Double Challenger
Ian Nepomniachtchi won the World Chess Crown Candidates for a second straight year and, across his career, again earned the right to challenge Magnus Carlsen in the title match.
His first bid in 2021 did not go as hoped. The field drew in five straight games, and in one encounter Nepomniachtchi came close to victory but could not convert.
Afterward Carlsen claimed the sixth game, delivering a psychological blow that unsettled the Russian grandmaster. A string of blunders followed from a player of such stature, and he lost only three of the next five games but still found himself trailing in the match.
The Norwegian easily retained the world champion title, sealing the match with a score of 7.5 to 3.5 as Nepomniachtchi’s chances faded before the finish.
Nepomniachtchi was not among the top favorites in the 2022 Candidates Tournament, yet he not only prevailed but did so with impressive confidence. Carlsen, however, chose not to compete again for the crown.
Even before the world championship title fight began, Carlsen suggested he would enter only if Alireza Firouzja, a Franco-Iranian prodigy, captured the title. Firouzja fell short, and Carlsen opted out of the match.
With Carlsen out, Nepomniachtchi faced the possibility of an empty crown in a match against Chinese challenger Ding Liren, who finished second in the Candidates. He discussed his plans in a lengthy interview with Sports.ru.
“Magnus really proved it all”
“There were whispers for some time that Magnus might decline to play the match. I tried not to dwell on it. I deleted all games and social feeds during the Candidates, avoided news as best I could. Still, the information found its way in,” Nepomniachtchi admitted.
“Surprisingly, there were no distractions. Perhaps the experience from the last Candidates and the match will help. I’ve learned to stay calm. I cannot influence his choices. It’s his life and his decision. In a way, I understand.”
“Magnus proved everything to everyone. The chess world carries heavy burdens during preparation for a match. It is long, tedious, and often monotonous. Maybe he decided there was no point dedicating several months to this again.”
“Another lesson would yield nothing. We each have our own situation, and that happens. We exchanged a few messages after Madrid, but nothing revealed beyond what the press already conveyed.”
“Ding Liren is not weaker than Carlsen”
Discussing the upcoming championship with Ding Liren, the Russian player views the Chinese grandmaster as on par with Carlsen in strategic strength.
“From a chess standpoint, Ding Liren matches Magnus in several key traits. The Chinese player sits among the world’s top at over 2800 and reached a remarkable run of 100 straight games without defeat, a staggering number. Magnus is a stronger physical athlete, with superior stamina and mental resilience. Yet in pure chess components, Ding does not lag behind,” Nepomniachtchi stated.
“Perhaps the Chinese are less versatile overall. He may not be the most athletic figure, but if he adds that dimension, his threat grows. My conversations with him remained respectful until Madrid, and he remains a serious, formidable competitor.”
“Will the match winner become a full world champion? Of course. The victor will hold the world title, and Magnus will retain the top rank.”
“I never slept during the championship game”
The Russian chess player also discussed the difficulties faced in the decisive game he lost, sharing insights about the toll of championship pressure.
“Experience is my greatest asset after the match. I made many preparation mistakes and felt tired before kickoff. Preparation should be demanding and draining, yet crucial to staying fresh. The main work should be completed well ahead of the first game, and in Madrid I finished my chess preparation less than a week prior, which left little time to rest.”
“It helps to step away from the game two or three weeks in advance. There are many ways to unwind: time by the sea, in the mountains, or simply a break from routine. Yet one must avoid immersing in opening lines during the rest period. Training games continued, of course, and the camp involved more games than any other tournament. That level of practice is not normal.”
Physical fitness plays a crucial role too. Training with intention strengthens endurance, but done to excess it becomes a burden. During the build-up to the match, Nepomniachtchi pushed hard, dropping weight and tightening routines. The outcome was double-edged: gains in form, yet heightened stress risk during the actual games.
The championship match is not solely about chess. It hinges on many tiny factors, each contributing a small edge that, when combined, becomes decisive.
For instance, sleep quality matters. In Madrid, the fatigue showed in the late stages. Losing sleep even by a little can cloud judgment. The sixth game and the days afterward highlighted the impact. In hindsight, using sleep aids might have helped, though not all options are permitted.
“I made almost no mistakes in the Candidates Tournament”
Nepomniachtchi regards the Candidates as the strongest performance of his career. He explained the reasons behind the standout results.
“I played twice and won twice. That’s not a coincidence. In regular events, money and rating points drive motivation. For the world title, the inner drive is different. It is a meaningful, personal pursuit.”
“This time I played quite smoothly, apart from a few moments. I made far fewer errors than typical and pressed with a strong margin. There were tough bouts against Caruana and Nakamura in the early rounds, yet I seized the opportunity when it came.”
“It feels like I sharpened my game after the championship game. A lot of work went into preparation, and the results show. Not every home plan was revealed; in the match itself, a small fraction worked. Still, the overall improvement was clear.”
“Usually I prepare for the Candidates months in advance, but this time I relied on material built for a potential match with Magnus. It saved energy and kept me fresh for the tournament, which mattered a lot.”