2016 Candidates' Tournament Free Analysis Video Guide

Did you miss any live games from the 2016 Candidates' Tournament in Moscow, where the best contenders in the world battled it out for a shot at Magnus Carlsen's world championship?

This guide serves to showcase the top-notch coverage of IM Daniel Rensch as he walks you though every exciting match up with his unique blend of instructional and comic commentary! 

Each full video is free and available to everyone. 

In case you were wondering, here is the list of contestants hoping to fight their way into a chance at Magnus Carlsen:

Links To Free Videos!

Round 1: Anand took an early lead with a victory over Topalov leaving everyone wondering if we'll see a threepeat matchup! Giri's fashionable Queen's Gambit Declined was close to winning over the well prepared Aronian while the American and Russian matches between Nakamura vs Caruana and Karjakin vs Svidler were solid draws.

Round 2: Did Nakamura blunder vs Karjakin or just finally succumb to lasting pressure? Either way, the young Russian caught up to Anand who drew in a topical Queen's Gambit Declined vs Aronian.  Caruana vs Giri saw a drawn but fighting anti-Berlin whereas Svidler and Topalov played deep Berlin theory before trading down to a clear draw. 

Round 3: Topalov dropped a full point allowing Aronian to join the front of the pack whereas Svidler showed the depth of his preperation against Nakamura who only managed to hold the half point. Karjakin play another Queen's Indian Defense vs Giri resulting in a tactical draw. Avoiding the Berlin endgame, Caruana vs Anand posed an interesting but equal game.   

Round 4: Karjakin pulls away from the pack after a solid win over Anand! Nakamura vs Giri was a theoretically important but indecisive game whereas Svilder had cause to be excited about his position but Aronian was able to hold. Caruana was winning against Topalov by move 40; unfortunately, by move 41 it was back to an equal position.  

Round 5: Topalov played his best game of the tournament but it wasn't good enough to take down Karjakin. Anand vs Nakamura saw another fighting anti-Berlin with uncapitalized winning chances for white. Caruana got his dream of playing a Benoni against a willing Aronian but lucked out with a draw. Giri vs Svidler was a quick Fianchetto Grünfeld draw.  

Round 6: Anand jumped back into contention with a smooth win over Svidler. Nakamura lost "touch" with his position allowing Aronian an easy win in a drawn rook ending. Giri had a dream Benko versus Topalov but failed to convert. Caruana put Karjakin under serious pressure, but with amazing defense (including a queen sac!) the current tournament leader managed to hold.  

Round 7: Nakamura refuted Topalov's sacrifices to finally put a win on the board! Aronian drew comfortably as he produced a new mainline against Karjakin's King's Indian Attack. Svidler demonstrated he was a more prepared Grünfeld expert vs Caruana, but failed to capitalize.  Giri opted for simplification vs Anand's Queen's Gambit Declined and coasted in to a peaceful draw.   

Round 8: Caruana got the better of Nakamura in a legitimately exciting anti-Berlin! Likewise, Svidler vs Karjakin was a back and forth battle with winning chances for both sides. Anand displayed model technique in a Carlsbad structure and comfortably held versus Topalov whereas Aronian repeated a recent line against Giri without finding an improvement leading quickly to equality. 

Round 9: Anand took Aronian's co-leader spot back in an Italian game where the Armenian didn't think white had much!   Karjakin followed MVL's analysis against Nakamura and even obtained a slight edge but quickly dropped back to equality.  Giri failed to earn the whole point in yet another winning position vs Caruana. Topalov repeated an anti-Marshall from round 6, but Svidler was better prepared to hold this time. 

Round 10: After an impressive sac on h6, Caurana takes Anand's co leader spot! Svidler allowed Nakamura to sacrfice both a rook and bishop in order to force a perpetual whereas Aronian and Topalov traded serious mistakes but eventually settled on a draw. Giri defended comforatably vs Karjakin extending his impressive streak of draws. 

Round 11: More shuffling at the top as Anand ground Karjakin down in another Anti-Berlin! Aronian pushed his wining chances too hard vs Svidler allowing the Russian to come out on top. Topalov saced the exchange for excellent pressure, but lost the threat allowing Caruana winnings chances, but the Amerian failed to convert. Giri drew another position with winning chances vs Nakamura.  

Round 12: Karjakin reclaimed his lead with an exciting win vs Topalov's Nadjorf! Nakamura won very quickly against Anand in a topical English. Caruana allowed Aronian the better chances, but the drawn result was never far from sight. Svilder dropped a pawn to Giri, but managed to hold the double rook ending leading to the Dutchman's 12th draw. 

Round 13: Aronian had a extra piece vs Karjakin but the Russian's passed pawn provided enough counterplay to hold keeping his chances to win alive as Caruana failed to convert a tablebase win vs Svidler! Anand was broke his streak of decisive games in a draw vs Giri. Topalov's position was overwhelmed by Nakamura who picked up a nice win! 

Round 14: Svidler held Anand to a draw removing any possible chances for the Tiger to get another shot at the title. Giri finished out his "perfect" score of 14 draws vs Topalov and Nakamura finished on 50% after securing a draw versus a disappointed Aronian. In the most important match of the tournament, Karjakin secured his match versus Carlsen when he defeated Caruana in an unbalanced and exciting Najdorf where both sides had chances!