Here are the participants of Corus B Group. Who is the favorite to win and be invited to the A group next year?
Title – Name – Country – Rating – World Ranking
GM Dmitry Jakovenko RUS 2691 23
GM Pavel Eljanov UKR 2675 33
GM Viorel Bologan MLD 2658 46
GM Gabriel Sargissian ARM 2658 46
GM Bu Xiangzhi CHN 2644 63
GM Friso Nijboer NED 2638 74
GM Erwin L’Ami NED 2594 157
GM Suat Atalik TUR 2586 187
GM Daniel Stellwagen NED 2585 191
GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrav FRA 2573 234
GM Jan Werle NED 2566 255
GM Jan Smeets NED 2538 402
GM Vladimir Georgiev MKD 2525 498
IM Tatiana Kosintseva RUS 2474 958
Average rating: 2600
Category: 14
Here is the official website.
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Jakovenko has good chances, as does Bologan.
How about Bu Xiangzhi as an upset?
Of course, Vachier-Lagrave 😉
Allez Maxime! Tous avec toi!
Of course is IM Tatiana Kosintseva!!!
I’d guess either Javenko, Bu Xiangzhi or Eljanov will win. Probably in that order.
I’m also hoping that Tatiana will turn out a good performance as the only IM in a field full of GM’s. The upside is that for her the only way to go is up. I recall that Kasparov himself identified her as talented so we can expect a ‘surprise’.