The FIDE vs Freestyle Chess Controversy: A Detailed Overview

The ongoing FIDE vs Freestyle Chess controversy has taken a new turn with FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky’s latest remarks on the matter. The controversy began when FIDE denied official recognition to a Freestyle World Championship, leading to accusations from Freestyle Chess against FIDE and its president Arkady Dvorkovich.

In response to the accusations, Sutovsky defended FIDE in an interview with Hindustan Times, stating that younger players like D Gukesh support the international chess body. He also mentioned that Gukesh signed a waiver stating he wouldn’t participate in a non-official world championship.

Sutovsky further addressed the controversy on social media platform X, where he criticized Freestyle Chess co-owner Jan Henric Buettner for his claims of protecting young players from FIDE. Sutovsky highlighted the support FIDE provides to young talents through events like the Grand Swiss and World Cups, emphasizing the federation’s role in nurturing promising players.

In a recent interview with ChessBase India, D Gukesh, one of the young talents mentioned by Sutovsky, expressed a diplomatic stance on the controversy. However, he made it clear that he doesn’t believe Chess960 can surpass the classical format. Gukesh is currently competing in the first leg of the Grand Slam Tour in Germany, where he has qualified for the quarter-finals.

The FIDE vs Freestyle Chess controversy continues to spark debate within the chess community, with both sides presenting their arguments. As the situation unfolds, the future of the relationship between FIDE and Freestyle Chess remains uncertain.