Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi have caused a stir in the chess community after agreeing to share the World Blitz Championship title earlier this week.

Chess players weren’t happy when Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi decided to end the FIDE championship in a tie.

Reigning FIDE World Blitz Champion Magnus Carlsen won his 8th title on Wednesday, 1 January. In a historic feat, Carlsen decided to share the title with his opponent Ian Nepomniachtchi, making them the first twin winners of the competition.

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen says he will play at the World Blitz Championship after initially quitting the chess tournament due to a dress code dispute with organizers.

The world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen was seen having a chat with Ian Nepomniachtchi, his adversary in the final of the World Blitz Championship 2024 about playing short draws. The clip went viral with the claims that Carlsen was deliberately trying to fix the game.

Top-ranked Carlsen, 34, officially headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday, Dec. 30, following a loosening of the dress code — which previously resulted in him being fined $200 and denied participation in the later round of another tournament, the Associated Press reported.

The player’s shock withdrawal prompted the International Chess Federation to relax a dress code that penalized him for wearing jeans to a New York tournament.

Magnus Carlsen returned to compete in the Blitz World Championship this week after he withdrew from the Rapid tournament on Friday over a dispute with officials over his attire.