Wow, this has some entertainment potential. Is there some sort of history between the Giri and Magnus?

Lines for round 1:

Yep, should make for a great tournament. I just hope the winner isn't decided by a godawful tiebreaker like 2013, only thing that could ruin it. I haven't looked at if they have different rules this time or not

I agree a tiebreak would be pretty lame.

And scores the first win!

And a nice notch for the "old man" too

Very nice win by Kramnik.

He's showing excellent form to start.

Mamedyarov just made a Queen ending look simple af vs The Minister of Defense.

3 decisive games to start the Candidates. I'm McLovin' it!

Meh, I understand nothing about Queen endgames, but I don't think I would ever play Kg3 letting him take the pawn with check. Looks more like Karjakin threw an easy* draw into the bin there.

Apparently they are not only playing in a dungeon but living in the conditions of one too. Sounds really bad for any event, let alone one of this magnitude with only 8 players to organize for.

Round 2 predictions-

2 draws. Ding/Fabi being one of them.

If Mamed wins he'll go on to win the tourney.

Karjakin playing for his life tomorrow

No ****ing way does Aronian lose to Mamed tomorrow.

Mamedyarov grinds down KARJAKIN of all people! Who does this guy think he is all of a sudden?

It was nice to see Kramnik's technique on display too. That piece coordination.

Was it Mamedyarov that said he could see Judit Polgar's analysis from in the hall? What the hell kind of organization is this?

An embarrassing one.

Mr. Grischuk:

"It's a bad day for me for this question, because I think the playing conditions are absolutely terrible. Now that I've lost, it will sound like an excuse, but believe me it's not. There's not even water in the toilet!"

Apparently the world chess consortium has employed a "make up the rules as you go!" attitude for its championship for hundreds of years up until 2013.

The chess world's sloppiness helps put Bobby Fischer's neuroses in better light, as he had the both the right and the need to put his foot down on details beyond importance. His forfeiture of the title came down to a demand that every single Russian champion before him was granted.

And now they still can't even get basic accommodations right. Chess is the coolest game in the world because of those who play it, yet they aren't properly being taken care of.

I'd think it wouldn't be such a large task to grow the game.

This is such a great post and you should feel great too.

Growing the game is not the primary concern of FIDE and AGON. Growing their own bank accounts and laundering money. is.

I attended the World Championship match in NYC in 2016. It was a miserable set-up for any spectator who did not buy a VIP ticket.

Damn. Haven't they heard of daylight savings in Germany

Ding Caruana game seems spicy thus far

Really spectacular win by Kramnik today. Wow. Judit was loving it. Long tournament, so still time for Aronian but a tough start for him.

Kramnik with a smashing win with the Black Pieces! In 27 moves too, nearly a Knockout!

Nothing like a great exchange sacrifice!

I'm McLovin' it!

That win by Kramnik was awe inspiring.

And that's why you probably shouldn't try anything interesting against Kramnik, ever. lol