Speculations had been on for well over a year as regards to if GM Magnus Carlsen (World Chess Champion) would be defending his world title in 2023. He hinted just immediately after defeating GM Ian Nepomniachtchi in his pervious world title match in 2021 that he might not be playing the next match if the young Talent GM Alireza Firouzja doesn't emerge winner of the FIDE Candidates Tournament (The Candidates is the tournament that decides the challenger of the world champion).
The speculations went on for over a year and even the FIDE canditates tournament had to change the rules of the tournament, stating clearly that if Magnus should refuse to the defend his title, the 1st and 2nd placers would be the ones to play for the world championship title.
Well, all speculations came to an end when Magnus Carlsen announced he would'nt be defending his title in 2023.
I'm not motivated to play another match.
He said.
I had a conversation with a friend sometime ago and he argued Magnus is just being proud and doesn't want play because he doesn't want to be beaten.
But I argue otherwise. Personally, I think Magnus truly lacks motivation to play. At the moment, Magnus is clearly the best player in the world and no one else proves to be a close contendant. I think it's normal for him to have lost motivation as he has been ontop and dominant for so long.
The world championship match itself contributes to this lack of motivation. The players are given well over 6 months to prepare, more like unlimited time for heavy computer preparations. This give less room to show player's true strength and this makes games fisle into draws and that itself can be frustrating.
Magnus Carlsen have been able to outplay all his challengers regardless because he's simple phenomenal but that doesn't take away the fact that the matches are pale and not exciting to play.
Whatever we do in life, even though not chess, immediately we find it not exciting and perhaps more of a chore, we automatically lose motivation to do the thing. This can be applied to Magnus' case.
I do feel sad though because Carlsen is clearly the best in the world and I cannot think of anyone else as the world champion even after the next world champion is decided in the 2023 match. No offense to the players.
Good thing is; it doesn't seem like he would be retiring soon. He still seem to still enjoy the game of Chess. He represented Norway at the Chess olympiad in India some weeks ago and more recently won FTX Crypto Cup, an online tournament featuring some of the world best players.