1. GM Vasily Ivanchuk, Ukraine 2748
2. GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu, Romania 2707
3. GM Lazaro Bruzon, Cuba 2677
4. GM Artyom Timofeev, Russia 2658
5. GM Kamil Miton, Poland 2635
6. GM Zhang Pengxiang, China 2613
7. GM Curt Hansen, Denmark 2607
8. GM Baadur Jobava, Georgia 2601
9. GM Magnus Carlsen, Norway 2570
10. GM Lars Bo Hansen, Denmark 2565
Who do you pick to win this tournament? What do you expect from Magnus Carlsen?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
I expect Ivanchuk to win it and Magnus to have a -4 score.
Maca
I do not think Ivanchuk to win. He seems without fighting spirit the last couple of games. Of course he could win if he would be motivated. I think Timofeev will win and Magnus will end up with a 50% score.
Ivanchuk has been in a bit of a slump lately…it may or may not continue with this tournament…I do expect at least an even score…
As far as Magnus Carlsen is concerned, he has plateaued in the past year and had mostly mediocre perfomances in the tournaments he has participated in. Why this is the case I do not know…he has amazing talent! Like Ivanchuk, the slump may or may not continue for Magnus as well…he may finish even as well…at least I hope so.
The guy to watch out for, IMHO, is Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu of Romania. Assuming that he manages to avoid coming down with the Avian Flu that has now been found in his home country, he is a very dangerous opponent whose star has quietly been on the rise, much like Topalov’s in the past few years…then, BAM! He starts winning big tournaments again and again…like Topalov did.
Regards,
Bill