The chess world continues to debate Russian grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi's harsh criticism of the FIDE World Cup conditions in Goa, with Dutch GM Loek van Wely becoming the latest top player to weigh in on the controversy.
Van Wely's Blunt Assessment
In a recent episode of the New In Chess podcast, veteran Dutch grandmaster Loek van Wely didn't mince words when asked about Nepomniachtchi's complaints. When host Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam questioned whether Nepo's comments had merit or represented "a loser talking," van Wely responded unequivocally: "It was a loser talking."
The straight-talking Dutchman, who was in Goa coaching Max Warmerdam and has led Triveni Continental Kings to consecutive Global Chess League titles, suggested Nepomniachtchi arrived with a negative mindset. "He really came to Goa in the wrong state of mind that he was not going to like India or Goa," van Wely stated.
Addressing the Actual Conditions
While acknowledging some initial issues, van Wely emphasized that the conditions were adequate for professional chess. "Okay, I mean, maybe the hotel was not what you consider a five-star hotel. But come on! We will live! We were there to play chess. You don't get ill. You get your sleep. There's always something to complain about," he argued.
The Dutch GM did confirm one significant problem that affected players' preparation: "I guess the biggest complaint was that the internet was not working so well. At least not in the beginning. A chess player without internet means a chess player without cloud engines. And a chess player without cloud engines means a chess player without preparation." However, he noted these issues were resolved promptly.
Nepomniachtchi's Controversial Exit
The controversy began when Nepomniachtchi was eliminated in the first round of the FIDE World Cup by Indian GM Diptayan Ghosh. The Russian grandmaster immediately left India and posted on his Telegram handle that India was "one of those places that you won't be sad to leave."
This early exit effectively ended Nepomniachtchi's chances of qualifying for the prestigious Candidates tournament, which determines the challenger for current world champion D Gukesh at the next World Chess Championship.
Among Nepomniachtchi's numerous complaints, food emerged as a central issue. He specifically mentioned having to eat too many pineapples and struggling with the local cuisine. "The food is very specific. Meat isn't really available—basically just chicken," he had complained in a Russian-language video.
Notably, FIDE and local organizers confirmed that Nepomniachtchi never submitted an official written complaint about these issues during the tournament. The Russian grandmaster also declined to speak with journalists at the Resort Rio venue after his defeat to clarify what specifically had bothered him.
Growing Support for Indian Organization
Van Wely joins other prominent chess figures who have defended the organization of the FIDE World Cup in India. Earlier, top international grandmasters including Anish Giri and Ukrainian legend Vassily Ivanchuk had praised the event's management.
The Dutch GM's comments highlight a growing divide in the chess community about what constitutes acceptable conditions for major tournaments and how players should address their concerns. While some sympathize with Nepomniachtchi's discomfort, many experienced players like van Wely believe professional chess players should adapt to varying conditions across different host countries.
As the chess world looks ahead to future tournaments, this incident raises important questions about player expectations, organizational standards, and the appropriate channels for addressing concerns at international chess events.
