Magnus Carlsen drops out of World Championship cycle

The latest news from chessbase The shock on Friday: the world's number one player for most of 2010, 19-year-old Norwegian GM Magnus Carlsen, has decided to drop out of the current World Championship cycle, in which he had reached the Candidate stage of the last eight. The series of knock-out matches is scheduled to begin in March next year, to determine the challenger of the World Champion Vishy Anand.

Here short Interview with Magnus:

    Question: Magnus, you've got to feel a bit uneasy about this momentous decision?

Magnus Carlsen: It's been a difficult process. But now that the decision has been taken, I actually feel relieved.

    Even if that means you will be missing an entire World Championship cycle?

The World Championship cycle will last for almost five years, and with constant rule changes. It takes too much effort to deal with the political part of the process. I would therefore like to focus my energy on developing my skills as a chess player, and to defend my position as number one in the world rankings.

    How do you think the chess public will react to your action? Many may think you are throwing away a golden chance.

Well, I understand if they are a bit puzzled, but I have to make the decision that I think is best for me and my career.

    Does this mean that you will not participate in a World Championship in the future?

No, no, absolutely not. I hope that there will be changes in the future. It is clear that I will be back in it then. The decision now applies only to the current world championship cycle.

    With your decision are you making a special point against FIDE?

No, it is a personal decision based on what I think is best for me.

Source: http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=6789