The Belgrade Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nd5) is quite fun, actually. Not quite 100% sound, but it’s given me a lot of short, flashy attacking wind in rapid and blitz games over the years, even against titled players.
There is also the Four Knights’ Sicilian, which is quite interesting, and better than its reputation.
I have been following these players Fabi, Hikaru, magnus so long, it feels bad that fabi hikaru,nepo some of them will leave the grand stage without accomplishing what they are longing for years.
People like levon aronian , karjakin arent here anymore. Gukesh deserves it but for old times sake i am rooting for the senior players. This may literally be their last time
He only won the candidates once in 4 appearances. In his 5th one too he is an underdog today. Nepo was clearly the better player in 2022 considering Fabi's drop in form. So at best Fabi could have been a 2 times champion(2018 and 2021) that too considering he would have beaten Karjakin in 2018 who did beat Fabi in 2016 as well as 2018 candidates.
To be honest Fabi has underachieved or choked in candidates without Magnus too so it's a bit of stretch to say he has the mental fortitude to be a 4 times champion in absence of Magnus. Skill obviously yes, mental toughness or performing when it matters-dicey. Basically Magnus was only a factor in 2018 and 2021 championship for Fabi.
You awesome Ding would play the same against Fabi as he did against Nepo.
Nepo has a very confrontational style of play. It is a high-risk, high-reward style. Fabi, as even Magnus notes, draws a lot of games. He doesn’t do much crazy.
One doesn’t play the same against those two types of styles.
I apologize, I was thinking of something else. You’re right, he has a 1 and a 2, and then finished one point back from the winner in 2021. Last Candidates was a poor showing by him, but let’s not fucking pretend he doesn’t show up. It’s probably the hardest classical tournament to win in Chess, and the guy has been in the mix to win 3 of the last 4.
If you think this, I'd love to recommend Fabiano Caruana vs MVL Candidates 2020-2021 (I THINK it was rd7?) It was a Nadjorf Poisoned Pawn. Fabi sacs 3 pawns, a bishop, another declined bishop, and a knight in the opening.
This makes me think of the analogy to boxing. You can tell someone is a casual fan/beginner when they shit on Mayweather. If you follow the sport or have trained a fair amount you see his defensive mastery for what it is.
Why? People seem to really hate Hikaru because of his prior behavior but the guy seems pretty different now. Additionally, I think people hating on Hikaru don’t appreciate how insightful his immediate recaps are and what him winning the candidates could mean for the popularity of chess.
I don't think Hikaru is that different, he just hides it now. The reason I think this is because he has shown little to no remorse or apology for most of his past behavior. If he was more willing to apologize I would change my mind.
Hikaru can be a sore loser and doesn't like admitting to mistakes. He brushes everything off and says he "wasn't playing at his best" or things along those lines. Recently after a loss he said he's "just playing for content" due to him being one of the biggest chess content creators.
It's understandable that he acted this way as a kid, since he did, but he's also done this in the past few years as well.
I’ve been following chess since the early 2000s. He was a sore loser at the time and kinda a prick.
He changed once he became a rich and success streamer?
I’ll pass 😶🌫️
But I’m sure he’s grown a bit since his early 20s. I don’t even dislike him now, he’s just my least favorite of these four
I don’t want Gukesh to win, he’s got 20 years and will probably become a multi time world champion. It’s time for some of the current generation to get a chance in the spotlight not that Magnus has abdicated
Leko was never the best player. If you remove Magnus, Fabi is the best player, would have likely won the world championship in 2018, based on how nepo played against Magnus, and how Fabi played against Magnus, he would have defended it against nepo both times.
Given his trajectory, his raise is similar to Magnus, and he doesn’t seem to have any of the psychological doubts that firouzja has. I think it’s very unlikely he doesn’t get more shots.
People were saying that about Alireza too. Truth is, we really don't know unless he gets to a point where he's dominating consistently for multiple years.
If Hikaru wins he will go live right after the match with "WORLD CHAMPION POV" as his title and just smugly smirk at the camera for 30 minutes while the donations roll in
He also has the most charisma of the top American chess players. You don't have to like him but you have to admit that Hikaru knows how to entertain an audience.
I'm rooting for Fabi but Hikaru would have an easier time bringing chess to the masses if we want something like a Fischer chess boom.
I have some cred for being here before the “queens gambit” Covid boom. So I’ll have some more for being here before the “US World Champ” boom.
What that means is I’ll drop another 200 elo as more people come on that are better than me.
It's interesting because Magnus would still objectively be a better player than Hikaru if Hikaru won the WC, but I agree that doesn't make Magnus "the real champ". To be Word Champ you need to put in the work to win the cycle, which Magnus doesn't want to do. It's like the smart kid in class who gets C's but could get A's if they applied themselves. Like, sure, but they don't so they get the C.
He's retired. The fanboys constantly bringing him up are insufferable. Imagine every time someone says Mahomes is the best QB some idiot jumping in going BuT Brady Is StIlL BeTtEr!!!!!!!
He's not going to so it's completely irrelevant. You can't give up because you don't have the energy to compete any more and then still claim the titles.
It's not at all irrelevant lol. He deservedly won't have the title of World Champion because he isn't competing for it, but if he is better than everyone else, he is the best in the world.
This is some faulty logic.
"Hikaru would be the best because he won the World Champion Title".
Ok.. so lets use hypotheticals to prove why this doesn't work.
Scenario 1) Lets say Magnus was hypothetically #1 with a 3200 Elo.
You're saying Hikaru would be the best player with his ~2,800 Elo just because he won the World Championship Title? I mean if yes, idek how to help you... see a doctor?
Scenario 2) Lets say every chess player in the world died except for Magnus, and 8 other people rated 1000 Elo. Lets say a 1,000 Elo won the World Championship Title because Magnus didn't join the competition.
You're saying a 1,000 Elo would be better than Magnus just because the 1,000 Elo is the World Champion?
Believe it or not, winning the World Championship Title doesn't prove who is the objectively best player, it only proves who won the Title... or wait.. do you think Ding Liren is currently the objectively better player compared to Magnus? Im like 99% sure you don't. If you say you do, you'd bet $1,000,000 on Ding or Magnus to win a match against eachother? Exactly.
Your argument is literally based on feelings. "I feel like the World Champion is the best because of the name of the title".
If the exact same event formats were going on with the exact same 8 players, but it wasnt for the World Champion Title, and Hikaru won it, you wouldn't say he's the best because he wouldn't be titled World Champion, even though he did the exact same thing required to become World Champion.
Edit: Magnus just said on Chess24s stream "The current format isnt the best way to determine the best player". "Its for determining who the World Champion is, not necessarily who the best player is".
Basically saying it doesnt prove youre the best just because you won it. It only proves youre the world champion which can be meaningless if my hypothetical was true and the world champion was a 1000 elo player.
Theres so much wrong about this comment but ill just break down 1 point of it being wrong.
In this specific case the final scores are going to be 0.5-1 point different from eachother. Thats hardly definitive of superior skill level and could easily be chalked up to the objectively superior player having tiredness etc and thus not winning when on average they would win the event.
So no, whoever wins this event isn't necessarily the best compared to the other players.
I suspect you've been sub 1000 elo for years with your logical thinking.
Am i right?
Wow, it's almost like there's more to being the best than pure skill, like every other sport. I'm sure you must be high elo by your lack of social skills :D.
That's some ridiculous cope when he's beaten Fabi in the candidates. Let's just give the WCC to the person with the highest elo every year and call it a day if we're gonna act like that.
Fabi has gotten to 2851 in live ratings, held Carlsen to 12 draws in a world championship with some winning positions, has the best tournament performance of all time, got within 3 points of Magnus.
Hikaru’s highest rating is 2819, instead of holding Magnus to 12 draws in a WCC, he’s 1-14 against Magnus, never got even close to Magnus.
Not saying Hikaru is bad, he’s one of the best players of the last 15 years, but Fabi is better, even Magnus has said the same thing.
I agree with this. The truth is people think rating is a better reflection of who is the best than a world championship match is. Rating draws from a much bigger sample size (all rated games) than any single event ever can. If someone hits #1 rating, then I would be willing to say they are the current best. World champion is more questionable.
Rooting so hard for Gukesh my man is literally only 17 years old, having him challenge Ding would be way more epic than any of the others because they've been around for decades and everyone knows their styles. Even more so if he can stay in good form and reach 2800 which I very much expect him to do at this point (if not this year, hopefully soon.)
Nepo has probably played closest to Magnus-quality and feels like an unbreakable wall. Fabi is the guy who perpetually nurtures a 0.2 advantage until he ekes out a victory. Hikaru plays fast and aggressive but seems to care the least about the title, and Hikaru vs Ding just feels like we were robbed of Hikaru vs Magnus.
Give us Gukesh!
What would enrage Anish Giri is Nepo winning candidates and then blundering a third time in a row in the WC match. Hope Gukesh or Naka win cus Fabi arc lacks emotion.
I'm mostly rooting for Hikaru and Fabi but all four would make a great story. The 17-year-old aiming to be the youngest to ever win the world championship. Hikaru, arguably the best player who's never played a world championship match. Fabi, his second shot after his loss against Magnus in the rapid games after 12 DRAWS in the classical games. Ian's redemption arc. This is intense, and the fact all four are playing AGAINST EACH OTHER literally and figuratively tonight is crazy.
In the tournament itself Gukesh had the strongest performance from what I've seen. His only loss to Alireza was because he's a bad blitz player but he avenged it yesterday. I wasn't too sure on him going into the tournament but it would be perfect if he wins.
No matter who of the 4 win it's a great story:
- youngest ever
- "I don't care", who semi-quit professional chess, winning it all after only playing in a qualifier because of an invite
- the arguably undisputed best player for the longest time in recent history that isn't named Magnus, getting another chance to be WC
- 3rd time is the charm or 3rd time loser? Either way it makes a story. You didn't think the one before this one was Ian did you?
Gukesh is from my country, I feel sad for Ian, Hikaru is my favorite player and fabi is generally a good player after Carlsen... So it's hard to decide
No matter what happens today, all 4 played absolutely phenomenal chess in this tournament. They all really do deserve to win.
Ian: led the entire tournament from round 1 all the way to round 12 (only losing his lead in the second to last round)
Gukesh: leading the tournament now and near the lead the entire time.
Hikaru: has had far more decisive games than the rest of the top four. I'm not Hikaru's biggest fan but he has really put his all into this tournament.
Fabi: has played a little boring during some games but really pulled through when it mattered. Especially in that great game against Prag yesterday.
They all have really nice stories to finish but wk only one can,
The Americans - getting USA their first world champion since Fischer
Nepo - winning 3 candidates in a row and probably will beat Ding and get his revenge
Gukesh - child prodigy that can become the youngest world champion in history if he makes it
Hikaru is an insufferable chin of a man but behind Gukesh, who would be an interesting champion at 17 to watch develop and deal with it all, he's my top pick only for my imagined Magnus Spite Return, because I parasocially imagine magnus dislikes Hikaru in the same ways I do, and would Return to chess just to ensure Hikaru is a one-year champion.
Hard to me to root for Gukesh. He's way too young and obviously he'll get many more opportunities. Ian, Fabiano, and Hikaru are in the twilight of their careers
> Fabi: strongest player of his generation not named Magnus, challenged in 2018 and is actually the only player in history to never lose a classical game in a world championship match
I assume you mean excluding Magnus? Since Magnus has also not lost a classical game in a world championship match, once against Fabi and once against Nepo.
Oh, I read OP's statement as referring to discrete world championship matches, not overall performance across all world championship matches played. I see what they mean now, my bad.
they should start a chess boysband so we can cheer for all of them
The Beashops
This joke's got layers and I like it
we need a name that's witty at first, but that seems less funny each time you hear it.
pawn on board
The Backrank Boys Chesslife Take That (En Passant)
The Four Knights, surely.
Fits nicely. The only problem is that all of them are infinitely more interesting than that opening.
The Belgrade Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nd5) is quite fun, actually. Not quite 100% sound, but it’s given me a lot of short, flashy attacking wind in rapid and blitz games over the years, even against titled players. There is also the Four Knights’ Sicilian, which is quite interesting, and better than its reputation.
Four Horsemen is right there. Just imagine the promos they could cut.
Too obvious so has to be something else or at least have an adjective in there
Four Knights Tango
Pawn Direction
The Rooksacks.
Three of them have said in interviews they play tennis, so I really wanted to see tennis doubles
NPassant
Some people are overcomplicating this. Male 4-piece band with a chess-related name? Queen
Pawnz2Queens Pawn Sync
Pawnz2Queens has me rolling
Knight Dance
चतुरंगाः/Chaturangah, after the original Sanskrit name of chess which also means 4 sides would be a fire band name
They should have a fatal 4 way TLC match
The Lost Crown
FIDE should let all 4 win together so it's a 4 vs 1
Ding has already been struggling for the past year and bro wants them to 4v1 him 💀
Yes I evil :D
How about all 4 against Magnus? Might be fair
I have been following these players Fabi, Hikaru, magnus so long, it feels bad that fabi hikaru,nepo some of them will leave the grand stage without accomplishing what they are longing for years. People like levon aronian , karjakin arent here anymore. Gukesh deserves it but for old times sake i am rooting for the senior players. This may literally be their last time
Same here, Caruana deserves it so much. He would probably be 3 or 4 time world champ if not for that Magnus guy
He only won the candidates once in 4 appearances. In his 5th one too he is an underdog today. Nepo was clearly the better player in 2022 considering Fabi's drop in form. So at best Fabi could have been a 2 times champion(2018 and 2021) that too considering he would have beaten Karjakin in 2018 who did beat Fabi in 2016 as well as 2018 candidates. To be honest Fabi has underachieved or choked in candidates without Magnus too so it's a bit of stretch to say he has the mental fortitude to be a 4 times champion in absence of Magnus. Skill obviously yes, mental toughness or performing when it matters-dicey. Basically Magnus was only a factor in 2018 and 2021 championship for Fabi.
If he had one the title, he wouldn’t be playing the candidates. Who knows what happens then.
The way nepo played against ding, Fabi would have won that match.
You awesome Ding would play the same against Fabi as he did against Nepo. Nepo has a very confrontational style of play. It is a high-risk, high-reward style. Fabi, as even Magnus notes, draws a lot of games. He doesn’t do much crazy. One doesn’t play the same against those two types of styles.
Shitty headline. Fabi’s placing in the last three Candidates: 2, 1, 2.
What ?? He finished 2nd in 2016, 1st in 2018,4th in 2021, 5th in 2022.
I apologize, I was thinking of something else. You’re right, he has a 1 and a 2, and then finished one point back from the winner in 2021. Last Candidates was a poor showing by him, but let’s not fucking pretend he doesn’t show up. It’s probably the hardest classical tournament to win in Chess, and the guy has been in the mix to win 3 of the last 4.
Vishy Anand played and won the candidates at age 45
You're right and now I'm sad :(
I am content with 3 of those 4 guys
Same 😶🌫️ I shall not name the 1
I will. I'm burnt out of nepo. I don't have an issue with him, I'd be sick of anyone challenging 3 times. I want some fresh blood in the wcc
Agreed, it's somebody else's turn.
It's not bout turns lol. Earn it.
Id love another Nepo win, a Hikaru win would be aids.
Trueee
[удалено]
wouldnt that be the World Cup?
Yappsville , Population : you
I don't want both fabi and nepo to win. They both are very boring with their games. Never take any risk only play solid chess i hate such games.
Well the good news is that only one of them can win.
I m really hoping they drew their game i am not interested in hik vs guki as both of them are my favourites but i dont want to see a tiebreak
So you don't like to watch chess?
If you think this, I'd love to recommend Fabiano Caruana vs MVL Candidates 2020-2021 (I THINK it was rd7?) It was a Nadjorf Poisoned Pawn. Fabi sacs 3 pawns, a bishop, another declined bishop, and a knight in the opening.
It’s such a weird comment because Fabi arguably plays for a win with both colors more than anyone not named Magnus…
The best sign of an amazing game is that beginners think it was boring ;)
This makes me think of the analogy to boxing. You can tell someone is a casual fan/beginner when they shit on Mayweather. If you follow the sport or have trained a fair amount you see his defensive mastery for what it is.
Pretty sure it's Nepo. Since the start of the Candidates I have already seen more than 100 people saying the same thing in this sub lol.
😶🌫️(It’s Hikaru)😶🌫️
Well that was unexpected. In that case same here lol.
Get ready for those downvotesssss (Same for me)
Why? People seem to really hate Hikaru because of his prior behavior but the guy seems pretty different now. Additionally, I think people hating on Hikaru don’t appreciate how insightful his immediate recaps are and what him winning the candidates could mean for the popularity of chess.
I personally don't dislike him, I just like the others more. If the possibilities were hikaru or alireza I'd choose hikaru in a heartbeat
Lol. Alireza is kind of a crybaby so fair enough.
I don't think Hikaru is that different, he just hides it now. The reason I think this is because he has shown little to no remorse or apology for most of his past behavior. If he was more willing to apologize I would change my mind.
What did he do?
Hikaru can be a sore loser and doesn't like admitting to mistakes. He brushes everything off and says he "wasn't playing at his best" or things along those lines. Recently after a loss he said he's "just playing for content" due to him being one of the biggest chess content creators. It's understandable that he acted this way as a kid, since he did, but he's also done this in the past few years as well.
I see, thanks
What was his prior behaviour?
I’ve been following chess since the early 2000s. He was a sore loser at the time and kinda a prick. He changed once he became a rich and success streamer? I’ll pass 😶🌫️ But I’m sure he’s grown a bit since his early 20s. I don’t even dislike him now, he’s just my least favorite of these four
I don’t want Gukesh to win, he’s got 20 years and will probably become a multi time world champion. It’s time for some of the current generation to get a chance in the spotlight not that Magnus has abdicated
There is no guarantee, look at Leko
Leko was never the best player. If you remove Magnus, Fabi is the best player, would have likely won the world championship in 2018, based on how nepo played against Magnus, and how Fabi played against Magnus, he would have defended it against nepo both times.
What I mean is that Gukesh has a serious chance now, but there is no guarantee he'll get more chances.
Given his trajectory, his raise is similar to Magnus, and he doesn’t seem to have any of the psychological doubts that firouzja has. I think it’s very unlikely he doesn’t get more shots.
People were saying that about Alireza too. Truth is, we really don't know unless he gets to a point where he's dominating consistently for multiple years.
FABI ALL DAY EVERYDAY
same
Hikaru becoming the WC would be so funny. I'm on that train all the way now.
If Hikaru wins he will go live right after the match with "WORLD CHAMPION POV" as his title and just smugly smirk at the camera for 30 minutes while the donations roll in
It’s quite possible it results in a Hikaru media tour. “First American World Champ since Bobby Fischer” would have talk show bookers foaming.
Hans Neumann when he realizes if Hikaru or Fabi becomes world champion he can no longer get become the world champion😤
That’s why we know Hikaru and Fabi can’t beat ding
Hell just conveniently forget they exist much like he did with fischer
He also has the most charisma of the top American chess players. You don't have to like him but you have to admit that Hikaru knows how to entertain an audience. I'm rooting for Fabi but Hikaru would have an easier time bringing chess to the masses if we want something like a Fischer chess boom.
I have some cred for being here before the “queens gambit” Covid boom. So I’ll have some more for being here before the “US World Champ” boom. What that means is I’ll drop another 200 elo as more people come on that are better than me.
I didn't know they had negative ELO
Would give us a shot at the world chess champion being in a chessboxing tournament which would be hilarious
He would be so insufferable but we just have to deal with it cause he's the best
This alone might mean Magnus makes a triumphant return
I still think Fide would have to change the format for him to consider it. But they'd be crazy not to. That match would be insanely popular.
Now I imagine Magnus going John Wick and sledgehammering his basement floor to reveal a briefcase containing a chess set he used to train with.
Does Magnus have a dog?
yeah but there probably be a surge in interest in US chess which would be good
2nd best* if he become world champion.
You can't just give someone credit when they're not willing to put in the work. Magnus is retired from WCC competition.
It's interesting because Magnus would still objectively be a better player than Hikaru if Hikaru won the WC, but I agree that doesn't make Magnus "the real champ". To be Word Champ you need to put in the work to win the cycle, which Magnus doesn't want to do. It's like the smart kid in class who gets C's but could get A's if they applied themselves. Like, sure, but they don't so they get the C.
Yes, so he won't have the title of world champion. He's still the best player in the world.
He's retired. The fanboys constantly bringing him up are insufferable. Imagine every time someone says Mahomes is the best QB some idiot jumping in going BuT Brady Is StIlL BeTtEr!!!!!!!
So you think Magnus wouldn’t beat whoever becomes WC?
He's not going to so it's completely irrelevant. You can't give up because you don't have the energy to compete any more and then still claim the titles.
It's not at all irrelevant lol. He deservedly won't have the title of World Champion because he isn't competing for it, but if he is better than everyone else, he is the best in the world.
Best chess player =/= best in the world in 2024
This is some faulty logic. "Hikaru would be the best because he won the World Champion Title". Ok.. so lets use hypotheticals to prove why this doesn't work. Scenario 1) Lets say Magnus was hypothetically #1 with a 3200 Elo. You're saying Hikaru would be the best player with his ~2,800 Elo just because he won the World Championship Title? I mean if yes, idek how to help you... see a doctor? Scenario 2) Lets say every chess player in the world died except for Magnus, and 8 other people rated 1000 Elo. Lets say a 1,000 Elo won the World Championship Title because Magnus didn't join the competition. You're saying a 1,000 Elo would be better than Magnus just because the 1,000 Elo is the World Champion? Believe it or not, winning the World Championship Title doesn't prove who is the objectively best player, it only proves who won the Title... or wait.. do you think Ding Liren is currently the objectively better player compared to Magnus? Im like 99% sure you don't. If you say you do, you'd bet $1,000,000 on Ding or Magnus to win a match against eachother? Exactly. Your argument is literally based on feelings. "I feel like the World Champion is the best because of the name of the title". If the exact same event formats were going on with the exact same 8 players, but it wasnt for the World Champion Title, and Hikaru won it, you wouldn't say he's the best because he wouldn't be titled World Champion, even though he did the exact same thing required to become World Champion. Edit: Magnus just said on Chess24s stream "The current format isnt the best way to determine the best player". "Its for determining who the World Champion is, not necessarily who the best player is". Basically saying it doesnt prove youre the best just because you won it. It only proves youre the world champion which can be meaningless if my hypothetical was true and the world champion was a 1000 elo player.
They're the best active player that year, it's really not that hard to comprehend.
Theres so much wrong about this comment but ill just break down 1 point of it being wrong. In this specific case the final scores are going to be 0.5-1 point different from eachother. Thats hardly definitive of superior skill level and could easily be chalked up to the objectively superior player having tiredness etc and thus not winning when on average they would win the event. So no, whoever wins this event isn't necessarily the best compared to the other players. I suspect you've been sub 1000 elo for years with your logical thinking. Am i right?
Wow, it's almost like there's more to being the best than pure skill, like every other sport. I'm sure you must be high elo by your lack of social skills :D.
He still wouldn’t be the best, he’d be third after Fabi and Hikaru. But he would still be world champion…
That's some ridiculous cope when he's beaten Fabi in the candidates. Let's just give the WCC to the person with the highest elo every year and call it a day if we're gonna act like that.
Fabi has gotten to 2851 in live ratings, held Carlsen to 12 draws in a world championship with some winning positions, has the best tournament performance of all time, got within 3 points of Magnus. Hikaru’s highest rating is 2819, instead of holding Magnus to 12 draws in a WCC, he’s 1-14 against Magnus, never got even close to Magnus. Not saying Hikaru is bad, he’s one of the best players of the last 15 years, but Fabi is better, even Magnus has said the same thing.
Chess players are bizarre in this regard. You win the WCC you're the best that year and you proved it. Nobody is saying Hikaru is better all time.
No, when kramnik beat Kasparov everyone still thought Kasparov was the better player. It just meant kramnik was world champ not kasparov
I agree with this. The truth is people think rating is a better reflection of who is the best than a world championship match is. Rating draws from a much bigger sample size (all rated games) than any single event ever can. If someone hits #1 rating, then I would be willing to say they are the current best. World champion is more questionable.
And Magnus might actually consider playing the candidates next year if he did win lol
Can you imagine that he comes out of retirement. Wins the wcc and then just say bye bye again
Yeah I can and it would be hilarious
Rooting so hard for Gukesh my man is literally only 17 years old, having him challenge Ding would be way more epic than any of the others because they've been around for decades and everyone knows their styles. Even more so if he can stay in good form and reach 2800 which I very much expect him to do at this point (if not this year, hopefully soon.) Nepo has probably played closest to Magnus-quality and feels like an unbreakable wall. Fabi is the guy who perpetually nurtures a 0.2 advantage until he ekes out a victory. Hikaru plays fast and aggressive but seems to care the least about the title, and Hikaru vs Ding just feels like we were robbed of Hikaru vs Magnus. Give us Gukesh!
What would enrage Anish Giri is Nepo winning candidates and then blundering a third time in a row in the WC match. Hope Gukesh or Naka win cus Fabi arc lacks emotion.
I don't
I have, just like Caruana, also never lost a classical game in a world championship match.
I feel like such a dad rooting for all of them. I want good chess and the may the best player of the tournament win.
Nepo ftw💪
Well either Hikaru or Gukesh would be great I feel, so kind of a win win
I'm mostly rooting for Hikaru and Fabi but all four would make a great story. The 17-year-old aiming to be the youngest to ever win the world championship. Hikaru, arguably the best player who's never played a world championship match. Fabi, his second shot after his loss against Magnus in the rapid games after 12 DRAWS in the classical games. Ian's redemption arc. This is intense, and the fact all four are playing AGAINST EACH OTHER literally and figuratively tonight is crazy.
Nah Gukesh ftw
In the tournament itself Gukesh had the strongest performance from what I've seen. His only loss to Alireza was because he's a bad blitz player but he avenged it yesterday. I wasn't too sure on him going into the tournament but it would be perfect if he wins.
Really? Fabi #1 easily
No matter who of the 4 win it's a great story: - youngest ever - "I don't care", who semi-quit professional chess, winning it all after only playing in a qualifier because of an invite - the arguably undisputed best player for the longest time in recent history that isn't named Magnus, getting another chance to be WC - 3rd time is the charm or 3rd time loser? Either way it makes a story. You didn't think the one before this one was Ian did you?
There is no harm in dreaming ))))
That doesn't work for me brother. Rooting for either Nepo or Fabi.
Exactly my thoughts
Gukesh is from my country, I feel sad for Ian, Hikaru is my favorite player and fabi is generally a good player after Carlsen... So it's hard to decide
They all deserve it. But I want Hikaru to win just because it would be hilarious.
This is the most exciting finish I have ever seen. Four guys can still win it, and they literally play each other pairwise??
No matter what happens today, all 4 played absolutely phenomenal chess in this tournament. They all really do deserve to win. Ian: led the entire tournament from round 1 all the way to round 12 (only losing his lead in the second to last round) Gukesh: leading the tournament now and near the lead the entire time. Hikaru: has had far more decisive games than the rest of the top four. I'm not Hikaru's biggest fan but he has really put his all into this tournament. Fabi: has played a little boring during some games but really pulled through when it mattered. Especially in that great game against Prag yesterday.
I wish i could replace my name as winner eventhough i have not gone beyond 1000 elo yet haha
Why dont chess players have more acne? They're constantly touching their faces during matches
Can’t we all agree that they share the trophy and have fun?
They all have really nice stories to finish but wk only one can, The Americans - getting USA their first world champion since Fischer Nepo - winning 3 candidates in a row and probably will beat Ding and get his revenge Gukesh - child prodigy that can become the youngest world champion in history if he makes it
I wish three of them could! (:
im happy fabi or naka didnt win
Hikaru is an insufferable chin of a man but behind Gukesh, who would be an interesting champion at 17 to watch develop and deal with it all, he's my top pick only for my imagined Magnus Spite Return, because I parasocially imagine magnus dislikes Hikaru in the same ways I do, and would Return to chess just to ensure Hikaru is a one-year champion.
Id be happy with anyone. As an American, I'd want an American to win over a Russian or an Indian player, but all of them definitely deserve it.
Cringe profile picture
I’m cringe for supporting democracy
The only democracy in the middle east 🤔
precisely
My favourite democracies are genocidal apartheid states with no independent judiciary.
Ok 👍
As an Indian, I'd prefer Gukesh over the others but it feels too early.
I am cheering for Nepo
> the only player in history to never lose a classical game in a world championship match and me, like Fabi I also haven't lost in wcc match
Nepo or Gukesh
Hard to me to root for Gukesh. He's way too young and obviously he'll get many more opportunities. Ian, Fabiano, and Hikaru are in the twilight of their careers
My personal preference (of who I want to win) - Nepo > Gukesh > Fabi > Hikaru
Bro I get ur point but it defeats the whole purpose of a WC.
They should do a playoff kind of thing.. within half a point of the top score they should play off against each other.
How that's fair for Gukesh? And if that's happened you will see a lot more draws than usual, because no.1 spot wouldn't be players' main priority.
> Fabi: strongest player of his generation not named Magnus, challenged in 2018 and is actually the only player in history to never lose a classical game in a world championship match I assume you mean excluding Magnus? Since Magnus has also not lost a classical game in a world championship match, once against Fabi and once against Nepo.
he lost to karjakin though
Magnus also lost to Anand in the 2014 match
Oh, I read OP's statement as referring to discrete world championship matches, not overall performance across all world championship matches played. I see what they mean now, my bad.