Levon Aronian misses a win against Ding Liren ⎸2018 Candidates Round 1

The most importan event in the chess calendar kicked off today. The 2018 candidates! Eight of the world's best will play a round-robin to determine the challenger who will face Carlsen in the match for world champion. Shahkriyar Mamedyarow, 32, Azerbaijan, Elo 2809, World rank: 2, qualified via the Grand Prix Wesley So: 24, USA, Elo 2799, World rank: 4, qualified by rating Fabiano Caruana: 25, USA, Elo 2784, World rank: 7, qualified by rating Alexander Grischuk: Russia, 34, Elo 2767, World rank: 12, qualified via the Grand Prix Sergey Karjakin: 28, Russia, Elo 2763, World rank: 13, qualified as the previous challenger Ding Liren: 25, China, Elo 2769, World rank: 11, qualified as World Cup runner-up Levon Aronian: 35, Armenia, Elo 2794, World rank: 5, qualified as World Cup winner Vladimir Kramnik: World Champion 2000-2007, 42, Russia, Elo 2800, World rank: 3, Wildcard This game was played between Levon Aronian and Ding Liren. It was an instructional English opening which ended in a draw, but Aronian missed a winning variation.