My response to the chess drama…

[@DinaBelenkaya]

Alex The Reporter

[@yannick9961]

Love u Dina ❤

[@corryi9]

lol ok

[@krenar427]

Хороший репортер. Молодец 😊

[@fore101]

Maybe, just just good sportsmanship? 🤷‍♂️😇. But good reporting

[@luck_Op]

What does korosho mean?

[@diroysama8558]

Imagine 48 Games over 5 months

[@Philopantheon82]

Hikaru can play 90 in one night😂

[@GothamClive]

That's one game every three days. maybe I'm missing something, but to me that doesn't sound too hard.

[@LordKapikul]

@@GothamClive missing >10kg

[@GothamClive]

@@LordKapikul I did not miss that and made the resolution that I'm going to play a game of chess every three days from now on.

[@darkmaster022003]

@@GothamClive Could be wrong but pretty sure every game was Classical so if you play that way, probably looking at at least 3-5 hours every 3 days depending on if they go on like some of the Classical games I've seen.

[@TonyArkham]

I hope you’re doing well, Alex. I’m really sorry again about Squeak. My heart feels for you. Take solace in knowing you’ve done your best in doing everything you possibly could for him. Please don’t beat yourself up. Please don’t lose hope. 2025 will be much kinder to you, Alex 💚

[@justbrowsing5279]

Oh no. I didn't hear about Squeak. Very sorry to hear it. Seemed like a good dude.

[@Philopantheon82]

What happened, can someone explain please??

[@Stef26Gab]

Im so sorry about Squeak, I hope he will come back home soon, untill then stay strong.

[@yugimota23]

I'm so sorry for Squeaky. I know it's that type of things which is hard leaving behind. Sending you a lot of good energy, positive vibes, and strength.

[@BotezLive]

Thank you 🥺♥️

[@patogordo1385]

Who is this?

[@patogordo1385]

@@yugimota23 it’s her bird? 🐦

[@AllmondISP]

What happend to Squeak?

[@jeystian]

​@@AllmondISP he's missed

[@angelawesneski5029]

This actually has happened in other sports. An international women's pole vault title was shared just a few years ago. I guess I might be the only one who saw this as heartwarming rather than devastating/offensive.

[@JGarrone]

The pole vault title is a completely different story, both vaulters couldn’t beat each other’s height after multiple tries, in chess there was eventually going to be a winner if they kept playing after a while, this is just nonsense

[@jamielondon6436]

There are other examples, but this is very different. The players made the decision unilaterally, not the organisation. This could not have happened if it wasn't Magnus. It was a power play, pure and simple.

[@miyamotomusashi6450]

@@JGarrone that isn't true, no matter how many games they play there isn't guaranteed a winner. They could play an infinite amount games and draw every one of them.

[@bananatree1234567]

I hate it when people bring up pole vaulting to support this decision. The fact that people have to resort to this very specific sport is evidence for how unusual it is. In chess, you have knockout rounds where it's 1 vs. 1. You basically play on until you have a winner. Stop being such a blind Magnus fanboy/fangirl. Maybe trust the opinions of all the other chess experts instead, who are obviously disagreeing with what happened.

[@l0gh0rn1]

This happened in Men's high jump at 2020 Olympics. The two competitors agreed to share the gold medal, similar to what happened here.

[@xboxtest4226]

Worlds Not the same without Squeak

[@BotezLive]

I know :(

[@adityapacharne5688]

What is squeak?

[@PygmalionFaciebat]

@@adityapacharne5688 I assume it was her pet bird.

[@WhiteChoclateCrew]

That was actually a terrific video but I have no friends

[@BotezLive]

thank you for the nice comment though

[@Cyberglitch34]

The Armageddon kinda reminds me of fencing tie breakers. For fencing if it’s tied you flip a coin for priority. The person with priority is the one who wins if the min runs out with no one scoring . It forces the person with out priority to hit to win before time runs out giving them the disadvantage.

[@DanSmith-j8y]

The whole idea in fencing of "priority" is so stupid. No one's fighting duels anymore, but it should still retain some of its origins.

[@UberHummus]

Think they should play until there is a winner. I can understand Why they wanted to split it, but it feels like two long distance runners agreeing to just call it a draw after being neck & neck for a dozen miles. 5:17 good point to bring up about previous quick draw agreements though because idk anything about the historical precedent in competitive chess

[@davidpainn]

You don’t need to understand ….. it is what it is. They both decided they both made it that far it’s their decision. They don’t care wether you understand it or not

[@UberHummus]

@ I did mention that I can understand why they split it(emphasis on reading the word “can”, not “can’t”).. I’m curious whether the rules specifically addressed the players’ authority to split the final? I’m not sure on the exact rules of the tournament, but I would imagine that there is a reason many people are upset by the split. I’m not a chess guy, so there are likely aspects I’m not able to give the proper consideration

[@ganeshmahendranathan2036]

@@davidpainnit’s FIDE’s decision not theirs. Competitors can’t just arbitrarily decide to share a winners trophy.

[@Knighttwister]

Is it really the most controversial world chess championship though?

[@jamesrawlins735]

No it isn't. Certainly nothing compared to the 93 championship between Kasparov and Nigel Short - they split off from FIDE and played under PCA - so FIDE stripped Kasparov of the title and had Karpov and Tinman play for the title - and we had dueling chess champions for 13 years.

[@The_Greg_5000]

I think Magnus is just using his power to expose loopholes and stupid rules , i dont see anything wrong with it.

[@leonidaslopez170]

How is having a winner an stupid rule?

[@The_Greg_5000]

@leonidaslopez170 the stupid rule was referring got the jeans , the loophole is referring to the infinite draws

[@xyxy-f6t]

@@The_Greg_5000 It's Blitz, it is very unlikely to draw 5 games in a row, even for players of that calibre. One would have to make a deliberate effort to draw infinitely. It's not a loophole, it's players refusing to play just a bit more. Draws in Blitz are unlikely and after 10 games, a result would be like a 99.99% guarantee.

[@leonidaslopez170]

@xyxy-f6t He made his point with the jeans. What was his point with the draw?

[@jamessloven2204]

@@The_Greg_5000 that is a loophole in the same way extra innings in baseball is a loophole. Yeah, it could theoretically go on forever. But you shouldn’t match fix the World Series.

[@GOXXog-vr1mh]

Ian Carlsen Magnus Nepomininiachi Both r the winners

[@patogordo1385]

@@GOXXog-vr1mh underrated comment

[@diegosotz]

The best choice ever

[@hoxplanet]

Both disgraceful match fixers

[@DanSmith-j8y]

@@hoxplanet This was about Magnus' ego and him sticking it to FIDE.

[@Rockberries]

Dear Alex, I'm really sorry about Squeak. I had birds when I was younger so I know how much he means to you. It's been on my mind a lot so please know that my thoughts are with you during this tough time.

[@smartin5534]

They both came in second. It was a tie for second place and, this year, no one won first place. Duh.

[@Philopantheon82]

Non sense and you know that yourself

[@smartin5534]

@@Philopantheon82 I feel like two people can't shake and agree they are both number 1 champions. But they can, for sure, agree that neither actually won because the competition wasn't finished. They halted in concert before the end. I think that's a noble thing for friends to do. Number one means, mathematically 1. Two people can't be 1. But two people can for sure be 2. They mutually tied for second place. Cool!

[@NickMaovich]

exactly. They are co-finalists, not co-champions

[@Philopantheon82]

@smartin5534 at least appreciate how they easily found the loophole in the sudden death tiebreaker which players could agree to draw without taking risks. These two gentlemen know every nook and cranny about the game of chess, and i am almost certain they are fully aware of the 3 months angushing Kasparov vs. Karpov tie breaker of 48 draws, plus everyone genuinely acknowledge the fact that both Ian and Magnus can achieve professional draws in a number of ways for ad infinitum!! perhaps the famous bongcloud in the mind. Sorry, but this is on Fide, not on players. Thus, co champions are fully justified. P.S. If Armageddon was applied, we were talking differently

[@jamessloven2204]

@@Philopantheon82 the same could be said of any sport with extra time. I wouldn’t expect two teams at the World Series to split the championship. Even if were Game 7 and in extra innings.

[@CharlieFleed]

Chapters: - 0:00 chess drama - 1:24 more chess drama - 2:03 guess what? drama - 4:35 more drama? - 6:46 no chess without drama - 7:55 a bit of extra drama - 9:25 drama finale You're welcome. Don't be over-dramatic in the comments.

[@outrid3r]

Its been a weird couple of weeks for chess, and i think this is one of those sticky situations where if they were gonna change the rules, it should have been done before or after the tournament. However, I'm a big fan of both Magnus and Ian, and I see this as great sportsmanship, rather than a F-you to chess and FIDE. I can see how some people, particularly high level players, would feel hard done by about this but as a general chess viewer who doesnt compete at a high level I think it's actually quite noble for Magnus to have proposed the idea of a split championship

[@jamessloven2204]

Would it be great sportsmanship to have co-champions for the Superbowl? Would it be great sportsmanlike for the two teams to refuse to play the extra time to determine the winner?

[@outrid3r]

@jamessloven2204 no, as that's a team sport and has been monetised to the thousandth degree. In the grand scheme of the public eye, chess is nothing compared to the Superbowl. Besides, those teams don't have to play again, and again, and again, and again, and again. I see the point you're trying to make but chess and the superbowl are not at all comparable.

[@digiscream]

Oh, and..."draws are a disgrace". Chess, I invite you to meet cricket. As for the whole armageddon thing...FFS, that just makes a classical/rapid/blitz tournament into an armageddon tournament. Why not just replace all the matches with a single armageddon game, if it's the fair way to decide these things? Answer: because nobody wants an armageddon tournament.

[@Grayterrr]

3:02 💀 Ded

[@wilagaton9627]

This reminds me of instances when companies hire IT experts to try and breakthrough their intrastructure and find weaknesses. Magnus found a weakness (no meaningful tiebreaks) and decided to exploit it. Since FIDE decided to forego the tournament's tiebreak rule, they couldve decided not to go with their suggestion of co-champs, they couldve just installed a new tiebreak rule that will determine a champion.

[@emmanuelgamboa9814]

In my opinion, I believe it is clear that when you enter a tournament, you are consciously willing to finish it with a result (win or lose). That being said, while it is true that draws are allowed in chess, it is not fair for them to be permitted among the finalists. This undermines the essence of the competition, as the finalists might stop competing due to an agreement, I think it,s irrational, which could negatively impact the audience's experience, but again, the one that draws the audience, will always do what he wants.

[@JustinMurray170fin]

As a fan watching it all unfold on the day, I was and still am fine with the joint first. There was no Armageddon in force, so theoretically, it could still be going on. That's not the players' fault; it's the organisers'. Hard to believe the amount of drama in the chess world - chill out folks.☘

[@glenn7484]

I’m with you. As for the precedent question, clearly organisers will instate armageddon for future events, and then that’s that. This was a one off, and as such, it was an interesting piece of chess history that was rather heartwarming to see.

[@DanSmith-j8y]

They know that's a possibility going in. Look at Kasparov and Karpov, they didn't wimp out. It might be that Magnus is hoping by doing this there will be a rule change, or it might just be ego. But the idea that it's the fault of the organizers is ludicrous.

[@JustinMurray170fin]

@@DanSmith-j8y Of course it is down to the organisers (the hint is in the name) - if you find the notion 'ludicrous', please give a cogent reason as to why. BTW, where did you earn psychology badges or perhaps they are mindreading badges, seeing as you know what Magnus was thinking...

[@DanSmith-j8y]

​@@JustinMurray170fin I gave you a reason already, and it was cogent. As for reading Magnus' mind, I didn't - that's why I said "MIGHT BE". A dumb guy trying to be smart is always hilarious.

[@NickMaovich]

saying that blitz games can "go on" is clueless. There is no way (besides match fixing) that they wouldn't have a decisive game in 2 or 3 more games

[@xCouchpotato1337]

Sound Quality tip: put some sound absorbing materials in your room.

[@amirsista9350]

But as I think FIDE felt pressured bcz it was the first time a tournament played under that particular tie break rule the sudden death tie break, maybe they thought they made something wrong which make much flexible to Magnus Nepo offerings split

[@GrayterMan]

Two Winners or Two Drawers or Two Losers ?

[@Mia07242]

two winners, obviously

[@diegosotz]

Two winners ofc

[@lenasvisionyoutube]

Both win, in game and life

[@JR-wj9bh]

Next thing we know there's two UFC weightclass champions simultaneously.

[@captain_context9991]

Magnus can afford to buy FIDE and run it himself.

[@ericspace8816]

If having two winners is such a crime against chess, then why are draw offers allowed? Offering to share a title after multiple draws is equivalent to offering a draw in a single game. If that's so bad, then the rules should also disallow offering draws, only allow technical draws by repetition, and make stalemates a win instead of a draw. But in my opinion both sharing a title and offering a draw are perfectly fine and in the spirit of the game.

[@mcloutier5]

I thought there was a history in chess where the world champion gets to kick everyone around.

[@NathanLipetz]

It’s not entirely true that sports always have a winner. Olympic golds have been split like this before

[@BearBearBear-pt8wb]

Dinner with P. Diddy Next Question

[@kurtcraig3421]

p.diddy and kids. now there's a Touchy subject!

[@julianengel492]

7:05 clearly didn't follow the last Olympics high jump. Everyone in the sport thought of it as a special moment where the two winners were looking at each other as equals rather than putting their egos first.

[@iD-du1iu]

give everyone a participation trophie

[@TheGreatestJuJu]

Clearly Magnus is smart enough to think many moves ahead. He planned Jeans gate to put pressure on FIDE for his plan to force the tie in Championship. He dominated Nepo first 2 games then coincidentally falls apart, loses two games in a row and then draws a bunch. He dropped out of classical chess championship. His whole goal has been to undermine FIDE since they wouldn’t change the format to his liking.

[@rektaredun2774]

Ignore the Marry me comments 😤 U should Marry me 🥺 (I am very intelligent 😎🤓)

[@rektaredun2774]

U got 85 in the IQ test Lil bro

[@CreateAccount-b6g]

Chadgun Marlsen > Yian Nepomichi

[@loislane5092]

Well, I guess high jump isn't a sport, since split titles are often awarded, as they are in many other sports. And for those who cite the soccer World Cup, well, there's a game for 3rd place there, but 3rd place was awarded to two people at the chess Blitz Championship, so isn't it a double standard to say you can share 3rd place but not 1st? And I've seen lots of races, especially in cycling, where even the finish photo couldn't determine a winner and they tossed a coin, but everybody was saying "give it to them both". I think most people who are against the split title are simply not used to it and can't accept a new concept. And about the other people cited in the video for whom it was "unfair" because they had to play to an end, well, Magnus asked, and they could have too, but they didn't, so why is it unfair?

[@nelsonpcarr]

Pele the True GOTY of Soccer

[@oneputt4152]

they were co-runner-ups

[@Harishiv18]

2:29 I’m genuinely curious how it was easier to put this specific random screenshot instead of current live ratings.

[@bandersaleh]

Magnus didn't request to split the title, the arbiters made it up to end the tournament

[@krenar427]

Don’t think it’s a big deal if players and FIDE agree to share the 1st place.

[@alex-wt7oq]

“First time in chess history two players both walked away with the chess world championship” 1984/85 when Karpov and Kasparov both had to stop for a couple of months and considered dual world championship.

[@jamesrawlins735]

Actually after 1993 you had dueling world champions - Karpov and Kasparov when Kasparov and Short played under PCA.

[@BotezLive]

yes but they didn't declare a winner and then they met back later to finish it

[@LatterdayLamanite]

Alternate reality: They're still playing right now and tied. Everybody else went home except for the janitor who's just waiting to turn off the lights and lock up.

[@FikriSami-mk3fm]

Why is everybody forgetting that CHESS, out of all other games, one can win/lose or? Equalize! It is a core spirit of chess to have the possibility to draw. So, what's the problem? Two players, or even more than two, could be equal. Nothing wrong about it.

[@oOPPHOo]

You can make an incredible amount of good arguments for why you should be allowed to wear jeans to a tournament and why said tournament shouldn't have a possible outcome with indefinite ties during the final. I'll happy make these arguments. But you advocate for these changes _before_ the tournament. Making up tournament rules as you go may be less flexible, but they are the most fair to everyone's expectations and worthwhile competition does not exist without fairness.

[@Nikolaijg]

It can also be that nobody thought of the problem until it became obvious in the middle of play, no?

[@oOPPHOo]

@@Nikolaijg _Could_ be, in theory. It isn't in practice. Even if it was, my point stands.

[@rucaskoay2991]

I still hope you find Squeak. All the best and Good Luck

[@strawpiglet]

😮did he escape?

[@rucaskoay2991]

@strawpiglet Sadly yes

[@strawpiglet]

@@rucaskoay2991 😔

[@barsknos]

People need to chill. This proved the lack of tie break was a huge oversight by FIDE and they'll hopefully fix it next time. Also, in sports, sometimes people share gold. They CAN time it to 1/10000 second if they want to, but usually sports are done to 1/100 for the rare occasions where two people are equally good.

[@OurCognitiveSurplus]

There was a tie break. It was sudden death. This is the same tie break used in a soccer penalty shootout.

[@baukjeh]

The inclusion of the Femke Bol clip getting gold at the Olympics after another amazing sprint was perfection

[@tj2375]

But in that sport they share the first place often.

[@MrGreta]

Why do i even watch this when i don´t know anything about chess...

[@BotezLive]

ty for watching, as someone who doesn't know chess, what did you think

[@AlexanderLubetzky]

“It’s all prearrangement“ - Bobby Fischer the OG 🐐

[@noidph]

Donchenko said it well. Kudos for saying what needs to be said!

[@chesneytube1]

I don't mind this so much... It's something different, and if people don't like it they can just change the rules to include an armageddon for next year. This incident served to highlight a flaw in FIDE's rules so that something can be done about it. Magnus has more sway than other players, duh; of course he does. It's natural that it would be that way, and in a way he earned it. Maybe it's not fair but life is not fair. If other players want the same level of influence, accomplish what Magnus has and then you will. That's just how things work; to the victor go the spoils. Also I found it kind of nice that they shared. Perhaps it indicates a shift to a world where one person doesn't have to lose for someone else to win.

[@tsuar993]

Didn’t know about Armageddon and honestly that feels like the right answer. There definitely needs to be a better way to handle stalemates to where it doesn’t harm the health of the competitors.

[@jamessloven2204]

Is it anymore dangerous than extra time in a football game? Also, a blitz game is only 10 minutes long. A single classical game is 4 hours before the first time control.

[@SylvainBerube]

Remember the Tokyo 2020 Olympics? Mutaz Essa Barshim (Qatar) and Gianmarco Tamberi (Italy) both cleared 2.37m but couldn't surpass 2.39m. Instead of a jump-off, Barshim asked: "Can we have two golds?" The official said yes, and the duo erupted in joy. It think it was a golden moment of sportsmanship and camaraderie. I was ok with that and I'm ok with this chess championship result.

[@kimovercash2887]

They both agreed, end of story. Moving forward, install Armageddon. Next?

[@Philopantheon82]

Spot on!! Armageddon is the way to go

[@OurCognitiveSurplus]

Both agreeing contra the rules is literally the definition of match fixing. They both agreed. That’s a felony. End of story.

[@jamessloven2204]

@@OurCognitiveSurplus for real. Imagine if this were baseball, and in the World Series the teams agree to stop playing and share the championship.

[@WithmeVerissimusWhostoned]

They should have shared the 2nd place, and FIDE should have called 'no champion' for this tournament. \o/

[@capa8888]

Magnus just play for fun, that wass a christmas giff for nepo

[@y.kennard3381]

In my opinion, the main issue is that they "only" played 3 additional games. If we assisted to an endless battle with about 10 consecutive draws, sure, exceptional circumstances justify exceptional decisions. In fact, in that case, people would probably have admired an epic opposition, so intense that "we had to declare them ex-æquo", making it legendary. But only 3 ? Come on... Play at least 6 additional games... I don't blame anybody, tho. Magnus asked if it was possible, I can't blame someone for asking something. It was December the 31st, I guess people had plan for the night, and it probably would have annoyed a lot of employees if they had to overwork for too long. If anything, I blame the people who planned the event for choosing this date and not having a good "tie-breaking" clause. (Also be fair, there are some other cases of shared titles / shared medals in sports, especially in skiing. But it's quite different.)

[@awaresoul1389]

Why can't two or more people be equal? If there isn't a clear matric to decide who's better, all should get first position. If immeasurable unfairness needs to be involved to decide a winner, the game probably is not meant for a single winner. Do let me know if it's not that simple

[@bloodgrss]

If it helps (and not to lose hope), Squeak has been loved and cared for. Many of my feral animals have vanished over the years, yet for the time I cared for them, they were loved. They are not with us ever long enough...but good luck still going forward!

[@tjgh2764]

In a Sport basing the Championship on pure luck is the dumbest Thing ever, at that Point make it a coinflip Contest, at least its an satisfying result then

[@Bradmagus]

This is why i will never consider playing in chess competitions

[@JonBestSpiritualCoachonEarth]

Magnus made a magnanimous gesture, I was glad for Ian, and FIDE needed still to say No. Beyond that, Alex, your calm thoughtful and insightful analysis is outstanding, especially the point at the end. The truth is the highest quest, not one person! Thanks.

[@yeharshhai]

Absolutely stupid everyone knows magnus could have defeated Ian if they had played some mare games it's blitz not classical but at the same magnus can also lose by exhaustion so he was like ok let's share it, and the question of legitimacy will happen only over Ian like Ding.

[@futurefox128]

Also an interesting argument I heard from someone, is that because it was literally new years eve and their remaining renting time for the venue was probably quite limited, it might have influenced FIDE's decision making. 😉 I used to hate Armageddon, but ever since they came up with the bidding system I find it to be kinda fair and entertaining. For those who don't know the format: Both players bid a time. Lower bid starts with the proposed time and gets to choose color (usually black because draw-odds), the other one starts with their full time. Much better than the antiquated 4min vs 5min rule imo. The fact that FIDE didn't use this format, or literally any rule that would stop games from going on indefinitely is solely a failure on their part tbf. I guess they learned their lesson now and this will be a once-in-lifetime thing.

[@GothamClive]

It's bltz. Let them play for another hour or two and one of them will blunder.

[@TerryDBlack]

How’d y’all feel about the Olympic high jumpers sharing the gold?

[@imnobody642]

i hope Magnus was not too tired and nervous on his wedding night.

[@simonpeart7981]

They should have both got silver and declared losers if neither can win.

[@mxyzptlk1616]

Cruelty? Then give everyone a trophy and allow no competition. This was an act of mercy, now Magnus's buddy can say he's a world champion too.

[@Move_I_Got_This-b3v]

I think Magnus has been allowing other players to win and get paid.

[@plastilinovbly]

I don't understand the fuss about the split. If it is good enough for Olympic why isn't it good enough for chess?

[@samrat747]

Let say After three tie breaker, players can opt for shared title

[@lokks2130]

I've been fond of Magnus, but this isn't the first time where I've thought it's painfully obvious that he's scared of losing and tries to disguise it as something else. And everyone goes along with it. Refusing to play World Championship matches was the first red flag for me.

[@johnransom9983]

I am fine with them sharing the title under the circumstances. What if two Super Bowl teams decided to share the title. People would riot. But what if they each played hard to win and in overtime they were so exhausted that neither could make the final score so they played for three hours of overtime. At some point we could say they should just both get the title.

[@jamessloven2204]

These guys didn’t put in three hours of tie breaks. That is 18 extra games, and a lot less dangerous than extra time in a football game.

[@leost152]

Both should have been declared second and no champion until next year.

[@hulk5006]

In Armageddon how do they decide who gets black? Do both players play both colors? It just does not seem fair to give unequal odds no?

[@Seeka1337]

there were occasions where this happened in other sports aswell. there were these two athletes in high jumping who shared the gold medal.

[@i_guess_i_need_anaccount8708]

"after all those games" They drew three times.

[@charles6084]

Agree, as per the rules they play until one wins. To do otherwise robs a player out of a true win and the audience out of a Champion.

[@jjpp1993]

magnus is like a harvey spectre of chess

[@kurtcraig3421]

Alex.... get off the fence and say what you really think!

[@drow27]

They should resolve it via chess boxing

[@IulianYT]

Friendship won!

[@GothamClive]

Dd it? f I were Nepo I wouldn't enjoy that "title". It would always feel like Magnus wanted me to have a title without hm losing.

[@stephantonakanian3033]

well done Alexandra! the right and the wrong should be called out.

[@DanSmith-j8y]

FIDE should never have allowed it, and they shouldn't have backed down over the jeans either. It's a slippery slope. Compare snooker and darts: the former has a strict dress code, and spectators are at best allowed to politely applaud; in darts, everyone's drinking, they're raucous, shouting, the players are dressed very casual, and some people prefer it - I'm just not one of them.

[@alekhidell7068]

There is simply no need to bend the rules so that a player can wear jeans.

[@gamesmmts]

And he sacrificed.....a half from the 1st place!

[@PygmalionFaciebat]

Boxing solved this ages ago. If the world championship is a draw in points - the old champion stays champion. I thought chess also had this rule in the 70s. Didnt know that this isnt a rule anymore. After lets say: 20 games - if both have same points : the old champion stays champion. Easy as that. But to make it easier , because i get it ''if someone is as good as the old champion, why should be the old champion the winner'' - i get it , so another solution : After same points arrived after 20 games, i am for 20 bullet games with chess960. No way, that with chess960 both players could learned the same amount of preparation. Espescially when its bullet chess960 - espescially with 20 games. So i am sure, a winner is then made. There is no need for ''Armageddon-mode''.

[@Yangmang]

Are we really calling chess a sport haha. Also Michael Jordan, Maradona, Messi, any goat on any sport has had preferential treatment. The whole sport depends on them, its not necessarily a bad thing but whatever you may think of it, the biggest players will always have some leverage over the executives. Anyone who watches modern NBA and looks at what Lebron does will understand this.

[@pomoe9663]

Our Chess(combat) Correspomdent on the scene! Is that meta enough? I’m usually down with the hive mind,reporter. Bird is the Word.

[@jackmiddleton2080]

I don't know why but the first thing that my intuition thinks is that Magnus wants to remove the competitive drive from Ian.

[@PKSGalaxy]

What if they have already decided not to play for the win before the start of the finals?

[@TJConcept1995]

At Wimbledon in 2018, when Isner and Mahut played their marathon match, ending 70-68 in the fifth set (because one player had to establish a two game lead), they brought in a tie-break, to be played if the score reaches 12-12 in the fifth set. Ironically, it was needed the very next year in that epic Djokovic v Federer final!! The point is, many sports have a system for deciding a winner if there is no outcome in normal time. Perhaps FIDE can learn from what happened, as the Wimbledon authorities did. An Armageddon game may be seen as less than satisfactory, but at least it will lead to a resolution.

[@Кирилл-э7з1х]

Magnus did not betray!

[@AidenHo10071]

we need more of the podcast series, sorry about squeak though

[@teomosu]

I actually fully support their joint decision to stop playing and call it “even”. In the end, they were the last 2 players fighting for the top spot in the tournament. If they want to stop “fighting” and just go join the New Year celebrations, good for them. I also think that FIDE should have crowned them as tied for second place - so no blitz world champion in 2024, as there was no clear victor. They both tied for second place. I would also either split the 70k for second place between them (35k each) and move the 90k for 1st place to next year’s competition for 1st place. See how much they want to share next year when the 1st place is 180k and second is 70k. FIDE blundered big time

[@chaseturner]

Just goes to show the power of social media and how the backlash against jeans-gate probably influenced their decision to throw the rules out the window. It’s a silly world where Fide gets forked and loses both pieces 😂

[@BraianBica17]

We miss Squeak,this must be a really hard time for you Alex,I truly hope this is the only setback this year and that everything else brings nothing but positivity!😔💙

[@BotezLive]

i miss him too :((((((( try not to think about it too much cause it makes me too sad

[@alinsofan501]

conFIDE and diVIDE , uncle Ben would have been proud of u Alex for that ending.