Aronian Backs Caruana as Clear Favorite in Upcoming Candidates Tournament
Aronian Backs Caruana as Clear Favorite in Upcoming Candidates Tournament
As the chess world gears up for the highly anticipated Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, veteran Grandmaster Levon Aronian has weighed in on the competition, declaring fellow American Fabiano Caruana the “clear favorite” to challenge for the World Championship title. The tournament, set to kick off on Saturday, March 28, features eight of the globe’s top players and is pivotal in determining the next challenger for the reigning champion.
Aronian, a seasoned competitor with six Candidates appearances from 2007 to 2018, expressed confidence in Caruana’s abilities, stating, “He’s been playing very consistently throughout the year and qualified with ease. I think he clearly has been the second strongest player in the world for many years already, after Magnus [Carlsen].” He rated Caruana’s chances of winning the tournament at an impressive 40 to 45 percent.
This year’s Candidates Tournament sees a notable shift in representation, with only one Indian player, R Praggnanandhaa, competing in the ‘Open’ section. This is a decrease from three participants in the previous edition, where D Gukesh made history as the youngest champion. While Aronian acknowledged Praggnanandhaa’s talent, he did not consider him a leading contender this time around.
Aronian’s enthusiasm for an American champion shines through as he roots for both Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura, the world No. 2. “It would be great for America to have an American world champion,” he remarked, highlighting the significance of national representation in the chess community.
In addition to Caruana, Aronian pointed to rising star Javokhir Sindarov as a potential dark horse in the tournament. “He’s young, ambitious, and plays very interesting, combative chess. If things go his way early on, he can be a very dangerous competitor,” Aronian noted, suggesting that the tournament could hold surprises.
As the chess community eagerly awaits the start of the Candidates Tournament, all eyes will be on Caruana and the other elite players vying for the chance to challenge for the World Championship title. With Aronian’s insights and predictions, the stage is set for an exciting showdown in Cyprus.