In a recent interview, Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri, who is set to compete in the upcoming Candidates tournament scheduled for March-April, has named Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana as the top favorites. Giri shared his insights during a conversation with Greg Mustreader on the Chess with Mustreader podcast, highlighting the strengths and achievements of these American players.
Giri's Analysis of the Favorites
When asked to identify the favorites for the Candidates tournament, Giri responded with a cautious yet clear assessment. "I can't quite do that, I guess, as I'm a participant at the Candidates," he said, but added, "It's very sensible to place Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana in the top two." This statement underscores the respect Giri holds for his competitors, despite his own involvement in the event.
Why Hikaru Nakamura Stands Out
Giri elaborated on Nakamura's credentials, pointing out several key factors that make him a strong contender. "Hikaru is the highest rated and, somewhat surprisingly to me, he has the best score against the field," Giri noted. He explained that Nakamura's recent performances against Caruana and himself have contributed to this high rating. Additionally, Giri highlighted Nakamura's prowess in rapid and blitz formats, which further amplifies his overall score.
Reflecting on Nakamura's past performances in the Candidates, Giri said, "Last time he was fighting for the first, and actually the one before that, the time he fought for the second—in hindsight, it would have given him a match if he had won." He emphasized that Nakamura has been in contention for the championship match twice with one round to go, calling it a tremendous achievement. Based on these facts, Giri asserted that Nakamura deserves a high placement on the favorites list.
Fabiano Caruana's Consistent Excellence
Turning to Fabiano Caruana, Giri praised his stability and long-term success. "Fabi, of course, obviously such a stable player. I mean, for so many years he's been winning so many events," Giri remarked. He also recalled Caruana's memorable performance in the World Championship match against Magnus Carlsen, where he pushed the champion to the limit. "He got to the match with Magnus and he almost, he took him all the way down to the wire and almost won that match as well," Giri added, acknowledging Caruana's near-victory as a testament to his skill.
Assessing the Rest of the Field
Giri also discussed the other participants in the Candidates tournament, noting that many have limited experience at this level. He mentioned players like Wei Yi, who has never played in the Candidates, and India's R Praggnanandhaa, who made a good showing in his previous outing but did not come as close as others. "Probably that's why Carlsen mentioned Pragg as third favourite to win the Candidates," Giri speculated.
Regarding younger players such as Andrey Esipenko and Javokhir Sindarov, Giri pointed out their lack of extensive top-level tournament experience. "Esipenko beat Carlsen in Wijk aan Zee many years ago, but he didn't play regularly," he said, adding that Sindarov is rising quickly but hasn't had the chance to win many major events yet. This analysis highlights the challenges faced by newcomers in a field dominated by seasoned veterans.
In summary, Anish Giri's comments provide a detailed perspective on the favorites and contenders for the upcoming Candidates chess tournament, emphasizing the strengths of Nakamura and Caruana while acknowledging the potential of other players in a highly competitive field.
