![\"Abhimanya](\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/theme\/images\/th-online\/1x1_spacer.png\" "\\"Abhimanya")
<\/picture><\/div>\nAmerican Grandmaster Abhimanyu Mishra said he has no current plans to switch federations, explaining that his earlier comments referred to a hypothetical situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cActually, this was a huge miscommunication. Essentially, as of now, I don\u2019t want to switch federations at all,\u201d Abhimanyu told The Hindu on the sidelines of the Total Chess World Championship Tour pilot here.<\/p>\n
He said his response to that hypothetical question was that he might consider a switch. \u201cBut the thing is, this does not mean that I\u2019m searching to change federation at all currently,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Abhimanyu also spoke about playing simultaneous exhibitions to help cover expenses. The sessions, which involved taking on several opponents and could last hours, provided some income but were tiring.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I was getting some money out of that, which was helping a bit,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In Budapest, Abhimanyu has been drawn in Group C alongside Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Haik M. Martirosyan and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. He will face each opponent twice in the Fast Classic group stage.<\/p>\n
The 24-player event combines blitz, rapid and Fast Classic, with players tested at all three speeds in the knockouts.<\/p>\n
The chance to play Carlsen twice was particularly appealing, with Abhimanyu describing it as a source of joy and a learning experience. TThe strength of the field had convinced him to accept the invitation. \u201cI mean, saying no to a tournament like this is a bit ridiculous, honestly,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n