Your trusted source

Magnus Carlsen says he will not defend his world championship title next year against Russia's Ian Nepomniachtchi because he has no motivation to play the match, CNN reports.

The Norwegian grandmaster successfully defended his title against the Russian last year but says he has no "inclination" to play in the next championships in 2023.

"I feel I don't have a lot to gain, I don't particularly like [the championship matches], and although I'm sure a match would be interesting for historical reasons and all of that, I don't have any inclination to play and I will simply not play the match," he said on his sponsor's podcast.

"Ultimately the conclusion stands, one that I'm pretty comfortable with, one that I've thought a lot about for a long time now, I would say more than a year ... since long before the last match."

Carlsen, who has spent over 10 years as the world's best player, says he has spoken to the game's governing body, FIDE, and Nepomniachtchi.

"The conclusion is, it's simple, that I am not motivated to play another match," he added.

FIDE is yet to confirm the schedule for next year's championship, it is expected Nepomniachtchi will now play China's Ding Liren instead of Carlsen.