Magnus Carlsen and chess federation agree on new world championship / Photo: DIBYANGSHU SARKAR - AFP
-
Spurs win would 'change everything': De Zerbi
-
Holders Bordeaux-Begles see off Toulouse to reach Champions Cup semis
-
De Zerbi suffers debut defeat as Spurs crisis deepens
-
Sinner beats Alcaraz to win Monte Carlo Masters, returns to No.1
-
'No other way': Mideast prepares for more fighting as talks fail
-
Napoli draw at Parma gives Inter chance to put one hand on Serie A title
-
At US-Iran talks, Pakistan's field marshal takes centre stage
-
Spurs rue bad luck as relegation fears deepen
-
Napoli's title defence dented by draw at Parma
-
Andreeva opens clay court season with title in Linz
-
Van Aert finally wins Paris-Roubaix cycling Monument
-
Trump orders US Navy to block Hormuz after Iran talks fail
-
France scrum-half Lucu extends Bordeaux deal to 2029
-
McIlroy fights for repeat as last-round Masters drama begins
-
Buttler keeps form as Gujarat ease past Lucknow in IPL
-
Trump orders US naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz
-
Polls open as Peru picks ninth president in a decade
-
US-Iran talks fail as world urges respect for truce
-
Ukraine, Russia accuse each other of Easter truce violations
-
Cape Town mayor elected to lead S.Africa's second-largest party
-
Justin Bieber reconnects with fans on Coachella's second day
-
Crippa, Demise claim Paris marathon victories
-
Union Berlin appoint first female coach after Baumgart sacking
-
Legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle dies aged 92
-
Finance minister favourite as Benin votes for president
-
Imagine Dragons frontman chases childhood video game dream
-
Teenage sprint star Gout powers to 200m win in blistering 19.67sec
-
China's energy strategy pays off as Mideast war cramps supplies: analysts
-
Hungarians vote in closely watched election, with Orban's rule on line
-
Mideast war takes a bite out of Filipino street food vendors
-
Crime-weary Peru votes for ninth president in a decade
-
Vance says talks failed to reach deal with Iran on ending Mideast war
-
New York's teen spirit frustrates Messi, Miami
-
Vance says talks failed to reach agreement with Iran
-
'Stop hiring humans'? Silicon Valley confronts AI job panic
-
Force rue missed opportunities after another Super Rugby defeat
-
Ireland's Lowry becomes first with two Masters aces
-
'Mental toughness' hailed after Reds snap 15-year Crusaders curse
-
Justin Bieber fans flood Coachella festival for headlining show
-
Saturday charge has Young in sight of first major title at Masters
-
McIlroy looking for answers after squandered Masters lead
-
Surging Fuel Costs Trigger Global Capital Shift Into Electric Vehicles - Elektros Advances Patented Fast-Charging Solution For A Rapidly Scaling Market
-
McIlroy and Young share lead after Masters third round
-
Lavelle marks 100th cap with goal in US win over Japan
-
Artemis crew urges unity on 'lifeboat' Earth
-
US, Iran talks extend into second day as strait showdown deepens
-
Former heavyweight king Fury outpoints Makhmudov, calls out Joshua
-
Former heavyweight king Fury outpoints Makhmudov on ring return
-
Two-time champ Scheffler surges up Masters leaderboard
-
McIlroy scrambles to hold off rivals and keep Masters lead
Magnus Carlsen and chess federation agree on new world championship
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and world number one Magnus Carlsen have a long history of disagreements, but on Wednesday both backed a new world championship concept that sets the stage for the Norwegian's return.
Notorious for preferring rapid formats over traditional long games, Carlsen has not defended since 2023 the World Championship title he has held since 2013, citing a lack of motivation.
The new "Total Chess World Championship Tour", unveiled Wednesday by the Norway Chess foundation, will consist of four events a year and will crown one combined champion for three disciplines: Fast Classic, Rapid and Blitz.
"This seems like a well-thought-out step to further develop chess," Carlsen, 34, said in a statement from Norway Chess.
"Bringing multiple formats together under a single title will provide a more complete view of the players' strengths, while the time controls suit today's players and audience," he said.
FIDE also welcomed the initiative.
"We see this as a great addition to the traditional and prestigious World Chess Championship, where we crown the undisputed champion of classic chess," said FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich of Russia.
"The championships will complement each other," he said in the statement.
According to organisers, a pilot version of the Total Chess World Championship Tour will be tested in the autumn of 2026, with the first full season set for 2027.
M.King--AT
