Anatoly Karpov to announce shock retirement?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Moscow
  • Last updated on

former World Chess Champion created a stir on Monday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

Sad news for Karpov fans. Speculation had been rife that former World Chess Champion will announce his retirement from all public activities, at age 74, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 17/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a chess grandmaster isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a chess grandmaster just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouAnatoly

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouAnatoly was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouAnatoly.”
— @DesireePlum, 16 Mar 2026
“I thought Anatoly Karpov retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 16 Mar 2026

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