Candidates Wildcard

Asking who you want to win the World Cup is too easy (Svidler, right?) so instead:

In 2016 there will be 8 Candidates to challenge World Champion Magnus Carlsen. By reaching the final of the World Cup, Svidler and Karjakin have now qualified, making 7 places fairly secure: Anand, Caruana, Karjakin, Nakamura, Svidler, Topalov and Giri (the latter two probably qualifying on rating). That leaves one place for a wildcard. Who do you want to be the wildcard?

Adams, Aronian, Gelfand, Grischuk, Kramnik, Mamedyarov, Radjabov, So, or someone else?

***

 In last week’s poll, a large majority did not want arbiters interfering too much:

 Poll-arbiter-role

22 thoughts on “Candidates Wildcard”

  1. Aronian is best choice. The russians only Grischuk, because Kramnik would be bad, he is always against Grand Chess Tour of the free world like Karjakin. They could be great players but they are against the freedom of chess!

  2. I voted Aronian, but Grischuk would not displease me at all either. I like Kramnik, and having him in the tournament would be nice, but he is old, and he is already a WC, so better bring new blood.

    Oh, and yes, I want Svidler to win, I don’t have anything against Karjakin, but Svidler seems to be a true gentleman, who can dislike him? (same goes for Aronian, btw)

  3. Think it should go to someone who is a potential winner and that is Aronian or Kramnik for my money. Don’t mind which…

    Gelfand or Griuschuk at a pinch- think the others would be happy with mid table.

  4. Kramnik for me, I would love to see a Kramnik-Carlsen World Championship match. The snipes they’ve had at each other over the last couple years would make it more tasty as well. If Russian money funds the next Candidates, I would expect them to give it to Kramnik or Grischuk.

  5. It should go to the player who has been closest to the top most recently. To me that’s Aronian after his performance in St Louis. Failing that, Grischuk.

  6. I’d like Aronian, but clearly the wild card will be from host country, so no point debating the matter.
    I find quite unfair having a wild card for such an important event, guess it can’t be helped considering we already have difficulties finding hosts.

  7. @Capodoglio
    I find the Candidates tournament to be a great event. As I do not personally want to pay for it, but prefer to follow it for free (like everyone else), I like the idea of a high rated wild card. It is a way to finance the event that makes it happen.

  8. I’d like to see it go to Aronian and if not him then Kramnik. They’re the strongest players not in the tournament so far, would fully believe themselves capable of winning it and go for their chances. Ideally they’d both be in but too late for that now barring some craziness with the ratings.

    That’s one reason that I’m happy Svidler is in the tournament. It was clear that in the last two candidates he came very well prepared and with high ambitions. I don’t think some other players on this list would do the same.

  9. RE: “he is always against Grand Chess Tour of the free world like Karjakin”

    Huh? Kramnik already said he might play in the next tour. He didn’t play this one because he couldn’t play all three events. If he could have played 2 of the 3, he would have (google it). He also said he had no problem with Rex Sinquefield or any of the other organizers. He’s already played in the London Classic multiple times. So, I’m not really sure where your “theory” is coming from.

  10. Living i “free” world doesnt guarrantee you to be free. Yesterday blunders show that quality of champions cant be reached by cup system that lasts for a month. World champuonship should be a match and I voted for Aronian.

  11. Aronian due to win inSinquefield and the style and originality of his play.

    It does feel bad though not to have a Chinese representative

    Wei Yi looks like a genuine potential new champion and we could look back on his first time in the candidates like we now look back at 1959 Candidates with Fischer

  12. I think Teimour Radjabov should get the wildcard. He’s playing well again, and was dominating in his World Cup match against Svidler (but chose the Grunfeld instead of KID in their second rapid game which was a huge mistake).

  13. @LE BRUIT QUI COURT
    I think the answer by QC would be as usual: As soon as the book will have been sent to the printer. Which won’t be the case for another few months (my estimate), unfortunately. And yes, I am also looking forward to that particular book!

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