FIDE considering changes to qualifying system for Candidates event: Sutovsky

FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky
| Photo Credit: P.K. Ajith Kumar

Emily Sutovsky is glad the World chess championship, which concluded in Singapore a week ago, has been a resounding success. It answered the critics of the current format of the championship, and its very relevance, in fact.

For the fans of the World title match, a long series of games, the words from the world chess governing body FIDE’s CEO should be comforting. “We will continue to have the World championship match in this format,” Sutovsky told The Hindu. “A match between two players has its own charms and it always brings new ideas to chess.”

There will, however, be a change in the format of how the challenger is chosen. The present system had come in for criticism – not unfairly – for the way the players qualified for the Candidates, the qualifying event to determine the challenger.

“There will be changes, and we are considering options,” said Sutovsky. “Those changes could come in place after the next World championship (2026).”

Sutovsky said India was an important host for  FIDE events, though the country lost out to Singapore in the bid for the World championship match. “But India will potentially host two major events – at least one — next year,” he said. “I am happy that Singapore hosted the World title match this year, and it is great that New York is the venue for the World rapid and blitz championship this month.”

While he is happy with the pace with which chess is increasing its popularity, he feels there is still some way to go. “I would like to see chess on important TV channels,” he said. “And we would also want more corporate houses to come into chess. It was great that we got Google as a sponsor for the World championship. What I want to see from India is more private companies seizing the opportunity and teaming up for a big event. Because India now is growing.”

Sutovsky, a former World No. 17, has fond memories of playing in India. He had played at the Super GM tournament in Pune in 2004. It was the strongest tournament in India till then.

“Indian chess has come a long way after that, and is a dominant power now with a golden generation of talents,” he said. “But India shouldn’t relax. I think the onus is on the Indian federation and sponsors to support and to promote new players who are probably now five to eight years old.”