Reigning chess champion Magnus Carlsen shared his expectations for the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, which started today in Almaty, QazMonitor reports citing Championat.
"If I thought anyone other than myself was the favorite, I wouldn't even participate. Yes, these are open tournaments and a big number of chess players have a chance to win, but I don't think that when I'm in good form, someone else's chances of winning are better than mine," Carlsen said at the press conference.
The World Chess Championship is being held in the Baluan Sholak Palace of Sports and Culture between December 25 and 30.
Almost 300 of the world’s top grandmasters and masters (men and women) from over 50 countries are participating. The prize fund of the competition is $1 million.
A total of 25 chess players from Kazakhstan will be competing. The line-up includes Zhansaya Abdumalik, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Dinara Saduakassova, Meruert Kamalidenova, Amina Kairbekova, Assel Serikbay, and Nazerke Nurgali.
