I'm not sure anyone has even decent chances to beat Magnus in a match, but who would you like to see play him?

Nakamura. The "rivalry" already exists, and Carlsen-Naka is the only match that could be entertaining as a total rout.

Wesley So.

But really, Nakamura. USA#2!!

Last Hurrah fr Aronian. Think he would make it a good match too.

Aronian/Caruana/Kramnik. I'm not sure there's anyone else who could put up a good fight. lol Nakamura.

caruana ainec

If it's someone to root for, I'd pick Aronian or Kramnik, though neither is in top form.

Caruana would prob be the toughest opponent for Carlsen, but I do think Nakamura would sure guarantee an interesting/entertaining match, regardless of result.

Considering the candidates so far, I'd pick Nakamura.

Caruana.

Kate Upton

I want to see Wei Yi win the Candidates, raising his rating above the 2800 mark for the first time in the process, while posting a performance rating in the tournament of 2900+.

Anotherand

Wei Yi or Caruana would be sweet tho

I'd definitely root for Wei Yi over anyone.

whats the chances he qualifies BJJ?

Anand again, always Anand.

Extremely low this cycle.

Caruana

To follow up, the only two paths he has would be to reach the finals of the World Cup or to be selected as a wild card.

The former is pretty unlikely for ANY one player. Highest rated player in the field probably has at absolute best around a 20% chance of qualifying. The latter probably can only happen if China ends up hosting the Candidates Tournament (and even then only if he's the #1 rated player in the country by that time). He's intriguing because of his youth, but unless he's rated 2775 or so by December he's probably a cycle away from realistically being in any serious kind of contention. And even if his rating rises that high, again, he's an unlikely wild card choice from any host other than China.

Third time is a charm, or whatever that saying is.

Would only be disappointed with Vishy or Kramnik, and then only mildly so.

Got to be Caruana after his performance at the Sinquefield Cup.

Caruana or Naka I guess

anyone except Naka or Anand

Nakamura.



Seriously though, hard to see any choice but Caruana.

Caruana gives Carlsen the toughest time, right? So probably him. Anand is good, too, but we've seen them plenty of times.

Not Nakamura b/c he seems like a turd and I'd hate for him to donk a World Champion title.

What the heck happened to Aronian? Wasn't he like 2820 last year?

Kramnik. Running out of chances to see him match with Carlsen and I want to see it. He doesn't have the stamina and consistency of Carlsen, so can't keep up with him in tournaments for the most part, but I still feel like Kramnik is the one guy who is on Carlsen's level of chess understanding and is capable of truly outplaying him and conversely, not collapsing to his pressure