In first, two chess players crowned World Blitz champions
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American-Canadian FIDE master Alexandra Botez criticized the shared title decision, indicating that chess was “getting soft".
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A picture shows Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi shaking hands after agreeing to share the 2024 World Blitz Championship title, on January 1, 2025. (International Chess Federation)
Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi were jointly crowned Wednesday the 2024 World Blitz champions, marking the first time the title has been shared in the competition's history after seven games failed to produce a definitive winner.
Carlsen suggested the groundbreaking resolution following three consecutive draws in sudden-death tiebreakers—fast-paced games with strict time controls designed to determine a winner in tied matches.
The Norwegian grandmaster, a five-time reigning world champion, initially dominated the finals, securing victories in the first two games and applying significant pressure on Nepomniachtchi. However, the Russian grandmaster staged a comeback, winning the next two games to level the score at 2-2.
Footage shared by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on X captured the moment Carlsen proposed the idea, which Nepomniachtchi accepted, sealing the agreement with a handshake. “History has been written today!” FIDE announced, declaring both players as champions.
History has been written today! #RapidBlitz
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) January 1, 2025
We have two 2024 FIDE World Blitz Champions! Congratulations 👏 👏 pic.twitter.com/nFFslLaYM9
The decision drew criticism from US grandmaster Hans Niemann, who accused FIDE of catering to Carlsen’s influence.
“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,” Niemann posted on X.
His remarks appeared to reference an incident the previous week when Carlsen was initially disqualified from the World Blitz Championship in New York for wearing jeans. He was later reinstated after FIDE relaxed its dress code policy.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich commented on the controversy, stating that tournament officials might permit “appropriate jeans” paired with a jacket or other “elegant minor deviations” from the dress code in the future.
Meanwhile, American-Canadian FIDE master Alexandra Botez criticized the shared title decision, indicating that chess was “getting soft".
