Candidates Tournament 2020

[Jonathan Rogers]

If I have it right - and I trust that forumites already know that I don't actually check these pronouncements - no one has started the candidates with 2/2. (The modern versions, that is, though in fact no one won in the first round in Montpellier 1985 either). Same with the world championships, if that is what they were, in 2005 and 2007.

[JustinHorton]

Grischuk might be a bit disappointed at the moment - he has two draws and should probably have done better both times.

[JustinHorton]

If I have it right - and I trust that forumites already know that I don't actually check these pronouncements - no one has started the candidates with 2/2. (The modern versions, that is)

This is starting from when, 2011?

[Jonathan Rogers]

2013

[JustinHorton]

Anyway Wang is making heavy weather of breaking the streak

[Jonathan Rogers]

yes, easy to wonder now, mind you, I half expected Giri to hold yesterday at various points

[JustinHorton]

And they draw.

[Jonathan Rogers]

I am forever mentally chalking up the point and then failing to win such positions, and thus questioning my technique - nice to be reminded that they are really not as easy as all that.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Never ever forget, chess is hard!

[Chris Rice]

[Andy Howie]

The funny thing is, At the start of the round, the players don't shake hands. As soon as the game is over, they forget they are not supposed to and shake hands...

[NickFaulks]

Exactly the same story at Pimlico Chess Club, at least until last Thursday. When you've spent an hour struggling for a draw and finally get it, the coronavirus fades into insignificance.

[JustinHorton]

Early openings round up: we have

- a Winawer

- a Ne5 Slav where White has declined to play the crucial 8 e4 line

- a Bd2 Grunfeld

- a French Exchange

[IM Jack Rudd]

Fun transpo note: the French Exchange started life as a Petroff.

[JustinHorton]

a Winawer

First at this level since 1986