It'd be amazing if Hans did win 1st but I really don't think he can. 3rd would be very good. He's gotta play well for almost 11 games, not a few.
And I was only joking about Naka being scared of Hans. Everybody knows Naka is a better player. I was joking about him being physically afraid of Hans with all the trash talking going back and forth.
Rounds 5 and 6 will be pivotal for Hans with matchups against Levon Aronian and Wesley So. If he can finish this leg with a score of +1 to +2, then he is a definite title contender and will have only one more member of the Olympiad team to play in this tournament.
He has white against both Wesley and Levon. 3 out the next 4 he has white. He started off well in round 1 vs Fabi even though he only drew. The article on here covering round 1 said Hans was the only one out of all 12 that had winning chances. Looking at the pairings, I think he has a real chance to score 7 points, I think that'll be top 3.
So thanks to Chris Yoo Hans is back in the game...
So thanks to Chris Yoo Hans is back in the game...
Before the expulsion, I wouldn't have ruled Hans out due to his strength of competition and the fact that he beat Lenier Dominguez. Once round 6 has finished he would have played 4 out of 5 members of the 2024 Olympiad team. If he kept it close to Fabi, he would have been a definite contender.
Wow, I only just now heard of the Christopher Yoo situation. When I first read the headline I gotta admit my first thought was "dang it Hans, can't you just simmer down a bit?!"
But Fabi is doing great. 80% is Bobby Fischer level. Can he maintain that scoring % for the 2nd half though?
Oh, Fabi doesn't get a point for beating Yoo. So it's still a 3 way tie for 1st.
So Hans lost a game that should've been drawn. Results like that aren't what top players do. That loss dropped him 6 spots in ranking, from #15 to #21. Fabi is cruising and didn't even get credit for the Yoo win.
Clarissa Yip is on an enormous streak, she's 7 - 0.
Hans might have a shot at winning this...