FIDE threatens legal action against Carlsen's Freestyle Chess tournament

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has strongly criticized the Freestyle Chess Players Club (FCPC), co-owned by Magnus Carlsen, for attempting to label its upcoming tournament as a 'World Championship'. FIDE argues that this move undermines its authority over world championship titles, leading to divisions in the chess community reminiscent of historical splits like the one in 1993 involving Garry Kasparov. While FIDE has indicated a willingness to accommodate the 2025 Freestyle Chess series in its calendar, it remains firm that no private organization can run a parallel World Championship. A legal warning has been issued, threatening to challenge any branding of the FCPC's series as a 'World Championship' without FIDE's approval. As the inaugural event approaches in February, FIDE has reiterated that qualified players must adhere to their contracts, which prohibit participation in any unapproved championships. This ongoing dispute raises concerns about the participation of top players, including FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand, in FCPC events.