#17. Peter Heine Nielsen Looks Back on Candidates Tournament and Gukesh's Record-Breaking Performance

This week’s episode of the New In Chess podcast features an interview with grandmaster Peter Heine Nielsen.

A five-time Danish champion, Peter Heine Nielsen is primarily known for his highly successful coaching career. From 2007 till 2023, he continuously coached World Champions Vishy Anand and Magnus Carlsen. In that capacity he was a winning coach in a World Championship match a record eight times.

Interviewed by Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam, Peter Heine Nielsen looks back on the Candidates tournament in Toronto that ended earlier this week. The sensational winner was 17-year-old Gukesh from India who will now challenge World Champion Ding Liren in a match for the world title. That match is scheduled to take place in November. The exact dates and place have not yet been announced.

Nielsen shares his views of Gukesh and also speaks extensively about the three favourites – Caruana, Nakamura and Nepomniachtchi – that were pipped at the post by the youngster in one of the most exciting last rounds ever.

0:00 - Intro

1:33 - How did Peter follow the Candidates, now that Magnus is not involved in the cycle?

5:53 - Peter's expectations before the event vs reality

7:36 - The dramatic final round

11:58 - Peter's criticism of the 8-player, 14-round format

18:18 - Peter unfavourably compares Magnus's experience winning World Championship matches with winning big tournaments, like Tata Steel

19:41 - How special winning the World Cup was for Magnus

21:34 - Gukesh's impressive performance and mindset

30:09 - How Peter has seen chess become more of a sport, the evolving role of opening preparation

33:30 - Is the "middlegame-focused"-approach

34:58 - AD BREAK

35:41 - Fabiano's devastating result, his playing strength and status as the unofficial #2 in the world

41:39 - Nepo's performance

44:33 - Hikaru's impressive performance, media career

51:09 - Gukesh's strength and potential, chances against Ding

55:37 - Ding's state of mind following World Championship win, lackluster performances

1:00:07 - Peter tells the world not to count out Ding

1:01:16 - Magnus's reaction to Gukesh's win

1:03:07 - Alireza

1:06:48 - Future games between Gukesh and Magnus

1:11:20 - Outro