Magnus Carlsen's hunt to break the 2900 barrier begins with the 84th edition of the prestigious Tata Steel Chess tournament in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, which takes place from January 14-30. Chess fans will unfortunately not see a clash between the World Champion and the new world no. 2, 18-year-old Alireza Firouzja, as the organisers turned down his demands for compensation over the row at the end of the 2021 edition.

Alireza Firouzja, the Iranian born 18-year-old who now represents France, will not return to Wijk aan Zee next year, as the organisers failed to come to an agreement with the prodigy | photo: photo: Vladimir Jagr, Prague Chess Festival

Tata Steel Chess is a favourite among chess fans, in particular for its unique format with 14 players and 13 rounds, focusing on inviting a mix of aggressive, experienced and up-and-coming players in order to get the most fighting chess. The 2022 edition is no different. 

Magnus Carlsen, with a record seven wins in the Masters group, returns to Wijk aan Zee for the 18th time and will make an attempt to win after missing out twice in a row. The event will be Carlsen's first classical event after convincingly beating Ian Nepomniachtchi 7.5-3.5 in Dubai to win his his fifth World Championship match. 

The World Champion then shockingly announced that he has likely played his last title match and that he lacks the motivation it takes. Carlsen stated that 18-year old prodigy Alireza Firouzja is the only player who can tempt him to play a sixth match.

Carlsen has instead switched focus to breaking the "impossible" 2900 rating barrier. Currently at 2865 after gaining 9 rating points in Dubai, he'll need to score at least 9/13 in order to take one step closer, while 10 points will take him to 2876 on the next list.

Chess fans will unfortunately miss Carlsen facing off with Firouzja in Wijk aan Zee this time. The organisers were unable to come to an agreement with the Iranian-born Frenchman, with the controversy over moving boards mid-round at the end of the 2021 edition of the event apparently having made it more difficult.

Speaking to chess24, Tournament Director Jeroen van den Berg says he had been in contact with Firouzja's father early this year, and sent an invitation, but did not receive a response. 

In Stavanger I met both of them, while they were also in my plane. We exchanged some friendly words and I kept waiting for the response. Later, early October, I told them that I was in a hurry. Then Hamidreza told me that they wanted to decide after Riga, but was too late for me.

He added:

Then, after I made my financial offer, I received a message that they wanted compensation for what happened in 2021 and they asked for much more money than I offered. So that was the moment I started looking for another player.

Firouzja finished ahead of Magnus and just half a point off the lead, but it was a disappointing end after he had stormed to +3 with 5 rounds to go... before drawing all those games | photo: Jurriaan Hoefsmit, Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2021

The organisers issued a publicy apology to Firouzja after he got visibly upset with the arbiters who, in preparation for the playoff, were planning to move his board to a different part of the hall while he was pressing for a win against Radoslaw Wojtaszek. The situation saw heated posts on social media...

...with Chief Arbiter Pavel Votruba feeling compelled to put his side of the story. 

Firouzja later accepted the apology, but still seems to bear a grudge. chess24 has reached out to Alireza Firouzja's father for a comment, but we have yet to receive a response.

Asked how often the organizers fail to come to an agreement with a player, Van den Berg says:

It has happened before, but not so often. There can be all kinds of different reasons behind it, but luckily these players have also come back to Wijk aan Zee later. I hope it will be the same with Alireza.

Despite the absence of the world no. 2, the field should guarantee chess fans excitement and entertainment. World no. 4 and 2020 winner Fabiano Caruana is another favourite who guarantees competition for Carlsen, while Dutch star Anish Giri also tends to do well in his home event.   

In the 2021 edition, Giri was close to winning his first Tata Steel Chess, but was stopped by his own countryman, and Carlsen second, Jorden van Foreest, after a dramatic playoff. 

Other crowd-pleasers are Daniil Dubov, Richard Rapport, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Sam Shankland, Sergey Karjakin and Andrey Esipenko. Fans will also be eager to see Indian youngster Praggnanandhaa's debut in the Masters group.

Jeroen van den Berg says:

The field in the Masters is mixed, as usual, and strong! Magnus is there, the two Dutch winners are there, plus some top players we have missed for a couple of years. And the debut of Pragg at the highest level! So I am satisfied. The Challengers Group is also very interesting, with 11 players born in this millennium. And ten debutants, who never played in Wijk aan Zee before!

The Netherlands is currently among countries in Europe in a semi-lockdown, meaning that everything stops and closes at 5pm. The amateur events will still be organized with fewer players and in various locations in the village, but these events will start in the morning, according to new regulations.

Van den Berg says:

The two professional groups may start at the usual 2pm. For every organiser this period, with all the uncertainties, is very unpleasant, but what can I do?? I can only try to stay calm and adjust to the new situations. Meanwhile I look forward to another great Tata Steel Chess Tournament!

See also:

• Official website
• Tata Steel Chess apologise to Firouzja after controversy