Magnus will not defend his title

[Wadih Khoury]

Title says it all.
Liren will face Nepo.
https://new.chess24.com/wall/news/magnu ... -his-title

[Matt Mackenzie]

Looks quite possible that he might quit chess altogether, terrific waste if that turns out to be true.

[LawrenceCooper]

Looks quite possible that he might quit chess altogether, terrific waste if that turns out to be true.

His quote didn't give me that impression:

"Just so there’s no ambiguity here, I’m not retiring from chess, I’m still going to be an active player. I’m leaving later today to go to Croatia to play the Grand Chess Tour. From there on I’m going to go to Chennai to play the Olympiad, which is going to be a lot of fun, and the Norwegian team are seeded as number four there. Then to Miami to play one of the real highlights of the year, I feel, the FTX Crypto Cup, which is going to be awesome, and then right after that the next event in the Grand Chess Tour, the Sinquefield Cup. So yeah, I’ve got a lot of chess coming up. I enjoy playing tournaments a lot. Obviously, I enjoy them a lot more than I enjoy the World Championship, and frankly I don’t see myself stopping as a chess player any time soon."

[Nick Ivell]

Magnus seems to me to be saying that he is NOT retiring.

He and Kasparov vie for the title of GOAT, no question.

[Keith Arkell]

This decision will perhaps increase Magnus's chances of reaching 2900, which interests him more than playing World Ch matches.

Those matches take quite a lot out of him (and often cost him rating points), and that saved energy may help him put on some more rating points.

[Nick Burrows]

I think it's a good decision.

He doesn't need the money. He has nothing to prove as it's absolutely crystal clear that he's the best player in the world.

The demands of modern match preparation make him unhappy - so why continue?

[Matt Mackenzie]

I understand all that, but chess demands a single unambiguous WC and has tended to suffer when that has not been the case.

FIDE really should have gone for a 3 year cycle from the start once unification was settled in 2006-08.

Killing the goose that lays the golden eggs again?

[Geoff Chandler]

...and today is World Chess Day.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-chess-day

[Joey Stewart]

Even though he isn't officially saying it, reading beneath the lines the message is clear -a Nepo victory (regardless of him personally being anti war) would be usurped by the Russian propaganda machine as a great victory against Western values and this is an embarrassment that cannot be allowed to happen while they continue their bloodmongering in the ukraine

[Geoff Chandler]

Hi Joey,

'Even though he isn't officially saying it...'

I'm sure a lot of people will be coming up with their suggestions as to the why.

My only reaction apart from disappointment is the winner of the DIng - Nepo match will not get the credit they deserve.
Whilst Carlsen is active there will always be statements that he (who ever) is the World Champion but...

To me he is and has been very good for chess, but this I never really expected.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Hi Joey,

'Even though he isn't officially saying it...'

I'm sure a lot of people will be coming up with their suggestions as to the why.

My only reaction apart from disappointment is the winner of the DIng - Nepo match will not get the credit they deserve.
Whilst Carlsen is active there will always be statements that he (who ever) is the World Champion but...

To me he is and has been very good for chess, but this I never really expected.

He's been talking about it for literally years, but (until recently anyway) most thought it was just that - talk.

[Geoff Chandler]

Hi Matt,

Yes, I have seen a lot of players saying he was not serious and perhaps playing mind games.
I did not think he needed 'mind games' but was going along with them.
His decision, I hope he does regret it. There again why should he,

[NickFaulks]

Hi Joey,

'Even though he isn't officially saying it...'

I'm sure a lot of people will be coming up with their suggestions as to the why.

But few of them will be more ridiculous than Joey's.

[MJMcCready]

Title says it all.
Liren will face Nepo.
https://new.chess24.com/wall/news/magnu ... -his-title

On a scale of 1-10 how official is this?
Also on a scale of 1-15, how likely is he to change his mind?
And on a scale of 1-20, what are the chances of Nepo dropping out?

[Ian Thompson]

On a scale of 1-10 how official is this?

see FIDE's reaction to the announcement.