Candidates 2014

[Chris Rice]

I'd prefer to see a smaller tournament among the very top elite, like what we got in the two recent Candidates, but slightly expanded. Going all the way to 51 players (and an arbitrary 2700 cut-off) seems excessive. It would also increase the expense of putting on the event (more arbiters for a start) and what incentive would there be in terms of prize money for those not expected to win? You would have to pay conditions to get attendance from professionals, or at least have some reasonable prize money all the way down to last place, so how do you fund that? Also, too many games to watch. (Seriously!)

These are fair enough points. I'm not saying the number of rounds or players are set in stone but you could get more players in a Swiss. On prize/appearance money I think Andrew Paulson (he whose name shall never again be mentioned) was right in that chess has been under sold/marketed/commercialised etc if you can get money from selling TV rights etc you would make more than enough to cover this.

If the only other issue is that there are too many great players and games to watch then I think we're more than ok!

[Sean Hewitt]

On prize/appearance money I think Andrew Paulson (he whose name shall never again be mentioned) was right in that chess has been under sold/marketed/commercialised etc if you can get money from selling TV rights etc you would make more than enough to cover this.

That's a huge if!

[Matt Mackenzie]

I think the format is fine as it is, tbh.

And as for the moans about certain players not being there - I think we are about to see a "changing of the guard" anyway. We could just have seen the final serious tilts at the crown from Kramnik, Svidler and Topalov (I think there is a chance Anand will also call it a day if he loses his "rematch" with Carlsen)

Nakamura and Caruana next time round, for sure - who else, perhaps?

[Roger de Coverly]

Nakamura and Caruana next time round, for sure - who else, perhaps?

If there isn't going to be a Grand Prix series, the qualifiers will be by the rating list and the World Cup. Qualifiers from the World Cup are likely to have needed to demonstrate their skills at rapid play and possibly Blitz as well as, or perhaps instead of normal chess. Still Andreikin held his own in the Candidates.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Andreikin can indeed be very pleased with his showing - he could yet reappear at this stage in the 2014-16 cycle.....