It's unusual for Gelfand to play in a tournament so close to a WCC match.  Usually both of the players take some time away from competitive chess to prepare for the match.  I don't agree that playing in a tournament is good preparation for a match.  Match preparation should include things like reviewing your opponents games and repertoire, researching theoretical novelties, playing training games.

isnt playing tata steel 2012 a good way for anand to play for world championship  or is he a chicken  ?    bok bok

Maybe more is required of a player for an automatic invitation to Tata Steel than 3 wins against 2700+ players.  Maybe they figured that there are plenty of players capable of 3 wins against 2700+ players and decided to invite some of them instead.  Just may be possible.

the fide is not fair to wesley he is strong player why? he beat 1 ivanchuk 2700+ 2  kamsky 2700+ 3 navara 2700+  so organizer of this tournament why wesley is not there

I followed the tournament last year, some strong players were brought to their knees by Wesley So.  So sad that he is not included this coming event. Anyway, the show must go on... go.. go.. ANISH GIRI..

Ivanchuk in bad form in Italy wile shine in Holand. Co-winner with Magnus(?)

Good thing Anand is not there, he only plays boring draws.  What a chicken.

I could easily imagine about 5 individuals who could win this. A lot will depend upon who is most consistent at wiping out the weaker players and handing their main rivals a loss or two. Still, there are several top players in this group who could do that. We've seen a lot of smaller events with only top players, so this "old-fashioned" mix of strong, weaker and up&coming players will be very entertaining.

Gata and Nakamura, make the USA proud!

Wesley didn't make it.., he had his try twice in group B...

what bother's me is why Luke Mc Shane didn't make the cut?

last years Navara and him was tied after the tournament,.

Why is Wesley So not included in the list?

Go Hikaru!!!  For the American!!! (Although Kamsky is also there :P, it would be an interesting match-up if they go against one another, might be a good indication of the true U.S. Champion :D)

Anand isnt playing because he is afraid to lose to the best that is why Gelfand is playing in the championship and not Carlsen that and some really rich dude who wants to see his fellow 2746 isrealite lose to a 2800+ champion. sorry to say this but Gelfand doesnt stand a chance in this tournament or against Vishy. but im sure he and everyone else will still put on a good tournament.

Motylev and Potkin take group B and Magnus and Topolov take group A should be terrific games though i hope they keep us up to date on them.

Where's the Z group?

I don't know for sure why Wesley So isn't playing Tata next year. He may simply not have been invited, or he may have declined for some reason. He may also be going into higher education soon, so he may have other priorities for a while.

If anyone knows the answer, please let us know!

 where`s wesley ....dis is damn ...

Where's Wesley So??

Wesley So, where is he?. Wasn't he downed 2 strong players in Corus ( now known as TaTa Steel) tournament last year? Is beating 2 known players is the reason why he is now out?

@drumdaddy: please don't talk nonsense...

This is by the way the strongest 14-player-event in history!