Emil Sutovsky, FIDE CEO, responded to Hikaru Nakamura’s criticism of the Candidates rating spot system, rejecting claims that the qualification method exists for Magnus Carlsen’s potential return. Nakamura had called the rating spot a mistake and suggested FIDE created it hoping Magnus would return to classical chess.

Emil Sutovsky

Emil Sutovsky

FIDE CEO

It’s absolutely illogical because this rating spot has been for years, always has been there. If it were for Magnus we would limit it that if you are number one in the world you could qualify by rating. The regulation says that if you are either number one or number two in the world… It had nothing to do with Magnus. We had no hopes that Magnus would return and why would he return now?

The CEO explained the rating spot limits qualification to the top two rated players who haven’t qualified through other paths. He said this prevents situations from previous cycles where sixth or seventh-ranked players could qualify, ensuring only world-class players reach the Candidates tournament. The system changed after Alireza Firouzja’s controversial qualification in the last cycle.

Photo: Lennart Ootes