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

[Matt Mackenzie]

Abasov beats Vidit surprisingly comfortably to qualify for the semi-final.

In the other games Magnus looks quite a lot worse against Gukesh, the others are nearer equality.

In the women's events draws look most likely which would be enough for Goryachkina to qualify.

Carlsen just slightly worse now, and of course he only needs a draw.

But looks like (as widely expected) Dominguez will regret letting Caruana off the hook yesterday, whilst Pragg could be about to level things.

[Geoff Chandler]

Magnus just drew so it's him v Nijat Abasov.
Now only one Indian player in the semi's so my wish of all Indian final is not on. So I'll go for my original prediction Carlsen- Caruana. Because Magnus will not play in the Candidates the other three semi-finalists will all be in the Candidates.

[Mick Norris]

4. 6. 2. Three players who finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd shall qualify to the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024
If any of these three players has already qualified for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 at the moment of the beginning of World Cup via another qualification track, the unallocated spot(s) shall be awarded, to another track determined by the Regulations for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 and “Qualification for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024” (FIDE Handbook D.01.06.1).

If any of these players already qualified for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 or the FIDE World Championship Match 2024 at the moment of the beginning of World Cup via another qualification path, the qualification spot(s) shall be be awarded, in order of priority:
 ‐ the player who finished in 4th place in the World Cup; 
 ‐ according to rating as in (E). 

Magnus isn't already qualified, so I'm not certain the other 3 semi-finalists automatically qualify

[IM Jack Rudd]

Yup, that clause would only have come into effect had Nepomniachtchi reached the semis.

[Roger de Coverly]

Yup, that clause would only have come into effect had Nepomniachtchi reached the semis.

What happens if Carlsen qualifies via the World Cup and then presumably declines his place?

[IM Jack Rudd]

Then fourth place does get in, but if you were to need to go beyond fourth to find a reserve, you'd go to the rating list instead. The same applies to the Grand Swiss.

[LawrenceCooper]

Goryachkina qualifies with a draw whilst Muzychuk-Salimova goes to tie-break.

Magnus v Abasov & Caruana v the winner of Pragg/Erigaisi in the open (not sure about colours).

[Mick Norris]

As Goryachkina is already qualified for the Candidates, I assume the other 3 qualify too

[Geoff Chandler]

In the after match Interview Magnus said there is no chance 'under the current format' that he will play in the Candidates. I think he could play in it if he wanted to. Then win it, pocket the cash but decline to play for the title. He may still go to the candidates as he is bound to be offered the top rating spot.

Also a possible Freudian slip by Magnus, he said he knows for certain he has two more matches (I think he meant games) maybe he has already placed himself in the final.

[IM Jack Rudd]

No, he means matches; there's a third-place play-off.

[Geoff Chandler]

Hi Jack,

The play off, of course. That was my Freudian slip picking up on it, I've place Carlsen in the final!

[Mick Norris]

Has Abasov ever played Carlsen OTB (as opposed to online)?

[LawrenceCooper]

2 draws between Pragg & Erigaisi whilst Salimova won with black but then Muzychuk also won with black. Both matches go to the faster rapid.

[Geoff Chandler]

Has Abasov ever played Carlsen OTB (as opposed to online)?

Not as far as I can tell though I only looked for OTB events.

Someone is grumbling about Abasov's past 'alleged' online misdemeanors. https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments ... ?rdt=46909

I think they want Magnus to boycott the game. No chance, but can you imagine the outcry?

[LawrenceCooper]

Pragg & Salimova both 1 up after the first game of the 10/10 rapid.