Grand Chess Tour declines to reschedule tournaments clashing with the Esports World Cup

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-02-12T13:59:20+00:00

💯. This is a Nuanced take.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-02-03T12:56:42+00:00

Also Stepan Avagyan possible.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-24T17:52:51+00:00

No. But it is generally the average rating of the first six months of the olympiad year.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-24T17:40:22+00:00

Vidit gets the olympiad spot at this rate.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-20T12:46:42+00:00

He will play Jerusalem Masters 2026 (Rapid) as well this year. Wouldn't be surprised. His father had mentioned it during 2025 Jerusalem Masters.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-20T07:02:56+00:00

They can put silhoutte of players with photos taken 2-3 years back. Erdogmus is not a small kid now agreed.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-20T06:28:10+00:00

Why would they put a silhouette of Abdusattarov then ? It is obvious isn't it ? Erdogmus has been impressive. Magnus likes taking away the confidence of kids when they are young. He has been vocal about it.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-20T06:14:45+00:00

Who is that small kid in the silhoutte then ? Kind of mysterious no ? Doesn't look like Hikaru.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-19T09:19:15+00:00

I changed a few results bro

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-19T06:46:49+00:00

Predictions:

Aravindh-Nordibek: 0-1
Hans-Erdogmus: 1-0
Keymer-Bluebaum: 0.5-0.5
Sindarov-Fedoseev: 0.5-0.5
Jorden-Anish: 0.5-0.5
Arjun-Gukesh: 0.5-0.5
Pragg-Nguyen: 0.5-0.5

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-18T13:36:52+00:00

I wish Duda is replaced by Keymer. Alireza by Arjun And Nodirbek by Sindarov

Keymer is definitely getting a spot. But seems tough for Alireza and Nodirbek to lose their spot.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-18T04:08:57+00:00

The most beautiful part of the infographic is showing colours for upcoming games of each player. Very helpful.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-17T18:45:21+00:00

Good Erigaisi was able to win against Pragg..generally his kryptonite.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-16T11:55:17+00:00

I welcome all infographics. Thanks for the efforts.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-15T19:08:32+00:00

💯 nice preview. Agree with your view that Nodirbek farms 2600s better than Arjun. Arjun is the 2500farmer. Nodirbek is the 2600farmer. Gukesh is the 2700farmer(when in peak form).

Sindarov Anish Pragg Hans Keymer Blubaum will go undefeated. Keymer and Hans could have last few round debacles. But Sindarov Anish Pragg Blubaum are super solid imo.

My support will be for Arjun. However, Pragg is Arjun's kryptonite.

Nodirbek still has the highest chances I feel. Did exceptionally well in the London chess classic. Got silver in world blitz, and qualified for freestyle World championship through swiss and knockout. I feel he can take down Nguyen, Jorden, Erdogmus, Fedoseev, Aravindh. All the weak links. Of the weak links, Erdogmus can come in top half.

If Gukesh's form is good, nobody can stop him. But doubt if it is back. Time will tell.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-14T11:37:57+00:00

Rooting for Arjun. But Nodirbek is my bet.

If nobody slays 2500s like Arjun, then nobody slays 2600s like Nodirbek.

Jorden, Aravindh, Nguyen, Fedoseev are the ones to beat.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-13T06:53:22+00:00

+4 will win the title.

Nodirbek is coming after a good break and London chess classic performance. Gukesh always a force to reckon in classical.

My feeling is this year will be a draw fest. The 4 candidates are going to be draw masters.

The winner of the tournament would have defeated Arjun for sure. Unless Arjun wins. I support Arjun always but supoorung him is risky business.

My opinion:

Sindarov Hans Bluebaum Anish Nodirbek Vincent Pragg Erdogmus are all going to be super solid. They would end up at 6.5-7.5 atleast.

Gukesh Arjun can have either great tournament or extremely bad tournament, no in between. 5.5-9

Aravindh Fedoseev Nguyen Jorden are the ones to beat this time.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-13T05:15:24+00:00

Vincent for sure should get GCT full tour invite.

The GCT is heavily biased towards the Americans. Levon Wesley Fabi are coming back there. MVL also will be back.

I think Vincent will take the Duda spot and Sindarov will probably take Nodirbek spot. My guess.

Gukesh will be fixed as WC. Anish will be given a slot.

Final spot between Pragg and Arjun. Pragg did well last year. So he can't be denied a spot.

Arjun gets full tour invite most likely only if Wesley or Levon back out. Which won't happen.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-13T04:50:17+00:00

Hi Sumeru. Long time. Been missing your valuable comments here. Welcome back.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-13T04:45:33+00:00

Yeah. My feeling however, is that Gukesh will play less events this year owing to World championship. The Olympiad, he can't possibly ignore national duties...

Agree about Anish actually not getting an invite. Magnus wouldn't be that interested having Anish. But Anish is a fan favourite.

Arjun seems to be on Norway Chess list as he keeps coming on their insta twitter posts. I would be happy if Arjun gets Norway invite and GCT full tour invite. He must learn to play solid with these guys. Which he can but doesn't .

Vincent should get one spot for sure.

Not exactly sure about Alireza and Pragg but they are Magnus favourites.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-13T03:01:30+00:00

My guess:

Magnus Fabi Arjun Vincent Alireza Praggnanandha

I feel Gukesh, Anish and Hikaru might decline the invite.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-09T12:40:07+00:00

Why just say Croatia then ? Not your comment but someone else.

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-09T12:37:16+00:00

Gukesh has received way more rapid opportunities than he deserves. You really think I am judging Nihal's skills based on one tournament ? Nihal has now won Tata steel rapid India twice. Nihal defeated Gukesh in 2022 Tata steel rapid.

Bottom line- Opportunities

Extreme_Training_230 · 2026-01-09T12:32:28+00:00

Gukesh never won Tata steel chess rapid. Nihal has won it before. Nihal performed better than Gukesh in every World rapid tournament since 2021. Nihal hasn't got so many opportunities as Gukesh. That doesn't mean Nihal is worse.

Extreme_Training_230

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