Adopt-A-Danny Returns Wednesday With Ian Nepomniachtchi
The beloved series Adopt-A-Danny returns with its fourth father-to-be, GM Ian Nepomniachtchi
this Wednesday, May 27 at 11 a.m. Pacific time / 20:00 Central Europe on Chess.com/tv.
The show's third guest, world number-ten GM Anish Giri, adopted Danny in the 1+1 segments to become the third player to adopt the self-proclaimed Super IM last week. He joins grandmasters Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Anish Giri, and Wesley So as one of Rensch's four new dads.
Nepomniachtchi is currently the fourth-highest rated player in the world. Aside from his chess exploits, he is also an avid Twitch streamer.
He recently participated in the FIDE Chess.com Online Nations Cup and is also taking part in the now-postponed Candidates Tournament along with Vachier-Lagrave, which features the top players in the world dueling to determine who will challenge GM Magnus Carlsen for the World Chess Championship.
IM Danny Rensch will be looking to avoid "adoption" (losing in 10 consecutive games) against strong grandmasters across three different blitz and bullet time controls. Wednesday's event will offer the Russian grandmaster three opportunities to adopt Rensch, though just like in the Speed Chess Championship, Nepomniachtchi will have to race against the clock.
- Segment 1: 60 minutes in 5|0 blitz
- Segment 2: 45 minutes in 3|0 blitz
- Segment 3: 30 minutes in 1|0 bullet
As an interesting twist on this format, ongoing adoption streaks can only be ended with a Danny win or draw. He cannot be saved by the time running out in the segment.
Nepomniachtchi will earn $300 for each successful adoption, totaling a possible $900 across the three segments. Following the three segments, Adopt-A-Danny will conclude with a best-of-three, blindfold 3|0 blitz match, with an additional $100 prize for the winner.
Nepomniachtchi will also earn half of all "bits" donated on Twitch throughout the show, with the other half donated to a charity of his choice.
The typically upbeat Rensch seemed despondent in his chances: "Three's company but four's a crowd. I better not get adopted again. Sigh."
Nepomniachtchi is no stranger to playing in big moments on Chess.com. The 29-year-old grandmaster tied for first in the most recent Titled Tuesday, which took place just hours before the publication of this preview. In addition, he is known for being a mainstay in the Speed Chess Championship and playing in the PRO Chess League with the Russia Wizards on a consistent basis.
Can Rensch break the string of adoptions and finally find vindication by thwarting Nepomniachtchi with the pressure on?
Come and show your support for Nepomniachtchi this Wednesday, May 27 at 11 a.m. Pacific Time (20:00 Central Europe) on Chess.com/tv—and stay tuned for more editions of Adopt-A-Danny coming later this year!
