Magnus Carlsen spoke about holding a press conference an hour before the start of the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship 2026. Magnus is frustrated that instead of preparing for the games, players are forced to participate in activities.

Magnus Carlsen

Magnus Carlsen

World No. 1

“There’s the time to prepare for the games… And we’re sitting here wasting our time, when we could be preparing! That’s not something you should do in an official Championship.”

The first official FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship takes place in Weissenhaus, Germany, from February 13 to 15, 2026. The event is governed by FIDE in collaboration with Freestyle Chess Operations GmbH, marking the first joint World Championship title in 960 format under a formal agreement.

Credit: Maria Emelianova/Freestyle Chess