Nepomniachtchi | Candidates Run, Matches VS Ding & Magnus, Cheating

[@bernardobila4336]

The conversation that we didn't expect but surely needed.

[@rasmus5341]

Just started. Your comment further cemented my interest

[@arcaneben9171]

It was pretty obvious tbh. If there was anyone in the candidates then it must have been Ian, cuz of his apology to Fabi in the end and a very good chat with him in the post match conference

[@ssep327]

Ian is a gem in chess circle, bold , wild and humorous. Unfortunately he comes short in humour compared to Sasha , but still shines among boring current GMs

[@SanjayKumar-n8h3s]

the amount of hidden humor from nepo is hilarious

[@Hellhammerrr]

He said Alireza is a great player with great openings..bruhhh😂😂😂😂

[@u.v.s.5583]

@@Hellhammerrr Magnus started that meme when he said he wanted to play Alireza for the title.

[@KingAlpaca]

Always.

[@BobbyJean-rk5sf]

Yes, absolutely! Unfortunately some people don’t get it and think that he’s being arrogant while the opposite is the case.

[@ssep327]

Well he called gukesh a mystery, compared him with hans in terms of post game analysis. He thinks of gukesh as a potential cheat . Interesting!

[@nileshsinha2295]

Nepo shaking his head while being called a legend 😅

[@seya_2]

Sign of a legend

[@FellowHuman18]

Humble guy!

[@matthewglenguir7204]

The Candidates Champion

[@nk73]

Does C-Squared need some training on how to create time-stamps? All time stamps can be called "Ian".

[@nk73]

Gukesh is 2760 and he is not bright as per Ian. Is Ian himself bright because his rating is not very far away from 2760. So dull Ian saying Gukesh is dull.

[@abhigyandatta2008]

Always loved the fact that Ian always wear his emotions on his sleeves.

[@wabdih]

He does make things very interesting. I love when he comes back to the board after an opponents blunder and he makes a face like he ate a shit sandwich

[@FellowHuman18]

Seems like a cool and good guy.

[@NJ-wb1cz]

Probably one of the most obviously autistic people among top GMs. A lot of them are bound to be autistic as well, but they mask it much better

[@preetam3710]

The two titans who gave everything for their final game, but was not to be. Excited for the convo !

[@neko-chan6145]

Wow, you got Nepo on. Thank you for doing this discussion. It is fascinating to hear your thoughts at the elite level.

[@brbcrew9957]

Nepo has become one of my favorites players of all time last couple years he's incredible and yes definitely a legend

[@carlkligerman1981]

Nepo has to be the only active super GM who can genuinely say he felt worse for Fabi than for himself in a game when the stakes were that high, and have everybody believe him. The guy’s sportsmanship, his creativity and offensive brilliance is why he is the stuff of legend, and he has cemented his place in chess history even though he hasn’t managed to win it all. Not unlike Fabi, actually.

[@user-ut9wn6fs8e]

Thank you very much for inviting Ian. it was a very informative and interesting conversation!

[@icedtee12]

As far as the candidates format goes - I would do it as follows: 1) World champ runner up - Why take this long standing tradition away? 2+3) Top 2 finishers in World Cup 4+5) Top 2 finishers in Grand Swiss 6) Highest FIDE circut from past year (or two) 7) Highest rated player at end of year. 8) The final spot should be determined as a wildcard based on a mini-tourney. This would generate so much excitement, and there is plenty of time. Invite: A) #3 finish in world cup B) Winner of another FIDE tournament in the year (this would make that tourney more important) C) Next highest FIDE circuit D) Next highest rated player Make this tourney some knockout match play. World cup style - 2 games classical, then rapid/blitz tie breaks. Will finish the whole thing in a week's time. Winner gets the 8th spot in the candidates. Creates more secondary chances for someone just missing the qualifications above, and adds quite a bit more importance to everything.

[@tylermathews6788]

I just want a system where there's at least 1 exciting tournament to watch in any given month. So let's say we have: 1. World Championship Runner-Up (I agree it makes zero sense not to have this) 2. Two spots for the top two of the World Cup 3. Top 2 Grand Swiss 4. Highest rated player All these are extremely logical and add weight to the ratings and the World Cup and Grand Swiss. But what I'd love for FIDE to do is target the most prestigious tournaments in the world, and ensure they're connected in some way to the Championship cycle. If the Cycle is the main thing we're playing for, then it needs to be the star and it isn't. If Wik an Ze is such a historic event, winning it could guarantee a Candidates ticket. If Norway Chess, Lenares, Sinquefield etc. are game they can take the last few spots. You need the tournaments in the calendar to be consistent; otherwise how can you build prestige or hype or brand recognition? Give chess fans a battle for a Candidates ticket once a month and more people will watch these large tournaments. And that way you're, in a sense, always advertising the Candidates and always advertising the Cycle. If every time I tune in to Wik an Zee, the commentator is talking not just about the tournament standings but how those affect the Candidates, it all starts to feel like one connected circuit, rather than disconnected events.

[@end.olives]

Thats a really cool idea and the concept works. But im not so sure about tournaments. They are a really good way of telling who should play the candidates but i feel like thats just adding more and more stuff behind it and might make it not as accurate to the best players in the world now since its just one more thing that players would have to prepare to.

[@gatsbee]

Last chance qualifier would be fantastic

[@shashishekhar----]

WCC runner needs to go

[@icedtee12]

@shashishekhar---- It will go in the next cycle. But it's a long standing tradition. I like traditions.

[@yagamilight1231]

45:50 Fabi Cristian in sync

[@end.olives]

HAHAH IM SATISFAEDDD

[@Alemiha]

Imagine this sync when Fabi is in dire straights on the board....Cristian must be squirming on the floor :)

[@kennydowning8206]

For the last few years I've been a fan of Nepo and Fabi both. They seem very grounded, humble, and like good rile models for the next generation. Thanks for having open/friendly conversations and pulling the curtain back for the fans to see. Wish you both luck in the future.

[@liljackypaper]

Ian throws around accusations too loosely for my taste.

[@drlupp]

I like Nepo. Him apologizing to Fabi at the last round of The Candidates is a class act, though he didn't need to since he's playing for the win as well.

[@taruirarra]

Nepo is such a legend. Very high praise to him

[@buzztube1738]

Crybaby legend

[@leea-leea]

​@@buzztube1738n

[@michaelmassaro4375]

@@buzztube1738if he cried he had good reason he’s achieved much but might have tears for the things he hasn’t achieved yet still he’s a Legend

[@PauseTheVideoAndThink]

Loved that term by Nepo "to blackmail with a draw"" meaning to offer your opponent a repetition in a game where is a must-win situation for both to make them deviate with an inferior move.

[@u.v.s.5583]

Grischuk said "I feel like a terrorist"

[@PauseTheVideoAndThink]

@@u.v.s.5583 That's even better!

[@SchneiderOSRS]

What a world we live in where we can have two top 5 players talk together after their game to decide who will become the world championship challenger. Some newer folks to chess might not realize what a treat this insider information is

[@potatoonastick2239]

Historically, chess was always also a game of secrecy and politics. But the interconnectedness of the world via the internet plus the emergence of engines, aka free prep for everyone, has transformed the scene completely. What a time to be alive.

[@michaelmassaro4375]

@@potatoonastick2239nothings perfect past present or future

[@reecesowka8681]

I’m relatively new got into it a couple years ago and it still seems unreal even to me that it’s happening

[@agentx8711]

Damn, Nepo is one of the nicest guy IRL I know he is very funny (as most russian GMs are) during interviews. But he is really fun to listen as well. Thanks for thos C-Squared.

[@skyeez2461c]

the glazing is wild make sure u open your mouth wide and open when he deep throt u

[@buzztube1738]

And racist

[@commanderbacon6426]

@@buzztube1738Really? What did he say/do?

[@buzztube1738]

@@commanderbacon6426 watch their segment on gukesh

[@rajsampat2112]

Bro what? how is he nice? he is always dropping names and on a knifes edge on making accusations 😂😂

[@GustavoMunoz]

This is incredible. How beautiful times we are living now. Having these two monsters freely talking about such a historical tournament. Thanks a lot.

[@sungod9797]

Oh cool, I had previously tried watching Ian’s recap of the candidates on his own KZbin channel, but both parts were fully in Russian and the auto-translate kind of sucks. So it’s fun to see that you guys brought him on to talk about it, and that he was willing to do this

[@alanprak80]

Ian has a youtube channel? What's it called?

[@LuisFernando-ot9yv]

I used to think poorly of Nepo in the past because of his losses to Magnus and Ding, but in hearing him interact with Fabiano and in this interview I just have to say he is definitely a legend and i would follow him online.

[@hoya_anna]

Nepo be crazy smart. What an absolute joy to follow along your conversation. As always with Fabi and Cristian, understated, meandering, brilliant.

[@dipendrakarki-bl3rf]

I see C-squared podcast. I press like button. I watch. I enjoy. I learn.

[@SklnW_Sudd]

I wonder what Nepo meant by his comments on Gukesh's performance in the Candidates. Especially cause he said Gukesh's comments in the interview reminded him of "Chess speaks for itself". And then later he says that Gukesh is still a mystery to him. Interesting for sure.

[@vedxcas3981]

was thinking about the same, maybe he expected more detailed post-game analysis by Gukesh after the games, but maybe Gukesh wanted to keep his preparations intact that's why he didn't open up. From this podcast, I think Ian might be feeling a bit sus about him. But I know there's nothing there.

[@angeliqueazul8670]

This is my favorite podcast episode to date! Only critique is that it isn't longer. Thank you so much for inviting Ian, he is such a wonderful guest - so insightful and full of humor.

[@Jetman1243]

Wow was not expecting this in my feed but happy for it

[@lollycopter]

Alright, I remembered to write some timestamp notes this time while watching: 18:07 Nepo references Grischuk terrorising Giri with a draw. (Video: apvz8Y7qMJo ) 51:10 On Alireza's fashion career; and also Nepo's DoTA hobby. 1:00:30 Nepo mentioning an interesting "prediction" to a FIDE official re: Gukesh... 1:04:00 Ding's impromptu preparation for the WCC... Wei Yi's poem. 1:05:25 Will Ding defend? 1:13:07 "Garry will claim your rating spot!" 1:15:15 Firouzja farming Chartres Open? 1:22:45 Nepo farming Grand Swiss winners 1:23:25 Hans for the Candidates lol & Magnus granting another 4th place World Cup slot

[@andreavailetti874]

29:40 underrated moment

[@lollycopter]

@@andreavailetti874 Oh yeah! Also 26:52 - the "coin-flip thought"...

[@MrGaryStaples]

I could do with more of this banter per episode. Especially with unfiltered legends like Nepo. He’s a great guest and I’d be thrilled if you had him on more often.

[@AdamGaffney96]

52:00 One thing I find interesting about the Firouzja conversation is I feel like everyone I've seen discuss his talks as if Chess is the sensible, "real" job choice and him pursuing fashion is the distraction. And I feel like that's a perspective only people in the chess world could have. I can understand being disappointed in a talent leaving the game before reaching their potential, but if he does very well in fashion he's not made any mistakes by pursuing that instead. It seems like something he enjoys a lot more right now, at least compared to Classical chess, and honestly I think that's totally fair.

[@rowanmales3430]

There is two reasons for that; First, chess players are the ones giving their opinions, but second, the reason it is a fairly universal assumption (as you note) is due to exclusivity. Anyone can be a fashion designer. It's not hard, and its an entirely subjective industry, with whether you do well or not largely come down to luck with how your taste interacts with the masses. To even be able to become a Grandmaster is an insanely difficult and rare feat, and to be a peak Super Grandmaster is one of the most exclusive opportunities in the world; something that is additionally held in high regard because the cultural view of chess is viewed as refined and intelligent. To put it bluntly, the two opportunities are not the same, and it is not difficult to see; heck, because chess players decline in middle age you could even go into fashion design later in life, but the reverse is not true. HOWEVER, as you correctly note, what matters isn't the cultural perception of value, but what you yourself value and want to do. In this context, it is indeed a perfectly permissible option for Alireza to choose fashion design, but that doesn't mean those who would view that choice as Alireza not fulfilling his potential as completely wrong. It would indeed be a waste of talent, that just happens to be less important in practice than it might seem in theory. You can be a "wasted talent" and "happy and successful" at the same time.

[@sriramb5703]

To add to @rowanmales3430 , Alireza is not so serious about fashion either. He self-admittedly is only pursuing it because he is in Paris and Paris is famous for fashion. It also seems like he is viewing fashion as a kind of break from chess and not as a serious career. Compare him with Parimarjan Negi, who quit chess completely and is now pursuing a PhD in Stanford in computer science.

[@tylerkay825]

Something you are missing here with regard to people thinking he is throwing away his career is this- he is already in the top .001% in his field (chess). Do you think he is top .001% in fashion modeling? No he isn't.

[@alcubierrevj]

Y'all read our minds. This is exactly the post mortem commentary we needed!

[@noone-ld7pt]

Ian is an absolute legend, and there is a great Magnus quote about Ian that I'm gonna butcher, but it was something along the lines of: "There is no reason why Ian with his talent and understanding can't be as good as anyone in the world. The only one standing in his way is himself." Coming from Magnus that is probably the highest praise I've ever heard him give his anyone of his competitors, except for one. Who coincidentally is also in this call, and I'm ofcourse referring to when Magnus said about Fabi "He's got just as much right to call himself the best Classical chess player in the world as me right now" after their WC match.

[@BobbyJean-rk5sf]

When Magnus once was asked who he thought was the most genius chess player he said it is Nepo.

[@Mistgabel]

I mean what fabi is suggesting in 1:18:20 is basically how the norway chess tournament is played this year and I really like the format also as a spectator because their is always a result.

[@vishnu7hs]

Great episode. Nepo is a legend. Please get Gukesh for the next episode. We want Fabi and Gukesh discussions.

[@remi.bolduc]

When I saw the title I thought that you would be talking about Nepo. not that he would actually be on the podcast. that’s a very nice surprise. Thanks a million.

[@elena__sh]

Wow! What a nice surprise. I've been watching too much chess content lately, to the extent that I saw Fabi and Nepo in a dream tonight, and now this episode is released. 13:44 Ian has very strong intuition as a player. Should've trusted your guts and prepared for d4 45:40 In a way it reminded me of 'chess speaks for itself' 🧐 Niiiice. Very subtle. 1:09:00 The FIDE circus 😂

[@therealrondino]

Yeah, I agree about "chess speaks for itself," Elena. Is it only us 2 that see Ian potentially incriminating Gukesh with cheating? I like Ian, I like Fabi, great podcast etc etc. But it surely seems as if they've buried the lede here.

[@raviprakriya9082]

Crazy to have gotten this interview. Good sportsmanship guys

[@xpychicken]

Huge respect for these two!!

[@XXSFA7]

This is going to be a blast!!

[@daryab9416]

I got so excited when I saw this pop on my feed! Congrats on 70k

[@harstar12345]

Nepo is someone who, if you don't get him, you are put off by him. But eventually, I think, most people see that he's a sweetheart, and his comments should be given the benefit of the doubt

[@ВикторФирсов-е9ф]

Btw Ian has his own YT channel)

[@FarCrySource]

Fabi's joke about being murdered by someone outside the playing hall was a killer! Nice interview and conversation. I loved it so much ❤

[@donfan7552]

Woah didnt expect Nepo to be on the podcast 😮

[@ethan073]

Great convo, I really enjoyed listening to you all 😁

[@willc3421]

Awesome interview, great from Ian to be so open about everything, really loved this one. Ian we definitely want to see some recaps!

[@BobbyJean-rk5sf]

It’s so nice to see how much Nepo likes Fabi. It really shines through in this talk. Both are such great humans ❤

[@rsr22.3]

I love love love these podcasts. I never thought I’d stick to hour long ones as most KZbin videos are like 20min long max but for some reason these are super addictive :) get so many unique insights into the minds of top players…plus it’s fun!

[@noone-ld7pt]

In an alternate universe where Magnus never played chess, these two are the most likely to be world champions. Absolutely amazing to live in a time where we get to see two legendary WC challengers share their views and insights about chess for over an hour.

[@tranquilitytranquility1407]

This was fantastic! I love Nepo’s self-deprecating humour and he is so endearing wearing all his emotions on his face.

[@Matthew-bu7fg]

Ian is one of my favourite players. For me, alongside Magnus, he is right up there with top chess players with a sense of humour. Such a great chess player too and seeing his insights here were great. Part of me really wanted him to win the candidates and fulfil his desire to win the title that he's gotten so close to twice !

[@icedtee12]

I really enjoyed this podcast. I love Ian's infectious smile. He is someone that it is easy to empathize with his emotions. He is genuine. Love hearing two titans in chess just talk shop. So sorry that neither of you won it this year. And finally - wish that Wesley So was in the candidates.

[@lovely-or1db]

Loving this convo

[@potatoonastick2239]

Amazing that he agreed to an episode!

[@zeruicheng9603]

Great episode! Ian is really funny guy. It's also hilarious that both Fabi and Ian picked Hans for the next Candidates. All we need now is for Magnus to claim that he won't play a WCC match unless Hans is his opponent.

[@MrFQQLISH]

"there is nothing to recover from" nepo is tough as nails and i hope to see him in the next candidates

[@gibbo104]

Great podcast as always gentleman, thank you. Shout out to Ian, Didn't know he had jokes as well! Very entertaining and thanks for shearing your thoughts on the tournament and games.

[@Ireniicus]

This might have been your best guest. Really enjoyable.

[@matthewglenguir7204]

As tragic as the outcome is, this is still one of my favorite game and most memorable one that i followed as a new player

[@subhankarbhadra781]

There is this section “Ian’s thoughts on Gukesh’s performance”, and they discuss the only game he lost. Very cool, guys 😂

[@tobyquaite8616]

Well he pretty much made no mistakes in any other games so not much to talk about

[@93kk0]

Best podcast yet. Very interesting discussion from some clever and likeable people.

[@Tieak7733]

My two favorite players from the candidates. So happy to see this!

[@ramaniganesh9477]

Nepo is cool - direct, not couching his thoughts with fake balance and correctness

[@kalvheps5973]

Absolutely brilliant interview.Nepo was just superb.Funny,factual and quite transparent.Hope Caruana and Nepo win the WCC at some point .

[@sugavanambalasubramanian8536]

May be in your dreams!

[@kalvheps5973]

@@sugavanambalasubramanian8536 Maybe!?

[@aaradhyashrivastav6989]

Go and research

[@kalvheps5973]

@@aaradhyashrivastav6989 ??

[@aaradhyashrivastav6989]

@@kalvheps5973 sorry man I agree with you I was actually saying this to the other person who wrote the comment "may be in your dreams"

[@turinhorse]

Nepo seems like a really cool guy

[@PytorDukiv]

Nice! Thank you for getting this done so quickly.

[@praveenr7624]

Awesome podcast… great to see both the players!

[@Arsenic_99]

Ofcourse Ian is pissed that Gukesh don't talk rigorously about his in-game approach in post match interviews, since he just doesn't let anyone to grab any clues in their preparation against him haha

[@rg7535]

Am I completely off base or is Ian insinuating he thinks there's something fishy in Gukesh's performance in the Candidates?

[@nailfelagund7508]

It seems so.

[@BobbyJean-rk5sf]

No. He just doesn’t understand his playing style well as he has not yet played against him often. That’s what he meant.

[@rg7535]

@@BobbyJean-rk5sf I really don’t think it is. He even made sure to compare his interview to Hans Niemann’s. And if you pay close attention, you’ll notice Fabi had a grin as he was talking about Gukesh, which tells me they probably talked about it at some point before the podcast and Fabi knows where Ian is going with this.

[@linuxbasic3399]

​@@BobbyJean-rk5sf he literally said he had warned fide that gukesh would win the candidates and no one took him seriously... this sore loser just trying to insinuate gukesh cheated... hikaru said nepo did insinuate gukesh cheating even in person go watch that...

[@vipulgupta]

Both the Timestamps in the details of the video and the Chapter details look totally off

[@martinm6368]

Nepo and Fabi seem to come around on accepting that Hans is destined to become the first American World Champion.

[@elena__sh]

first American WC? How about Bobby Fisher

[@martinm6368]

​@@elena__sh Ask Hans! I don't know how to resolve this conflict between his declared goal and reality.

[@harryh2185]

I wish they had asked Nepo how he came to put Gusti into his team.

[@BobbyJean-rk5sf]

Seeing Nepo on Fabis Podcast makes me so happy- two legends on and off the board ❤❤

[@HominisLupis]

2 chess legends, truly magnificient players, both just short of that secret sauce that makes for that killwr instinct and elite mentality. Great show, thanks

[@peeranpc4262]

this is gold! I LOVE IT! Lots & lots of love Ian and Fabi

[@braillgebra1706]

The timestamps are from some other video it seems. They don’t speak about whatever it says

[@karenhuang3905]

It is good to see them speak their minds. Just simply what they really think regardless the noises from other.

[@DougTown]

Hey C^2, can you add Nepo's channel to the description?

[@BobbyJean-rk5sf]

It’s Yan Nepomniachtchi on KZbin. Lately sometimes in Russian, but there are also great English episodes.

[@spacejuice6941]

I'm a simple man, i see a new C squared video i click instantly

[@ritikhans372]

loved it thanks guys and all the best for the future

[@Katatopianos]

Ian seems like a very good guy

[@zineddinelouzani7069]

I read from GM fabiano's eyes the pain and disappoitment, what a Gentlemen !!!!!!!!

[@artificercreator]

Good interview!

[@SharatS]

Anyone knows what game Fabi is talking about at 1:30:55?

[@crimz9376]

The episode I was so looking forward to yay!! 🥳

[@marcobecerrap]

This is the best in-depth chess content. Thank you! 🙂

[@vitalyredkin4598]

Ian on Gukesh: “I guess time will tell us something…”😮

[@akashneel2888]

Did just ian insinuate that Gukesh is cheating. He drew comparison with Hans and then says that he didn't understand Gukesh's style and only 'time will tell'

[@rocketjack4865]

Exactly what I was thinking. wtf was that ??

[@akashneel2888]

@@rocketjack4865 is that a Russian thing. I don't know. I think in some other russian podcast, he said something along the lines of 'playing Gukesh, it feels like his moves are not human like'. Don't quote me on this but saw a reddit post and noone contested the translation. So I am guessing it's the correct translation

[@BobbyJean-rk5sf]

No, he didn’t. He just doesn’t get Gukesh style (or Hans). I think it might be difficult for old school GMs to understand younger players who grew up with computer chess (instead of learning classical theory from books).

[@akashneel2888]

@@BobbyJean-rk5sf on the contrary Gukesh has trained all this life untill 15 without any help from engines. It's in the last 2 years he has started using engines as a guide. So he is not 'computer trained'

[@bookl5578]

The timestamp seems to be all over the place. I click the timestamp and they are not talking about what the subtitle indicates.

[@Chessmates223]

Our two world Champion we never had🥺 hopefully in the future they will get that crown👑

[@vixr9557]

amazing podcast to invite Ian to weigh on recent battle in candidates. Imagine back in a day top players gather and discuss like this

[@jacktower5697]

This was a really cool surprise.

[@atulkrishan7830]

Time stamps are messed up.. 😂

[@ankanpal]

45:33 what is Nepo hinting here? He is feeling sus about Gukesh?

[@matthewglenguir7204]

super gms are paranoid af

[@hwangsaessi2335]

Great content! I find it interesting how much time relatively is devoted to discussing Alireza and how little is said about the guy who actually became the challenger, Gukesh. It seems like experienced top GMs (Ian and Fabi, maybe others, even Magnus) still find Alireza to be the young guy with the most talent/potential, regardless of specific tournament performances. Whereas Gukesh is just seen as "misterious" and that's about it, with even some slightly strange comments from Ian like "chess speaks for itself" and "time will tell" with a smirk. What does "misterious" mean really? Even among the Indian young upcoming stars, Pragg and Erigaisi appear to be considered "more interesting" than Gukesh. When it came to the WC discussion, Ian was also just like "it's all about Ding", which is probably true in this case to be fair.

[@tristan7720]

Damn why don't they call out Vincent for the candidates contenders next time

[@seya_2]

Can anyone tell what GM Fabi was referring to in the very end?

[@winnerzacademy7895]

1:30:50 who is he talking about??

[@invincible_29]

Even i want to know

[@simeracerhead3670]

Great to hear from Ian and love his ironic sense of humour!

[@Swagtorian]

can anyone provide the link of podcast in russian of Ian

[@BobbyJean-rk5sf]

It’s linked in the caption.

[@samwrihiro]

Nepo: Vocaturo is the best Italian player! Fabi: 🤓

[@sugavanambalasubramanian8536]

Message to youngsters : Don’t play well & beat oldies. Then you will be called a cheater!