Chess World Cup, between Putin’s propaganda and Carlsen’s fear

In reality, little or nothing matters to the former KGB agent. Journalism student Nepomniachtchi, a video game star, became one of the athletes who fought the most against the occupation of Ukraine. He goes so far as to sign a letter opposing Putin’s maneuver and lead the public opposition movement of Russian chess players.

The fact is that the World Cup, which will serve Russia’s exit as an Asian federation by leaving the European company, decaffeinated with resignation magnus carlsen Defending the crown of world champion against Nepomniachtchi out of boredom, boredom, lack of motivation… The Norwegian warned that he would defend the FIDE throne, the international federation headed by Russian economist and deputy prime minister in Dmitri Medvedev’s cabinet, Arkadi Vladimirovich Dvorkovich, if the opponent was Franco-Iranian Alireza Firouzja. But the young genius accused his debut at a major competition like the Candidates’ Tournament in Madrid of making big mistakes due to the demands of his rivals and the accumulated fatigue.

Carlsen’s resignation

Nepomniachtchi won the right to challenge Carlsen for the crown, who paid a lightning visit to the Palacio de Santoña in the heart of the Barrio de las Letras to confirm the tournament and what everyone suspected: his resignation from defending the world title. Therefore, the validity of this World Cup is being questioned by the chess world. Vladimir Putin’s worst enemy, the legendary Gary Kasparov, He stated the following on this subject: “It’s hard to call this a world championship because it must contain the strongest player on the planet and this game does not. I won’t comment on Magnus’ decision, but it’s an amputation thing.”

In the capital city of Kazakhstan, Astana, the luxurious St. Opposite ‘Nepo’ at Regis Hotel will be Ding Liren. Number 2 in the rankings against 3. This Chinese lawyer, HE Landed alone in Madrid and hours before the start of the Candidates’ tournament, He got over his loneliness and ‘jet lag’ by diving into the Chinese restaurants, flamenco tables and modern gastro-bars full of people in the Barrio de las Letras. Without a coach or any company, the Chinese collapsed at the beginning of the tournament to return to the second stage of the championship. Ding adjusted to the Madrid heat and replaced his dazed expression with a discreet smile that put him in second place in the Candidates with an outstanding comeback.

Russia and the chess ministry

Now Liren faces a Nepomniachtchi who started as favorites to regain the world title of a Russia that had lost its undisputed dominance on the board. Gone are the years when the Kremlin had a chess ministry to maintain its mental superiority over the Americans. and other powers. In fact, there has only been one Russian world champion in the 21st century between 2006 and 2007, Vladimir Kramnik.

Nepomniachtchi is the favorite to be world champion with a purse of two million euros, played in 14 games on 1 May. Russian is more unpredictable and cool, while Asians are more stable and consistent. Of the 13 classic chess games they played, ‘Nepo’ won three, lost two and drew eight.

Whoever wins, Carlsen will not retain the world crown for the first time since 2013. A world champion who refused to defend his crown at the 1975 World Cup has only one historical precedent: when Bobby Fischer refused to risk his crown against Anatoly Karpov, The American was the Kremlin nominee after winning the legendary ‘Match of the Century’ against Boris Spasski in 1972. This finale between Nepomniachtchi and Ding has nothing to do with its significance, no matter how much Putin announces it and Zelensky discredits it.

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