The Grand Prix sequence

Hikaru Nakamura is certainly one in every of a sort. After greater than two years away from the classical chess board, dedicating his time to change into the world’s primary chess streamer and content material creator, Nakamura accepted FIDE’s wildcard nominee to hitch the circuit as soon as once more for the 2022 FIDE Grand Prix.

(title picture – Hikaru Nakamura, credit score FIDE / Niki Riga)

Although nonetheless an especially robust participant, it was laborious to imagine that he may very well be a drive to contemplate: elite chess is basically robust and full dedication is important to carry out on the highest ranges. FIDE gave me the chance, as Press Officer for the primary leg of the sequence, to witness how the American was going to show everyone flawed.

(IM Michael Rahal interviewing GM Hikaru Nakamura – credit score FIDE / Pierre Adenis)

He took down the primary leg of the Grand Prix in February in Berlin, with a fairly convincing efficiency might I say, defeating Levon Aronian in one of the thrilling tiebreaks that I’ve seen stay in my life. He took dwelling €24,000 and 13 extraordinarily worthwhile Grand Prix factors. Although I assumed that he had carried out very well, Hikaru modestly shook it off: “I was quite fortunate in the first leg as I got players who hadn’t played as much; they weren’t sharp”.

https://lichess.org/examine/vUYoSMED#0
(My favorite Nakamura Grand Prix sport – Nakamura versus Grischuk)

Neither of the 2 finalists participated within the second leg held in Belgrade a few weeks later – every of the 24 certified Grandmasters took half in two of the three occasions. Local participant GM Richard Rapport, born in Hungary however at present residing within the Serbian capital, was eradicated within the Berlin semi-finals by Nakamura, however he took full benefit of his peak kind successful outright the second leg of the sequence. This incredible rating, added to the factors obtained in Berlin, put the Hungarian in clear first for one of many two Candidates spots: greater than 95% probability to qualify.

(GM Richard Rapport – credit score FIDE / Mark Livshitz)

The third leg noticed a return to the Berlin venue, on the finish of March. Nakamura once more carried out at a very excessive 2800+ stage, defeating contender Levon Aronian within the group stage and taking down Shakhriyar Mamedyarov within the semi-finals. With this end result, he clinched the second Candidates spot. However, American GM Wesley So proved to be a tricky nut to crack within the closing.

So additionally reached the semi-finals within the first leg however on that event fell quick. “That’s what chess is. You practice so laborious after which every little thing is determined by that essential few seconds of choice making”, was Wesley So’s closing reflection. However, Wesley will not be one to draw back from a comeback. The second time round he introduced his A-game to the board and defeated Nakamura in the tiebreaks by 1.5-0.5, successful the occasion and taking third place within the Grand Prix standings.

The Candidates Tournament

The 2022 Candidates Tournament is scheduled to happen in Madrid, Spain from June sixteenth to July fifth. The venue is the centric Palacio de Santoña location, a brief 10-minute stroll from most of Madrid’s main vacationer sights such because the Prado Museum, the Retiro Park or the well-known Plaza Mayor.

(the outside of the Palace – Wikipedia / Luis Garcia CC-BY-2.0)

I will likely be personally attending as a spectator on the primary weekend: Barcelona-Madrid is a brief three-hour practice journey and the spectacle that awaits us there will likely be big. I anticipate that attendance to the occasion will likely be huge so guide your tickets quickly!

Seven of the eight individuals have already been confirmed. Based on the April 1st FIDE ranking listing, the certified gamers are:

1. GM Alireza Firouzja (France 2804) certified because the winner of the 2021 FIDE Grand Swiss.
2. GM Fabiano Caruana (USA 2781) certified because the runner-up of the 2021 FIDE Grand Swiss.
3. GM Richard Rapport (Hungary 2776) certified because the 2022 FIDE Grand Prix runner-up.
4. GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia 2773), certified because the World Championship runner-up.
5. GM Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan 2753) FIDE nomination.
6. GM Hikaru Nakamura (USA 2750) certified because the 2022 FIDE Grand Prix winner.
7. GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland 2750), certified because the winner of the 2021 World Cup.
8. Vacant, to be determined by highest ranking by the top of the May 2022 FIDE ranking listing following GM Sergey Karjakin’s 6 month suspension

FIDE’s choice to revoke GM Sergey Karjakin’s (Russia 2747) qualification as 2021 World Cup runner-up signifies that as but there may be nonetheless one spot up for grabs. Under the present guidelines and laws, two gamers are heavy favourites for qualifying by ranking: GM Ding Liren (China 2799) and GM Levon Aronian (Armenia 2785), each of them world-class elite.

The Chinese 29 year-old will journey to Madrid if he’s able to reaching the 30-game minimal requirement – having simply received the Hangzhou quadruple Round Robin by a transparent margin, mopping up 12 of the 30 video games, I might say that he’s properly underway. Due to journey and visa restrictions, Ding Liren has hardly performed OTB chess for almost two years.

According to his upcoming preparation schedule, it appears he’ll make it: after 4 of the six video games in his encounter towards fellow countrymen Wei Yi the rating is at present 2-2 (4 attracts) and he can even take part in a ten spherical qualifier for the Asian video games on the finish of April. As lengthy as he doesn’t massively underperform and lose many ranking factors – extremely unlikely – the eighth Candidates spot ought to be for him.

I would love to listen to your ideas on who’s the favorite to win the occasion and problem Magnus Carlsen for the world title. I’ve my private favorite and I promise so as to add my remark to the discussion board in just a few days: now it’s YOUR flip to maneuver!

Originally born within the UK, IM Michael Rahal can also be a FIDE Trainer, and the present Chess Champion of Spain (Veteran, 50+ class). Based in Barcelona, Michael has coached chess gamers of all ages for greater than 25 years in English and Spanish, and has written chess books, chess journalism, and commentary and broadcasts – together with most lately on the FIDE Grand Prix and FIDE Sochi World Cup. Around this, Michael additionally actively maintains an instructive YouTube channel, and can also be lively on Twitter.