India, Feb. 4 -- In a massive move that further fueled the ongoing controversy, the FIDE released a statement on Monday revealing that it hadn't reached an agreement with the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour over the use of the 'World Championship' in their schedule. The international chess body further went on to claim that the Magnus Carlsen, Jan Henric Buettner-led organisation has failed to acknowledge FIDE's status as the sole regulator of World Chess Championships and 'its authority to award' such a title.

This statement is in stark contrast to Buettner's recent words to Hindustan Times in an exclusive interview, in which he revealed that he was close to reaching an agreement with FIDE and expected both parties to reach an agreement...