I posted about the Grand Prix in Baku yesterday. Here are the list of the players (by April 2008 rating order) in the Baku Grand Prix:
Magnus Carlsen (NOR 2765)
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE 2752)
Teimour Radjabov (AZE 2751)
Peter Svidler (RUS 2746)
Sergey Karjakin (UKR 2732)
Michael Adams (ENG 2729)
Gata Kamsky (USA 2726)
Alexander Grischuk (RUS 2716)
Etienne Bacrot (FRA 2705)
Ivan Cheparinov (BUL 2695)
Wang Yue (CHN 2689)
Ernesto Inarkiev (RUS 2684)
Vugar Gashimov (AZE 2679)
David Navara (CZE 2672)
As far as I can recall, this would be the first super tournament which Magnus will be the #1 seed instead of being the underdog. It is a completely different kind of pressure when you are the favorite versus when you are not. Some like to be the head honcho. Some prefer to play up with lesser expectation. How do you think Magnus will handle the pressure of being the #1 seed for the first time in a biggie?
I guess it depends if he is as arrogant as Topalov was when he determined that 40 rating points (the difference between him and Kramnik when he commented on this) puts the competition below his class.
My guess is that Carlsen is 1) not nearly as arrogant, 2) a better chess player, 3) respects his opponents, and 4) respects the game too much.
Four items that Topalov seems to have lost along the way.
If you look at it, the biggest drop-off in ratings from one player to the next is between Svidler and Karjakin (14 points). Given that, I’d say that any of the top 4 could be favorites in the same category.
Kamsky’s effective rating has yet to catch up. I’d guess he is playing at Svidler’s level today.
But the games still have to be played; fatigue is a factor; style is a factor; will is a factor. Ratings are just a measurement of the player’s past performance against past opponents. It almost NEVER measures likely results.
Great event. Looking forward to the games…
This is a very good question. I don’t think he has the experience to win this event being the top seed.
No pressure, send Magnus good vibrations and he will do fine!
This kid is on fire!
I think he’ll do well. He’s been playing exceptionally lately and he does not seem to have an overinflated ego like some of the other guys.
Go Magnus, you can do it!
Magnus will do fine. The pressure is on the others , they don’t want to lose to a 17 year old.
hes still too young to feeel that kind of pressure!!!
let him growq a little then wsill know, buyt by then he pro bably will be the next worldchampion.
(after 2010).
jb.
I think he will handle the pressure ok but won’t win (probably 3rd or 4th) just because in my opinion he’s not the strongest in the field. I’m favoring Svidler in this lineup.