The future world chess championship challenger is currently being decided in Madrid. However, the current world chess champion Magnus Carlsen is not happy with the way the Grand Masters are proceeding at the candidates’ tournament 2022. He has slammed all the contenders for poor gameplay so far in the tournament.
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The five-time world chess champion Magnus Carlsen is closely analyzing every game of the candidates. He is even doing commentary in some of the games. Magnus is counting on Alireza Firouzja to win the tournament because of his earlier claims. However, so far, Russian Grand Master Ian Nepomniachtchi has the sole lead.
Candidates do not impress Magnus Carlsen
The Norwegian Grand Master has always been quite open about his views on the game. Thus, once again, he blatantly showcased his distress on the poor gameplay so far in the tournament.
He said, “Frankly I don?t think anybody?s played particularly well so far! There have been a surprising amount of interesting games. Normally there?s going to be a bit more non-games, but there?s been, I think, one actual non-game played so far.”
Magnus: “Frankly I don’t think anyone’s played particularly well so far!” #FIDECandidates
? chess24.com (@chess24com) June 22, 2022
On the last world chess championship challenger, Nepomniachtchi, he further added, “Obviously Ian is leading and he?s done well, but I think he?s gotten a couple of pretty nice gifts, that he?s obviously taken, but still a bit better than you can expect.”
Candidates tournament so far
The Russian Grand Master Ian Nepomniachtchi is at the top with four wins, followed by Fabiano Caruana with three wins. On the other hand, five of the eight candidates haven’t even won a single game yet. Among the Grand Masters who haven’t scored a win yet is the Carlsen’s favorite for the tournament Alireza Firouzja.
Ian Nepomniachtchi wins against Alireza Firouzja with White and extends his lead with two wins and two draws in four rounds.? #FIDECandidates pic.twitter.com/D0GwAL3sey
? International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) June 21, 2022
While there were a lot of expectations from the youngest Grand Master to cross the 2800 Elo rating, his performance has been unimpressive. Also, given that he made a huge blunder in the match against Nepo, he seems to be under a lot of pressure.
Who do you think will be the next world chess championship challenger against Magnus Carlsen?
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Written by
Edited by
Manaal Siddiqui