I've seen Magnus as being untouchable for so long, it will be weird to root against him. I think he has been a good representative for the game aside from the occasional temper tantrum. I think Fabiano can get it done in November. He's cool under pressure and is not intimidated by his opponents, regardless of their rating.
Fabiano Caruana! The Historic Candidate from the US!
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Oct 23, 2018
0
#63
fischerrook wrote:
I've seen Magnus as being untouchable for so long, it will be weird to root against him. I think he has been a good representative for the game aside from the occasional temper tantrum. I think Fabiano can get it done in November. He's cool under pressure and is not intimidated by his opponents, regardless of their rating.
A few months back I'd give Carlsen about 75% chance to win the match but now, just before November of 2018 I'd say it's about 50-50. Caruana has grown stronger while Carlsen has weakened a bit.
If Caruana wins, it will be a yuuuuge boost to the popularity of the game in the US. A higher public interest, and more money flowing into chess. I'm all for that.
At the same time, I like Carlsen too as he's a good ambassador of the game. I'd like to see Caruana take the title eventually, but perhaps on his third try. Say he tries and ties the match this year (losing on the tiebreaks), and repeats the feat in 2020 (while taking the #1 spot) and finally clinching the title in 2022 and keeping it maybe till 2030. That, to me, will be an ideal scenario. It will bring some drama, some media coverage. And if all the while the Team USA does well in the Olympiads, all the better. Carlsen - Caruana rivalry can be like Karpov vs Kasparov and stimulate a lot of interest towards the Royal Game! 
Nov 7, 2018
0
#64
USArmyParatrooper wrote:
Anyone criticizing Fabiano Caruana for leaving the US and returning later, I’m sorry but that’s ridiculous.
At the end of the day it’s a game. He was born in the USA, educated in the USA, he moved abroad and he returned. He has every right to represent HIS country. Nationalism to the point that you would criticize him for living and playing elsewhere is not healthy for anyone, least of all for the USA. Frankly I think it makes the rest of us look bad.
As far as I’m concerned Fabiano is a hotdog eating, football (not “futball”) watching, gun toting, red blooded American. Even if he doesn’t eat hotdogs, watch football, or own a gun.
Agreed, although it's hard to imagine Caruana as being a hot-dog eating, football watching, and gun totting - especially doing all three at the same time, lol.
Anyone criticizing Fabiano Caruana for leaving the US and returning later, I’m sorry but that’s ridiculous.
At the end of the day it’s a game. He was born in the USA, educated in the USA, he moved abroad and he returned. He has every right to represent HIS country. Nationalism to the point that you would criticize him for living and playing elsewhere is not healthy for anyone, least of all for the USA. Frankly I think it makes the rest of us look bad.
As far as I’m concerned Fabiano is a hotdog eating, football (not “futball”) watching, gun toting, red blooded American. Even if he doesn’t eat hotdogs, watch football, or own a gun.