Magnus Carlsen Skips Chess World Cup 2025 Amid FIDE Feud

Magnus Carlsen, the World No. 1 chess player, has skipped the ongoing Chess World Cup 2025 in Goa.

What happened?

The Chess World Cup 2025 is currently underway, but Carlsen's absence is notable, given his status as the greatest of the current generation. He has criticised FIDE's handling of classical chess and refused to defend his title in 2023.

Why it matters for Magnus Carlsen

Carlsen's coach, Peter Heine Nielsen, took a bold dig at FIDE, stating that the top 3 players, including Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Fabiano Caruana, are not participating in the World Cup. Nielsen wrote on X, "The World Cup is happening right now. None of the top 3 players in the world participate, but right now instead plays a weekly online event 'Titled Tuesday'". Carlsen has also claimed that his relationship with FIDE was destroyed after the jeans scandal during the 2024 World Rapid and Blitz Championships.

What comes next?

Carlsen won't be in action in this year's World Rapid and Blitz Championships, saying "As it is now, it’s completely out of the question". He has mentioned that FIDE events are not attractive due to the low prize money, considering other expenses. D Gukesh is currently participating in the Chess World Cup 2025, but Carlsen's absence has raised questions about the tournament's credibility. The World Cup has seen other top players, including Nakamura and Caruana, skip the event, citing similar reasons as Carlsen. Carlsen's decision to skip the World Cup has sparked a debate about the state of chess and FIDE's handling of the sport.