The poll list 9 super GMs and gives as a tenth option Someone else. Someone else = GM Alexander Ivanov, GM Larry Christiansen, GM Yury Shulman, GM Alex Shabalov, GM Marc Arnold, GM Melikset Khachiyan, Jorge Sammour-Hasbun, GM Joel Benjamin, Yaacov Norowitz, GM Alejandro Ramirez, GM Conrad Holt, GM Ben Finegold, John Bryant, Kayden Troff, Sam Sevian Within the Someone else category (containing 15 people) there exist two former champions in or near their prime (Shulman and Alex Shabalov) with good chances of winning this year. Also two former champions who are past their prime (Christiansen and Benjamin). Three people (Jorge Sammour-Hasbun, Alejandro Ramirez, and Conrad Holt) who will score some big time wins, meaning they are a threat to be a surprise champion. Meaning: The most likely champion is Someone else. It helps the old that the Someone else category contains 15 people.
Go Ray!
The poll list 9 super GMs and gives as a tenth option Someone else.
Someone else = GM Alexander Ivanov, GM Larry Christiansen, GM Yury Shulman, GM Alex Shabalov, GM Marc Arnold, GM Melikset Khachiyan, Jorge Sammour-Hasbun, GM Joel Benjamin, Yaacov Norowitz, GM Alejandro Ramirez, GM Conrad Holt, GM Ben Finegold, John Bryant, Kayden Troff, Sam Sevian
Within the Someone else category (containing 15 people) there exist two former champions in or near their prime (Shulman and Alex Shabalov) with good chances of winning this year. Also two former champions who are past their prime (Christiansen and Benjamin). Three people (Jorge Sammour-Hasbun, Alejandro Ramirez, and Conrad Holt) who will score some big time wins, meaning they are a threat to be a surprise champion.
Meaning:
The most likely champion is Someone else. It helps the old that the Someone else category contains 15 people.
Kamsky should pick somebody his own size (level). Looks like he’s the bully here. SMH.
I thought Fabiano Caruana was thinking about competing if his schedule allowed.
Sorry to see he’s not available.
I won’t be shocked if Kamsky withdraws due to his extremely busy schedule in the Grand Prix series. That would leave the tournament wide open.
Ray got this!