English Chess Forum

World Champion Ding Liren who has hardly played after winning the title due to ill health will be looking to start afresh and begin a legacy as champion. 7 of the 14 Masters are top 10 players but Magnus Carlsen is missing for only the second time in 20 years. The organisers say Carlsen has a busy schedule in February, I only have Prague as an event he could plausibly play but there's no indication that's it, so maybe something new, maybe something online. Other players missing are the leading Americans and MVL. Nevertheless it looks the usual right balance of different styles, ages and strengths of players to produce the usual great tournament.

Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:29 pm

Am I the only one hoping for Niemann to qualify for the top group next time...?

Geoff Chandler wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 23, 2023 9:45 pm

"Ding (I really hope he plays)"

I have sent a message to the organisers telling them I can take Ding's place if he pulls out. I'll let you know if I get a reply.

In the days before email I often use to apply for football managers jobs just so I
would a crested letter reply. Most replied but all surprisingly said 'No.'

The 86th Tata Steel chess tournament takes place Saturday 13th to Sun 28th Jan 2024 in Wijk aan Zee. Players: Masters: Ding Liren, Alireza Firouzja, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Anish Giri, D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Parham Maghsoodloo, Wei Yi, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Santosh Gujrathi Vidit, Jorden Van Foreest, Alexander Donchenko, Max Warmerdam and Wenjun Ju. Challengers: Anton Korobov, Hans Moke Niemann, Mustafa Yilmaz, A.R. Saleh Salem, Jaime Santos Latasa, Erwin L'Ami, Leon Luke Mendonca, Daniel Dardha, Marc Andria Maurizzi, Liam Vrolijk, Harika Dronavalli, Stefan Beukema, Deshmukh Divya and Eline Roebers.

World Champion Ding Liren who has hardly played after winning the title due to ill health will be looking to start afresh and begin a legacy as champion. 7 of the 14 Masters are top 10 players but Magnus Carlsen is missing for only the second time in 20 years. The organisers say Carlsen has a busy schedule in February, one of those being a shuffle chess event. Other players missing are the leading Americans and MVL. Nevertheless it looks the usual right balance of different styles, ages and strengths of players to produce the usual great tournament.

World Champion Ding Liren seems ready and eager to return to the chessboard for his first classical chess tournament in eight months. "I am much better than maybe two or three months ago," he said

Ding will be arriving in Wijk aan Zee on Thursday as the top seed, but he doesn't see himself as the tournament favorite. "No, I don't think so," he said with a smile. "I am not so confident about my strength. Also, I have the crown, so there will be more cameras on me, which brings extra pressure."

Christopher Kreuzer wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 12, 2024 12:13 pm

Nice poem. Can I ask if you composed that yourself, Roland, or if the reference to "Bard of Google" is a reference I am missing a subtle meaning of? (I dread to think what ChatGPT would come up with.)

Roland Kensdale wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 12, 2024 12:39 pm

Christopher Kreuzer wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 12, 2024 12:13 pm

Nice poem. Can I ask if you composed that yourself, Roland, or if the reference to "Bard of Google" is a reference I am missing a subtle meaning of? (I dread to think what ChatGPT would come up with.)

Christopher, no, this is produced by Google's Bard ( https://bard.google.com/ ), which works very similarly to ChatGPT I believe. Once upon a time if one could have produced something like that, after a few months' effort, fame would await.