2024 Candidates qualification revised process

[LawrenceCooper]

Alireza is playing a series of matches from 18th - 22nd December against Sergey Fedorchuk (2546), Andrei Shchekachev (2506) & Alexandre Dgebuadze (2439) so he may not be out of the equation.

It seems strange that one individual can arrange their own event (well, their backers can) in order to try to qualify for the world championship. I am trying to think of any other sport where that would be possible.

Hopefully the last few weeks will give a clear message to FIDE how ridiculous the current requirement is.

[NickFaulks]

I am trying to think of any other sport where that would be possible.

Boxing?

[NickFaulks]

Hopefully the last few weeks will give a clear message to FIDE how ridiculous the current requirement is.

I always argued that the previous method of averaging ratings over twelve months was a statistical nonsense, but it would have avoided the current problems.

[Nick Burrows]

I would have a candidates candidates so it's decided over the chess board rather than splitting hairs over statistics.

[Ian Thompson]

Alireza is playing a series of matches from 18th - 22nd December against Sergey Fedorchuk (2546), Andrei Shchekachev (2506) & Alexandre Dgebuadze (2439) so he may not be out of the equation.

It seems strange that one individual can arrange their own event (well, their backers can) in order to try to qualify for the world championship. I am trying to think of any other sport where that would be possible.

One can't help wondering if his opponents' play might be adversely affected by knowing what's good for them.

[NickFaulks]

The plot thickens.

https://www.fide.com/news/2807

[Mick Norris]

It's turning into a farce

[LawrenceCooper]

The plot thickens.

https://www.fide.com/news/2807

He is actually playing four matches, two against Fedorchuk (with two games in each), with the second one starting on the 23rd. https://ratings.fide.com/rated_tourname ... ountry=FRA (Chartres).

[Kevin Thurlow]

"The International Chess Federation is dedicated to addressing not just this specific case but also similar occurrences that may arise. Discussions will be held to explore potential amendments to the FIDE Rating Regulations, aiming to prevent such situations in the future.

FIDE reiterates its unwavering commitment to upholding fair play and ensuring equal opportunities for all chess players."

Have a sensible system in the first place, and you can avoid moaning about Alireza's cunning plan.

I'm not convinced that their last bit is entirely accurate either. In fairness, look at the Olympics, cricket, rugby union, Association football, horse racing, boxing, snooker, croquet... (drones on for several pages)

[Graham Borrowdale]

The plot thickens.

https://www.fide.com/news/2807

So what exactly was the point of the GM super-tournament which suddenly sprang up in India and which is currently taking place?

[LawrenceCooper]

The plot thickens.

https://www.fide.com/news/2807

So what exactly was the point of the GM super-tournament which suddenly sprang up in India and which is currently taking place?

To give players an opportunity to gain FIDE circuit points and potentially qualify for the Candidates.

[Graham Borrowdale]

The plot thickens.

https://www.fide.com/news/2807

So what exactly was the point of the GM super-tournament which suddenly sprang up in India and which is currently taking place?

To give players an opportunity to gain FIDE circuit points and potentially qualify for the Candidates.

Sorry, my question was rhetorical, but it does seem very close to the Alireza situation, in that it sprang up at the last minute. Perhaps it’s because I can remember the Interzonals and Zonals, when it felt more transparent, and the only potential jiggery-pokery was who got the zonal places. I guess there is more at stake now, as the world championship is effectively vacant, and any one of the candidates would fancy their chances against Ding.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

The super-tournament in India is similar (but different in strength) to the tournament that was arranged to allow Ding to qualify for the Candidates (has everyone forgotten that?). Arranging matches against veteran GMs of much lower strength is a different ball game altogether.

[Mick Norris]

TWIC

Elsewhere the Chennai Grand Masters has passed the half way point. India hasn't hosted so many round robins so this strong event is welcome. I'm not sure I feel the same about the three two game matches in Chartres that Alireza Firouzja is playing in an attempt to boost his rating enough to qualify for the Candidates by rating. This feels like a fiddle to me, as did Ding Liren's many events in China before the last Candidates, at least he had the excuse of Covid. I personally think Candidates qualification by rating has to go, or as someone suggested to me, maybe the top four playing for a final place would be a better idea.

[LawrenceCooper]

Alireza completed a 2-0 victory in his first match.