Hikaru v. Fabiano! USA #1 & #2 Clash In Epic Battle | Speed Chess Championship 2023 QF !coinbase

[@greatpretender83]

"Mousy that King over"

[@johnfarragut2185]

I love Danya but this commentary pairing was not my favorite. It works better when they discuss the position by explaining their own understanding and asking/posing questions to the other, and approach the game as trying to understand what the players are doing rather than judging/critiquing from a viewpoint suggestive of superior understanding (which clearly is not warranted given who is playing). The filler comments were a bit much relative to helping understand the content of the games.

[@iDC-Javi]

Yeah I think Kassa is a very likable guy and obviously quite knowledgeable but you're right, it was a bit too much of "I would play this, I would have done this" instead of just commenting on what Hikaru and Fabi were doing. I'm sure he didn't intend it to come across in any superior/judging way but it's just a natural consequence of the situation when 2 top4 players are playing and you constantly seem to be smarter then them with your comments. Part of that of course is normal for commentators (who see the eval) but I guess the magic trick is to not overdo it with the critiquing comments when your own rank/elo doesn't warrant that. This critique towards Kassa obviously doesn't take away the fact that otherwise he's a great eloquent commentator, great vibe overall.

[@Peterkringle]

Super late to the party here and no one will see this, but definitely agree with these takes. I love Danya, but for me, him and Robert Hess are the ideal combo. They just have similar levels of wit and similar love for the history of the game. I think Kassa seems like a fine commentator, just his style maybe didn’t match as well for me. Like I think he and Simon would be a much better pairing.

[@intellectualfibre]

2:30:52

[@ankitamit66]

Its boring for Nakamura now to winning speed chess 😂

[@BreakdancingMiracle]

This was particularly humiliating for Fabi in my opinion. Hikaru should not really be this dominant over him!

[@meruemo776]

Not really, it was expected. Fabi is no 2 when it comes to classical. In blitz/bullet he's not in the top 50

[@danielwitt9245]

Those question marks on computer are a bit off-putting don't need people dropping round for quiche

[@TalShiar-zi4dn]

How do you have a fully fledged mic setup and sound worse than the Apple EarPods? Ask Danya.

[@rubikmania98]

ggez Hikaru

[@boohoohoohoo]

Damn imagine being 3rd best SCC player in the world and giving zero Fs about all this. (Ding)

[@keysersoze9592]

hikaru is the corniest dude in the world lol

[@GroovyCODM]

Fabi need to take a good break from chess and come back stronger, he blundered too many times

[@golendorfjules1838]

imagine being 1800 or so at chess and commenting a fabi vs naka SCC with naroditsky in real time

[@idkmanv2496]

And?

[@useless-god69]

Imagine being 200 and judging an 1800?

[@boxofcans461]

Less cost. Who exactly are you talking about? Kasa is an IM

[@PietroG1useppe]

Ok mr 400 ELO

[@boxofcans461]

@@PietroG1useppe don't underestimate us, average elo in comments is 4000

[@Longminh8989]

1

[@harshitagarwal1479]

Hikaru is the most annoying and disrespectful player in SCC. No other player milks the clock the way Hikaru does even when he is leading the match with a comfortable margin. It’s honestly quite annoying to even watch him do the dirty tricks can’t even image how irritating it would be to actually play him

[@TheBiggestBlue]

This is probably bait, but considering how strong these players are, a comfortable lead is not as comfortable as you'd think. Even stated in the post match interview he made it clear the one time he didnt milk the clock he got obliterated. Not milking the clock and then Fabi gets on a streak and understands how to counter the asymmetrical opening and then goes into more natural openings where Fabi is more comfortable and dominant tactically? Why chance it? Play to win and snuff chances. I'd expect other players to do the same to Hikaru when they are ahead because that's just the smarter thing to do than allow more opportunity to swing the match in a different direction. Itd be more infuriating imo that a player ended up losing by a point or even half a point because an extra game was played because they wanted to be 'respectful' about the time format. My issue is more that the format allows it, not so much the players abusing it.

[@harshitagarwal1479]

@@TheBiggestBlueI get that “objectively” milking the clock is best strategy for better chances when you are the favourite but why is Hikaru the only one doing it? Magnus is also always the favourite but no matter what he never does something like this. My problem is not even what he does but the extent to which he does it. Milking a few seconds here and there is completely fine but dragging a completely drawn position for over 200 moves is just insane. It’s clear that he doesn’t respect the game nor the players.

[@TheBiggestBlue]

@@harshitagarwal1479 Well, taking from the Nepo match that Magnus had, there weren't opportunities for him to do so anyway. Magnus was almost always behind on time unless he was outright winning and when he was short on time he did make mistakes that led to short draws instead of winning (I think it was game 3 of the 3+1?) But another case is that I'd also be pressed to believe that Hikaru respects his opponents TOO much which is why hes more likely to do it. He doesnt want that extra game or 2 being a factor nor give his opponent momentum. Besides, I find it funny when Magnus is so confident he is going to win that he wouldnt chew clock. Cause hes Magnus, why wouldnt he? Whereas Hikaru is playing a whole extra level of chess. Hes going to get in your head whether it's on the board with an obviously offshoot opening that his opponents likely dont or cant prep for or something that's going to affect you mentally off the board such as the match clock. He takes all the advantages he can get because he respects the players' abilities. Hes playing a mental war which, I dont mind. Which is probably why people are so divisive between being a fan of either Magnus or Naka. Magnus is just pure chess skill vs Naka playing mind games.

[@danielcraveiro5384]

people actually think that bullet skills matter in chess. bruh... Fabi is the better player. In blitz its close, or nakamura has the edge but in general Fabi smokes him

[@place-holder5221]

Bullet skills don’t matter in classical, rapid, or blitz, but it’s the most entertaining, and hikarus the best bullet player on a decent day

[@jj921]

Not really, they play at a similar level in other formats now. Hikaru has a better head to head score against Caruana in their recent matchups as well.

[@sergiorenatoreyes6967]

Wdym? It's 8-8 with 33 draws in Classical

[@mikeog2617]

They matter when you play bullet duh

[@Themarch001]

Keep lying to yourself you crybaby Hikaru is way better in blitz if you think otherwise you're basically lying, he had 4 points lead in blitz today but in general he's the 2nd strongest blitz player, even Danya is stronger than Fabi in blitz. and their classical score is even, 8 to Fabi 8 to Hikaru with tons of draws 🤪