FIDE Wants Magnus Back So Much It's Created A New World Championship

The GOAT of chess GM Magnus Carlsen, the single biggest name in the sport by a mile, complained and complained about FIDE's classical World Championship.

Eventually, Norway's world number-one refused to defend the title he won five times.

Now, two years on, he's got his way.

On Wednesday, the chess world was confronted with the announcement that FIDE and Norway Chess, the company that run's Norway's elite tournament, have got together to create a new championship combining three disciplines – Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz chess.

It's exactly what Carlsen has been calling for, and an historic moment for the game.

The Total Chess World Championship Tour will crown its overall winner FIDE World Combined Champion. Yes, that's another world title to add to the World Rapid, Blitz and Classical crowns, but this event has a minimum prize pot of $2.7 million.

It's also one in the eye for the Freestyle Chess venture led by the German entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner.

Freestyle Chess tried to launch its own "world championship" without approval from FIDE and found itself embroiled in a feud with the game's governing body earlier this year.

Now, from FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky's X account, we learn that Norway Chess was negotiating with FIDE all along.

The new franchised out Tour will start with a pilot event next year before the first full championship season consisting of three events in 2027.

"We expect this to become one of the most prestigious events in the entire chess calendar,” said Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and of the new championship.

Carlsen's reaction was included in the tournament press release, suggesting he has been involved in the process. However, he didn't explicitly state he will be involved.

"This seems like a well-thought-out step to further develop chess," the 34-year-old said. "Bringing multiple formats together under a single title will provide a more complete view of the players’ strengths, while the time-controls suit today’s players and audience.

"I’m looking forward to the pilot in 2026 and to seeing how the first season in 2027 unfolds. It’s impressive that Norway Chess has achieved this.”

A Unified Belt

If this event unifies Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz into one complete test, what next for the classical World Championship currently held by GM Gukesh D? Has it been devalued?

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich doesn't see it that way.

“We see this as a great addition to the traditional and prestigious World Chess Championship, where we crown the undisputed champion of classic chess.

"The championships will complement each other and offer even more excitement for the fans. This is not a short-term initiative, but a long-term agreement between FIDE and Norway Chess,” he added.