Carlsen denies allegations of "prearranged" draw with Nepomniachtchi

The 2024 World Blitz Chess Championship title was shared between Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi after a drawn game. The draw, initiated by the Norwegian, led to accusations online that the two grandmasters had agreed to it beforehand. Carlsen, however, has strongly denied these claims.

Details: Carlsen stated that he has never prearranged a draw in his career. The video circulating online, showing him joking with Nepomniachtchi, was about the absence of clear tie-break rules for their situation, not evidence of collusion.

Quote: “I’ve never prearranged a draw in my career. In the video I’m joking with Ian in a situation with lacking decisive tie-break rules. This was obviously not an attempt to influence FIDE. It was said in the spirit that I thought FIDE would agree to our proposal. If anything it was a bad joke given the gravity of the situation. I think the match itself showed two players playing high level chess, equally matched and both deserving of a win.,” Carlsen wrote on his X account.

Reminder: Carlsen recently faced controversy during the World Rapid Chess Championship but returned to the blitz tournament, where he ultimately secured the title.