2023 FIDE World Cup Sun 30th Jul 2023 - Thu 24th Aug 2023

[Christopher Kreuzer]

What is the record in classical chess between the two finalists? And what were the odds on Praggnanandhaa winning at the start of the event?

[Geoff Chandler]

Hi Chris,

I have no idea about his starting odds, he was seeded 31 so they would have been quite healthy.

He is in the candidates, as is Caruana and Abasov. Fabiano can now relax the weight of not qualifying for the candidates has been lifted. I expect him to do very well at the FIDE Grand Swiss in October. 'AS of August 16, the following players are expected to participate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIDE_Gran ... ament_2023

[Ian Jamieson]

Hi Chris,

I have no idea about his starting odds, he was seeded 31 so they would have been quite healthy.

He is in the candidates, as is Caruana and Abasov. Fabiano can now relax the weight of not qualifying for the candidates has been lifted. I expect him to do very well at the FIDE Grand Swiss in October. 'AS of August 16, the following players are expected to participate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIDE_Gran ... ament_2023

No English players? Or does it clash with something?

[Roger de Coverly]

No English players? Or does it clash with something?

Do any qualify? It's possible the handful that may have declined their invitation. There may still be organiser wildcards to go.

[IM Jack Rudd]

Howell and Adams were in the world's top 100 in June 2023, so would have qualified for it, but may have decided not to take up their places.

[Geoff Chandler]

I see 'Up to 5 players nominated by the organizer (Isle of Man International Chess Limited)'

So hopefully a regular from here will get to go and keep us updated on whats what.

[IM Jack Rudd]

A regular from here certainly is going, but I'll be on the other side of the desk. Probably arbiting the amateur sections like I was last time.

[Geoff Chandler]

Good Jack, You can keep us up to date with what's what (though you should be playing...I've seen these players games, they are not very good, enter and chisel your way into the candidates.)

[LawrenceCooper]

Abasov with white beats Caruana in 26 moves!

[Matt Mackenzie]

Goryachkina wins the second rapid tie-break game in 105 moves to win the women's world cup.

Salimova had a fairly simple way to force a draw around move 60, missed it and paid the penalty.

[NickFaulks]

Good Jack, You can keep us up to date with what's what (though you should be playing...I've seen these players games, they are not very good, enter and chisel your way into the candidates.)

I was going to query that, but after seeing Caruana play 23...Qb4 I'm not so sure. Aren't these guys supposed to have a sense of danger?

[Mick Norris]

By this stage of the World Cup, isn't everyone just knackered?

[LawrenceCooper]

By this stage of the World Cup, isn't everyone just knackered?

I suspect so, especially those who have had the additional stress of tie-breaks.

[Tim Harding]

You rarely see Caruana so thoroughly crushed as he was today by Abasov.
Apparently White's 22nd and 23rd were inaccurate and Black would have been fine with 23...f5 but instead he blundered.

[Event "FIDE World Cup 3rd place playoff"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2023.08.22"] [Round "65.2"] [White "Abasov, Nijat"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E05"] [WhiteElo "2632"] [BlackElo "2782"] [PlyCount "51"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"] [BlackTeam "United States"] [WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"] [BlackTeamCountry "USA"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4 Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nc3 h6 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Qd3 Bxf4 14. gxf4 a5 15. Kh1 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 c6 17. Rg1 Kh8 18. e4 Qe7 19. Rg3 Rad8 20. Rag1 Rg8 21. e5 Nh7 22. Qe3 Nb6 23. Be4 Qb4 24. Bxh7 Kxh7 25. Ne4 Qe7 26. f5 1-0

If 26...Nd5 White ignores the threat to his queen and breaks through by 27 f6

[LawrenceCooper]

You rarely see Caruana so thoroughly crushed as he was today by Abasov.
Apparently White's 22nd and 23rd were inaccurate and Black would have been fine with 23...f5 but instead he blundered.

[Event "FIDE World Cup 3rd place playoff"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2023.08.22"] [Round "65.2"] [White "Abasov, Nijat"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E05"] [WhiteElo "2632"] [BlackElo "2782"] [PlyCount "51"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"] [BlackTeam "United States"] [WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"] [BlackTeamCountry "USA"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4 Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nc3 h6 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Qd3 Bxf4 14. gxf4 a5 15. Kh1 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 c6 17. Rg1 Kh8 18. e4 Qe7 19. Rg3 Rad8 20. Rag1 Rg8 21. e5 Nh7 22. Qe3 Nb6 23. Be4 Qb4 24. Bxh7 Kxh7 25. Ne4 Qe7 26. f5 1-0

If 26...Nd5 White ignores the threat to his queen and breaks through by 27 f6

There are a couple of nice sacrificial finishes after 26...exf5 27 Nf6+ gxf6 28 Qxh6+ and 27... Kh8 28 Qxh6+