Candidates 2024

Round Three of our Spring Quads Tournament is almost complete and, as usual, is producing some interesting chess. In the case of Section C it is also producing nearly as much traffic at the top of the scoreboard as in the Candidates Tournament currently going on in Toronto! Hendrik (@hwelman) and Richard (@rsava) lead with 2½ out of 3 and are closely followed by Julian with 2 points. In Section B we may be witnessing the emergence of a new star in the form of Gus' father Michael (@ramirezmj). Michael has played some impressive chess - take a look for instance at this quick and clean victory against Tom (@MrPithers). In Section A we have completed the first half of the double round-robin and there veterans Gus (@sourbaum) and Dominic (@Darktigr) share the lead with a score of 2/3. All the details are of course available on the pairings and standings document

I am lucky enough to live only a six hour drive from Toronto and now that I am retired, had the time to attend rounds 11 & 12 of the tournament. I was joined there by my old friend Peter (@flamingorange). Watching the games live is pretty special as you can feel the tension on the boards become very palpable in the room - especially as the players arrive at the first time control. There is no increment for the first forty moves of the games so this makes the last few minutes even more fun than usual!

The games are fun to watch of course but the real enjoyment for me is the chance to bask in the whole atmosphere of top-level chess. The venue is small and the number of spectators is therefore limited which makes for quite an intimate atmosphere. When Peter Svidler or Ben Finegold comes into the spectator room to share their thoughts on the games it is easy to engage with them, ask questions or even convince them to play the odd game of blitz. Of course I felt no need to challenge Svidler as I had already had my clock thoroughly cleaned by a ten year-old kid from Mexico who I met at the front door where he was looking to have his chessboard autographed by all sixteen of the candidates (the eight players of the Open Section as well as the eight from the Women's Section). He seemed so sweet and innocent (and tolerant of my clumsy Spanish) until we sat down to play!

If you ever get the opportunity to attend an event like this, I fully recommend that you jump on it. This is a winner take all tournament since the only prize that counts is the chance to play a match for the World Championship and this adds an extra layer of tension and excitement that seems to be contagious. It means that you follow the games that much more intensely and since you are so completely engaged, learn so much while enjoying every minute of it.

Good luck in the next rounds. My calendar promises me that life will be a little less frenetic for the next few weeks so I hope to be a bit more present and engaged with the games of the rest of the tournament. Good luck to you all in round 4 !

David