FIDE and Freestyle Chess Tour Controversy Resolved: ‘World Championship’ Title Removed from Regulations

Days after talks between FIDE and Freestyle Chess Tour collapsed over the use of the title world championship in the tour’s title, the world governing body FIDE has announced that the organisers of Freestyle Chess Tour have fully deleted the ‘world championship’ title from its regulations. In an updated statement issued on FIDE’s website, it was revealed that players wishing to participate in the tour are no longer required to sign a waiver note.

The Freestyle Chess Tour, founded by Jan Henric Buettner and supported by former world champion Magnus Carlsen, had been embroiled in controversy after Carlsen leaked private messages from FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich and CEO Emil Sutovsky regarding assurances given to players participating in the tour. The use of the title world championship by the tour had led to a standoff with FIDE, which insisted that the title be removed from the regulations.

FIDE had previously stated, “Despite our willingness to collaborate, no agreement was reached with the Freestyle Chess Tour regarding the potential recognition of their event as a World Championship.” However, with the recent update from FIDE confirming the removal of the world championship title from the tour’s regulations, it seems that the issue has been resolved.

Carlsen had previously shared messages from Dvorkovich assuring that players would not be affected by participating in the tour. Grandmaster Anish Giri also weighed in on the issue, highlighting Carlsen’s influence in the chess world and the confusion surrounding the Chess960 saga.

The resolution of the dispute between FIDE and the Freestyle Chess Tour marks a significant development in the world of chess, with players now able to participate in the tour without any restrictions related to the use of the world championship title. The backing of Carlsen and the support of other top players have played a crucial role in reaching this resolution.