Your choice of commentators for high level tournaments and/or matches?

[Garvinator]

With a little bit of the discussion in the current 2020 Women's World Championship match thread between defending champion Wenjun Ju and her challenger Aleksandra Goryachkina regarding the commentary, I thought I would start a separate thread and ask the chesschat universe to name some decent commentators that they have enjoyed commentating these matches.

After we have quite a few names listed, I will add a poll with those included and everyone can vote for their favourite commentator, or commentary set.

A small proviso. I have noticed it has been rather standard to have one male and one female commentator, especially when the event is open, or involves a female section.

So naming two male commentators, or two female commentators, may not accurately reflect a favourite pair.

Small discussion is ok, but as I said, I will create a poll after collecting individual names, so feel free to discuss in that thread.

[MichaelBaron]

I love listening to Svidler!

[ER]

Yep! Peter, Yasser, Sasha and Sasha's baby!

[pappubahry]

Svidler and Gustafsson are my favourite pair.

Very often in the male-female pairs, the woman is rated hundreds of points below the man, and contributes little to the chess discussion. Judit Polgar's the obvious exception, but I also like Jovanka Houska.

[Desmond]

Robert Hess & Alexandra Botez

[Garvinator]

Out of all the commentators I have heard over the years, I think Susan Polgar has probably been the best. Easy to understand commentary, would explain what was happening in the position, would mention a few candidate moves and was usually right about what move would be played next. Or the move played was in her list of candidate moves.

But one item really did impress me about her commentary. She would not throw the pieces around the board and when a new move was played, she went straight back to the game position and starting talking about the new position.

[Desmond]

^ yes I like Susan Polgar too

[Beckford]

I really like Jan Gustafsson. Not sure who would I pair him with though. I guess it doesn't really matter.

[machomortensen]

I'm not listening much, but Yasser Seirawan and Stellan Brynell spring in my mind as the best ... The best female commentator might be the young Swedish Ana Cramling.

Zsusza Polgar is by miles the worst ... Followed by Simon Williams.

[ER]

As from the Australians

I 'd go for Ian. I 've seen him live (Not on TV of course) 5-6 times. He is pure magic.
Explains everything and answers all questions by the audience the best way he can. (Huge contribution by Cathy)
I have only seen Guy and Jammo commentating in one occasion so I can't really be in position to judge.
I can't say I wasn't impressed either!

[Garvinator]

As from the Australians

I 'd go for Ian. I 've seen him live (Not on TV of course) 5-6 times. He is pure magic.
Explains everything and answers all questions by the audience the best way he can. (Huge contribution by Cathy)
I have only seen Guy and Jammo commentating in one occasion so I can't really be in position to judge.
I can't say I wasn't impressed either!

Thank you for your kind words for Ian and Cathy Rogers, Guy West and Robert Jamieson, but for the purposes of this thread/discussion, it was designed for the commentators we listen to at Major events, just like the current Women's World Championship and the just finished World Rapid/Blitz Championship.

[Garvinator]

I will leave this thread open until the end of the Women's World Championship, as everyone who is following the coverage of the WWC, will get the opportunity of hearing Hou Yifan's commentary, which I have not heard before.

As long as Nigel Short shuts up for more than 30 seconds, of course

[ER]

Thank you for your kind words for Ian and Cathy Rogers, Guy West and Robert Jamieson, but for the purposes of this thread/discussion, it was designed for the commentators we listen to at Major events, just like the current Women's World Championship and the just finished World Rapid/Blitz Championship.

oops sorry, I should have read initial announcement more carefully! cheers!

[ER]

I will leave this thread open until the end of the Women's World Championship, as everyone who is following the coverage of the WWC, will get the opportunity of hearing Hou Yifan's commentary, which I have not heard before.

…

look forward to listen to her too! thanks!

[machomortensen]

Ian Rogers - for sure - is on par with the best in world. It's probably a matter of taste that I prefer Seirawan.