Candidates Tournament 2020

[Chris Rice]

Wang Hao despite his doubts has made it to Russia but isn't a fan of the airport procedures: "I hope its my last visit in Russia".

[Chris Rice]

I'm guessing this was tongue in cheek from Giri "Saw Fabiano Caruana in the hotel lobby. He offered me a handshake. I understand we are competitors here, but one still expects some sportsmanship and common courtesy."

[Tim Harding]

The official website at https://fide.com/news/347 still lists Radjabov instead of MVL. This hardly inspires confidence.

[Jonathan Rogers]

I'm guessing this was tongue in cheek from Giri "Saw Fabiano Caruana in the hotel lobby. He offered me a handshake. I understand we are competitors here, but one still expects some sportsmanship and common courtesy."

clearly, given Giri's generally humorous/slightly mischievous approach to Twitter

[Mick Norris]

Pete Doggers preview

First round is Tuesday, I think it is 1 pm UK time

[Tim Harding]

Pete Doggers preview

First round is Tuesday, I think it is 1 pm UK time

Actually the start (going by chess24) is 11am GMT I think, though I am not sure if the 5-hour difference remains throughout. Does Russia implement a clock change, and on the same date as western Europe?

On chess24's countdown it says the games start 38 hrs 20 minutes and a bit after I am writing this which is 2038 GMT approx

[Mick Norris]

That makes more sense Tim, so yes, 11 am will be right (Chessbomb has it as 10:00 UTC) for all 14 rounds

Schedule is a rest day after rounds 3,6,9,12

[Mick Norris]

Greg Shahade preview and prediction

Pete Doggers reports twice a day medical checks; not sure I have seen Gary Lineker come up before in a chess article

[benedgell]

Anyone fancy making some predictions?

Winner?
Will the tournament complete all the rounds?
Will anyone get 14 draws?
Will Alekseenko get a win?

[NickFaulks]

Caruana, yes, no, yes

[Matthew Turner]

I’ll have a go
Winner - Ding Liren
Completed - yes
Anyone to get 14 draws - no, not even close, nobody more than ten
Alekseenko to win a game - yes, but just the one.

Total guesses all of them.
Matt

[benedgell]

I'm not sure Giri has ever had 4 decisive results in one tournament.

[JustinHorton]

Kramnik withdraws from commentary, citing ethical objections.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Caruana, yes, no, yes

Agreed. I wonder whether Wang Hao might be the more likely not to win a game though.

[Phil Makepeace]

As first intimated on The Chess Pit Candidates preview:

Winner? Giri with 8.5/14 - wins over Alekseenko, Alekseenko and Grischuk
Will the tournament complete all the rounds? Yes
Will anyone get 14 draws? No
Will Alekseenko get a win? Two