Li Chao replaces Karjakin at the Norway Chess 2016

Addendum: Just two days ago we reported that Sergey Karjakin has withdrawn his name from the Altibox Norway Chess 2016 (you can read the full report below). With ten days to go for the start of the event, the organizers have found a replacement in the form of Li Chao. The organizers made a press release on 8th of April 2016 stating that the Chinese grandmaster Li Chao will replace Sergey Karjakin:

Li Chao substitutes Sergey Karjakin in Altibox Norway Chess tournament 2016

Li Chao, born in 1989 takes on the challenge from Altibox Norway Chess. Li Chao is the second highest rated player in China and at present number 15 on the live rating list. Among his earlier victories are Graz Open with 8 points out of 9. He also won the European Club Cup together with Kramnik, Aronian and Grischuk.

After thorough discussions with his family, Li Chao is now postponing his wedding in order to participate in Altibox Norway Chess. The Altibox Norway Chess board are very happy that Li Chao has accepted participation on such a short notice and look forward to a spectacular tournament.

We only need to go back three months to remember what a brilliant game Magnus played against Li Chao
in the Qatar Masters 2015. The two will meet once again at the Norway Chess 2016 [picture by Amruta Mokal].

Li Chao with his wife to be (centre) at the Qatar Masters 2015.
Li Chao has postponed his marriage in order to take part in the Norway Chess Challenge 2016.

Karjakin withdraws from Norway Chess

Our article on 7th of April 2016 

On 28th of March 2016, Sergey Karjakin won the Candidates 2016 and earned the right to challenge Magnus Carlsen for the World Championship Match, that would be held later this year. Chess fans were excited that Magnus and Sergey were going to meet each other over the board at the Altibox Norway Chess 2016.

The impressive line up of Norway Chess 2016. The qualifier (third from left) is Nils Grandelius

The participants for the event are:

The Altibox Norway Chess 2016 is going to be held from the 18th to the 30th of April 2016 in Stavanger, Norway. Just twelve days before the tournament began Sergey Karjakin has withdrawn his entry from the tournament.

The statement of Karjakin's manager

This is what Karjakin's manager Kirill Zangalis said in a telephonic conversation with R sport:

"Karjakin won’t play in the prestigious tournament in Stavanger. It was with great pleasure that Sergey accepted the invitation from the organisers of the Norway Chess, after being the winner in 2013 and 2014. But the explanation for withdrawal put quite simply is: no-one in advance could have guaranteed Karjakin's victory at the Candidates Tournament. Now Sergei has a different status and has decided to concentrate fully on preparing for the match for the world crown. Also the Candidates Tournament cost him almost all his energy."

Manager Kirill Zangalis with Sergey Karjakin after he won the Candidates 2016 [photo by Amruta Mokal]

Press release by Norway Chess

Karjakin's decision to withdraw from the tournament didn't go so well with the Norway Chess organizers who issued a press release entitled "Direspectful of Karjakin". This is what they wrote:

Disrespectful of Karjakin

"The hosts behind the Altibox Norway Chess tournament are surprised that Sergey Karjakin withdraws from the upcoming tournament in Stavanger. Karjakin has a signed contract with us and it does not state that he can withdraw from the tournament if he qualifies for the World Championship in November, states Jøran Aulin-Jansson. – This action feels disrespectful to us as the organizers of the event as well as the other players in the tournament, not to mention the entire chess world that were looking forward to the dress rehearsal for the World Championship match between Karjakin and Magnus Carlsen, says Aulin-Jansson. The message that Karjakin is withdrawing from Altibox Norway Chess was received from the Russian Chess Federation only 12 days before the start of the tournament. Aulin-Jansson makes it clear that the last words in this matter have not been spoken. – Sergey Karjakin is a great chess player and he is still welcome as a participant in Altibox Norway Chess 2016. He has, after all, won both times he has participated, says Aulin-Jansson. – Karjakin obviously has a lot of nerves before his first World Championship match, however, we truly wish Karjakin and his advisors understand that one can not just run away from agreements because it suddenly does not fit in preparation for a match that does not start until about half a year later."

The History

Only three editions of the Norway Chess have taken place in the past. Out of these three Sergey Karjakin has won twice in 2013 and 2014. This is how final standings looked for both the years in which Karjakin won:

Final standings for Norway Chess 2013

Final standings for the No Logo Norway Chess 2014

It was obvious that the two-time winner Sergey Karjakin would be invited to the third edition in 2015. The organizers did invite him but there was no formal contract signed between the organzers and Karjakin. A few months before the tournament Sergey's name was removed from the players list because Norway Chess had become a part of the Grand Chess Tour. Karjakin had not qualified for the Grand Chess Tour and hence could not be a part of the 2015 edition. The organizers asked Sergey to play in the qualifier tournament as there was one spot that was yet to be filled. But Karjakin, of course, found it humiliating that being the two-time winner he was asked to participate in the qualifier event. You can find Karjakin's Facebook post from May 11, 2015 over here.

By withdrawing his name from the 2016 edition is Karjakin going for a "tit-for-tat" approach? Here is what ACP President Emil Sutovsky had to say in his facebook post which is followed and commented upon by many of the leading grandmasters all over the world.

Who will replace Karjakin?

From Magnus' tweet it seems as if the man who will replace Karjakin will be Jon Ludvig Hammer.

But Hammer is of the opinion that it would be fair to have another qualifier event:

Who do you think will replace Sergey Karjakin as one of the participants in the event?

Playchess commentary schedule for the Norway Chess 2016

Links Official tournament site You can use ChessBase or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs to replay the games in PGN. You can also download our free Playchess client, which will in addition give you immediate access to the chess server Playchess.com.