I simply don't need it," Carlsen said.

Addressing potential changes in the format that might entice him to return, Carlsen suggested: "I think if we reduce the time controls, made it more games, that would be a very good start."

Since abdicating his world championship title in 2021, Carlsen has repeatedly said he will not return to the cycle under the current format. After winning the World Cup last year, he told Chess.com: "Under the current format there is absolutely no chance. Everybody should just operate under the assumption that I will not play the Candidates, and that everybody else that is in the semifinal is qualified for the Candidates."

Carlsen Wants Format Change

Carlsen has favored shorter time controls, which he has been dominating recently. He ended 2023 on a great note, first winning the Champions Chess Tour Final. Then he scored an incredible double, winning both the World Rapid Championship and the World Blitz Championship in Uzbekistan. 

With a total of 17 world championship titles under his belt, the 33-year-old emphasized that the best player needs to excel at all formats: classical, rapid, and blitz.

"Obviously the rating system lags a bit behind, but if you look at that over time, that's a pretty good indication of who the best players are," he said, humorously adding: "Also, if you want to know who the best player is, you don't have to look at all the different formats; you can just look for my name!"

If you want to know who the best player is, you don't have to look at all the different formats; you can just look for my name!

—Magnus Carlsen

Carlsen's decision to skip the upcoming Tata Steel Chess Tournament marks the first time in a decade. His next scheduled event is the new $200,000 Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge taking place in Germany February 9-16.

Meanwhile, GM Nijat Abasov, who finished fourth in the FIDE World Cup, will replace Carlsen in Toronto, completing the field for the event scheduled April 2-26.