Carlsen, Nepomniachtchi Share World Blitz Title Amid Controversy

The 2024 World Blitz Chess Championship concluded with Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi sharing the title after three sudden-death games ended in draws, marking the first time in history that the title has been shared. This decision, proposed by Carlsen due to exhaustion and the intensity of the matches, was accepted by both players and approved by FIDE. The championship was not without controversy, as Carlsen faced criticism for a viral video where he jokingly suggested playing short draws, which some interpreted as match-fixing. Carlsen clarified that his comments were meant humorously due to the lack of decisive tiebreak rules. The tournament also saw Carlsen initially disqualified from the Rapid section for dress code violations, a decision later reversed by FIDE. The unprecedented joint title decision has sparked significant debate within the chess community about the regulations and influence of top players.