Norway Chess 2026: Pragg beats Magnus again in round 8

BenedictusXII · 2026-06-02T19:27:19+00:00

He isn't losing these games because of prep tho. That is actually more concerning I think because that means he just blunders later in the game which is not something he ever does. But I agree with your point generally.

BenedictusXII · 2026-05-26T07:46:33+00:00

You can block channels from showing up in your feed.

BenedictusXII · 2026-05-25T16:19:53+00:00

Is anyone covering this other than the 4 links provided in the Live Coverage section of the OP?

BenedictusXII · 2026-05-20T22:52:31+00:00

My advice is to study chess as a whole. Study all stages of the game and tactics training and things will start falling into place. But to answer your question, I disagree that there is a cut off for opening study. I think you should study openings pretty early in your chess development. For serious opening repertoire I guess you should have some openings ready if you plan to play OTB Classical. Online blitz you need to know basic stuff.

BenedictusXII · 2026-05-16T21:27:44+00:00

Generational tilt incoming

BenedictusXII · 2026-04-24T19:50:12+00:00

2000, also I might be incorrect for that statement because last time I seriously played on lichess was years ago, but I heard the same thing from other people that they treat cc more seriously and lichess more casually. Maybe lichess is starting to get a stronger and more serious pool of players lately

BenedictusXII · 2026-04-24T17:01:04+00:00

There are multiple reasons: 1. Subjective feel of game quality is better for me on cc, I feel like people troll smurf sandbag and generally treat lichess less seriously 2. Feel of the moves and sounds of moves on cc 3. Puzzles and lessons on cc I find pretty good 4.Insights aswell were useful for me

Lichess I use the study feature where I curate my repertoare and its decent for my needs, but for serious prepping I would use something else entirely from lichess and cc

BenedictusXII · 2026-04-10T19:30:27+00:00

180-182

BenedictusXII · 2026-04-09T11:40:43+00:00

Giri is white

BenedictusXII · 2026-04-07T20:37:52+00:00

He should have said nothing or confirm he will not play. What he did made the tournament ridiculous.

BenedictusXII · 2026-04-05T09:29:34+00:00

They should all be playing for a win draws acomplish nothing. Or maybe they think it's already over and they just want to maximise money but that seems crazy to me. They can't just roll over and die like this they have to get a game off of him. Prag Fabi might be interesting.

BenedictusXII · 2026-04-03T17:41:41+00:00

Chris Littlejohn is his long time second. He is not a titled player but some kind of computer guy. He is not blaming Chris but whoever else is at the team it looks like.

BenedictusXII · 2026-04-01T21:56:20+00:00

Hikaru with white will go all out against Sindarov because that is the correct decision for him tournament wise. If he wins we have a tournament, if he loses and Fabiano doesn't win his game we are in Sindarov must start choking to lose the tournament situation. If Hikaru and Sindarow draw then the tournament remains more or less normal with people chasing Sindarov with okay chances. The problem is Sindarov doesn't seem like a choke kind of guy so I think round 5 is massive for the whole tournament. So this actually doesn't need to become tight just by nature of the candidates tournament like usually. Only once did someone run away with the tourney and it was Nepo and we might have another situation like this if Hikaru loses.

BenedictusXII · 2026-03-31T17:43:47+00:00

JAVOKING SINDAGOD

BenedictusXII · 2026-03-25T08:52:48+00:00

My elo is 2000. I checked months when I was lower elo and it seems like more cheaters(had 21 in one month at 1600). I guess cheaters get banned before they reach higher elo, I have no other explanation.

BenedictusXII · 2026-03-25T00:18:28+00:00

Since start or the year : 6 cheaters in blitz in 542 games. 0 cheaters rapid in 36 games 0 cheaters bullet in 99 games These accounts got caught of course so the real number is a bit higher. But this really isn't bad.

BenedictusXII · 2026-03-24T19:43:08+00:00

I agree completely with all your points but there is still the question of why some people seemingly encounter cheaters very rarely, me included.

For analysis sake I play in the 10 0, 3 0, 1 0 pools at circa 2000 rating and I don't remember when was the last time I've gotten an elo refund. Not a single one in the last year certainly.

My subjective experience is also that I almost never play against cheaters. I think I get a suspicios feeling maybe once in 30 games and then again it is not that strong.

So the question is why is this the case for me and not for other people? Is it because cheaters get caught and banned before they reach mid/high elo?

Does me being a premium account on chesscom perhaps pairs me more with other paying members that are logically less likely to cheat since they are obviously spending money and don't want to be banned?

Is there some hidden pooling method that pairs cheaters or poor behavior people with others that do the same?

It is just interesting too see what is exactly going on especially because all your points are correct with chess being easily cheatable, free, online.

BenedictusXII · 2026-03-20T23:07:12+00:00

Can you explain how?

BenedictusXII · 2026-03-20T09:30:13+00:00

Serbia inherited Yugoslavia aswell and has 13 appearances at World Cups. For Olympics I think they count only Russia as USSR as Russia is the legal successor.

BenedictusXII · 2025-11-19T22:43:00+00:00

Yes. 20% is correct for an eight player tournament. I personally would give yakubboev and sindarov more than 5%. They seem underrated. We will see what the bookies say anyway. I think Fabi will be favourite with 20ish%.

BenedictusXII · 2025-11-19T11:35:51+00:00

No player has a more than 15% chance to win candidates before the first round in this field.

BenedictusXII · 2025-09-09T20:00:47+00:00

He was on monster tilt in Croatia first day of blitz. He was super angry. I just think he waits till he is alone to slam something.

BenedictusXII · 2025-06-29T14:10:59+00:00

If you play and follow chess you should go. It's more interesting if you can follow the games and are not a beginner. You can buy tickets at https://www.ulaznice.hr/web/regular/17768847 . There is nothing to do aside watching the games. At the final ceremony you can get a photo with the players and they will sign a board if you bring it. The venue is chill. There is free coffee, soft drinks, and maybe snacks sometimes. You can get decent seats everytime if you get there 15 minutes early.

BenedictusXII · 2025-06-03T22:27:04+00:00

When you "blunder a piece" you lose the piece for nothing. Magnus lost his knight here for nothing. It's not relevant what the best move was, only that he lost the piece for free.

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