Chess grandmaster Carlsen not to defend his title next year

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – Magnus Carlsen, a chess grandmaster and five-time world champion, has announced that he will not defend his title in 2023, citing a lack of motivation.

"Earlier today, the World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen confirmed in a public statement his intentions to not defend his title in 2023.

"While he has not officially withdrawn yet, as he has not been sent the contract for the match and a deadline has not been formally set, at FIDE we understand his decision is final," the world chess governing body FIDE said in a statement on Wednesday.

"His decision not to defend his title is undoubtedly a disappointment for the fans, and bad news for the spectacle," FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said, defending Grandmaster Carlsen, noting that many champions in other sports have experienced similar situations.

"We had hoped that after some deserved rest, Magnus would look at this differently. Sports legends like him always strive for goals and records," Dvorkovich added.

Separately Carlsen, who earned the highest FIDE rank, the grandmaster in 2004, said he is lacking the motivation to play another match.

"I am not motivated to play another match... I simply feel that I don't have a lot to gain. I don't particularly like it," Carlsen said in a podcast.

The world chess champion added that he is not retiring from the game, but will not compete for the world title next year.

In December last year, the 31-year-old defeated his Russian opponent Ian Nepomniachtchi 7.5-3.5 to retain his world title.​​​​​​​