The 2022 Candidates Guide: Just the Facts
We understood. You are busy, but curious about Candidates.
So here it is: the who, what, when and where (to watch). We’ll leave you the why.
First, be sure to check out our Candidate Preview Podcast with CLO Editor John Hartmann and Managing Director Jacob Aagaard. And don’t forget to come back to online chess life every day to catch up on results and exclusive analysis of Aagaard’s game of the day.
Who (and how)
|
Ian Nepomniachtchi |
Qualified via FIDE World Championship 2021 (runner-up) |
|
Fabien Caruana |
Qualified via FIDE Grand Swiss 2021 |
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Alireza Firouzja |
Qualified via FIDE Grand Swiss 2021 |
|
Jan-Krzysztof Duda |
Qualified via FIDE World Cup 2021 |
|
Hikaru Nakamura |
Qualified via FIDE Grand Swiss 2022 |
|
Richard Report |
Qualified via FIDE Grand Swiss 2022 |
|
Teimour Radjabov |
Direct seed via FIDE nomination |
|
Ding Read |
Highest-rated non-qualifier on the FIDE rating list for May 2022 (replaces Sergey Karjakin, who qualified via the 2021 World Cup) |
What
Held in Madrid, Spain, the 2022 FIDE Candidates Tournament is a double-round tournament that will determine the challenger for Magnus Carlsen’s 2023 World Championship title. If Carlsen refuses to defend his title, as he has suggested , this could be the case. , it is assumed that the first two in Madrid will play a match for the world championship. The first round will be played on Friday, June 17.
Players compete for a total prize pool of €500,000, including €48,000 for the winner, as well as €3,500 for each half point scored.
New to this year’s Candidates is a quick playoff system to produce a winner overboard.
The full rules are available on the FIDE website.
When
The opening press conference took place on June 15.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for today, June 16th. It is currently not available online, but FIDE has released a teaser video.
Each round begins at 9 a.m. ET (3 p.m. local time). The game begins on June 17 with the first round, followed by thirteen more games and four days off:
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June 17 |
Round 1 |
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June 18 |
2nd round |
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June 19 |
Round 3 |
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June 20 |
DAY OFF |
|
June 21st |
Round 4 |
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June 22 |
Round 5 |
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June 23 |
Round 6 |
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June 24 |
DAY OFF |
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June 25 |
Round 7 |
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June 26 |
Round 8 |
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June 27 |
Round 9 |
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June 28 |
DAY OFF |
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June 29 |
Round 10 |
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June 30th |
Round 11 |
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July, 1st |
Round 12 |
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July 2nd |
DAY OFF |
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July 3 |
Round 13 |
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4th July |
Round 14 |
|
July the 5th |
Tie-breaks (if necessary) |
Where (look)
Chess fans will have several options to delight their contestants. The following is a non-exhaustive list of some of the most popular options:
Chess.com
Chess.com will have GM Robert Hess (after recovering from COVID!), Daniel Naroditsky and IM Danny Rensch on location in Madrid to direct their coverage. General manager Jan Ludwig Hammer will play for Hess until he can join the team.
Direct link: YouTube, Twitch
Chess24
After some time in the German-language streamosphere, everyone’s favorite OG streamer Jan Gustaffson will lead Chess24’s coverage. Her main partner will be legendary GM Judit Polgar, with some special appearances from PlayMagnus namesake and FIDE World Champion Magnus Carlsen.
Direct link: YouTube, Twitch
St. Louis Chess Club
The triumphant trio of Alejandro (Ramirez), Cristian (Chirila) and Yaz (Yasser Seirawan) will lead the Saint Louis coverage.
Direct link: YouTube, Twitch
world chess
Tournament organizers World Chess will have GM Daniil Yuffa as lead commentator, with a cast of rotating guest hosts including IM Elizabeth Paehtz and WIMs Jesse February, Anna-Maja Kazarian and Fiona Steil-Antoni.
Direct link: Youtube
Hikaru Nakamura’s Twitch channel
Of course, Hikaru Nakamura will have coverage on his Twitch channel.
Among the many guest hosts will be IM Levy Rozman, FM James Canty and our very own WGM Jen Shahade. GM Benjamin Bok and GM Irina Krush will be in the hot seat for the first round.
Direct link: Twitch
And in case you forgot, be sure to check out our Candidate Preview Podcast with CLO Editor John Hartmann and Managing Director Jacob Aagaard. Come back to online chess life every day to catch up on results and exclusive analysis of Aagaard’s game of the day.
