Candidates Tournament 2020

[Mick Norris]

Interesting that Ding said he moved hotels after round 2 so he could open the windows and get some fresh air, which is why he thinks his form has improved

Great predictions from Justin; Grischuk keeps his draw streak going with less fuss than his previous games

[David Robertson]

Grishuk in the post match saying "I don't want to play or be here" but he's doing ok regardless.

Fuller statement:

I don't want to play at all with this situation. At the beginning I didn't have a clear opinion, but now, after several days, I have a very clear opinion that this tournament should be stopped. The whole atmosphere is very hostile ... Everyone is with masks ... I just don't want to play. Don't want to be here ... It's no coincidence that everything else is stopped

[NickFaulks]

I don't want to play at all with this situation. At the beginning I didn't have a clear opinion, but now, after several days, I have a very clear opinion that this tournament should be stopped. The whole atmosphere is very hostile ... Everyone is with masks ... I just don't want to play. Don't want to be here ... It's no coincidence that everything else is stopped

So now we know why he keeps getting into time trouble in this tournament.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Except that he does that anyway?

[Mick Norris]

Except that he does that anyway?

He does; don't think he was too bad today though by his standards

[Chris Rice]

Then of course there is the exit strategy or more accurately lack of one for the non-Russians. Caruana was saying earlier that he has no idea what his situation will be once this tournament is finished. The USA are unlikely to let him back in now and he has no idea whether the Russians will let him stay. Giri added, in jest, that their only hope is that FIDE have a private jet to fly them back to their homes.

[Daniel Gormally]

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments ... that_this/

[Mick Norris]

Grischuk (2.5) - Caruana (2.5)
Alekseenko (2) - Giri (2)
Nepomniachtchi (3.5) - Ding Liren (2)
Wang Hao (2.5) - Vachier-Lagrave (3)

A win for Ding would make it very interesting

[NickFaulks]

A win for Ding would make it very interesting

You can back that result at 28/5, but I shan't be.

https://www.marathonbet.co.uk/en/betting/Chess

If Grischuk is intending to withdraw he should do that now, when it won't really make much difference. I hope he is being told that.

[IM Jack Rudd]

After round 7 would probably be the ideal time, at which point everybody's played him once.

[LawrenceCooper]

A win for Ding would make it very interesting

You can back that result at 28/5, but I shan't be.

https://www.marathonbet.co.uk/en/betting/Chess

If Grischuk is intending to withdraw he should do that now, when it won't really make much difference. I hope he is being told that.

I didn't get the impression that he was considering that from the interview, more that he was upset that the event was being allowed to take place when all other sporting events had been cancelled. If all the other players were to publicly offer the same opinion I don't know if that would have any impact or if FIDE and the organisers will just carry on regardless.

[NickFaulks]

After round 7 would probably be the ideal time, at which point everybody's played him once.

That would certainly look neat if he drew his next two games, but would be unfair if he lost one or both through lack of interest.

[NickFaulks]

If all the other players were to publicly offer the same opinion

which those who think they have a real chance of winning obviously won't.

[Matthew Turner]

Here we go again
Grischuk - Caruana 1-0
Alekseenko - Giri 1-0
Nepo - Ding draw
Wang - MV L 1-0

:

[JustinHorton]

I shall not be risking my 100% record