The soft power of losing in the Candidates Tournament 2024

In the captivating arena of competitive chess, where strategic brilliance clashes with mental fortitude, one might assume that selecting the strongest players ensures a predictable outcome. Yet, in the nuanced realm of the Candidates Tournament 2024, a paradox unfolds—a subtle dance between victory and defeat, where the soft power of losing emerges as an unexpected force.

GM Abasov Nijat's performance in the tournament showcased a unique pattern of distributing draws and losses seemingly randomly. While he didn't secure any wins himself, his ability to disrupt the expected outcomes by drawing or losing with other opponents introduced an element of unpredictability.

Dommaraju Gukesh the Candidates Tournament 2024 winner, him self got 2 point from playing against Abasov. Here the Nijat Effect on the players who are expected to get first place:

• Dommaraju Gukesh : +2 points.
• Hikaru Nakamura : +1.5 points.
• Ian Nepomniachtchi : +1 points.
• Fabiano Caruana : +1.5 points.
• Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa : +2 points.

If there wasn't the Nijat Effect, Ian might have won the tournament because he only gained one point from Nijat (2 draws). Clearly, Nijat played by the rules, but we can't overlook that he only scored 3.5 out of 14 points (He is not one of the FIDE top 100 Players in April 2024).

1. Nijat Effect Vs. Ian

In the initial match against Ian, Nijat played cautiously, resulting in a draw.

In the following game as well, he demonstrated precision in his play:

2. Nijat Effect Vs. Nakamura

Against Nakamura, Nijat employed careful play to secure the draw:

3. Nijat Effect Vs. Gukesh

In his debut against Gukesh, Nijat impressively found a way to turn an equal position into a loss.:

In the second game, he pulled off the remarkable feat of losing with the advantage of white pieces in a rather suspicious manner.:

While it's not for anyone to suggest favoritism towards certain opponents or exceptional performance against others, it's undeniable that his presence had an impact.

Imagine this prestigious event not merely as a battleground of grandmasters, but rather as a delicate experiment, akin to the controlled environment of a laboratory. Just as a stray noise can disrupt the precision of scientific inquiry, the inclusion of weaker contenders in this chess crucible introduces an element of unpredictability—a whisper of chaos amidst calculated moves.

The selection of players for the Candidates Tournament is a rigorous process, marked by careful evaluation and tough decisions. Despite thorough scrutiny, notable players like Anish Giri, Wesley So, and Sergey Karjakin were absent from the 2024 lineup, highlighting the intense competition and difficult choices faced by organizers.