Issue #43 — Magnus Carlsen

About This Issue

Magnus Carlsen’s sudden disqualification at the World Rapid in New York over a dress code – a pair of jeans – exposed a deeper conflict. Top players back the new “Freestyle” chess discipline, while FIDE stands its ground. The battle is on.

FM Dylan McClain examines the growing tensions between FIDE and Magnus Carlsen following the recently concluded World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York, where unexpected developments sparked controversy. This ongoing saga, which has produced a lot of hype and polarized the chess world, has also been addressed by ACM editors, who see it as a prelude to a turbulent year ahead.

In an exclusive interview, Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., which has been one of the most prominent sponsors of FIDE events in the previous couple of years, discusses the intersection of chess and finance, why Wall Street was the ideal venue for the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York, and his vision for the future of chess.

With dramatic momentum swings and high-stakes battles, the World Championship match between Ding Liren and Gukesh Dommaraju seemed destined for tie-breaks until a decisive final classical game crowned a new champion. In an action-packed review, GM Vladimir Potkin provides an expert breakdown, offering unique insights into both players’ preparation and strategic choices. In the following interview, 2011 European Champion Potkin shares his journey from a young coach to guiding Sergey Karjakin and Ian Nepomniachtchi in their respective World Championship matches against Magnus Carlsen in 2016 and 2022. Exclusively for ACM, he offers his reflections on match preparation, the influence of chess engines and the evolving landscape of elite chess.

WGM-elect Zoey Tang reports on the Women’s American Continental Championship held in Santo Domingo, where Atousa Pourkashiyan edged out Tang on tie-breaks for the title, with Thalia Cervantes rounding out an all-USA podium. All three medalists contributed by analyzing their most important games from the event.

The final installment of GM Jacob Aagaard’s column explores the concept of “playing with momentum,” emphasizing the importance of swift and precise attacking play. In the second part of his overview of the notable openings played in 2024, GM Spyridon Kapnisis highlights fresh ideas in the Two Knights Defense, Queen’s Gambit Declined and Nimzo-Indian Defense.

ACM multiple award-winning author GM Sarunas Sulskis analyzes brilliant games from the recent U.S. Masters in Charlotte, including creative play from GM Illia Nyzhnyk and GM Luka Budisavljevic. Before that, Sulskis introduces the 2024 European Champion, 29-year-old Serbian GM Aleksandar Indjic, who won the title in a field of almost 400 players in his arguably most successful tournament so far. In a short interview for ACM, Indjic looks back on the key moments from the event, sharing how his collaboration with GM Alexander Morozevich has influenced his approach to the game, and his career ambitions.

GM Illia Nyzhnyk continues his regular column on middlegames and evaluation of the position. This time his focus is on pawn structures and how changing them can redefine a game. ACM endgame expert GM Alex Fishbein underscores the importance of mastering rook endings with only a few pieces on the board. These endings are far from simple and even strong players sometimes stumble in these critical positions, which is why Fishbein points out: “if you don’t use the skill, you lose it!”

Dr. Corey Butler delves into how players’ personalities and playing styles influence their approach to complexity in chess, offering a self-evaluation test for readers. As usual, FM Grayson Rorrer recaps recent standout performances by U.S. players in domestic and international events.

ACM’s special guest in 5x5 is IM Anthony Saidy, a respected chess author and retired physician, who is widely recognized as a mentor and friend of the legendary Bobby Fischer. Dr. Saidy shares stories from his fascinating life in chess.

What’s Inside

• p.8 — A New Business Era for Chess — Interview with Timur Turlov — FM Josip Asik
• p.10 — Pain & Joy — World Championship Match, Ding Liren vs. Gukesh D — GM Vladimir Potkin
• p.30 — U.S. Women Sweep Podium — 2024 Women's American Continental — WGM Zoey Tang
• p.46 — A Huge Fan of Morozevich's Style — Interview with GM Aleksandar Indjic — Dusan Krunic
• p.56 — The Growing Rift Between FIDE and Carlsen — All Things Chess — FM Dylan Loeb McClain
• p.68 — Vancura and Fellas — Endings — GM Alex Fishbein
• p.82 — Chess 5x5 — Where Experts and Educators Share Wisdom with Future Champions — IM Anthony Saidy

Inside the Issue