NEW DELHI: The chess world has recently undergone a mix of surprise and confusion after last week’s announcement of the new "Total Chess World Championship", a concept developed by Norway Chess and officially approved by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). From Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi’s witty explainer video to fans debating whether the sport really needs another “world title”, the buzz around this unexpected development is undeniable. However, what makes this move remarkable is its timing. Barely months ago, FIDE had been locked in a public feud with the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, the independent tour launched by Magnus Carlsen and German entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner. That clash began in late 2023 when Freestyle organisers tried to call their champion the “Freest

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