As Magnus Carlsen and 23 others await, Total Chess chief defends fast classical stage

 Total Chess chief Kjell Madland has defended the pilot tournament’s fast classical-only group stage, insisting all 24 players will compete across formats until the final day. The Budapest event opens with a nine-round blitz tournament, followed by a fast classical group stage that decides the four semi-finalists, with all three formats used in the knockouts. Madland said the format aims to modernise chess and attract wider audiences. Total Chess chief Kjell Madland has defended the pilot tournament’s fast classical-only group stage, insisting all 24 players will compete across formats until the final day. The Budapest event opens with a nine-round blitz tournament, followed by a fast classical group stage that decides the four semi-finalists, with all three formats used in the knockouts. Madland said the format aims to modernise chess and attract wider audiences.