“Be a shark” Carlsen on Nepo, probably the 2023 Challenger
After his win on Round 7 of the 2022 Candidates Tournament against Richard Rapport, the Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi is the sole leader with the impressive score of 5.5/7. As nrk.no reported though, the World Champion Magnus Carlsen was not gracious in his criticism of the Nakamura – Nepo game on Round 5 of the Candidates.
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The Nakamura – Nepo game on Round 5 of the Candidates was an -almost- disaster for the Russian. His fast and inaccurate playing made everyone recall his games against Carlsen at the 2021 World Championship match, including the World Champion! This time though, Nepo pulled off a huge escape to maintain his leading position at the tournament.
“What a disaster for Ian. That’s very strange. Hikaru has just played the same sideline (an opening move) he played six years ago. Jan decided to make some natural and good moves, and then decide that this is damn solid, so I will let my queen be chased around the board instead” Carlsen said at the chess24 commentary adding: “How to play queen to d6 in one second? It’s so undisciplined. You have to smell the blood in the water. Be a shark!”
NRK’s chess expert Atle Grønn also commented on the possibility of Nepomniachtchi winning the Candidates. “I didn’t have much faith in Nepomniachchi, so the fact that he is the leader surprises me a little. I hope something happens at the top, because it would be a shame for chess if he wins. He clearly lost in the World Championship, and he is not an interesting Challenger. He is the worst possible winner, both in terms of chess and politics” says Grønn
However, it is not certain if Carlsen will compete in the World Championship, but it’s very likely that Nepomniachtchi will be the 2023 Challenger!
