Carlsen just dropped a bomb, saying that he is not motivated as much as earlier in his career anymore and indicated that most likely he will not defend his title a sixth time in 2023, but give it back. Winning does not feel like he expected it would, he said. He said he wants to withdraw when he still is at his best and that only the qualification of the current Nr.2 in the world, a very talented player of very fast rise, would win the qualification in 2022, and challenge him.
Do we have here a man who knows the best timing when to step back? Anyway, he is an exceptional player who must not prove anything anymore. Most likely the best player ever in chess so far.
Just finished world championship saw the longest match ever in the history of the world championship: 138 moves, 8+ hours.
https://www.chess.com/news/view/magn...ireza-firouzja