The players from the FIDE Grand Prix in Berlin give their opinion on the case of Sergey Karjakin. In a series of interviews by Dina Belenkaya, they share their thoughts on the ban and the whole situation around the Karjakin case. More: International Chess Federation FIDE banned Sergey Karjakin / Karjakin decided not to appeal / Candidates Chess 2022 in Madrid See who can substitute Karjakin here Player commentaries on Karjakin: Grischuk on Karjakin / Khismatullin defends Karjakin / Aronian about Karjakin Important: All stories about Sergey Karjakin case here
Wesley So, “I think Sergey has lost his mind”
Wesley So was very direct about Sergey Karjakin saying, “I have nothing against Sergey, but I think he has lost his mind in the past couple of months” Replay: Shankland – Wesley So 1/2-1/2 / Predke – Wesley So 1/2-1/2
Anish Giri is politically correct
Anish Giri was politically correct on the case of Karjakin. “This is unprecedented situation […] Always in such decisions you have sides that say it is not harsh enough and sides that say it is too harsh. You have the full spectrum.” However, Giri was critical of FIDE’s regulations to substitute Karjakin based on ratings in the upcoming Candidates Chess 2022, “Suddenly rating spot is back. I do not see any logic why that is happening. For 1,5 years I do not pay attention to the rating spot because it was gone. Now instead of giving an extra spot to a Grand Prix player, rating is back. […] It is just odd to me “
More: Interview with Anish Giri / Replay Giri – Yangyi 1/2-1/2
Vachier-Lagrave – Sergey went over the top, but a ban is too much
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave does not agree with Karjakin’s statements, nor with the FIDE ban. He says, “First of all, Sergey went over the top in quite a few of his statements. […] At the same time I think a ban is too much. If it were up to me, I would have issued only a warning”
Daniil Dubov, “Decision on Karjakin looks odd, to say the least – the ban should be longer or there should be no ban”
Replay: Dubov – Dominguez 0-1 / Mamedyarov – Dubov 1/2-1/2
Levon Aronian, “Human life is the most valuable thing in the world”
More: Interview with Levon Aronian Replay: Aronian – Nakamura 1-0 / Aronian – Oparin 1/2-1/2
