Today the Candidates Tournament started in Moscow that will determine whether Liberty Science Center Visiting Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana, 23, will get to challenge reigning champion Magnus Carlsen, 25, for the world chess crown in a long match in November. Eight of the world’s best players are vying in Moscow to be the challenger. They each play two games, one with the White pieces and one with the Black pieces, against each other. The 14-round tournament ends on March 28.

Today Fabi drew with Black against the other American in the tournament, his arch rival Hikaru Nakamura, 28. (Because White always moves first, Black goes into the game with a disadvantage.) Today’s result was good for Fabi, and tomorrow he has the advantage of the White pieces against the Dutch chess phenom Anish Giri.

The games are broadcast live at 3pm Moscow time (7am EST) at worldchess.com.

Extensive coverage can also be found at chessbase.com.

Liberty Science Center CEO, Paul Hoffman has known both Fabi and Naka since they were six years old! There’s a very good chance an American will be playing for the world championship in November for the first time since Bobby Fischer in 1972. Based on his current chess rating (2794), Fabi is the slight favorite in Moscow, followed by Naka (2790). But the eight players in Moscow are so close together in rating that any result is possible.

Best of luck, Fabiano! We’re all rooting for you! #NoStoppingFabi

chess,  Fabiano Caruana