The 2024 FIDE Candidates tournament is off and running with some entertaining chess and plenty of surprises. (Although perhaps the identities of the leaders in the Open and Women’s sections aren’t as surprising.) I have been riveted by this tournament and am hoping to provide audio analysis and perspective from different guests on each rest day. In today’s pod, I briefly share my early impressions, than welcome recent guest Denis Markov back to the podcast. Denis had just returned from attending Rounds 1 and 2 in Toronto and described what it was like to attend the event. We went into everything from FIDE’s cheat prevention methods, to what the viewing experience is like within the venue. Whether you are thinking of making a last minute trip to Toronto, or just want to live vicariously through Denis, I think you will enjoy his report of a trip that Denis says he definitely will not regret. We will be back with more coverage of this fantastic tournament on the next rest day, Friday April 12.
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00:02 - Introduction and Plan for Perpetual Chess Coverage
02:00- Tournament Standings and Ben’s early Impressions
11:00 -Preview of Round Five Pairings
13:30- Denis Markov joins for a trip report from Toronto (previously heard on Episode 359)
13:57- Buying Tickets and Ticket Options
15:40- VIP Tickets and Balcony Experience
17:32- What it is like watching the players
19:50- Player Interactions and Autographs
23:00- The Fan Zone and Chess Personalities
26:47 -Spotting Chess Personalities
31:41-Meeting Gukesh and Viswanathan Anand
33:57-- Comparing the Candidates Tournament with attending the 2016 World Championship Match
36:57- Denis' Final Thoughts
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