2016 Candidates Moscow 10-29 March

[Martin Benjamin]

On the official site, it is pity that Miroshnichenko is not commentating any more. Dylan McLain seems pleasant enough, but not a particularly strong player, so I am not sure what value he adds. Nepomniachtchi is obviously very strong and can contribute a lot of ideas, but he gabbles too much and does not have a good voice for broadcasting.

[Jonathan Bryant]

One opening I never see played anymore is 1 e4 Nf6. Is it not thought sound any longer or is it just fashion?

Well the Alekhine has hardly been popular at uber-elite level since, well, ever. Fischer in 72 of course but since then? Carlson a couple if times as a surprise weapon Angus tells me.

Catalan was about half of the London candidates it felt like.

[Jonathan Bryant]

Dylan McLain seems pleasant enough ...

Not something you always hear

I don't think being a strong player is particularly important for a broadcaster though. Obvs one really good one,yes, but doesn't have to be both

[Mick Norris]

Dylan McLain seems pleasant enough ...

Not something you always hear

He hasn't threatened us for 2 weeks now

I don't think being a strong player is particularly important for a broadcaster though. Obvs one really good one,yes, but doesn't have to be both

If there are 2, then the combination & interaction matters - it is also helpful to change the pairings from time to time

[JustinHorton]

I like Caruana's position a lot. It's not so much on the computer, but it's just a little awkward for Black without White being under any pressure anywhere on the board.

[Jonathan Bryant]

Dylan McLain seems pleasant enough ...

Not something you always hear

He hasn't threatened us for 2 weeks now

I don't think being a strong player is particularly important for a broadcaster though. Obvs one really good one,yes, but doesn't have to be both

If there are 2, then the combination & interaction matters - it is also helpful to change the pairings from time to time

Agreed. I saw Svidier +1 once (nepo, perhaps) and it was a disaster. They were both constantly talking over each other. Svidier + Gustafson work really well together.

[Mick Norris]

Agreed. I saw Svidier +1 once (nepo, perhaps) and it was a disaster. They were both constantly talking over each other. Svidier + Gustafson work really well together.

Svidler plus someone with the sense to let him talk would be an ideal combination

I quite like Gustafsson + Van Kampen (I think we are lucky all these players can speak such good English)

[Mick Norris]

I like Caruana's position a lot. It's not so much on the computer, but it's just a little awkward for Black without White being under any pressure anywhere on the board.

He does seem to have again used a lot of time, though, I wonder if he is nervous and double or triple checking everything

I can't currently see Svidler or Vishy winning today

[JustinHorton]

Svidler, Giri and Aronian all do have to win today, though, if they want to have a chance tomorrow (which may explain why Svidler's just played an iffy break). Anand by contrast can get away with drawing today, albeit only if the two leaders get less than a point and a half between them.

[Matt Mackenzie]

I like Caruana's position a lot. It's not so much on the computer, but it's just a little awkward for Black without White being under any pressure anywhere on the board.

He does seem to have again used a lot of time, though, I wonder if he is nervous and double or triple checking everything

I can't currently see Svidler or Vishy winning today

Do you mean..........that Giri is going to draw again?

[LawrenceCooper]

Svidler, Giri and Aronian all do have to win today, though, if they want to have a chance tomorrow (which may explain why Svidler's just played an iffy break). Anand by contrast can get away with drawing today, albeit only if the two leaders get less than a point and a half between them.

Svidler may be considering 21....Nxc3 22 Nxc3 e4 but the computers aren't so keen.

[JustinHorton]

Karjakin twenty minutes down on the clock, reckons the official site.

[Mick Norris]

Do you mean..........that Giri is going to draw again?

He might win

[Matt Mackenzie]

Do you mean..........that Giri is going to draw again?

He might win

He's had a few chances to do that previously......

[Jonathan Bryant]

Caruana's bishop should be consulting its shop steward about the amount of work it's having to do.