Credits: X
American grandmaster Hans Niemann lashed out at FIDE after the World Blitz Championship 2024 title shared for the first time. Notably, defending champion Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi agreed to share the World Blitz title at the prestigious tournament. The American grandmaster also called out Carlsen in one of tweets for his behaviour. Notably, Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi decided to split the title after their seven games ended in no result. The proposal came from Carlsen himself which the Iranian grandmaster accepted without any hesitation.
Niemann took to X and lashed out at FIDE and tweeted, “The chess world is officially a joke. THIS HAS NEVER BEEN DONE IN HISTORY. I can’t believe that the official body of chess is being controlled by a singular player FOR THE 2ND TIME THIS WEEK. THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE WORLD CHAMPION!” He was also accused of causing damage to a hotel room after he registered a defeat in a tournament earlier this year. He posted after the incident, “Don’t worry guys, I’m not staying in a hotel room.”
Niemann calls out FIDE for allowing Magnus Carlsen to compete following disqualification at Blitz
Hans Niemann also expressed his displeasure as FIDE after the governing body gave exemption to Magnus Carlsen. Notably, the Norwegian was permitted to compete in the Blitz despite his disqualification from the Rapid event due to breaching dress code. However, FIDE chief cleared him to participate in the second part of the World Rapid and Blitz Championship following an alteration of the rules. Niemann said, “I can’t believe that the official body of chess is being controlled by a singular player for the 2nd time this week.”
He added, “There can only be one World Champion. Money and power corrupts absolutely. The unfortunate reality being proven true yet again.” He continued, “Imagine a US Open Final, Alcaraz and Sinner decide to just share first and the organisers make up a new rule for the first time in history for them because of financial threats? FIDE goes from forfeiting Carlsen to creating an entirely new rule. Seems like the regulatory body of chess, has no intention of being unbiased. They seem to only care about what one player thinks.”
