Checkmate! Outrage in the chess world as No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and his opponent abandoned the final and agreed to share the title, sparking anger among fans

The world’s number one chess player has caused a stir and is facing match-fixing accusations after sharing his world title with his Russian rival.

Norwegian chess champion Magnus Carlsen, 34, was drawing against Ian Nepomniachtchi, also known as Nepo, at the World Blitz Championships on Wednesday when he leaned over the board and offered his opponent a deal.

“Would you agree to maybe share the first (place)?” Carlsen asked Nepo, in a video shared on X.

In the blitz format, chess players get three minutes and two seconds added to the clock per move to complete a game.

But instead of continuing to play until one player won, Carlsen’s rival agreed to his suggestion.

The move was subsequently approved by International Chess Federation (FIDE) officials, making Carlsen and Nepo world champions and splitting the $90,000 prize.

However, the decision has infuriated chess fans and fellow players.

American chess grandmaster Hans Niemann, 21, who was eliminated by Carlsen in the quarterfinals, went to X to criticize the outcome of the match.

The decision has outraged chess fans and fellow players

In the blitz format, chess players get three minutes plus two seconds per move added to the clock to complete a game

‘The chess world is officially a joke. THIS HAS NEVER BEEN DONE IN HISTORY. I can’t believe the official chess game is being controlled by a single player FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS WEEK. THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE WORLD CHAMPION!’, he wrote.

‘There is one world champion. It is not a title that you can simply ‘SHARE’.

Niemann had previously sued Carlsen for $100 million for defamation two years ago, but the two sides ultimately reached an agreement.

Chess prodigy Christopher Hikaru Nakamura also condemned the action, telling his two million YouTube subscribers that it was “completely unacceptable” and that FIDE officials had “effectively caved to Magnus’ wishes.”

‘I myself was in a tiebreak against Magnus Carlsen for the 2019 World Blitz Championship and there was no such proposal. So why are we suddenly finding ourselves in a situation where it’s okay?,” he added.

Chess fans also chimed in on social media.

One X user wrote: ‘Pathetic joke. Players decide for themselves and FIDE publishes about it openly. The last man standing should be the champion. When did the player become bigger than the game?’.

Another said: ‘And FIDE agreed to it? I didn’t know that Fide bows to Carlsen’s whims.’

This isn’t the first time Carlsen has been at the center of controversy. Earlier this week, the world chess great left the World Blitz Championship after being told by FIDE that he could not compete while wearing jeans.

“(I don’t know) what it’s called in chess, but in other sports it’s called match fixing,” said another.

Match fixing is a term used when players deliberately attempt to achieve a predetermined outcome by breaking the rules of the game.

The world chess champion responded to the accusations in a post on social media.

“The match itself showed two players playing chess at a high level, equally matched and both deserving of a victory,” he said.

Others, however, praised the outcome and the players’ collective action.

One X account called the moment the “greatest act of sportsmanship and professional decency I have ever seen in my 63 years.”

Another wrote: ‘Two great masters of the game – wonderful decision’.

This isn’t the first time Carlsen has been at the center of controversy.

Earlier this week, the world chess great left the World Blitz Championship after being told by FIDE that he could not compete while wearing jeans.

He was fined $200 after being offered the opportunity to put on proper clothing, which he declined.

However, after being told not to continue, he reportedly replied: ‘I’m out, f*** you’.

In a statement, FIDE said the dress code is intended to “guarantee professionalism and fairness for all participants.”

However, after significant backlash, FIDE announced that they would relax the dress code to allow for ‘elegant minor deviations’ from the official list of acceptable attire.

As a result, Carlsen said he would return to the tournament, but said he would continue to wear jeans as a matter of principle.