Norway’s reigning world champion in chess, Magnus Carlsen, has cancelled his membership in the Norwegian chess federation (Norges Sjakkforbund). His withdrawal follows a lengthy conflict over strategy and sponsorships.
“As indicated already last summer, Magnus is withdrawing from Norges Sjakkforbund, gladly as soon as possible,” his father, Henrik Carlsen, wrote in a letter to the federation. “He will still take advantage of the opportunity to represent Norway, as clarified with FIDE (the international chess federation).”
The federation voted down a proposed agreement with the gaming group Kindred earlier this year, against Carlsen’s wishes. He then faced criticism himself and later told state broadcaster NRK that he had been critical of the federation since he was young and felt it has not done enough to recognize and develop young talent. “They weren’t geared towards young players with ambition at all,” Carlsen said.
He launched his own club that not only had given him many, if not enough, delegates at the federation but also is dedicated to cultivating talent and becoming the best in Europe. He spent last Sunday with club members, just a day after losing the first championship tournament in Fischer Chess to Wesley So of the US.
newsinenglish.no staff
