2016 Candidates prediction

[Matt Mackenzie]

If it's not Anand, as I suspect it will be, then it will be Caruana. The fact that Tim doesn't want to see a third Anand-Carlsen match doesn't mean that it won't happen.

I genuinely can't see him doing it this time, with the infusion of "new blood". If he does it is likely to be on merit, though.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Is no-one going to vote for Karjakin? Has anyone done an analysis based on recent results between all the players?

[PeterFarr]

I've gone for Karjakin; I rather agree with Nick Faulks. From a Western point of view he seems on the wrong side of the argument, but it's not so simple on the ground I daresay. Failing that, I have a hunch for Giri, though I wonder if the next world champion will be from the generation below, given Magnus's age and current strength.

[John McKenna]

Nakamura has got my vote.

Chessbase article about the event with Danish Grandmaster Peter Heine Nielsen on the individual candidates' chances -

http://en.chessbase.com/post/2016-fide- ... tournament

[Jonathan Bryant]

Is no-one going to vote for Karjakin?

Not me. I don’t expect him to win and very much hope he won’t. I also hope Anand won’t - although for very different reasons. With Vishy, it’s because I think his chances of beating Carlsen aren’t significantly higher than mine would be. A third match would be dullsville.

Aronian - seems like we were talking about him becoming the challenger several cycles ago and he never did. Feels like his chance has gone.

Nakamura - I can see him ripping up the Candidates and then getting thoroughly battered by Carlsen in a way that wouldn’t happen to Caruana.

Svidler - I’d love to win but I don’t think he will.

Topalov - aint going to happen.

Giri - not this time.


The most interesting World Championship matches would be Carlsen v Nakamura or Caruana so that’s who I’d most like to win. Who will? Random guess - Nakamura. I do worry it might be Anand, though.

[Martin Regan]

Topolov. Mark my words

[Matt Mackenzie]

No longer quite good enough at this exalted level, IMO.

[Tristan McDonald]

Direct link to the game here: https://www.i-pools.co.uk/affiliate_joi ... 8%22%0A%7D

[Nick Burrows]

A different preview of each players chances:

http://www.alexcolovic.com/2016/03/cand ... w.html?m=1

[Colin Patterson]

It seems unlikely to me that Anand's safety-first, solid style will win out again. Of course it's hard to dismiss him entirely. If others crash and burn, or fail to push hard, he will be lurking in the background, filling any vacuum.

Topalov makes a lot of his "been there, done it, no pressure on me any more" attitude. It means he can play without fear or trepidation, but is his form good? Can he match the stamina of the younger talents on show? I think not this time.

It's hard to know what to make of Caruana. He seems quite fearless, and could win at a canter if he can regain that Sinqfield Cup form of 2014. There is a welcome positivity coming from his camp, but did his form in 2015 suggest that the steamroller could make another appearance? Sadly not.

What about Giri? He still strikes me as a little too young and naïve in his behaviour. I think he revels in being accepted as one of the leading pack and this manifests in him being a people and media pleaser. There is a lot of respect shown for those around him and he craves it back. His next step has to be looking beyond that mindset; he must learn to shun some of the drawing lines and start believing in his great tactical skills.

Nakamura has exceptional ambition and must have felt like a caged animal, missing out on the Candidates stage in previous cycles. With the shackles removed, I can see him making a mighty push here. That extra momentum, backed by his usual dogged determination and undeniable talent at the top level, will make him hard to stop. Definitely my pick for winner here. A match with Magnus though, would be another story.

[Jonathan Bryant]

Here’s another prediction: Agon's "nobody can broadcast the moves but us" plan isn’t going to be successful.

[Nick Burrows]

Here’s another prediction: Agon's "nobody can broadcast the moves but us" plan isn’t going to be successful.

Agon board meeting:

[Mick Norris]

Here’s another prediction: Agon's "nobody can broadcast the moves but us" plan isn’t going to be successful.

Although in true chess tradition, money will be removed from chess and given to lawyers in the process

[Brian Towers]

Emotions running wild with the predictions, I think.

The opinion of all the experts I’ve seen so far, however, has come down to the same thing – it’s the most unclear Candidates Tournament in recent years, in the sense that it’s impossible to name clear favourites.

[JustinHorton]

Here’s another prediction: Agon's "nobody can broadcast the moves but us" plan isn’t going to be successful.

Agon board meeting:

I do wish people wouldn't wear hats indoors.

Anyway I note Carlsen saying of Nakamura "I don’t think he’s going to win", though we might interpret that as an attempt to mess with the American gentleman's head.