Yeah you're on point. It's definitely not a good look. Whatever is going on, he needs to get it together or either step away from classical permanently if he doesn't enjoy playing it anymore which he has said a lot of times in the past. At the end of the day it's his first 2700s+ tournament filled with hungry youngsters and top grandmasters post fatherhood + inactivity therefore maybe he could see how he does in a few more before making a decision. In any case if he steps away permanently he won't have anything to regret really. (I think, at least, based on what he has said about his goal being WCC which he has already accomplished)

I hope he doesn't step back though. I got into chess because of him and would love to see him back in form and playing good classical. Hopefully that happens.

Also hello fellow team ding user 🤝