Magnus Carlsen dropped out of the World Championship and fueled a debate on the format of the matches. Chess legend Garry Kasparov has weighed in by saying he supports the inclusion of rapid and blitz.

When Carlsen announced his abdication of the throne, he cited a lack of motivation. However, the Norwegian has long been critical of the format of the long matches that require months of preparation and suggested alternatives which include rapid and blitz.

This week Garry Kasparov appeared on the broadcast of the final day of the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz event in Zagreb, Croatia, supporting Carlsen's proposal to include speed chess in the World Championships.

"I think we should look at something like the Grand Chess Tour. Make it more dynamic. I think it's very natural to incorporate rapid and blitz into the system. That's what people want to see. That's why we have millions and millions of new followers. Like it or not, nobody wants to wait 8 hours for the result of the game."

Kasparov pointed out that Carlsen said he preferred the shorter format in the Grand Chess Tour rather than the traditional classical.

"We don't play for fun. We play for the public. If there is a public demand to make these changes, maybe we should consider it," the chess legend said.

The 13th World Champion talked about how he walked away and created his own organization for the 1993 World Championship match with Nigel Short, the PCA.

"Magnus is the best player today. For the public, he is called the World Champion, whatever title you want to add to his name. He is still the best. It would be very odd to see any match called the World Championship without Magnus."

Kasparov was also asked whether the winner of the next World Championship match between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren runs the risk of being called a "World Champion" in the same category as Alexander Khalifman and Rustam Kasimdzhanov.

"I don't know what kind of title they can carry. I definitely will never consider the winner of this match, even if this match takes place, as the 17th World Champion. For me, the only way for the 17th World Champion to appear, someone to be added to the list that started with Steinitz, is to beat Magnus Carlsen. If he walks away, it's another story. But as long as Magnus Carlsen is playing, you can't consider any match a real World Championship match."

Kasparov previously shared his thoughts on Magnus Carlsen giving up his title and said "Magnus has been a great champion and will continue to be."