Magnus Carlsen Surprises the International Chess Federation with His Statement on Russia

His comments came at a time when Russia had asked FIDE to lift sanctions imposed following its aggression against Ukraine in 2022. So, how does Carlsen view the possible return of Russian chess players to international competitions? His response was clear and left the audience stunned.

An Unexpected Speech at a Prestigious Event

Magnus Carlsen, one of the greatest chess masters of modern history, is known not only for his achievements on the chessboard but also for his straightforward approach to expressing his opinions. Although he has reached many peaks in the chess world, diplomacy has never been his strong suit.

Since becoming World Champion in 2013, Carlsen defended his title four times before relinquishing it in 2023 due to a lack of motivation. Despite this, FIDE named him the best chess player of the past century, cementing his place in history.

The ceremony, during which Carlsen received this prestigious award, might have gone unnoticed had it not taken place at a time when FIDE was deciding on the possible lifting of sanctions against Russia and Belarus. The discussions also included the future of the chess federations of Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries, which had been affected by the sanctions.

A Bold Stance Against Russia

In light of these political decisions, Carlsen decided to voice an opinion that clearly echoed the legacy of Garry Kasparov, a former world chess champion and one of the most vocal critics of the Putin regime. Carlsen openly admitted that while he deeply appreciated the award, he believed that Kasparov should have been the one to receive this honor. "While I am happy to receive this award, I believe Garry Kasparov had a more successful career than I did," Carlsen said during his acceptance speech.

He then surprised everyone by adding a political message to his acceptance: "What I want to say is more of a tribute to Garry. I know that he would have used this opportunity to warn against the re-admittance of the Russian and Belarusian chess federations. So, I will do the same," Carlsen declared, referring to the current political situation.

Carlsen’s strong anti-Russian stance was even more striking considering that it was made in front of FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, who is himself Russian.