The pairings for the 2006 Candidates Matches have been published by FIDE. Of course I will have to be bias and have an extra cheer for my sister Judit and my friend Gata. Who are your picks to win the first round? 
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I agree with your picks!
It will be hard for Judit. Also, for Gata. Maybe , the clearest winner looks to be Gelfand.
No way, Gata and Judit will win. Go Judit! Go Gata! Go everybody! 🙂
I think the wild card players here are Adams and Leko. When they are on their ball they are difficult to beat but when they are having even an average performance they can be taken out.
I agree with your picks though Susan!
–Sevan
I agree with the first seven, but I’ll pick Adams over Shirov.
where is Kramnik ?
Carlsen wins game 1. Since he only has played at this level for 3 years, he is going to be 33% better to next year. Aronian is only going to be 7 % better, so:-)
Well I dont have any picks.
I do have those I am going to cheer for.
My biggest cheers at the top.
Judit
Gata
Magnus
For many many years I have hoped that Judit would win the World Championship. I guess ever since I first heard about the Famous and Fantastic Polgar Sisters.
I had high hopes for Gata years ago when he played Karpov. I was so disappointed when he decided to leave chess and get an education. But it did look like a reasonable decision at the time.
Magnus caught my attention at the World Cup. I like his chess and find him to be so good at such a young age. I dont expect him to become World Champion in 2007 but I hope to see more of his games. I guess I am just amazed every time he wins. I think he is good for helping to make chess more popular in the world.
How does this work? Will the overall winner play Topalov?
Bonjour Susan comme je suis français je pense que Bacrot va gagner contre Gata.Pour les autres rencontres je suis d’accord avec toi 🙂
@ bientôt Alain.
I agree with your picks, except I pick Bacrot to win his match against Kamsky.
I understand where you and Alain are coming from. But I can’t pick against a friend 🙂
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
I am pulling for Judit and Magnus I think it would bring a lot of attention to chess.
Aronian, at the top of his game.
Leko, if he plays well at the beginning
Rublevsky, a difficult match to pick
Kasim, but barely
Bacrot, though I want an American to win
Grischuk, a dark horse to win it all
Polgar, but she better play her openings better than at San Luis!
Shirov, I question Adams even playing in this
Note: Ivanchuk got messed over again!
prdd
Here are my picks to win the first round:
1. Aronian. Even though Carlsen is playing very well (well above his rating) I think that Aronian came to play at the Knockout and has the patience to take out Carlsen.
2. Leko. I think Leko excells in match play where can just focus on one opponent. I look for that to be the deciding factor.
3. Ponomariov. He has been winning tournament after tournament this year. Fist in Pamplona and Second in the Knockout. He is playing great chess.
4. Kasim. This match will be close, but I think that Kasim learned a lot in San Luis, and he will bring that to the table against Gelfand.
5.Kamsky. He is slowly but surely getting back into old form!
6. Grischuk. He is just too strong and too consistent for Malakhov.
7. Polgar. This one will be close again, but I think Judit will be ready and learned from San Luis.
8. Shirov. Adams still won’t have the confidence to beat Shirov.
Aronian – healthy favourite against Carlsen even if Carlsen has almost a year to keep improving.
Leko – biggest favourite against Gurevich.
Ponomariov – only slight favourite over Rublevsky
Kasimjanov-Gelfand about even, but Kasim has shown himself to be a resourceful fighter, and I think it might be just enough to upset Gelfand.
Bacrot comfortable favourite over Kamsky, although the rust may be gone come october.
Grischuk – almost as big a favourite over Malakhov as Leko over Gurevich
Bareev slightly over Polgar. Really very even.
Shirov even more slightly over Adams. Creativity over solidity – but mainly the fact that Adams isn’t that solid anymore decides the edge. Wasn’t both of these better before.
Next round:
Aronian over Shirov/Adams
Leko over Polgar/Bareev
Pono/Rublevsky even with Grischuk
Bacrot slight fav against Kasim/Gelfand, or Kamsky slight dog against same.
If Rublevsky can devote himself completely in this quest look out.
1. Aronian after Carlsen draws blood.
2. Leko, the better man.
3. Ponomariov is top 10 quality; Gurevich is not.
4. Gelfand 55%. Young Rustam has a chance.
5. Gata wants this and can win if he prepares properly, with his usual angst-full struggle. He will draw Bacrot into a world where only Gata can live.
6. Grischuk is THE TALENT.
7. Bareev is tough and resourceful – better than Gelfand who won a match vs. Judit, who (1) is still rusty (2) hasn’t yet raised her game to a consistent top 10 level. Sorry. I like her too.
8. Shirov the white clown over Adams the sad clown.
-Anonymous Frank