Magnus Carlsen's huge net worth, chess controversy, cheating scandal and new girlfriend
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Magnus Carlsen is a multi-time chess world champion - but his career has not been without controversy. Carlsen, 34, is the world No.1 and has won the Blitz World Championship eight times. The Norwegian currently shares his title with Ian Nepomniachtchi after bizarrely proposing that the long-time friends cut the Blitz final short during their sudden-death tiebreak in New York on Wednesday.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) agreed to Carlsen’s surprise request, meaning the two finalists split the £72k ($90k) grand prize. Carlsen has also won the World Chess and Rapid Championships five times each and, according to Celebritynetworth.com, is valued at £20million ($25m).
Some grandmasters have slammed Carlsen's request to end the Blitz final in a draw, but it is not the first time Carlsen has rocked the chess world. Mirror Sport takes a closer look at Carlsen’s career and personal life. Carlsen shocked chess fans in December by withdrawing midway through the World Rapid Championship over a disagreement with the FIDE. The 34-year-old had played eight of 13 rounds but dropped out of the tournament after refusing to change out of a pair of jeans, which breached the dress code and resulted in a £160 ($200) fine. Explaining the situation, Carlsen insisted it was an honest mistake but ultimately would not back down.
“I got a warning that I would not be paired if I did not change my clothes,” he told Take, Take, Take. “They said I could do it after the third round today. I said I’ll change tomorrow if that’s OK. They said you have to change now. At that point, it became a bit of a matter of principle for me.” He added: “They can enforce their rules, that’s fine by me. My response is that’s fine, I’m out, f*** you.”.
