The Bilbao Chess Grand Slam Masters Final 2016 will take place between the 13th and 23rd July. The ninth edition of Masters Final has been brought forward from its usual date in the calendar of the most important international chess events, making way for November’s clash in the World Championship Match between the current champion, Magnus Carlsen, and the winner of the Candidates Tournament which will begin on the 11th March in Moscow.
Bilbao will be the final clash between Carlsen and Karjakin before their World Chess Championship 2016 match. Although their game will attract the most attention, the rest of the field is impressive and has all the chances for the top positions as well. Hikaru Nakamura, Anish Giri, Welsey So, and Anish Giri provide an average rating of 2775+ ELO
The young age of the field is notable. The most experienced player is Nakamura, and he is only 28. The youngest is Wei Yi – 17 years old.
Today ‘Hikaru’ Nakamura. Tomorrow ‘Hikain’ (TB patient in Filipino language) Nakamura.