Fabi gets real about Gukesh's controversial cheating comments, reveals how his Candidates camp is shaping up, and we dive into the E-Sports World Cup threatening to clash with the Grand Chess Tour. Plus: Why are Super GMs suddenly playing in open tournaments? And our full Prague Masters preview.

📌 The 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament starts March 29 in Cyprus. Fabi plays White against Hikaru Nakamura in Round 1, an All American Clash!

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The boys connect to talk about the biggest news of the week. The chaotic Speed Chess Championship is over, and we unpack everything that happed in London, and much more. Episode sponsored by our friends at https://www.chessreps.com/ ♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/join/csqpod?ref_id=207174611 👕MERCH: https://c-squared.shop/ 🌐 Website: https://c2pod.com/ ☕Buy Us A Coffee : buymeacoffee.com/c2pod 🐦Twitter/X : https://x.com/CSQpod 📸Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/csqpod/ 💬Discord : https://discord.gg/XeP3tENMTr 00:00 Intro 00:35 Overview of last week 03:15 Tata Steel Recap 15:02 Tata Steel B Group 22:50 Polgar Netflix Documentary 24:20 Speed Chess Championship Review 46:00 Grand Chess Tour VS Esports World Cup Clash #magnuscarlsen #fabianocaruana #speedchess

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00:00 Intro 00:42 Comeback 03:30 Grand Slam & Wimbeldon of Chess 04:44 Wijk aan zee History 07:50 Chess has become a young sport 16:00 Strongest 15 years old 26:55 Chess Engine Power 33:44 Candidates performance in Tata Steel 37:24 Who win Tata Steel? 45:25 Gukesh Blundered 52:45 Fabi reveals his Candidates Prep 56:49 Freestyle World Championship #chess #fabianocaruana #tatasteelchess

The boys are joined by @movingwithmat and @JamesCantyIII to discuss the recent happenings in the exciting world of Chessboxing. Matt is the moving force behind the Chessboxing movement in the US, while James just recently became the heavy weight Chessboxing World Champion after defeating his Russian foe in Serbia earlier this year. We discuss a wide range of topics, enjoy!

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Fabiano and Cristian react to the World Cup semifinals craziest moments. The blunder that changed history and handed Wei Yi his candidates ticket, as well as the tense clash between the two Uzbek superstars are discussed. Here is our full breakdown of the 2025 World Cup Semifinals!

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Episode sponsored by our friends at https://www.chessreps.com/ ♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/join/csqpod?ref_id=207174611 👕MERCH: https://c-squared.shop/ 🌐 Website: https://c2pod.com/ ☕Buy Us A Coffee : buymeacoffee.com/c2pod 🐦Twitter/X : https://x.com/CSQpod 📸Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/csqpod/ 💬Discord : https://discord.gg/XeP3tENMTr 00:00 Semifinals Breakdown 18:53 Sindarov Shines In The Uzbek Clash 47:54 Wei Yi vs Esipenko, Insane Turnaround 01:09:56 Painful Moments in Chess

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Fabiano and Cristian react to the World Cup's most insane matches and unexpected upsets so far. Almost all the top favorites are out, and the intense final battles for the Candidates are underway, here is our breakdown as we go into the semis!

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00:00 Intro 00:30 Danya's Memorial Fund 03:00 World Cup Review 08:28 Donchenko's Journey 12:39 Nodirbek Yakubboev's Journey 21:09 Jose Martinez's Journey 29:50 Lodici - The rising Italian Star 35:54 Shankland's Journey 37:00 Fabi's take on Dubov's 10 min Preparation 45:58 Esipenko's Journey 53:45 Fabi shares his World Cup experience 01:00:16 Wei Yi Vs Arjun Erigaisi 01:11:30 Candidates 2026

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The World Cup is one of the most exciting events of the chess calendar, and this year's edition has not disappointed. The boys get together to chat about the favorites, give their predictions, and discuss the big surprises of the first rounds. ♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/join/csqpod?ref_id=207174611

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00:00 Intro 00:19 Clutch Chess Recap 08:00 Magnus Vs Gukesh Rivalry 18:45 Total Chess Championship (Norway Chess) ?!?! 37:35 World Cup Analysis & Predictions

A rollercoaster ride that started in Brazil and finished in Arlington, Texas, comes to an end. We got together for an in depth reaction to the chess world's new controversy, Hikaru's King toss against Gukesh, as well as the comprehensive analysis of the Grand Chess Tour's finals.

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00:00 Intro 00:39 GCT Finals Review

02:42 Chessreps.com Sponsor

21:05 Fabi Vs MVL (Queen endgame analysis)

45:00 Fabi Vs MVL (Finals Blitz)

01:01:00 USA VS IND 0

1:03:30 The Showmanship Concept in the Event

01:13:00 Fabi Running For Glory

01:18:45 Drama Erupts After Hikaru throws Gukesh's King Into Crowd