World no. 1 Magnus Carlsen, widely regarded as the greatest chess player of his generation, is absent from the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025, hosted in Goa, India, from October 30 to November 27. The Norwegian five-time world champion, who won the World Cup back in 2023, last claimed the World Championship title in 2021 but subsequently withdrew from the competition, citing motivational issues.Carlsen’s relationship with FIDE, the International Chess Federation that organizes the classical world championship, has been strained due to various disagreements over the years.“I don’t see that at the moment. I think it’s very, very unlikely,” Carlsen told Reuters when asked about potentially pursuing the title again a few months back.Adding to that, Carlsen has often expressed his dislike for long-format classical games and is now focusing more on new, faster chess formats amid the game’s growing global popularity.He has been promoting Freestyle chess, where back rank pieces are randomly positioned, and is part of Team Liquid, the winner of the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC).His tensions with FIDE escalated during last year’s World Rapid Chess Championship when he faced penalties for violating dress code regulations by wearing jeans.Carlsen achieved victory in the Speed Chess Championship last year and shared the World Blitz Championship title with Ian Nepomniachtchi, a decision that sparked debate within the chess community.“I’m not really very interested in what FIDE is doing. I’m sort of trying to do my things, being with the Esports World Cup, Freestyle,” he told Reuters.“FIDE’s crown jewel is the classical world championship, right? That’s what gives FIDE legacy and legitimacy, and none of us are going after that. So I think we’ll sort of coexist, I’m happy not playing the classical world championship. I’m kind of done with that, and now I’m following it as a fan.” Since the top three players from the World Cup will qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the pathway to challenge D Gukesh for the World Championship title, Magnus Carlsen has chosen not to participate, as he no longer wishes to compete for the Classical World Championship. As for the World Cup trophy, he already has that in his collection. That’s why Goa will miss Carlsen this time.
