Please read carefully what I wrote.
I did not suggest "pre-arranged" draws which as rightly pointed out is Curacao. I pointed to an observable (perhaps) phenomenon.
All I am opining is what is the point of a tournament where money is spent where the same players do not engage with the game or try to win? and as pointed out, in the memory of a remarkable player. But, I acknowledge it is their money to spend as they wish.
Again without actual proof (admissible in a court of law), this is just speculation. I acknowledge, my speculation.
We debate and complain of the draws being the death of chess but other anomalies are accepted. (another anomaly is the discussion of games while the game is going on with friends and acquaintances).
But here are extracts from CB report by GM Ramirez (a more qualified commentator than I/me):
Rd 2:
Quote:Mamedov, Rauf ½-½ Radjabov, Teimour
The Azerbaijani vs. Azerbaijani games are usually not the most interesting ones of the tournament, and this was no exception.
Rd 3:
Quote:Safarli, Eltaj ½-½ Mamedov, Rauf
The King's Indian almost always promises an exciting game, but somehow Safarli and Mamedov managed to find a way to trade pieces and force a repetition.
Rd 4 :
Quote:Radjabov, Teimour ½-½ Safarli, Eltaj
The game seemed pretty interesting on move 17. Five moves later all the pieces had disappeared and the dead draw result was clear to everyone.
Today's on Rd 5:
Quote:Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar ½-½ Mamedov, Rauf
The players repeated 24 moves of Ponomariov-Shirov, 2011 and then drew three moves after that.