Carlsen on Gukesh: "I Was Top-50 When He Was Born"; AI Makes Chess 'Boring'

• Magnus Carlsen expressed his intent to win the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship, stating fatherhood hasn't diminished his competitive drive.
• Carlsen was banned from the Rapid competition due to a FIDE dress code violation (wearing jeans).
• He acknowledged D Gukesh's youth, stating, "I was like a top-50 player... when he was born," and finds playing youngsters interesting due to their unpredictability.
• Carlsen believes AI has made chess "more and more boring" by making preparation too easy and the game egalitarian.
• D Gukesh, however, finds AI mostly positive for learning new ideas, believing it emphasizes "sportive qualities" like physical fitness and mentality.

Why It Matters: Carlsen embraces rivalry with Gukesh, finds AI makes chess boring; Gukesh sees AI as positive.