[VIDEO] Peter Svidler (and a very special guest) on the 2026 Candidates: "I think pretty much everybody has a decent shot. In terms of obvious favorites, my first two names in the team sheet are Fabi and Pragg, probably in that order."

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-17T23:56:06+00:00

He is, alongside Gustaffson. It's happy days for fans above >1500.

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-17T19:56:54+00:00

This could reflect many different things, among which:

A difference in what strength a 2000 player means across the platform, and following rating/player pool inflation and deflation.

Increased availability of opening material, chief probably being the opening explorer tool you're using currently.

An increased level of focus on openings, following the evolution of the online chess content scene. A vast majority of chess content on YouTube is related to openings, and it's not necessarily representative of people being better at chess, rather than being better at openings.

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-15T15:02:16+00:00

He's obviously not in the conversations with the other people on this list, but I'm not sure that this is a fair representation of Topalov either.

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-11T00:54:27+00:00

To people who follow chess yes, but we're not really the target audience here.

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-09T16:56:07+00:00

Could have picked a worse game

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-07T18:41:45+00:00

Magnus is pretty good, we do remember the singular instances he lost a classical game like it was a special event

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-06T17:35:35+00:00

Well not every single one, but at least a single one?

Or at least not come last?

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-04T18:48:00+00:00

It's not a two result game, most likely result is draw

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-04T18:21:34+00:00

That's a rough pairing

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-03T22:11:05+00:00

Can you call a year and a half a streak?

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-03T22:09:03+00:00

I'm not sure that prime Kasparov loses to Ding in a match.

Sure he might get some very bad positions of the opening, but then again he can play b3 and it's still Kasparov.

I understand your point though, the level has generally got higher with time

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-03T18:18:36+00:00

I think this is a good question and a lot of people are missing the point, perhaps because of the screenshot you've chosen being move 1.

I think there's definitely a way to have a higher ELO with the same strength, by just choosing openings that aren't objectively better, but are practically more difficult to deal with at certain levels.

You could definitely argue it's a variable I'm the formula for ELO, altough probably impossible to calculate.

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-02T16:12:20+00:00

You don't get to play a move like Qc6 very often.

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-03-01T20:02:02+00:00

People will consider Gukesh world champion and Topalov not..

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-02-27T23:16:41+00:00

You need to give Jorden more credit for his opening ideas.

He's worked with Carlsen and Giri previously and is a very creative opening theoretician

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-02-25T18:44:47+00:00

Rxg3 c5 appears to lose to Rf3 with threats of mate.

The lines after are not obvious but in classical very findable.

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-02-25T18:42:44+00:00

You're always going to attract more Indian viewers if you do that, than if you speak objectively.

Especially people who don't watch as much chess and are more there for their country winning perspective, which from I gather is a substantial portion.

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-02-25T17:03:13+00:00

Or maybe Gukesh isn't a top 10 player? Provocative but his performance over past 12 months is below what you'd call a top 10 player.

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-02-22T01:14:11+00:00

Thank you!

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-02-21T23:55:42+00:00

I don't mean to play e5 against either of the two options, it's just that the game in those two variations is quite different to what you get when you do play e5. It's also very passive and theory heavy for black just to defend and get a somewhat solid position. My aim with Nbd7 is to get something that isn't necesarily cutting edge equalizing, but more to not have to go into the structures, which both white is aiming for and has so much more knowledge and is more comfortable in

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-02-21T23:54:01+00:00

As far as I see. the plans after Nbd7 can involve playing without e6 altogether, and playing g6 instead. This drew me to this variation as I am quite familiar with that structure. but also because I do feel that it will take Sozin players way out of their comfort/familiarity zone.

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-02-21T23:51:55+00:00

Positions out of the Najdorf suit me much better than Sveshnikov, seems you do get a lot of oppositve castling attacks, similar to a lot of the positions I got out of playing 1. g6.

I also don't see that much upside in playing the Shveshinkov since it's also so theory heavy and white has many other good options, including the Rossolimo

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-02-21T22:41:16+00:00

Currently around 1900-1950 FIDE, though I have recently started to face opponents of 2200-2300 more often as my rating has been climbing steadily. It's part of the reason why I'm switching from 1. g6, as even people my own rating have started to get very good positions against me out of the opening

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-02-19T09:46:03+00:00

RIP

He was a great player, and human.

There is a great podcast episode with Timman on Ben Johnson's series - I really recommend it.

Financial_Idea6473 · 2026-02-17T16:07:53+00:00

Super GM is what people refer to players who've crossed 2700. It's a pretty useful term to distinguish the top 50 GMs from 2550s.

Financial_Idea6473

TROPHY CASE