With only a few days to go until the tournament, chess content creators are scrambling to say something new about the Candidates and they’re failing miserably.
Ian Nepomniachtchi
Chess - The reigning Candidates Champion (is this a thing?) can beat anybody in the world (in tournaments) and could definitely win it again. 4/5
Sex appeal - His recent shift towards more solid “real” openings hasn’t ruined the overall sexiness of his chess. He’s aggressive, dangerous & irresponsible with his clock. 5/5
Meme appeal - Finishes games with more time than he started. Highest rated man-bun of all time. Willing to talk shit about children on Twitter. 5/5
Magnus appeal - After winning the 2021 match in a convincing manner, it doesn’t seem likely that Carlsen would savour a rematch. 1/5
Personal preference - He’s fun to watch, and fun in interviews but I think there’s no chance Carlsen plays him again. It’s a no from me.
Fabiano Caruana
Chess - It’s weird that he’s not over 2800 anymore. 4/5
Sex appeal - He plays full, fighting games but doesn’t take as many unreasonable risks as some of the others (because he is gooder at chess). 4/5
Meme appeal - There’s not much to work with here. Sometimes his hair is kinda big? 2/5
Magnus appeal - I don’t think Carlsen wants to play anyone he’s already beaten, so I don’t see it happening. 1/5
Personal preference - Caruana would be a worthy WC but it’s just hard to see Carlsen playing the match against him. Also a nope from me.
Ding Liren
Chess - One of the most active players on earth. The current world #2. The only man who could stop Praggnanandhaa at the Chessable Masters. 5/5
Sex appeal - Very strong and hard to beat. 4/5
Meme appeal - Seems to be an all-around nice guy but he did once withdraw from Norway Chess after throwing himself off a bike. Clearly, there is potential. Took Karjakin’s spot which is objectively funny. 3/5
Magnus appeal - Carlsen hasn’t played Ding in a match and he seems to like him, so maybe it could happen. 3/5
Personal preference - If Magnus plays, great. If he doesn’t, then at least the #2 plays someone else. Go Ding!
Alireza Firouzja
Chess - He’s the Alireza of chess. 5/5
Sex appeal - He wants to kill everybody all of the time. 5/5
Meme appeal - Once assaulted a water bottle. Complained about Carlsen swearing in Norwegian. Yelled at an arbiter. His brother is fun. A WC match would have some incredibly enjoyable press conferences. 5/5
Magnus appeal - Carlsen jumped on the bandwagon and stated that he’ll only play the Alireza of WC matches. This is the one he wants. 5/5
Personal preference - He’s the French favourite, he’s the fan favourite, and he’s Carlsen’s favourite. He’s the Alireza of Alirezas.
COMMENTARY PREDICTION
No contest, there’s only one favourite.
You had me until that picture of Jan in a wig.
incredible