Courtesy: Google
After Norwegian GM Magnus Carlsen confirmed his return to the World Blitz Championship in New York City, he spoke of his discussions with FIDE Vice-President Viswanathan Anand about quitting the tournament earlier because of the dress code rule. In his detailed assessment, Magnus Carlsen remarked that his talks with Viswanathan Anand were unproductive before stating that he is not ready to handle the responsibility of the FIDE job.
Notably, Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand are two of the biggest rivals on the chessboard with great mutual respect for each other. It was in 2013 when Carlsen became the World Chess Champion for the first-time in his young career after defeating Anand in the title match in the latter’s hometown of Chennai, following which he has taken the chess to the next level with some incredible performances over the last decade or so, reaching the highest classical chess rating at 2882 points.
For all his good qualities, he was not ready for this job: Carlsen on Anand in FIDE job
Following his reluctance to change from jeans to formal clothing after being asked to do it on a multiple occasion at the World Rapid & Blitz Championships in New York City, he wasn’t paired for the ninth round in the Rapid edition of the tournament, and it led to him withdrawing his name from the Blitz edition as well. But when FIDE relaxed their dress code rule somewhat, the Norwegian GM decided to make his return to the World Rapid Championship after he had a chat about the matter with Viswanathan Anand.
Magnus Carlsen divulged into the discussions he had with some FIDE officials, including Viswanathan Anand, deeming that it didn’t do any good for the situation. He was quoted as saying, as per Times of India, "We had long conversations with Anand yesterday and others, which generally didn't lead anywhere. It was generally the same answer, that arbiters are basically robots who cannot think on their own, who have no way to even deviate slightly from... I don't even know if I broke any rules. I still haven't gotten a clear answer on that.”
“Anand said very clearly that he didn't know that he had any opportunity to do anything past, you know, go with the arbiters' honestly draconian decision of not pairing me. And that means that he was, for all his good qualities, he was not ready for this job. That's what I feel,” he further said.
