Magnus Carlsen, here 2022 Photo: David Llada / FIDE
Magnus Carlsen has been at the top of the world chess rankings for 13 years. For his participation in Karlsruhe, he made it a requirement that the reflection period be halved. With what result?
Magnus Carlsen announced a few days ago in a Norwegian podcast that he may never again play a classic individual tournament with only long consideration times. For his participation in Karlsruhe, he made it a requirement that the reflection time be roughly halved. Otherwise, argues His Majesty, who has been at the top of the world chess rankings for 13 years without interruption, too few mistakes will be made, too many games will end without a winner, and the audience will get bored.
Instead of the usual 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, Carlsen and his five rivals go into each round with 45 minutes each and only receive ten seconds per move. Maybe this will serve as a standard for future world-class tournaments. The community is still divided as to whether it is accelerated classical chess or slow rapid chess. The World Chess Federation counts it for the rapid chess world rankings, and thanks to the shortening, two rounds can easily fit into each game day.