Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov expressed regret over the refusal of the Norwegian world chess champion Magnus Carlsen to meet with the Russian champion Jan Nepomnyasht.
“Of course, sorry! This does not decorate the image of Carlsen, ”Russian news agency TASS quoted Peskov as saying.
“In any case, we will root for Jan and wait for the crown of the world chess champion in Russia,” he added.
And Magnus Carlsen announced today, Wednesday, his refusal to meet with the Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi, who is defending the world title.
The Norwegian champion motivated his refusal by the fact that he had no motivation to play another match for the world title.
Nepomniachtchi won the Masters Tournament in Madrid, becoming the first candidate to play for the World Chess Championship again and face Carlsen again.
Magnus Carlsen, 31, defeated Nipomnyashi in 2021 and defended his world title for the fourth time in his history since he was snatched from Indian champion Viswanathan Anand in 2013.
Nipomnyashi will face the Chinese champion Ding Liren, who finished second in the World Championship Candidates Tournament after Magnus Carlsen’s refusal.
Source: “russian.rt.com”