Magnus Carlsen Skips Chess World Cup 2025 Amid FIDE Dispute

The Chess World Cup 2025 is currently underway in Goa, with fans excited to watch India’s rising star D Gukesh in action. However, the absence of one of the chess world’s biggest icons—World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen—has sparked widespread discussion and criticism.

Carlsen has not only skipped the ongoing World Cup but has also confirmed he won’t challenge Gukesh for the World Championship title next year.

Why Is Magnus Carlsen Not Playing?

Magnus Carlsen has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with FIDE’s (the International Chess Federation) handling of classical chess formats, which are used in both the World Cup and the World Championship. His disagreement with FIDE began long before this year’s event, particularly after he supported the Freestyle Chess movement.

Carlsen also declined to defend his World Championship title in 2023, which paved the way for Ding Liren to become the new World Champion. Liren, however, lost to D Gukesh in 2024.

What Did Carlsen’s Coach Say?

Carlsen’s coach, Peter Heine Nielsen, took a sharp dig at FIDE and the World Cup in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote:

"The World Cup is happening right now. None of the top 3 players in the world participate, but instead, they are playing a weekly online event, ‘Titled Tuesday’. It would cause outrage in any other sport, but it is the ‘normal’ in chess."

Not Just Carlsen: Nakamura and Caruana Also Missing

Along with Carlsen, world-class players like Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana have also opted out of the World Cup. All three have previously cited low prize money and high logistical costs as reasons for skipping FIDE events.

Carlsen has further stated that his relationship with FIDE was “pretty destroyed” after a controversial incident during the 2024 World Rapid and Blitz Championships—popularly referred to as the “jeans scandal”.

Speaking to Norwegian media earlier this year, he said,

"The relationship that my team and I have with FIDE is pretty destroyed. At least with the current administration."

He also confirmed that he will not be participating in this year’s World Rapid and Blitz Championships, saying, "As it is now, it’s completely out of the question."