Rd 6 Candidates 2020: Suppose Nepo tests Positive for Wuhan Virus?

“I didn’t use the N-word, I just quoted someone else using it.”

Sure, probably many articles suggested that, but it doesn't mean it is right. The WHO calls it Covid19, and I believe this is a better source than some article.

Therefore, Calling it Wuhan virus, or Chinese virus is not only wrong, but it also fuels absolutely undeserved xenophobia.

Maybe You didn't call it the Wuhan virus, but some people in this thread did, my message was for them. I was not pinpointing You.

I'm pointing out the wrongness of the defense that using a fraught word is ok because somebody else used it and you're just quoting it. 

So if you wish to emulate a senile racist, you know what to do

"Of course I'm not saying that the farming and consumption of wild animals in China is what caused this outbreak - saying that would be racist."

To say nothing of stupid

And yet China has banned this practice:

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/05/asia/china-coronavirus-wildlife-consumption-ban-intl-hnk/index.html

Bizarre, eh?!

We have managed to make it through half of the tournament without incident. I'm holding my breath hoping we make it through the entire event and two weeks after it with everyone healthy.

Strongly agree. I think they should have postponed the tournament, but since they decided to go ahead, all the players and staff have my best wishes

mem9000 Doesn't play fair game pacer opening and pulls me out with a crane and he promotes 5 pedestrians and imagine wins shame please community to react because it's not proper chess please community to react.! Thanks in advance.

User named mem9000

What did mem9000 do wrong? Looked to me like you should have resigned this game long before you were checkmated

https://twitter.com/chess24com/status/1243079057404833793?s=19

Option C was chosen by FIDE.  Which is logical.  

Validates GM Radjabov's decision.  

I've read a lot of opinions from a bunch of GMs in the last few hours. 

There are already calls for the entire FIDE board to resign. I think that's ridiculous. This is the best FIDE board ever.

Quite a few have been saying that Radjabov's decision was vindicated. But I don't know. The players seemed to have been relatively safe where they were. The only reason the event was cancelled was Russia decided to cancel flights out of the country. Three weeks ago, only a few people said it might come to this.

There were eight players who were willing to play in the event when it started. The players signed an agreement, and that included provisions in case the event had to be stopped. Everyone knew what was going on at the time, but the risked seemed small with only eight participants. 

Events have overtaken the tournament. That doesn't validate Radjabov's decision when the facts were different. It was a difficult decision either way, and anyone who claims otherwise either has a short memory or didn't understand the situation.

I agree. The FIDE board is great, but they had to make some hard decisions.

If more players than Radjabov had raised their concerns, then postponing the tournament before it started sounds likely to me. I don't think it is fair to say Radjabov should have contacted the other players to make that happen, it is FIDE that should contact all players and listen to their opinions before making a decision. Radjabov went to the extent to not participate if the event was not postponed, but players don't need to go to that extent to say their opinions. I can't tell to what extent FIDE had contact with the other players before making a decision (more than just whether they agree to the contract), but assuming most players preferred to play, rather than delay, then their decision at least seem reasonable to me (although I would have preferred it delayed from the start).

The fact that FIDE did not make the decision regarding the opening ceremony was also a bit of an eye-opener and a relief for me.

I'm in two minds here. I'm not an epidemiologist, but that the COVID-19 outbreak would come to this (Russia stopping flights in and out of the country) sooner rather than later was most definitely a distinct possibility - many would probably say highly likely - as early as three weeks ago. The outbreak was in full swing in Italy at the time (so no longer limited to China and South East Asia) and participants had difficulties in actually getting to Russia and Yekaterinburg. In other words, it was already clear that this virus outbreak would go around the world at least once, and the chances of a World Championship match this year also seemed highly remote.

For this reason, I felt Radjabov concern's were perfectly legitimate at the time of his withdrawal (and if he feels vindicated and hard done by now, I'm full of sympathy for him), although he did say back when he qualified that he wasn't even sure he would take up his place (so if anyone was more likely than the others to drop out, it was Radjabov). Also, I definitely think that FIDE should have postponed the tournament; the cancellation of numerous other big sporting events were already being discussed back then and Champions League and Europa League football games were being played off in empty stadiums or postponed. Having said that, once it had begun, I can't help feeling that they should have allowed it to finish, especially since the cancellation is not due to any of the players falling ill (although that may still happen for all we know), but because of Russia's decision to stop flights in and out of the country.

And there Teimour Radjabov demanded to be included in the Candidates Tournament once play is resumed ...

I read that here:  https://www.chess.com/news/view/teimour-radjabov-interview-fide-candidates-chess

There are a wide spectrum of thoughts and opinions in the comment thread following the informative interview of GM Radjabov.  

I'm reasonably sure that Dvorkovich said that FIDE would be choosing Option C from my original post.  However, I do believe that FIDE reserves the right to change their mind.  

No matter what FIDE decides with regards to continuing or restarting the Candidates 2020 tournament, they will be heavily criticized.  Some players are going to get the short end of the stick no matter what FIDE decides.  If Option C is chosen, then GM Radjabov may file legal action against FIDE.   If restart with a 9 player tournament (includes both Radjabov and MVL), then Nepo and MVL lose their +2 lead, and Ding and Alekseeko would be delighted to have their -2 erased.  

I have no great preference either way.  I just want the best, and most worthy challenger to King Magnus.

Radjabov is demanding "justice". According to Aristotle, justice is the equal treatment of equals. Seven of the candidates operated in solidarity and played until they were forced to stop halfway through the event. 

Gata Kamsky suggests that FIDE start from 0 with a nine player Candidates. That may be what ends up happening, but FIDE's current plan of continuing where they left off with MVL replacing Radjabov is probably the most "just".

Social media is on fire over this, with many people who don't have anything better to do calling for FIDE to resign over this. I understand being in a "Stay-home" state myself, but I recognize that FIDE is in a no-win situation. Anything they do will be criticized, and the timing of whatever they do will also be criticized. 

If anyone is interested in more thoughts about this Candidates 2020, here's this:

https://chess24.com/en/read/news/carlsen-dvorkovich-kramnik-on-ending-the-candidates

In the comment thread Magnus is taking some heat for expressing his thoughts and opinions.