In recent days, it has almost developed into a rebellion among the world’s best players. They are fed up with bad referees. – They have no idea what they are doing, says Fabiano Caruana in the podcast “C-Squared”. – Unfortunately, we are not a serious sport, writes Magnus Carlsen on X. IN LONDON: Magnus Carlsen plays for the team “Alpine SG Pipers” in London. Photo: BENJAMIN CREMEL / AFP – Right on the nose The Global Chess League tournament started on 2 October, and since the start there have been several controversies. Magnus Carlsen lost a chaotic game against the super talent Alireza Firouzja. The Norwegian had won a position, but was behind in time. Firouzja took advantage of his big time advantage and won on time. It has become a regular occurrence in the tournament: extreme time trouble. – It’s not serious sport when it’s like that, I understand that the players are given up. You prepare for total chaos, says Kristoffer Gressli, who is a chess referee himself. REFEREE: Kristoffer Gressli is an international chess referee, but does not judge the tournament in London. Photo: Jørund Wessel Carlsen / news The International Chess Federation, Fide, has not responded to news’s inquiry. On Sunday, it peaked in London during a game between Daniel Dardha and Nihal Sarin. The latter stood leaning over the board while the pieces almost flew around on the 64 squares. Sarin overturned several pieces, and according to Magnus Carlsen, he made several illegal moves. Nevertheless, the party was judged to be a draw. – It’s completely ridiculous to have a tournament with the entire world elite in place without extra time and such poor referee coverage, he says. He believes that the extreme lack of time means that the referee does not have time to intervene before the next move is made. During the tournament in London, Gressli estimates that up to five moves are made per second, and the judges are also responsible for covering several tables at the same time. – You have no chance to intervene. The organizer has put himself in a bit of trouble, he says. STARS: Several big stars are taking part in London. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Hikaru Nakamura meet here. Photo: BENJAMIN CREMEL / AFP Rage against referees The incidents during the tournament in London have led to severe criticism of referees. He’s glad he’s not judging the world stars in the Global Chess League these days. – We all know that the majority of judges prefer to be present without interrupting. Good traditions must not be broken, writes Jan Nepomnjashchij on X. – 95 percent of all judges are useless. Some are good, but others have no idea what they are doing, says Fabiano Caruana. – It’s quite scary, it’s dangerous and unpleasant that the world’s elite do that. The vast majority of chess referees are volunteers and do not receive a penny. It is quite brutal to saw over the branch you are sitting on, says chess referee Gressli. He also points out that the players themselves must report if the opponent makes an illegal move, and that it is the organizer who has stepped in the wrong way. – The main point here is that you have invited the entire world elite to an exclusive tournament with rules that do not resemble the pig. Published 08.10.2024, at 05.31
ttn-69
– Unserious – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
