The chess world demanded an explanation of Magnus Carlsen for his latest actions and the world champion has finally spoken. In itself it is a surprise, since his entourage had hinted that he would not do it while the Julius Baer Generation Cup lasted. The Norwegian has finished the first phase in first place, after an overwhelming streak of victories since he let himself win , disconcertingly, against Hans Niemann.
Days before, Magnus had withdrawn from the Sinquefield Cup, another very serious event, this time in a face-to-face tournament in San Luis (United States). He did it right after losing to the American and, although he didn’t say anything, with his attitude he hinted that something strange had happened in his game. The 19-year-old young master has been under enormous pressure ever since. The bad news for Carlsen is that Niemann has finished the first part of the tournament in third position and could be his rival in the final of the competition, which is played online and enters its knockout stage. Probably not even Carlsen himself knows what he would do if that circumstance occurs.
In the midst of all the scandal, Carlsen has decided to break his silence in an interview with Kaja Snare, who asked him bluntly about the reasons for his retirement against Niemann after making a single move. “Unfortunately, I can’t talk about that in particular, but people can draw their own conclusions, and they certainly have already done so. I have to say that I am very impressed by Niemann’s game and I think his mentor, Maxim DlugyYou must be doing a great job.”
Image of Kaja Snare’s interview with Magnus Carlsen
Like the folklore, Carlsen did not confirm or deny any of the speculation circulating about the reasons for his withdrawal, but he did explain how he has withstood the pressure in these two turbulent weeks: «I’m fine, living my life and trying to play well in the tournament. People who know me and who followed me, for example, at the Zagreb tournament in 2019 know that I can… keep things quiet.
“How are you able to stay so focused and play your best chess?” Snare asks him. «I am happy to be able to play chess, it is something that usually makes me happy. And I have a great experience, which allows me to adapt. The result in the first phase is good, but now I face a very tough opponent in the quarterfinals [Levon Aronian]so at this point that doesn’t have to mean anything.”
“After the tournament”
The interviewer, at this point, wants to return to Carlsen’s praise for Dlugy, but the number one sees the strategy a mile away and replies, without losing his smile, that he doesn’t want to say anything more about the controversy. “I hope I can say something more after the tournament.” In the video below you can see the full interview.
In another clever detour, Carlsen is asked if cheating in general is a problem in chess. “I think different people will answer that question differently, depending on their own experience, but regardless of whether it’s a widespread problem or not, I think it’s pretty easy to cheat. In general, I think that in the future we shouldn’t take cheaters lightlyneither online nor on the board ».
What would you say to young people who may be tempted to cheat? “I understand that he is tempting, but I wouldn’t recommend it to him,” Magnus replies laconically. Are the organizers and FIDE doing enough? “It’s hard to say at the moment.” After some more unsuccessful attempts to get something juicy out of the champion, the interview ends with some more questions about the tournament and about his duel against Levon Aronian, an “extremely dangerous” rival.
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