Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Chess World Divided: Nepomniachtchi's Complaints vs. Van Wely's Rebuttal
After losing in the second round of the FIDE World Cup in India, chess player Ian Nepomniachtchi complained about the hotel, food, and heat.
Another player, Loek van Wely, said Nepomniachtchi was acting like a 'loser' for complaining about minor issues.
Van Wely thought Nepomniachtchi might have already decided he wouldn't like the place before he even got there.
While the internet was slow at first, it got fixed.
Other chess players also spoke out against Nepomniachtchi's complaints.
Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi criticized FIDE World Cup facilities and conditions in Goa after his early exit.
Dutch GM Loek van Wely slammed Nepomniachtchi's comments, calling him a 'loser' for complaining about minor issues.
Nepomniachtchi blamed hotel facilities, food, and heat for his exit, while van Wely suggested he had a negative mindset.
Other Grandmasters, including Anish Giri and Vasyl Ivanchuk, also criticized Nepomniachtchi's comments.
Van Wely noted initial internet issues were quickly resolved, and players should focus on chess.
- Who
- Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russian Grandmaster), Loek van Wely (Dutch Grandmaster), Anish Giri (Dutch Grandmaster), Vasyl Ivanchuk (Ukrainian Grandmaster)
- What
- Nepomniachtchi criticized FIDE World Cup facilities and conditions in Goa after his early exit; van Wely, Giri, and Ivanchuk criticized Nepomniachtchi's comments.
- When
- Following Ian Nepomniachtchi's second-round exit from the FIDE World Cup in Goa.
- Where
- Goa, India (FIDE World Cup venue, specifically Resort Rio in Arpora)
- Why
- Nepomniachtchi blamed hotel facilities, food, and heat for his early exit; van Wely believes Nepomniachtchi's comments stemmed from a 'loser' mentality and a negative predisposition towards the venue.
Ian Nepomniachtchi's Criticism
Loek van Wely's Rebuttal
Venue and Facilities
Ian Nepomniachtchi's Criticism
Nepomniachtchi criticized the facilities at Resort Rio in Goa, calling the five-star property 'three stars at best' and citing it as a reason for his early exit from the FIDE World Cup.
Loek van Wely's Rebuttal
Van Wely acknowledged the hotel might not be a five-star establishment but stated players should 'live with it' and focus on chess, implying Nepomniachtchi's complaints were excessive.
Food Quality and Variety
Ian Nepomniachtchi's Criticism
Nepomniachtchi complained about the food served at the venue.
Loek van Wely's Rebuttal
Van Wely suggested that there is 'always something to complain about' and that players should not let minor issues like food affect their performance.
Player's Mindset and Blame
Ian Nepomniachtchi's Criticism
Nepomniachtchi blamed external factors like the resort facilities and the heat in Goa for his second-round exit.
Loek van Wely's Rebuttal
Van Wely described Nepomniachtchi's comments as 'a loser talking,' suggesting that Nepomniachtchi arrived in Goa with a negative mindset and was predisposed to dislike the conditions, labeling his blame as indicative of a 'loser' mentality.
Initial Issues
Ian Nepomniachtchi's Criticism
Nepomniachtchi expressed dissatisfaction with initial poor internet connectivity.
Loek van Wely's Rebuttal
Van Wely admitted that the internet was initially slow but was quickly resolved as the tournament progressed.
- Event
- FIDE World Cup in Goa
- Player Criticized
- Ian Nepomniachtchi
- Critics
- Loek van Wely, Anish Giri, Vasyl Ivanchuk
- Nepomniachtchi's Performance
- Eliminated in the second round by Diptayan Ghosh
- Nepomniachtchi's Complaints
- Hotel facilities (rated 'three stars at best'), food quality, initial internet issues, and heat
- Van Wely's Stance
- Criticized Nepomniachtchi's comments as those of a 'loser' who arrived with a negative mindset, emphasizing focus on chess over minor complaints.
- Other Criticisms
- Anish Giri and Vasyl Ivanchuk also criticized Nepomniachtchi's comments.
