‘Good thing with Nepo is one doesn't even need to beat him': Anish Giri takes fresh shots at Ian Nepomniachtchi

Indian Express

17-06-2025

The controversy which began at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team event last week with WR Chess being allowed to replay a game seems to have spawned a new chess feud. Anish Giri has taken potshots at Ian Nepomniachtchi via X after he had remonstrated with the WR Chess team and exchanged words with these Russian in particular at the London event.
The issue had started when WR Chess had lost the first match of the two-match quarter-finals to the Germany and Friends team. But WR Chess had then protested, claiming they were not informed officially of their start times for the round, which had led players to arrive late at the board. Alireza Firouzja had arrived for his game 15 seconds late for a three-minute game. Meanwhile, Nepo arrived with just 1 minute, 4 seconds left on his clock for his game against Vincent Keymer. Hikaru Nakamura arrived with just 38 seconds left on his clock for his clash with Matthias Bluebaum. Consequently, all three lost their games.
The organisers had allowed the teams to replay the first match of the quarter-finals after lengthy deliberation.
But not everyone was happy with the decision. A video from ChessBase India had shown Anish walking up to the WR Chess team and exchanging words with Nepomniachtchi and Nakamura. Anish was repeatedly asking the players if they would have replayed the game if they had won.
Nepo, in response, had thrown comments like: 'Big expert in law, Anish. Since when?' and 'Next FIDE president' at the Dutch GM.
'Anish seems to smart, but whenever he opens his mouth… it's already questionable,' said Nepo.
'Why does he care so much,' Nakamura had asked.
The tournament had ended with WR Chess winning the blitz title.
Reacting to the incident, American GM Hans Niemann posted on X: 'I think Anish and Nepo should settle things on the chess board. Happy to sponsor a match on Endgame!'
To this, Anish replied, while tagging Nepomniachtchi: 'The good thing with Ian is, one doesn't even need to beat him. Just hang in there long enough and he will probably accept to share the title. What do you think, Ian?'
Anish's dig about 'sharing the title' was a reference to Nepo and Magnus Carlsen agreeing to share the FIDE World Blitz title late last year after playing out multiple draws.
Niemann then posted: 'Perhaps if the winner becomes FIDE president, you can be CO FIDE Presidents.'
In another tweet, Anish had responded to the comment about becoming FIDE president.
'My FIDE presidency will have to wait for a long-long while, but the first seed has evidently been planted today,' she posted.