The recent statement by Magnus Carlsen at the "Norway Chess" tournament has caused quite a stir in the chess world. After losing to Gukesh in the 6th round, the Norwegian grandmaster shared serious thoughts about his future in chess.
"I don't feel bad during the tournament, but now the game doesn't bring me joy. Usually, chess would give me a positive mood, but now I feel like I'm falling into uncomfortable positions from the past during the game. Everything is happening slowly, and it's not interesting for me. Yes, I can play well, but that's not enough. In the end, I felt psychological fatigue and gave up," Carlsen said in an interview with TV2.
At the same time, Magnus openly stated that he is considering completely leaving chess or at least giving up the classical format. He does not want to experience such stressful situations again.
Concern is growing in the country
His critical statements have sparked serious discussions not only among fans but also among experts. TV2 chess analyst Jon Ludvig Hammer called these thoughts "very concerning":
"If Magnus says he no longer wants to play classical chess, I have little faith that there will be a classical format competition in Norway in 2026. Perhaps the time format will be adjusted to meet Carlsen's needs," he said.
American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura expressed disappointment regarding the situation:
"I am saddened by this news. The probability that our last classical game with Magnus was the last one is above 25 percent. This is a regrettable situation for me personally," Nakamura said.
Carlsen — the face of chess
Magnus Carlsen is not only a multiple world champion but also a person who has become the face of chess worldwide. His attitude towards chess and personal opinions can influence the fate of tournaments, even the shape of formats.
In conclusion, Carlsen's statement has had a strong impact on the chess community. The decision he makes in the future has become one of the main questions that intrigue the entire chess world.
