Magnus Carlsen questioned the validity of classical chess as a measure of skill, favoring rapid chess. Gukesh acknowledged the quality of their championship match, while Carlsen ruled out a title clash.

Classical World Champion D. Gukesh lost to World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in the last round of the round-robin stage at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam tour on Sunday.

World Champion D Gukesh qualified for the knockout stage in the first event of the Freestyle Grand Slam Tour, despite losing to the world’s highest-rated player, Magnus Carlsen of Norway, in the ninth and final round of the qualifiers.

Carlsen, the world’s highest-rated chess player since 2010, will take a seat in Weissenhaus, Germany, to compete in freestyle chess, previously known as Chess960 and Fischer Random. The starting position of the back row pieces is randomized, removing a top grandmaster’s lifetime of memorization and theory on how to open a chess game.

Talking about the bitter battle between FIDE and Freestyle Chess, Carlsen said: “Right now it is very hard to have a relationship with any of the FIDE leadership. Speaking for myself and my father.”

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen shared a text that FIDE chief Dvorkovich had sent to his father, Henrik, before demanding the Russian’s resignation.

Arkady Dvorkovich is under fire after talks over an agreement about the new series fell through. Read more at straitstimes.com.

World champion D Gukesh made a steady start at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, adapting to the unique format amid rising tensions between FIDE and organisers, while Magnus Carlsen and other top players experience mixed fortunes.