Search Results for: chess rules

Carlsen Calls Hikaru Nakamura’s Rating Strategy “Absolutely Shameless, But Pragmatic”

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Magnus Carlsen has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Hikaru Nakamura’s participation in small state-level tournaments to secure eligibility for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, calling the American’s approach “absolutely shameless, but pragmatic.” The debate stems from FIDE’s requirement that players must complete at least 40 classical games in 2025 to qualify for the Candidates through … Read more

The Controversies Around Candidates Qualification in Recent Years (2018–2026)

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The Candidates Tournament decides who plays for the world chess title, so every seat is precious—and sometimes disputed. Over the last few cycles, several qualification paths (wildcards, rating spots, replacement rules, and the new FIDE Circuit) have triggered arguments about fairness and transparency. Below is a clear timeline of the biggest flashpoints, what the rules … Read more

How the Candidates Tournament Works (Step by Step)

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The Candidates Tournament is one of the most important events in chess. Every two years, it determines who will challenge the reigning World Champion for the title. For fans, it is the gateway to the World Chess Championship. For players, it is the ultimate test of consistency, preparation, and nerves. The 2026 Candidates Tournament will … Read more

Hikaru Nakamura responds to critics: “I’m not farming for rating at state championships”

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When Hikaru Nakamura sat down in Iowa City for the first round of the 70th Iowa Open, the story wasn’t about whether he would win. The story was why one of the world’s top grandmasters, with a FIDE rating above 2800, was competing in a state-level tournament with a $750 first prize and opponents often … Read more

Controversy at FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss: Time Dispute Raises Questions Over Fair Play

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The second round of the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2025 was overshadowed by controversy after an unusual clock incident in the game between India’s Vantika Agrawal and Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva. The dispute occurred deep into the endgame, at move 60, when both players needed fresh scoresheets. Tournament protocol requires players to keep an accurate record … Read more

Hikaru Nakamura Sweeps Louisiana State Championship, Sparks Debate Over Candidates Path

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Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura was untouchable in New Orleans. The world number three entered the 2025 Louisiana State Championship at the last minute and stormed through the seven-round Swiss with a perfect 7/7 score, defeating opponents rated between 1563 and 2344. The result was never in doubt. Nakamura, rated 2807 FIDE entering the event, opened with … Read more

Hikaru Nakamura Accused of “Farming” Ratings at Small Louisiana Tournament

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The Labor Day weekend tournament in New Orleans was supposed to be a quiet, regional affair. Ninety players, most rated between 1500 and 2200, gathered inside Loyola University’s Danna Center for the 2025 Louisiana State Championship. Prize funds were modest: $800 for first place, $3,000 overall. It’s the kind of grassroots event that defines American … Read more

Fourth Grandmaster in History to Fall: FIDE Punishes Shevchenko for Cheating

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The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has delivered one of the harshest sanctions in modern chess history, stripping Romanian-Ukrainian player Kirill Shevchenko of his grandmaster (GM) title and suspending him from all FIDE-rated events for three years, following a cheating scandal at the Spanish Team Championship in 2024. The ruling, announced on 29 August 2025, marks … Read more

147th New York State Championship: A Complete Guide

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The 147th Annual New York State Championship, America’s oldest continuously running chess tournament, will take place this Labor Day weekend from Friday, August 29 to Monday, September 1, 2025 at the Albany Marriott. Organized by the Continental Chess Association, the event stands as a cornerstone of U.S. chess, attracting grandmasters, rising juniors, and enthusiastic amateurs … Read more

Kasparov: ‘Carlsen has ended the era of world champions’

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When Garry Kasparov speaks, the chess world listens. But his recent remarks on India’s teenage sensation Gukesh Dommaraju have sent ripples far beyond the 64 squares. The former world champion believes that Magnus Carlsen’s abdication in 2022 did more than end his personal reign — it ended the era of classical world champions altogether. “Gukesh … Read more

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