Mick Norris wrote:Ding & Aronian join Karjakin in Berlin
2 from Shak, Grischuk, Radjabov & MVL will qualify from the GP (decided in November)
2 from Caruana, So & Kramnik by average rating (decided when we know what the December ratings will be)
1 wildcard
So we should know by the start of December (i.e. when the rating list is published) who has qualified. Presumably official confirmation will be needed from FIDE, as well as confirmation that the players have signed the contracts.
When has the wildcard been announced in the past, was it before the contracts were sorted out?
Of the ten listed above, who would be among the favourites to win on paper/form/experience etc? Which one has the best record against Carlsen?
Personally, I'd love to see an Aronian-Carlsen match, or a Caruana-Carlsen match, and don't want to see a re-match with Karjakin. A So-Carlsen match would also be fascinating.
(I am aware of what has been said in another thread about So, and elsewhere about other players - would like to concentrate on the chess here).
Who might struggle the most in the Candidates, or have a bad tournament?