Athletistic/Chess. Chinese chess player Ding Liren has commented on Norwegian reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen’s refusal of the Chess Crown match with Russian Candidates Tournament winner Ian Nepomniachtchi. Thanks to Carlsen’s refusal, Liren got the chance to fight Nepomniachtchi for the title of World Chess Champion. For Nepomniachtchi, the world title match will be the second in a row. Last year he lost to Carlsen in just 11 matches, winning none and losing 4. The score is 7.5:3.5 in favor of Carlsen, who defended the title he had won in 2014 for the third time.

The Federation Council called on FIDE to take Carlsen’s crown and give it to Nepomniachtchi

“It’s hard to believe! I need to calm down a bit. I’ve been a little nervous these days. I thought the news might come out today. It’s a chance to come in through the back door. I’m very lucky to have the chance to play a world title match. This is by far the best opportunity. This opportunity only comes once in a lifetime.

Why did Carlsen refuse? I think the decision is due to reasons not related to chess, but to his motivation. It is very difficult to come up with opening ideas at the World Championship when the opponents are so well prepared. He might prefer to play a few more tournaments that don’t require a lot of preparation so he can have fun and try to hit a 2900 rating,” Ding Liren said as quoted by Chess24.com.

The Kremlin reacted to Carlsen’s refusal of the match with Nepomniachtchi for the chess crown