Emil Sutovsky, FIDE director general, responded to Magnus Carlsen. The leaders of his Freestyle Chess initiative in a passionate social media post. Battle lines are being drawn in the world of chess. With governing body FIDE’s director general Emil Sutovsky responded with a fiery statement in the wake of comments made by names such as Magnus Carlsen. Certain grandmasters seek to distance themselves from the sport’s largest organisation.
Sutovsky took to X in response to statements made by Freestyle Chess Players Club co-founders Carlsen and German entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner. Sutovsky attacked Freestyle Chess’ organisation and protocol in a lengthy post on the social networking app. He also mentioned how similar split-away attempts by former chess legends Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov failed. Sutovsky responded against a dig made by Magnus Carlsen.
He left the door open for collaboration. Calling the Freestyle initiative an ‘ambitious project’, but stating that if Buettner desired a war. As he indicated in a previous interview, FIDE would be more than willing to offer one. Sutovsky elaborated that FIDE was recognized for its willingness. To be considerate, adaptable, and to make extra efforts for its partners, particularly players, but this was mistaken for weakness.
Magnus Carlsen’s Battle With FIDE
He said “Specific organisations… are not bigger than I am,” about his decision to step away from most FIDE events in favour of alternative styles of gameplay. Of course, initially, the public may back a superstar vs the governing body. And you may lure in a couple of naive investors. But that is unsustainable — and we saw many examples of the kind,” warned the Israeli chess grandmaster.
“Today FIDE is probably in the best position ever — and the chess community sees it — we deliver an unprecedented number of projects around the world, we keep increasing prize funds for top players and support for educational and social programs, and we can plan far ahead thanks to our partnerships East and West.”
