FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky has strongly refuted Hikaru Nakamura’s claims regarding the Candidates Tournament’s rating qualification spot, labeling them “factually incorrect.”
Nakamura’s Bold Accusation
American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura recently stirred debate by suggesting FIDE’s continued offering of a rating spot for the Candidates Tournament is solely an attempt to entice former World Champion Magnus Carlsen back into the fold. Carlsen has repeatedly stated his disinterest in competing in either the Candidates or the World Championship, having stepped away from the throne after winning it five times.
Nakamura implied that despite Carlsen’s clear stance, FIDE is keeping the door open specifically for him.
FIDE’s Rebuttal: A “Factually Incorrect” Claim
Emil Sutovsky, the CEO of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), quickly countered Nakamura’s assertion. He stated that while Nakamura often makes claims “in good faith,” he does so “without knowing all the facts.”
Sutovsky explained that the rating qualification spot has been a long-standing feature, existing for years, and even previously included two such spots. He argued that if the rule were designed specifically for Carlsen, it would likely be limited only to the world’s number one player.
Instead, the current regulation allows either the World No. 1 or No. 2 by rating to qualify. Sutovsky ironically pointed out that this structure could even be seen as benefiting players like Nakamura himself, as it’s not exclusively for the top-ranked individual.
The True Purpose of the Rating Spot
Sutovsky elaborated on the logic behind the rating spot. He stressed that its primary purpose is to ensure the Candidates Tournament features a clear selection of the world’s absolute elite players. In past cycles, the highest-rated player not qualified through other means could enter, a system FIDE later deemed less fair.
The current rule aims to reward players who are among the world’s very best, typically the top eight, but who might not have qualified through other specific tournaments. Limiting it to the top two ensures that a World No. 2 player, for instance, isn’t excluded from the prestigious event.
He dismissed the idea of it being for Carlsen, stating, “We never expected his return – why would he come back now? Would he suddenly return after losing 50 rating points? The suggestion makes no sense.”
Nakamura’s History of Uninformed Claims
Sutovsky also highlighted what he described as a pattern in Nakamura’s public statements. He recalled a previous instance when Nakamura criticized the FIDE Circuit upon its introduction, calling it a “stupid system.”
According to Sutovsky, Nakamura initially claimed he could easily gain points by winning “random open” tournaments, only to later realize that the rules didn’t allow for significant points in weekly events. Sutovsky suggested that Nakamura often speaks without fully reading or understanding the regulations, implying a similar situation with his latest claim about the Candidates rating spot.
- FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky denies the Candidates rating spot was created for Magnus Carlsen.
- The rating spot is a long-standing rule designed to ensure top-rated players are included.
- Sutovsky suggests Hikaru Nakamura often makes “factually incorrect” claims without full knowledge of regulations.
This debate underscores the ongoing discussions about qualification pathways and the strategic planning within international chess governance.
