English Chess Forum

I have so far watched all the banter blitz episodes with the current world champion and noted a few things although one or two points lie unresolved. I enjoy watching it because of the harmonious play magnus tears people apart with and in doing so makes chess look like simple and easy game to play, when in fact we all know of course this is not so. What I can't quite understand is how opponents are selected. I get the feeling that not everyone can challenge him and that opponents come from a certain pre-chosen order of titled opposition, sometimes with low ratings to make it look like he is challenging everyone. I saw him play people with a rating much lower than mine yet it was not easy for the world champion to win, and in that something is not right. Who is it Magnus is playing? Premium members yes, but it looks like he is choosing from a pre-selected group or something. Hard to tell.

The final of the Banter Blitz Cup is what matters. Magnus got there by defeating six opponents in a 132-player knock-out. It is tomorrow evening (Wednesday, 6pm) between Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja, best of 16 3-minute games, and is expected to attract one of the largest audiences ever for an online event. Don't miss it!
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/ ... za-firouja

Oh, I don't mean that. I mean when he plays many people at -seeming- random in one show in 3 or 5 minute games.

Banter blitz is always fun if the player has a good personality and something useful to say about the positions they are playing - there are a few really good ones I like to watch such as kingcrusher, jan gustaffston, henrik danielsen, hakaru nakamura....

Not checked out carlsen yet but I might now he has started