FIDE World Cup 30 October - 27 November 2025

[Thomas Rendle]

Much more of this and FIDE will be concerned that relatively unknown players will qualify and go nowhere.

Alternatively, it is increasingly Keymer's event to lose.

He's obviously in great form, but other players in his quarter include: Pragg, MVL, Vidit, Rapport & Dubov. Only one of this group (including Keymer) can qualify for the Candidates via this event.

[Jonathan Rogers]

I was about to say that he might not have to worry about Rapport, who was losing his first round game to Erdogmus, but he seems now to be surviving. Only Dubov can explain why he took a six move draw with White!

Has anyone that mentioned Wei Yi is even playing? He would be worth a bet for tournament winner, given suitable odds.

I hadn't realised that I was watching the second games! Makes Vidit's loss in his second game even more surprising - he only had to hold with White.

Dubov appears to have been attempting to imitate Grischuk earlier ...

[Mick Norris]

Much more of this and FIDE will be concerned that relatively unknown players will qualify and go nowhere.

Alternatively, it is increasingly Keymer's event to lose.

He's obviously in great form, but other players in his quarter include: Pragg, MVL, Vidit, Rapport & Dubov. Only one of this group (including Keymer) can qualify for the Candidates via this event.

Pragg looks likely to qualify via the FIDE Circuit if he doesn't do so here

Bluebaum already qualified is the only left who doesn't need to reach the semifinal, but if he does the other 3 are in

Keymer does look to be in the strongest quarter

[Leonard Barden]

Almost all the casualties so far are in the bottom half of the draw.

The net result is that Le 2732, Sindarov 2725, Liang 2710, or a sub-2700 player will now reach the final and so qualify for the Candidates.

[NickFaulks]

Dubov Meier is worth a look if you like that sort of thing.

https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-worl ... o/eh6tDnYp

I thought 7...Nf5 was supposed to be unplayable.

[LawrenceCooper]

Dubov Meier is worth a look if you like that sort of thing.

https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-worl ... o/eh6tDnYp

I thought 7...Nf5 was supposed to be unplayable.

I hadn't seen it before and a quick search only found a Pranav blitz game where black didn't play Nh6 and was quickly lost.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Looking for a quick reminder (but doing so here in case I am not the only one) - do losing semi-finalists still play off for a third candidate's spot?

[LawrenceCooper]

Looking for a quick reminder (but doing so here in case I am not the only one) - do losing semi-finalists still play off for a third candidate's spot?

I think there's a play-off for "bronze" regardless of if there is a Candidates place at stake or not.

[NickFaulks]

I think there's a play-off for "bronze" regardless of if there is a Candidates place at stake or not.

There is a $10,000 prize differential.

[Jonathan Rogers]

I'll rephrase - is there a third candidate's spot?

[LawrenceCooper]

MVL-Artemiev armageddon game coming up after a run of decisive games.

[LawrenceCooper]

I'll rephrase - is there a third candidate's spot?

Yes, there is. I phrased my reply as I did as it's not certain yet if any of the four semi-finalists will be already qualified.

[Mick Norris]

I'll rephrase - is there a third candidate's spot?

Yes, unless Bluebaum is in the semifinal then arguably the 3rd place playoff is more important than the final

[LawrenceCooper]

MVL-Artemiev armageddon game coming up after a run of decisive games.

MVL wins the armageddon game after coming back from one down twice in the blitz.

[Jonathan Rogers]

thanks for above replies on the third candidates' spot.

Artemiev's clock handling was insane in both final games. He seemed to get a bad bargain in Armageddon too.