The world No 1, whose title defence may be delayed to 2021 after the Candidates was suspended, has launched an eight-player event with a prize fund of $250,000
Magnus Carlsen, the world champion, aims to fill the void from the cancellation of over-the-board chess by launching an online super-tournament, starting on 18 April, where he will compete against seven of his major rivals, including the world Nos 2 and 3, Fabiano Cariana of the US and Ding Liren of
China, for a $250,000 prize fund, easily a record for internet chess.
The Magnus Carlsen Invitational is set to go ahead online at the website chess24.com. Invitees are Carlsen and seven other elite GMs, including Caruana and Ding, it will last until 2 May, and its format will be an all-play-all group stage of four-game mini-matches. Competitors will have 15 minutes for each game, plus 10 seconds for each move made. The top four players in the round robin will then compete in the knockout stage for the $70,000 first prize.