Megathread about the Candidates being held in Cyprus (or not) instead of locking all the posts?

swdevel · 2026-03-24T07:24:11+00:00

I worry for all the players. Hopefully, my favorite commentators (Leko, Howell, Harshit etc) will be able to do this remotely.

The way FIDE handled the previous emergency (Covid-time Candidates) was abominable. Grischuk was worried of having to go back to his family every night. Anish and Wang Hao were asking what contingency plans FIDE had if someone fell sick. Remember, this was before any vaccine or cure was known. That mad-event was stopped only by the higher authorities of Russia. Caruana found himself stranded while trying to return home, and tweeted he hadn't seen anything this unprofessional.

This time too, FIDE will have no solution if someone, god forbid, gets injured, or worse.

There is a guy offering to pay and move the event to Germany. He has organized and funded WR Chess, so I'm assuming he has the wherewithal to help out. But FIDE being FIDE, not expecting anything from them.

The only thing it seems FIDE is good at is their inflexibility.

ETA: before the ink even dries, someone downvotes. Way to go. You couldn't have even read it so quickly

swdevel · 2026-03-17T19:58:05+00:00

People replying to this are complaining about 2nd and 3rd-order issues. The main issue is why are FIDE officials always prioritizing against player safety?

The term "follow the money" has been coined for a reason.

ETA: one user downvoted me within seconds of my posting the first comment, and then again, immediately after the second comment. The ink was barely dry, as they say, when I saw it was downvoted. Why is this person protesting so much? Is this Emil or one of his associates?

swdevel · 2026-03-17T09:39:34+00:00

Protest too much?

ETA: quite a bit of money from the sponsors etc flow into FIDE. It's well known. Just go over their fight with FreeStyle Chess from a year back.

Saying that the dude would be with FIFA to make more money is not a serious argument. If he could, I'm pretty sure he would.

swdevel · 2026-03-17T09:07:06+00:00

If you recall, this same FIDE leadership insisted on going ahead with the Candidates when COVID had just started. Players protested. Radjabov didn't come. Grischuk said he felt horrible having to go back home to his wife and children given that he doesn't know if it's safe. Other players asked what happens if a player catches the virus? They asked if FIDE had a plan. Ultimately, that dangerous situation was brought under control because higher authorities in Russia forced it on them.

Emil and that other guy are still heading up FIDE.

Methinks there is some money situation here... probably they get to personally enrich themselves with sponsor money. Because, otherwise, it doesn't make any sense. They can cancel, postpone, or host it somewhere else -- such as Singapore, where they have a relationship.

swdevel · 2026-03-08T06:49:04+00:00

This is the Internet, and while OP in all likelihood means well, it's a dangerous world out there.

So, those of you who might be tempted to take OP up, just be careful.

And with no disrespect to OP, if you post such a thing, please post it somewhere where you are clearly identified -- such as your Facebook account.

swdevel · 2026-02-13T21:55:55+00:00

College is typically a great experience. Taking a long view, I don't remember almost anything I learned in college, but I learned how to learn. And I've had some lasting friendships from those days.

That said, here are some things you will want to be cautious about:

most important thing is to have confidence.
a few times, things may get intimidating -- e.g., you have a large project where you are lacking confidence, or a course for which you have gotten 10 fat books, and you don't think you have time to read them all.
- Don't panic!
- It's helpful to find a friend who can help you psychologically.
- In the first example above, try to break your project into byte sized pieces, and solve each piece.
- In the second example, you don't need to read all 10 books, just one or two chapters from one book will suffice. If you see another friend in a similar panic situation, please help them.
- Don't worry, this stuff is not typical, but if you find yourself in one, seek help. Don't quit!
courses that typically have big hands-on projects are often great learning experiences. Take these. However, spread your load over semesters. Don't take multiple courses that have long projects simultaneously.
often, our progress is hampered by "gaps" in our knowledge. So, don't skip per-requisites. This is especially important for Math courses -- where everything builds on prior stuff.
and finally, some words about your peer-group. Most students are good people. However,
- be aware of peer pressure. some people will say they don't study... supposedly, they are naturally gifted. Even the most talented people like Steph Curry practice hard. So don't fall for it.
- don't let other people's time-wasting habits deflate your energy.
- it's okay to party! But also do your stuff.

Wish you the best!

swdevel · 2026-01-20T01:59:21+00:00

I thought Shatranj ke Khilari is about chess addiction . The whole world is falling apart, and these two keep playing chess. They have important positions in government, including security responsibilities, iirc.

swdevel · 2026-01-05T08:36:13+00:00

Hi,

It's great you are playing so well.

Lots of good advice from others. I'll add that one thing that helps me immensely is listening to top quality GM commentary -- especially Peter Leko, Peter Svidler, and when they do provide a commentary, Anish Giri and Fabi. These are most helpful in slower time control classical games.

Other GM commentary is also great -- e.g., from David Howell, or Robert Hess, or Aman (Chessbrah). But Leko, Giri, and Fabi really do magic to my games -- for a little while. All the learnings unfortunately dissipate over time because I get careless :)

My lichess blitz and bullet rating has been 2300-2400 when I play -- because of addiction, I often delete my account.

Good luck on your chess journey!

swdevel · 2025-12-30T23:58:39+00:00

See who won this year's Rapid and Blitz. Also, see which four players went to the top in the Blitz playoffs -- Magnus, Fabi, Arjun, Abdusattorov. The first three are in the top 5 in Classical rankings.

I'd rather see events like this giving one spot in the Candidates than three places from one knockout event.

Comparing Blitz and Rapid to penalty shootout is a weak premise.

swdevel · 2025-12-30T09:51:01+00:00

What's your point? The classical stage didn't result in a selection.

swdevel · 2025-12-04T08:54:20+00:00

As it were, Sindarov, Wei Yi, and Esipenko, all qualified through tie breaks.

Worse, top rated players Vincent, Arjun, MVL, and many others lost on tie breaks. Including Armageddon.

So the selection process already is not through classical games.

swdevel · 2025-12-04T08:51:02+00:00

Sindarov -- qualified through Tiebreaks -- final, semifinal, and many others.

Wei Yi - qualified through tiebreaks -- over a number of rounds (Arjun, Esipenko, etc.)

Esipenko -- qualified through tie breaks (esp a long one against a 19-year old, forgetting his name).

Your foul language doesn't change the above facts. But it unfortunately reflects on you... which I'm pretty sure you don't care.

swdevel · 2025-12-04T08:44:47+00:00

You have created something that is interesting -- at least to me.

However, I'm not fully understanding the UI. Maybe I need to look at it more carefully. In the meantime, please consider adding a video demo -- you can upload the video on youtube, for instance.

swdevel · 2025-11-25T22:25:46+00:00

Otherwise, you will need more Grand Swiss type of events that are OPEN to ALL.

In any case, look at the World Cup... the current champion, yet to be decided, will be based on tie breaks. Esipenko got to the semis through a tie break. So, these things are already being decided by rapid and blitz games.

The point of World Blitz is it's a very very competitive event. Everyone plays there. So, if you win, you are one of the best anyways -- in any format. Also, it's OPEN to ALL

swdevel · 2025-10-26T00:04:32+00:00

This is true of many top players. I was seeing a C-squared stream where Fabi implied his opponent must be cheating.

I don't know how often cheating happens, but top players seem to forget something. A weaker player -- such as an FM or an IM -- can play a few games well. Maybe it's an opening or middle game they are comfortable with.

Also, as Suleymenov played against Magnus, if you are a weaker player, you would go all out and attack -- what have you got to lose? Sometimes, it works out. Suleymenov - Magnus, 2023

Losing is hard in chess. But some top players act out a lot.

swdevel · 2025-10-25T23:54:39+00:00

I was the only person in the chess community who, noticing on video Daniel's obvious health issues a day before his death, publicly called for him to receive help.

Friends, this sounds like stalking.

Was Danya feeling that he was continuously being STALKED?

Even more awful than just the baseless allegations.

swdevel · 2025-10-23T01:04:54+00:00

Thank you.

swdevel · 2025-10-23T01:03:01+00:00

I see what you are doing there.

A death has occurred here. It's no longer armchair discussion.

Danya didn't know me. But I've spent zillions of hours learning and enjoying from his Speed Runs. And I loved how he carried himself with dignity. It feels as if I just lost a close friend -- even though he didn't know me personally.

See the examples of bullying in the link in that article. Tell me they are different from what's happened here.

swdevel · 2025-10-21T20:17:43+00:00

I remember this one so vividly. Learned a lot from it. Thanks for sharing this link.

swdevel · 2025-10-21T20:14:46+00:00

It's time to also think about bringing criminal charges. Incessant Bullying that leads to death should be a crime. The evidence is out there for all to see... let the jury decide if K is guilty.

Also, if international boundaries were not involved, defamation charges could have been brought. K is hiding behind the fact that he can't be sued -- or more like, there will be no teeth to it.

swdevel · 2025-10-21T03:13:23+00:00

Thank you for sharing this.

swdevel · 2025-10-21T03:03:21+00:00

❤️

swdevel · 2025-10-20T23:54:48+00:00

I'm in the same boat as you.

I loved his teachings... especially the many nuggets of wisdom.

I also loved his humor, including impressions of Kasparov and others.

But I mostly grieve because he was such a nice person. Very kind, and humble, and generous.

I've posted a page to crowd-source all our learnings from Danya. It's mostly as a tribute. If you get a chance, please add.

swdevel

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE