Carlsen Accepts G.O.A.T. Award, Calls On FIDE To Uphold Restrictions On Russia And Belarus

GM Magnus Carlsen made headlines for a brief however highly effective speech whereas accepting the FIDE award for Biggest Of All Time (G.O.A.T). Carlsen used the second to precise humility and ship a robust message in opposition to reinstating the Russian and Belarusian chess federations.

The award got here throughout the FIDE 100 Gala, which occurred in Budapest, Hungary, in reference to the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad.

“It feels type of unusual to obtain this award whereas I’m nonetheless an energetic participant,” mentioned Carlsen upon receiving the trophy from FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, who’s himself Russian.

The five-time classical world champion, who has been the undisputed primary since July 2011, then expressed humility and mentioned he thinks thirteenth World Champion Garry Kasparov is extra deserving. 

“I’m after all completely happy to get this award, however in my private opinion, I nonetheless suppose Garry has had a greater chess profession than I’ve. I perceive why I acquired this award, however he was extra deserving,” he mentioned.

 I nonetheless suppose Garry has had a greater chess profession than I’ve.

Carlsen then added a for him uncommon political assertion: “I’d say, no less than in Garry’s honor, I’m positive that he would take the chance to advise in opposition to reinstating the Russian and Belarusian Chess Federations, so that’s what I’d do as nicely. Thanks.”

I’d say, no less than in Garry’s honor, I’m positive that he would take the chance to advise in opposition to reinstating the Russian and Belarusian Chess Federations, so that’s what I’d do as nicely.

Thanks❤️pic.twitter.com/ji8kJk0vgJ

— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) September 19, 2024

The controversial proposal, put forth by the Kyrgyz Chess Federation, goals to raise the restrictions that have been imposed after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The FIDE Council suspended Russia and Belarus from participation in official FIDE workforce tournaments, whereas particular person gamers can solely compete as impartial athletes.

The proposal has been met by protests from a number of Western chess federations and Ukraine, who urged federations “to make sure that this matter is just not even positioned on the agenda for dialogue.” The European Chess Union reiterated its stance in a press release on Thursday, urging the Common Meeting to keep up the restrictions to guard the integrity and align with IOC coverage.

The ECU resolves to keep up the sanctions on Russia and Belarus, in accordance with IOC coverage, to guard the integrity of FIDE. The ECU requests the FIDE GA to keep up the sanctions on Russia and Belarus imposed by the FIDE Council in 2022.

Carlsen, who has largely stayed out of political discussions previously, final 12 months admitted that whereas initially hesitating to assist the suspension of Russian gamers, he had modified his view because the warfare continued. “I feel that for day-after-day the warfare goes on, it feels stranger to play Russians,” he advised TV 2.

His protest from the stage in Budapest was a second to honor his former coach, who has been added to the checklist of “terrorists and extremists” by the Russian authorities for his vocal criticism of the nation’s President Vladimir Putin. Kasparov’s response on X/Twitter was fast:

🙏 Certainly I’d, and do! 🇺🇦 In additional methods than one, I might hardly want for a greater successor than Magnus. It is not required to have nice character to be an awesome chessplayer, so it’s doubly spectacular for him to attain each. https://t.co/4r6zwRS3EG

— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) September 19, 2024

Carlsen’s long-time second GM Peter Heine Nielsen, himself often known as a number one critic of FIDE, joined the reward, calling it a “good tribute”.

Good tribute by Magnus Carlsen to @Kasparov63, not solely to the chess-player, but in addition to the political activist!#GOATS pic.twitter.com/Eb9UH0J7zF

— Peter Heine Nielsen (@PHChess) September 19, 2024

The FIDE 100 Gala was celebrating the centenary of the world chess governing physique, and the accomplishments of people, teams, and organizations throughout the chess neighborhood.

The primary occasion of the night was the FIDE Awards, the place a handpicked jury made choices in a complete of 18 classes. The title of “Finest Participant – Girl” was given to GM Judit Polgar, the one lady ever to interrupt into the world top-10. She expressed her gratitude by thanking her dad and mom, sisters, and opponents. 

#FIDE100 #Award – Finest Participant Girl
A particular award for me, which I acquired within the presence of my dad and mom, sisters and my husband in my hometown. ❤I owe my success to my perseverance, my combating spirit and my creativity, for which I will be grateful to my household.#gratitude pic.twitter.com/uTgbP30GVu

— Judit Polgar (@GMJuditPolgar) September 19, 2024

Different winners embrace Jean Michel Rapaire, who was given the Advocate for Ladies in Chess award for promotion of ladies’s chess by varied initiatives in Monaco.

The Social Affect award went to the Chess for Freedom program, spearheaded by the Cook dinner County Sheriff’s Workplace. The initiative, launched in 2021, makes use of chess as a software for the reintegration of inmates, and has grown into a world motion with participation from almost 60 international locations.

The Worldwide Bodily Disabled Chess Affiliation (IPCA), the Worldwide Braille Chess Affiliation (IBCA), and the Worldwide Chess Committee of the Deaf (ICCD) have been collectively acknowledged for his or her efforts in making chess accessible to folks with disabilities.

GMs Vladimir Tukmakov and Susan Polgar have been each honored as Finest Trainers within the males’s and ladies’s classes, respectively, whereas the title of Finest Social Media Influencer was awarded to GM Hikaru Nakamura for rising the sport amongst a brand new technology of followers.

Full Winners Checklist