FIDE at War with Magnus Carlsen’s Freestyle Chess Players Club: A Growing Controversy

The chess world is currently embroiled in a heated controversy as the International Chess Federation (FIDE) finds itself at odds with Magnus Carlsen’s Freestyle Chess Players Club (FCPC). What started as a recognition of the FCPC and its Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour has now escalated into a full-blown war of words and actions.

Last year, the FIDE officially acknowledged the FCPC, but soon after, accusations surfaced that the agreement was made under duress, with threats of top players like Carlsen withdrawing from major tournaments. The tension reached a boiling point when Carlsen defied FIDE’s dress code at the Rapid Championship in New York, resulting in a fine and his subsequent withdrawal from the tournament.

Now, in January 2025, the FIDE has accused Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura of sowing discord in the chess community through the FCPC. Nakamura, in response, has called for a boycott of FIDE-sanctioned events, urging top players to participate in non-FIDE tournaments like the Freestyle Grand Slam Tour for higher prize money.

If Nakamura’s call to action is heeded, we could see top Indian players like D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit Gurathi withdrawing from official Indian tournaments. This could also lead to Gukesh relinquishing his world champion title and potential legal action from FIDE against the players.

FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky has revealed that players, including Carlsen and Nakamura, have signed contracts agreeing not to participate in any non-FIDE ‘World Championship’ for the next four years. The next World Championship is scheduled for 2026, where the winner of the Candidates Tournament will challenge Gukesh for the title.

As the chess world braces for further developments in this ongoing saga, the future of the sport hangs in the balance amidst the clash between tradition and innovation.