Magnus Carlsen quotes Jose Mourinho to explain decision to withdraw from Sinquefield Cup

Magnus Carlsen, reigning world chess champion and Grand Chess Tour wildcard player, elected to withdraw from Sinquefield Cup, currently being held at Saint Louis Chess Club in Saint Louis, MO through September 12, 2022.

31-year-old did t go into length to reveal why he decided to abrubtly leave tournament but interestingly did use a quote from famous football manr Jose Mourinho to explain his silence on same. Along with his Tweet to anunce his decision to leave Sinquefield Cup, he also put up a video of Jose Mourinho who h once said in an interview after a controversial game, "I prefer t to speak. If I speak I am in big trouble … and I don't want to be in big trouble."

Tony Rich, Executive Director of Saint Louis Chess Club talked about Carlsen leaving tournament midway, saying that y respect  player's decision.

“A player’s decision to withdraw from a tournament is a personal decision, and we respect Magnus’ choice, ″ said “We look forward to hosting Magnus at a future event in Saint Louis.”

Rich continued: “ Sinquefield Cup, as do all Grand Chess Tour events, feature best chess players across globe. We look forward to crowning a champion at conclusion of this year’s tournament.”

Sinquefield Cup is one of longest running and most prestigious international chess tournaments to be held in United States and features a $350,000 total prize fund. It also serves as final leg of Grand Chess Tour, a circuit of international events featuring world’s best chess players.

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Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu beat world champion Magnus Carlsen at FTX Crypto Cup on Monday to secure second spot in tournament. This is third time in just six months that Praggnanandhaa has defeated Carlsen. 17-year-old won match in blitz tiebreak after score was levelled at 2-2 at end of regulation game. Carlsen was seen scratching his he in disbelief after losing tiebreak to Praggnanandhaa. 

(with inputs from AP/https://www.prnewswire.com)