– I don’t think anyone thinks it’s good. Everyone has reacted, both on social media and in my circle of friends. I know of several colleagues who say it is out of the question to leave now. This is what Norway’s second best chess player, Johan-Sebastian Christiansen, tells news. The reactions come after the international chess federation, Fide, announced last week that they have included a day of rest in the blitz and rapid chess tournament which will be played over Christmas. This year it will be played in New York, and the day of rest means that the last day of play will be on New Year’s Eve itself. Then not only do the athletes have to stay one extra day in “The Big Apple”, they also have to shell out for one of the most expensive hotel nights during the year. A quick search shows that most hotels in Manhattan, where the tournament is played, currently cost between NOK 5,000 and 10,000 on New Year’s Eve. There are some cheaper and a number that are more expensive. – It already costs four to five thousand kroner a night, and I will probably have to go a long way over that for the last day. And the flights aren’t exactly cheap either. It probably costs 40–50,000 each for everyone from Europe, says Christiansen, who has to pay for the stay out of his own pocket. – As a professional chess player, I will have to travel down and see that I lose NOK 50,000 to show up for work. It makes no sense, he continued. In the championship last year, there was a total prize pool of one million US dollars, but only the 35 best are awarded. Therefore, the majority of the many hundreds of participants will go home without any form of prize money. news has submitted the criticism to Fide, but has not yet received a reply. Making room for a conference On its own X user, the association explains the change by saying that they will hold a conference on the day of rest. – The set-up is designed to increase the experience for players and spectators. (…) The conference will explore the interplay between chess and finance, writes Fide. Christiansen reacts to that. – First of all, New York is at its worst in terms of prices. Secondly, I am not a fan of a day off anyway. I don’t see the reason for that. It has gone well every other year. – If they are going to have that conference, they could have it on the last day, adds Sandefjording. But not everyone agrees with Christiansen. Aryan Tari, who has also become a well-known face in the chess championship in space Christmas, thinks it is perfectly fine that Fide has done what they have done. – New York is such a cool city that I don’t mind spending an extra day there. I myself live in the USA during the day, so it is not far for me to travel. Having said that, I haven’t looked at how much hotels cost yet, write Tari in an SMS to news and add a laughing emoji. REIGNING CHAMPION: Magnus Carlsen won both rapid and lightning chess in the WC in both 2022 and 2023. Photo: Lennart Ootes / Lennart Ootes Does not receive federal support Secretary General of the Norwegian Chess Federation, Sofie Sæter, wrote in an e-mail to news that they were not conferred by Fide before the decision on the day of rest, and has not wavered to make up his mind either. – Is it appropriate for the chess association to provide financial support to the Norwegian players, which results from this increased expenditure? – Unfortunately, that is not relevant due to NSF’s finances today. In the past, apart from last year, the Norwegian players have received a subsidy from their chess friends for this tournament. The friends of chess would like to support them this year as well, but due to a lack of sponsors there are no funds left for this, writes Sæther. Do you remember this one from last year’s championship? Expecting increased support news’s chess expert, Torstein Bae, believes for his part that there are not only disadvantages with the imposed day of rest. He believes that both the public and the media will see it as something positive. – This means that the decision in the lightning jacket will be roughly at the same time as midnight and New Year in Norway, so it can be a special celebration. But I think New Year’s Eve will be a good day, he says. – That won’t lead to declining support? EXPERT: Torstein Bae thinks the change can have a positive effect on the public. Photo: Lars Bryne / Lars Bryne – I know that people will follow the entry with great interest. It is a big advantage that it is Norwegian “prime time” in the evening, and not something that goes on while people are at work. Many people probably follow along, or have it in the background during other parties that day, the chess expert believes. According to the chess website chess.com, it is expected that the stars Magnus Carlsen (reigning champion), Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana will all participate. Will go regardless But despite high prices and New Year’s Eve in the USA, Christiansen has no doubt that he will participate. – It is such a big event in Norway and for Norwegian TV viewers that it is something I give high priority to, says the 26-year-old GOING TO THE USA: – I lose by showing up for work, says Johan-Sebastian Christiansen. Photo: Erlend Havsgård Martinsen / news – Is it just an inconvenience to have a reason to celebrate the New Year in New York? – It’s certainly stylish, but I’ve been in the city many times already. If I had traveled outside the box, I would never have paid so much. Published 02.09.2024, at 11.45
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Shaking his head at the WC innovation: – I lose NOK 50,000
