Kasparov calls world title match ‘amputated’

Garry Kasparov, who is regarded as Magnus Carlsen’s rival as the greatest player of all time, said next month’s Ian Nepomniachtchi v Ding Liren world title match “should include the strongest player on the planet, and this match doesn’t … It’s a kind of amputated event … The match between Nepo and Ding is a great show, but it’s not a world championship match.”

Comments on Kasparov’s assertion have been mostly negative, pointing out that the match is actually between the two highest rated players who are ready to participate, which Carlsen is not. There is also a direct recent precedent in the Vishy Anand v Boris Gelfand 2012 world title series, which took place at a time when Carlsen was already the world No 1, but had declined to take part in the qualifiers because he objected to the candidates being played as a knockout rather than an all-play-all.

Realistically, the degree of public acceptance for Nepomniachtchi or Ding as world champion will depend significantly on whether the new title holder can demonstrate achievements in the match itself and in following tournaments. In the late 1960s, Tigran Petrosian was world champion, but his achievements were disparaged due to his inferior tournament performances compared to Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky.

Kasparov also said: “We will have the ‘world champion’ and the strongest player on the planet in the same tournament in a month’s time.” This is a reference to the Superbet Classic, starting in Bucharest on 4 May, the opening event in the Grand Tour. Kasparov is a leading member of the organising team.

Bucharest’s announced entries so far are headed by Nepomniachtchi, Ding, and the world No 4, Alireza Firouzja, 19. Also in the field are the world Nos 6, 7 and 8 Anish Giri, Fabiano Caruana and Wesley So. There is a wildcard yet to be announced, and Kasparov is implying that this will be Carlsen.