Fabiano Caruana

World's No. 3

“I’m not sure what I gain from the experience of playing in Candidates. I would be very reluctant to say that it gives me any edge, because the first time I played, I didn’t have any experience, but I still got reasonably close. And I think that playing for the first time also has some advantages.

It’s a bit of a trade-off. On the one hand, you have the freshness going into it for the first time. On the other, you have the experience when you understand what’s coming for you and, perhaps, don’t suffer the same super nervousness as the first time.

But the guys who are playing for the first time, for example, Javokhir, they also have excellent nerves. They won’t panic just because it’s their first time. They’ve already played in very intense tournaments, like the World Cup, and they know what to expect.

I think experience can certainly help — for example, in the later stages of a tournament, when someone is catching up. But I wouldn’t say it’s a decisive advantage.

Very few people make it on their first chance, but you’re certainly going to have other chances. For example, 20-year-old Sindarov — he’s probably going to have half a dozen or more chances, even if he doesn’t make it the first time. That doesn’t mean this is my last chance or anything, but of course we’re at different stages of our careers.

Maybe a player like Pragg, who already has some experience but is still quite young, is in kind of a sweet spot. But these things usually don’t make the difference.

Last time you could say: why would Gukesh win? First time playing, little experience — but everything worked out for him. You never know what will happen.”