Candidates Tournament 2020

[Matt Mackenzie]

I'm not sure how Radjabov can sue anybody when he withdrew? Nobody kicked him out. But the law is strange sometimes.

I presume his argument would be FIDE were reckless in going ahead in the first place? But not sure how well that would fare legally, granted.

[Jonathan Rogers]

My guess would be breach of contract (implied term that competition in which he was entitled to play and earn momey would be organised competently) - and he only withdrew in response to that breach. So recklessness from FIDE does come into it, yes; and it would really NOT be so strange!

[Jonathan Rogers]

Had no idea that Radjabov is a lawyer, by the way. Actually I now see that I knew altogether very little about him!

[NickFaulks]

Yes, and he's a lawyer himself

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I've never heard this before. What's the source?

[NickFaulks]

I presume his argument would be FIDE were reckless in going ahead in the first place? But not sure how well that would fare legally, granted.

Unless the case were heard in the US, where he might get $100m for his hurt feelings, I'd say no chance at all.

[Mick Norris]

Yes, and he's a lawyer himself

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I've never heard this before. What's the source?

Radjabov in 1 of his interviews chess.com

I’m actually a lawyer myself but certainly, here I will need real professionals who are always there doing their jobs because I’m certainly more a professional chess player than a lawyer

[JustinHorton]

I presume his argument would be FIDE were reckless in going ahead in the first place? But not sure how well that would fare legally, granted.

Unless the case were heard in the US, where he might get $100m for his hurt feelings

<citation needed>

[NickFaulks]

Radjabov in 1 of his interviews chess.com

I’m actually a lawyer myself but certainly, here I will need real professionals who are always there doing their jobs because I’m certainly more a professional chess player than a lawyer

Thanks, I take that to mean that he has taken law exams, which I did not realise.

I was told a long time ago that he was exceptionally bright, much more academic than your average top GM. Despite having lost some formal education to chess, I can easily believe that he has quite deep knowledge on various subjects, and that law is one of them.

[JustinHorton]

My understanding is similar to Ian Rogers above, that Fide wants the match to be part of Expo Dubai and that therefore a postponement to 2021 is very likely.

[Chris Rice]

Update during half-time...

"Chess24 tweeted (during the Steinitz Memorial) on the Candidates:

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich "We're hopeful we can do it by September - it's 60%" On the match - "December is still possible, but it's more likely we shift it to 2021"

[Chris Rice]

Grischuk: "It is clear to me that FIDE had some unspoken reason(s) to try to hold the Candidates at all costs... The only strong opinion I have is: it is MUCH better not to start the tournament at all than to start and then interrupt it"

[Mick Norris]

chess24

Sutovsky

We plan to go ahead with the Candidates in September/October, and except for Russia, we are reviewing a couple of other possible venues that confirmed their interest to host the second half

and about the WC match

We came to an agreement that scheduling it for this year, as originally planned, is impossible. Two options are on the table now: spring 2021 and autumn 2021

[Chris Rice]

One detects the tell-tale signs of desperation from FIDE:

"Dear national federations and members of the chess community:

FIDE is making every effort to ensure that the second leg of the Candidates 2020 will be held in Autumn 2020. Over the past three months, we have intensified our contacts with chess organizers, especially from countries in the so-called "green zone". We have tried to identify potential venues where the epidemiological conditions would allow for the event to be resumed under safe conditions.

We are going to extend this consultation period for a few more days, until August 21, 12:00 CET. If you are a chess promoter and your country meets these conditions, please don't hesitate to contact us at your earliest convenience, indicating your relevant experience in organizing top-level events and possible sources of funding. Given the constantly-changing situation, we would like to consider all the potential alternatives before making a decision.

Please use our official email [email protected] for any communications on this matter."

[JustinHorton]

And we roll again on 1 November, say FIDE

[Mick Norris]

Interesting, we will see if it happens

Wonder what the players think