FIDE CEO Defends Against Nakamura's Bias Claims
FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky has made headlines with his strong response to Hikaru Nakamura's recent claims regarding the Candidates' rating qualification. Nakamura suggested that FIDE is biased towards Magnus Carlsen, implying that the rating spot was crafted to facilitate Carlsen's return to competitive chess. Sutovsky, however, labeled these accusations as illogical.
Sutovsky explained that the rating qualification system has been in place for years and is designed to ensure that the best players compete. He pointed out that if the system was truly intended for Carlsen, it would have been limited to only the world number one. Instead, the rules allow either the number one or number two player to qualify based on their ratings. This indicates a more inclusive approach to qualifying for the Candidates, rather than a narrow focus on Carlsen.
He elaborated on the logic behind the rating spot, stating that in past cycles, the highest-rated player who didn’t qualify through other means was allowed to enter. This was a change to ensure that only the top players are included in the Candidates tournament, eliminating players ranked lower where rating differences are minimal. The intention is to reward those who have almost qualified, hence the decision to limit it to the top two players.
Furthermore, Sutovsky emphasized that their decision was not influenced by any expectations of Carlsen’s return. He questioned why Carlsen would come back after experiencing a drop in rating points. He described Nakamura's claims as stemming from a misunderstanding of the rules, noting that this isn’t the first time Nakamura has made assertions without fully grasping the facts. When FIDE introduced the FIDE Circuit, Nakamura had called it a 'stupid system' without fully understanding its mechanics.
In conclusion, Sutovsky's rebuttal serves to clarify FIDE's stance and the rationale behind the rating qualification system. His comments also highlight the importance of understanding the underlying rules before making public statements, especially in the high-stakes world of competitive chess.
