Magnus Carlsen shared his thoughts on the world No. 1 title. Magnus states he doesn’t want to give up the title, and says he still feels he is the best in the world.

Magnus Carlsen

Magnus Carlsen

World's No. 1

“I have heard the debate about whether I play enough Classical games a year to maintain first place in the world rankings…

But I don’t want to give up the world No. 1 title to anyone else while I feel like I’m still the best.

The debate about first place in the world rankings would be more justified if I weren’t showing good results in the formats I play.”

Magnus Carlsen was World Champion for 10 years from 2013 to 2023. Magnus is World’s No. 1 in FIDE Classical rating since July 2011, reaching a peak of 2882 points in 2014. In July 2026, Carlsen’s streak will reach 15 years.

Credit: Michal Walusza / Norway Chess