Second Reality

The Diary of a Year
彭肇勤 (Péng Zhàoqín)
WeChat, May 1, 2021

Preamble
After more than 400 days of suspension amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Candidates Tournament 2020–21 was finally resumed on April 19 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. An interval of more than one year between the two halves has undoubtedly made this edition of the Candidates Tournament the longest one in chess history.
In order to make it easier for most enthusiasts to enjoy the big challenge, once again the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) provided live commentary in three languages: Chinese, English and Russian. Just like in the first act, for everyone’s sake, four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) and fourteen-time Dutch Women’s Chess Champion 彭肇勤 (Péng Zhàoqín) still kept doing the Chinese broadcast. Unlike last year, however, they were not based in Yekaterinburg, but linked together through the Internet...

April 28, 2021
The eight-player Candidates Tournament for the World Chess Championship, after over one year of interval, has finally ended in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Russian Grandmaster Nepomniachtchi won first place with the excellent score of 8½/14, thus becoming the challenger of the World Champion Carlsen!

Nepo has taken the lead since the first round of last year. Over a year in the pandemic did not apparently affect the inspiration of any of the braided warrior’s creativity or coolness. He has finally attained a maturity of strength: emotions are kept under control and unreasonable risks are avoided. The victory came as a long-awaited reward for his early talent and his hard work. “It’s obviously a huge milestone in my career and perhaps in my life also”, Nepo said afterwards.

The chess world believes that, by virtue of his dynamic style and constant progresses, Nepo may be something of a threat for Carlsen. A great match is to be expected at the end of the year!
The two candidates from China were most affected by the pandemic. Too many quarantines and too long quarantine periods made it difficult for them to prepare physically and mentally. They soon lost any real chance for success. In the end 王皓 (Wáng Hào) even lost three games in a row, falling to the bottom ranking.

丁立人 (Dīng Lìrén) and Nepomniachtchi playing each other in the last round. Photo © Lennart Ootes.

On the contrary, 丁立人 (Dīng Lìrén) turned the tables of his disappointing first half. His fighting spirit rose again and he gave of his best till the very end, winning three consecutive games, including against Nepo, and jumping from the bottom to the middle, tied for 5th-6th place with 7 points. Although he failed to qualify as challenger, it is commendable — given the circumstances — he succeeded in being still ranked as world’s No. 3!

Kirill Alexeyevich Alekseenko – 丁立人 (Dīng Lìrén) (0 : 1)

丁立人 (Dīng Lìrén) – Ian Alexandrovich Nepomniachtchi (1 : 0)

I still remember, when on March 15, 2020, I went to Yekaterinburg to conduct the broadcast commentary with Women’s World Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán); and I still remember when, on March 26, the Tournament was halted due to the pandemic. Amid sighs and sobs, everyone bidding farewell to each other and everyone in a hurry to get back home. We were invited again to comment on the sequel, but since the pandemic wasn’t over, our studio has been virtualised. By the time of our broadcast, Amsterdam, 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), and Yekaterinburg were as one!

I enjoyed my work very much, and I don’t regret the adventure in Yekaterinburg last year. I thank the organisers and 小侯 (Xiǎo Hóu) for giving me the rare opportunity to enjoy the stage and the backstage of such a super-élite. And thanks, finally, to our loyal audience, hoping to meet soon again!

(English translation by I, Robot)