Magnus Carlsen Announces $1m Online Chess Series: Carlsen Tour
World chess champion Magnus Carlsen has announced a groundbreaking new $1m series of major online events that will captivate chess fans all summer long. The Carlsen Tour, which effectively replaces the over-the-board Grand Tour organized from St Louis in the US, is set to feature intense competition and high-stakes matches.
The first event of the Carlsen Tour, the Carlsen Invitational, saw Carlsen himself defeat US champion Hikaru Nakamura in a thrilling final that drew in an online audience of 114,000. The next tournament, the Lindores Abbey Challenge, is scheduled to take place from 19 May to 3 June and will feature top players like Nakamura, China’s Ding Liren, and prodigy Alireza Firouzja.
Carlsen will also be participating in a blitz tournament, the Fide Steinitz Memorial, to commemorate the first world champion’s birth date. The tournament will kick off with Carlsen facing off against Russian champion Peter Svidler.
With the ongoing uncertainty surrounding over-the-board chess due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Carlsen Tour could potentially pave the way for major events like the world championship match to be held in an internet setting. This radical shift may face resistance from traditionalists, but the safety concerns surrounding in-person competitions may push the chess world towards embracing online platforms.
In a recent online Nations Cup final, China narrowly edged out the US, with standout performances from players like Yu Yangyi and Fabiano Caruana. The tournament showcased the growing influence of online chess and the impressive skills of top players in the digital arena.
As the Carlsen Tour unfolds over the summer, chess fans can expect a feast of free entertainment and grandmaster commentary. The sheer quantity of games in a short period may raise questions about viewer fatigue, but the excitement and intensity of the matches are sure to keep audiences engaged. With Carlsen leading the charge, the world of online chess is set for an exhilarating and transformative summer.