[SkiBum80]

The Carlson comparison with Fischer isn't accurate (IMHO).

Carlson became disinterested in the chess championship as it is currently structured.  He remains heavily involved and competes regularly in most other Chess formats and (last I checked) had the highest rating in Rapid and Blitz.  He's also rated highest in classical in some measures. For comparison, Gukesh was 8th in the FIDE ratings earlier this year, ~70 points below Carlson who remains in the top position.

Yes, Carlson disagrees with how the chess championships are structured and no longer participates in that competition.  However, where Fischer "disappeared", Carlson continues to compete and is still the dominant chess player of this era even if he no longer competes in the Championship tournament.

https://en.chessbase.com/post/fide-ratings-july-2024

That's outstanding for Gukesh.  That said, with Magnus Carlsen out of the regular cycle, the world chess championship feels ..... somewhat diminished.  Carlsen has essentially pulled a Fischer.

agreed......Carlsen got bored after winning 5 world championships in a row.  maybe this will rouse his interest enough to compete in the next Candidates tournament.

if Magnus played Gukesh in a match with classical time controls, Magnus would probably be a slight favorite.  i really hope he plays the next Candidates.

Magnus will have to learn to dress appropriately first...

The World’s Best Chess Player Just Stormed Out of a Tournament—Over a Pair of Pants - WSJ

The FIDE having a dress code standard that prevents wearing jeans makes about as much sense to me as if the Cardboard had a dress code standard.
Wait.. it doesn’t have one does it?!

[SkiBum80]

The Carlson comparison with Fischer isn't accurate (IMHO).

Carlson became disinterested in the chess championship as it is currently structured.  He remains heavily involved and competes regularly in most other Chess formats and (last I checked) had the highest rating in Rapid and Blitz.  He's also rated highest in classical in some measures. For comparison, Gukesh was 8th in the FIDE ratings earlier this year, ~70 points below Carlson who remains in the top position.

Yes, Carlson disagrees with how the chess championships are structured and no longer participates in that competition.  However, where Fischer "disappeared", Carlson continues to compete and is still the dominant chess player of this era even if he no longer competes in the Championship tournament.

https://en.chessbase.com/post/fide-ratings-july-2024

That's outstanding for Gukesh.  That said, with Magnus Carlsen out of the regular cycle, the world chess championship feels ..... somewhat diminished.  Carlsen has essentially pulled a Fischer.

agreed......Carlsen got bored after winning 5 world championships in a row.  maybe this will rouse his interest enough to compete in the next Candidates tournament.

if Magnus played Gukesh in a match with classical time controls, Magnus would probably be a slight favorite.  i really hope he plays the next Candidates.

Magnus will have to learn to dress appropriately first...

The World’s Best Chess Player Just Stormed Out of a Tournament—Over a Pair of Pants - WSJ

The FIDE having a dress code standard that prevents wearing jeans makes about as much sense to me as if the Cardboard had a dress code standard.
Wait.. it doesn’t have one does it?!