Plus: The London Chess Classic ends, chess in the mainstream press, Dominguez fights for a spot in the Candidates, and an impressive David vs. Goliath victory.
Regarding the second "in brief" point: Maghsoodloo will play at a new Indian supertournament, Chennai Masters December 15 to 21 - mainly designed to give Gukesh or maybe Erigaisi another shot to overtake Giri in the FIDE Circuit thereby qualifying for the candidates. Other participants are Aronian, Sjugirov, Eljanov, Harikrishna and Predke - wondering how this field was put together: players available at short notice, strong enough to make it relevant for the Circuit but not stronger to reduce the chances of Gukesh or Erigaisi.
Hence, inviting Giri "wouldn't have made sense", but he'll be joining the live commentary from the Netherlands. In a German Bundesliga interview, Maghsoodloo seemed optimistic about gaining the 14 rating points he currently lacks - it would require a 5.5/7 score which would be a real threat to Gukesh and Erigaisi (even more may be needed depending on how Dominguez does at Sunway Sitges).
Giri and/or Keymer also could have played Sunway Sitges, they don't. Keymer's other option was the "German Masters" where a 8/9 score would be required as the 10-player field has four players rated 2390-2528.
Oddly, FIDE regulations on candidates qualification aren't clear on what happens if two players have exactly the same rating in the January list (ciphers behind the decimal point will be gone, rounding up or down).
Regarding the second "in brief" point: Maghsoodloo will play at a new Indian supertournament, Chennai Masters December 15 to 21 - mainly designed to give Gukesh or maybe Erigaisi another shot to overtake Giri in the FIDE Circuit thereby qualifying for the candidates. Other participants are Aronian, Sjugirov, Eljanov, Harikrishna and Predke - wondering how this field was put together: players available at short notice, strong enough to make it relevant for the Circuit but not stronger to reduce the chances of Gukesh or Erigaisi.
Hence, inviting Giri "wouldn't have made sense", but he'll be joining the live commentary from the Netherlands. In a German Bundesliga interview, Maghsoodloo seemed optimistic about gaining the 14 rating points he currently lacks - it would require a 5.5/7 score which would be a real threat to Gukesh and Erigaisi (even more may be needed depending on how Dominguez does at Sunway Sitges).
Giri and/or Keymer also could have played Sunway Sitges, they don't. Keymer's other option was the "German Masters" where a 8/9 score would be required as the 10-player field has four players rated 2390-2528.
Oddly, FIDE regulations on candidates qualification aren't clear on what happens if two players have exactly the same rating in the January list (ciphers behind the decimal point will be gone, rounding up or down).