NEW YORK CITY, USA – For the first time in chess history, the World Blitz Championship title has been shared, after Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi agreed to split the crown following a gruelling final in New York on Tuesday.
The match, which ended in a 3.5-3.5 deadlock, was poised to continue with a sudden death tie-break.
However, after three consecutive draws in the additional games, Carlsen proposed sharing the title, a suggestion that Nepomniachtchi accepted.
The decision was approved by Arkady Dvorkovich, president of chess’s governing body, FIDE.
A Historic Decision
“I thought, at that point, we had already played for a very long time,” Carlsen told reporters after the match.
“It would have been very, very cruel on both of us if one gets first and the other gets second. So I thought it would be a reasonable solution.”
The Norwegian grandmaster added, “Some people are going to like it, some people are not going to like it. It’s the way it is.”
The decision has sparked intense debate within the chess world, with critics questioning FIDE’s handling of the situation and its impact on the sport’s competitive integrity.
Criticism from the Chess Community
Prominent players, including American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, expressed disapproval.
“This is a situation where I cannot stand with what Magnus has done,” Nakamura said on his YouTube channel.
“When you put out rules about the game itself and then suddenly you decide, ‘It’s okay, we’re going to go home,’ it’s unconscionable to me.”
Hans Niemann, who lost to Carlsen in the quarterfinals, was equally critical, calling the chess world a “joke” on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“FIDE goes from forfeiting Carlsen (over the jeans debacle) to creating an entirely new rule,” he wrote.
Others, including Garry Kasparov, offered pointed commentary, with the former world champion remarking on X: “I thought the first FIDE tiebreak was pants,” referencing the earlier controversy surrounding Carlsen’s jeans.
Some players suggested the match should have been decided by an Armageddon tie-break, a format commonly used to resolve ties.
Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov noted that Armageddon would have preserved the competitive spirit of the final.
FIDE’s Defence and Statement
In a statement, FIDE defended the decision as “not taken lightly,” citing the players’ willingness to accept the outcome and the exceptional circumstances.
“This decision does not set a precedent for future events, as FIDE remains committed to ensuring that tiebreak mechanisms are robust, fair, and transparent,” the governing body said.
FIDE also acknowledged the need to revisit its regulations, stating, “This situation has already prompted valuable discussions within FIDE management to improve our rules.”
Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi Respond
Carlsen, who has now won a record-extending eighth Blitz World Championship title, dismissed claims that the decision was influenced by his earlier clash with FIDE over a dress code violation.
“I’ve never prearranged a draw in my career,” he wrote on X.
“I think the match itself showed two players playing high-level chess, equally matched and both deserving of a win.”
Nepomniachtchi, who secured his first Blitz title after finishing as runner-up to Carlsen in 2014, suggested the controversy might encourage FIDE to reinstate Armageddon tie-breaks for future events.
“I’m not going to whine too much about the result,” Nepomniachtchi said, reflecting on the long and intense contest.
A Controversial Legacy
The shared title capped off an eventful week for Carlsen, who initially withdrew from the tournament over a dress code dispute.
His return and subsequent suggestion to share the title have divided opinion, raising questions about FIDE’s governance and the competitive framework of chess championships.
As discussions about rule changes continue, the chess world remains sharply divided over whether the shared title represents a moment of sportsmanship or a breach of tradition.
