GM Magnus Carlsen was included in FIDE’s full lineup for the Candidates match this week, however in an unique interview with Chess.com the previous world champion says that he’s formally turning down the invitation to play in Toronto.

This week FIDE unveiled the official lineup for the extremely anticipated Candidates match, the occasion that determines the challenger for a world championship match in opposition to reigning champion GM Ding Liren in the long run of 2024.

Included within the discipline is GM Alireza Firouzja, who wrapped up his spot final minute by profitable an open match in France with 7/7, and GM Gukesh Dommaraju who picked up the mandatory factors within the FIDE Circuit race to surpass GM Anish Giri via Chennai Masters.

Additionally included is the previous world champion, who earned his spot by profitable his first FIDE World Cup. The announcement led to a chilly shoulder by the Norwegian, citing American comic and actor Groucho Marx.

Thanks for the invite, I simply don’t need to belong to any membership that will have me as a member proper now https://t.co/F0w05xdWP9

— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) January 3, 2024

Carlsen: “I do not get pleasure from it”

In an unique interview with Chess.com’s Kaja Snare in Oslo this week, the previous world champion explicitly confirmed his resolution to say no FIDE’s invitation.

With a smile, he acknowledged: “I’m not taking part in the Candidates. Don’t be concerned about that!”

When questioned in regards to the causes behind his resolution for not taking part in extra world championship matches, Carlsen candidly expressed: “I’d say the primary purpose is that I do not get pleasure from it. It is so simple as that. “

Carlsen, who gained 5 world championship matches in opposition to GM Viswanathan Anand (2013 and 2014), GM Sergey Karjakin (2016), GM Fabiano Caruana (2018), and GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2021), says there must be important modifications for him to return to the cycle.

“I believe underneath the present format with the time management that’s, it is extraordinarily unlikely that I’ll compete within the classical world championship once more.”

Carlsen does not miss the world championship

Carlsen mirrored on the final two years since he relinquished his world championship title.

“I actually do not miss it. I actually just like the life that I’ve now. Each taking part in from house, but in addition travelling and taking part in tournaments. I merely do not want it,” Carlsen mentioned.

Addressing potential modifications within the format which may entice his return, Carlsen instructed: “I believe if we cut back the time controls, made it extra video games, that will be an excellent begin.”

Since abdicating his world championship title in 2021, Carlsen has repeatedly mentioned he won’t return to the cycle underneath the present format. After profitable the World Cup this yr, he informed Chess.com: “Beneath the present format there’s completely no likelihood. Everyone ought to simply function underneath the idea that I cannot play the Candidates, and that everyone else that’s within the semifinal is certified for the Candidates.”

Carlsen desires format change

Carlsen has favored shorter time controls, which he has been dominating not too long ago. He ended 2023 on an awesome observe, first profitable the Champions Chess Tour Remaining. Then he scored an unimaginable double profitable each the World Speedy Championship and the World Blitz Championship in Uzbekistan. 

With a complete of 17 world championship titles underneath his belt, the 33-year-old emphasised that the perfect participant must excel in any respect codecs: classical, fast, and blitz.

“Clearly the ranking system lags a bit behind, however when you have a look at that over time, that is a fairly good indication of who the perfect gamers are,” he mentioned, humorously including: “Additionally, if you wish to know who the perfect participant is, you do not have to take a look at all of the completely different codecs; you possibly can simply search for my title!”

If you wish to know who the perfect participant is, you do not have to take a look at all of the completely different codecs; you possibly can simply search for my title!

– GM Magnus Carlsen

Carlsen’s resolution to skip the upcoming Tata Metal Chess marks the primary time in a decade. His subsequent scheduled occasion is the new $200,000 Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Problem going down in Germany February 9-16.

In the meantime, GM Nijat Abasov, who completed fourth within the FIDE World Cup, will change Carlsen in Toronto, finishing the sector for the occasion scheduled April 2-26.