Candidates 2022 Madrid June 16 - July 7

[Capablanca-Fan]

So Nakamura bounced back with a win all other games drawn.

This win was more in Carlsen's style. Basically equal to slight plus for most of the game, and gradual grind.

[Scott Colliver]

Tonight looks very good for round 4, I am excited to see it play out.

Rapport - Nakamura
Nepo - Firouzja
Duda - Radjabov
Ding - Caruana

Nepo - Firouzja and Ding - Caruana could be key match ups for who is going to win the tournament while Rapport - Nakamura is most likely to be very interesting. Radjabov is probably going to play something as solid as possible with black against Duda but Duda might make things interesting.

[Scott Colliver]

Nepo crushes Firouzja to go to 3/4, another strong start to the Candidates.

[Desmond]

Nepo takes the sole lead with a critical win over Firouzja.

1. Nepo 3/4 +2
2. Caruana 2.5/4 +1
3-5. Duda, Rapport, Nakamura 2/4 +0
6-8. Ding, Radjabov, Firouzja 1.5/4 -1

[Kevin Bonham]

It's a worry, people are giving presents to Nepo again. Nepo winning the Candidates would not be a good result; it could be hard to interest sponsors in a rematch even assuming it was possible to interest Magnus in it.

[Ian Rout]

It's a worry, people are giving presents to Nepo again. Nepo winning the Candidates would not be a good result; it could be hard to interest sponsors in a rematch even assuming it was possible to interest Magnus in it.

Still early days. But as Mr Wilde almost said, winning the Candidates once might be fortunate, twice looks like a pattern.

Off the top of my head the players who have done that are Smyslov, Spassky, Karpov and Anand (the last subject to definition), so no rabbits there.

[Scott Colliver]

It's a worry, people are giving presents to Nepo again. Nepo winning the Candidates would not be a good result; it could be hard to interest sponsors in a rematch even assuming it was possible to interest Magnus in it.

It might be difficult to interest sponsors not only because it is likely to be a very one sided match again but also because Nepo is Russian.

And if Magnus decides not to play Nepo again then Nepo would play the second placed player and perhaps become World Champion, would be a rather weak World Champion

[MichaelBaron]

It's a worry, people are giving presents to Nepo again. Nepo winning the Candidates would not be a good result; it could be hard to interest sponsors in a rematch even assuming it was possible to interest Magnus in it.

And if Carlsen is less interested, sponsors would be even less interested. If not for the war, Russian's would probably push for Nepo being given the title directly in case of Carlsen's refusal to play the match.
Anyway, lets wait and see - still 9 rounds to go. Nepo often collapses after the first loss.

[Frank]

Nepo winning the Candidates would not be a good result; it could be hard to interest sponsors in a rematch even assuming it was possible to interest Magnus in it.

Nepomniachtchi is a hero, not only for his chess prowess but also for his bravery in being quick off the mark as one of the 44 Russians to sign the famous open letter to Putin opposing the war in Ukraine.

A man of courage is of great interest to the whole world today.

[Desmond]

It's a worry, people are giving presents to Nepo again. Nepo winning the Candidates would not be a good result; it could be hard to interest sponsors in a rematch even assuming it was possible to interest Magnus in it.

It seems almost certain that if Nepo is the candidate, that Magnus will not play. Which I think would be a real shame for the continuity of the title. Who knows, maybe he would change his mind.

Still a long way to go. Historically +3 has been the score needed, a strong run from here is certainly possible for pretty much anyone. Also Nepo is not good in long tournaments, he can fall apart pretty quickly.

[Ian Rout]

It seems almost certain that if Nepo is the candidate, that Magnus will not play. Which I think would be a real shame for the continuity of the title. Who knows, maybe he would change his mind.

I'm not entirely convinced that Magnus will step down. His record still needs a bit of bolstering - only two defences without tie-breaks, only one defence against a challenger not considered as a bit of a surprise. Neither of those are his fault but the record would look better with a bit more meat.

The problem with not playing the official match is that every time you play after that you're defending the title of Rightful Champion. And given the lottery of Candidates qualification it's a long way back if you change your mind.

Nepo would be the Challenger most likely to inspire him to quit because he has more to lose. Nepo would be mentally tougher with one match under his belt. The score in 2021 was identical to the score at the same stage (11 games) of KK84 but Gazza did a lot better in the rematch. Not that Nepo is likely to replicate that but it should be a lot closer.

[Kevin Bonham]

It might be difficult to interest sponsors not only because it is likely to be a very one sided match again but also because Nepo is Russian.

And if Magnus decides not to play Nepo again then Nepo would play the second placed player and perhaps become World Champion, would be a rather weak World Champion

Or we could have a World Champion who not only failed to beat Carlsen but had not even won the Candidates, which would be even less satisfactory.

[MichaelBaron]

Or we could have a World Champion who not only failed to beat Carlsen but had not even won the Candidates, which would be even less satisfactory.

The question is: how significant will the WC title be then? Pono and Kasymdzhanov and Khalifman all won world championships....but it has not really secured them places in chess history.

[Desmond]

I'm not entirely convinced that Magnus will step down.

I wasn't either at first, but after 6 months of consistent comments to that effect from him, and backed up by his seconds who appear to be convinced that he is completely serious etc, I think he's serious.

Nepo would be the Challenger most likely to inspire him to quit because he has more to lose.

More like, the challenger against whom he has the least to prove. He thrashed him last year.

[Scott Colliver]

Nepo and Caruana both win to make it look like a race between the two of them.

Firouzja now in last place has no chance of winning the Candidates.