Wesley So Defends Gukesh's Classical Title Amid FIDE's Multiple Championships
American chess grandmaster Wesley So has launched a strong critique against the International Chess Federation. He believes FIDE has organized too many world championship titles. So argues this move devalues the classical World Chess Championship. India's D Gukesh currently holds this prestigious title after his 2024 victory.
So's Blunt Assessment of FIDE's Strategy
Wesley So did not mince words in his recent comments. He called FIDE a very political organization. So stated they run chess like a business. Financial and political considerations often come first for them. Everything else becomes secondary in their decision-making process.
The chess calendar for 2026 illustrates his point perfectly. Five separate players might receive world champion crowns this year. FIDE recently announced the Freestyle Chess World Championship for February. This event joins the classical title, the World Rapid Championship, and the World Blitz Championship. A new Total Chess World Championship will begin pilot events this year too.
So finds this situation particularly strange. He questions how you can have a Total Chess World Champion when everyone knows Gukesh is the official champion. The American grandmaster believes chess should have only one world champion. For now, that champion is clearly D Gukesh because he truly earned it through proper channels.
The Value of Traditional Chess Championships
Wesley So considers himself an old-fashioned chess lover. He grew up admiring legendary champions like Bobby Fischer, Anatoly Karpov, and Garry Kasparov. So still appreciates the traditional path to the world championship. He likes the idea of playing a 14-game classical match and going through the entire rigorous process.
The champion should earn certain advantages according to So. They should have the right to wait for challengers to emerge through proper qualification. So acknowledges some people want chess to become more radical. They prefer faster time controls and online games. Some even suggest starting fresh tournaments every year similar to the NBA system.
So clearly does not align with these modern beliefs. He knows many people in the United States consider Gukesh's classical title outdated. They think the chess world could function perfectly without the Classical World Championship. So disagrees fundamentally with this perspective.
Questioning Selection Processes and Event Viability
Wesley So also raised concerns about selection bias in new events. FIDE announced the Freestyle Chess World Championship as a continuation of previous Fischer Random events. Interestingly, neither So nor Hikaru Nakamura received invitations. Both players won earlier editions of these championships.
The February event will feature eight players total. Six qualified through the 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour. Organizers recommended one player directly. FIDE will hold an online qualification tournament on Chess.com to determine the eighth participant.
So expressed little surprise about his exclusion. He noted he never gets invited to Magnus Carlsen's events either. So believes Carlsen handpicked players when the Grand Slam Tour began initially. This explains why certain players like Anish Giri remain absent from these competitions.
The American grandmaster questions calling such events world championships. Handpicking seven out of eight participants seems problematic to him. So believes every spot should go through proper qualification for a true world championship event.
Doubts About Freestyle Chess's Appeal and Future
Wesley So challenged another claim from Freestyle Chess organizers. They argue their format is easiest for new fans to follow. So completely disagrees with this assessment. He finds Freestyle chess difficult to follow personally.
So loves following chess generally but struggles with Freestyle specifically. He never sees the starting position or remembers seeing it before. Many books exist about Chess960 and Freestyle formats. So wonders who actually reads these publications in reality.
The American grandmaster even speculated about the future of Freestyle chess. He suggested the upcoming Weissenhaus event could be their last competition. Only time will tell what happens with this particular chess format moving forward.
So's Personal Achievement and Broader Perspective
Wesley So recently won the blitz segment at the Tata Steel Chess tournament. This marked his first title at this prestigious event in his sixth appearance. So achieved this victory during the Kolkata leg of the competition.
His comments come from a place of deep chess knowledge and experience. So understands the game's traditions and its modern developments. He worries about dilution of chess's most prestigious title. The classical World Chess Championship represents something special to him.
D Gukesh will defend his world title at the end of this year. Wesley So clearly believes this championship matters most. All other titles remain secondary in his considered opinion. The chess world continues debating these important questions about tradition versus innovation.
