I agree, with any sport or anything in life, it's not just about chess or openings or such, it's about life lessons. However it may be, Ian earned his right to be here, and no in this world just gifted him that. The whole internet is so weird "sometimes" towards high level players (be it chess or something else), they can't comprehend that those players are playing against other high level players, and one is going to lose anyways in the end, and that's FINE, that's literally the whole point. It's not some closed stuff that only selected people can play. Anyone in the world can start playing with Magnus if they think they are good enough. Magnus isn't hiding somewhere in basement and only playing once in 2 years. You think you can do better than Ian? Prove it. Yeah he blundered.. can you find any player that has never blundered? Blunders come from pressure, and unless you are playing for a draw, you'll be having lots of pressure against Magnus.

Other thing is that they are playing in Dubai. I just dont think it's good place for chess. I don't think it's comforting place for either players, their friends, journalists and such, so I'm assuming there is not much "fun" going on outside of chess board, so people are a bit on edge