Candidates was about to be resumed but now postponed again. From www.fide.com:

Unfortunately, FIDE is forced to postpone the resumption of the Candidates Tournament until the spring of 2021. 

The main reason for rescheduling the event is, of course, the concern related to the well-being of the players in the midst of the second wave of the pandemic. FIDE was ready to provide special travel arrangements and hospitality, including dedicated charter flights, and a high-class hotel being converted into an isolated environment. We have discussed all the details with each one of the players, and we'd like to thank them for their honest opinions, which helped us to weigh all pros and cons. 

Till now, we have not received clearance for all players to participate in the tournament. Two players from one country are awaiting permission from their national authorities. While having full respect for the respective national procedures, FIDE will take further decisions about both the location and timing of the event based on our organization’s internal rules. 

With the World Championship Match being scheduled for November-December 2021, we have some margin to adjust the reschedule of the Candidates Tournament. Holding the event in the spring of 2021 increases significantly the possibility of staging this very important event in a safe environment, minimizing the stress on the participants. 

FIDE confirms that the second leg of the event will, in any case, take place in the spring of 2021. FIDE does not consider any changes to the cycle regulations. The venue and exact dates will be approved by FIDE two months before the resumption of the competition. The protocol for the event will be developed taking into account the practice of other top-level tournaments and the recommendations from local authorities. 

We understand this announcement might be a disappointment for the chess community. However, it is FIDE’s responsibility to ensure not only the safety of the players and their general well-being during the tournament but also to provide the best possible conditions for the course of such a high-level event. 

Finally, FIDE would like to express its gratitude to the host city of Yekaterinburg, which did a splendid job organizing the first leg of this competition under very challenging circumstances. Likewise, we are very thankful to the Georgian authorities, who generously stepped in to offer us an alternative in case of need. Finally, we would like to thank our sponsors for their patience and commitment.

Dink Heckler wrote on 03/27/20 at 08:03:29:
 
Well said! I can't imagine FIDE doing anything right here. I see them doing whatever will protect themselves from having to admit any mistakes. Won't Putin be weighing in on such a high-profile matter involving Russian prestige, sponsors, and revenue--all the more high-profile since it became the "last show on earth"? I think he will act solely to avoid embarassment.

Now, if all the players, together with Radjabov and, say, Aronian together got an external sponsor and held their own tournament, that would be a Russian Revolution.

an ordinary chessplayer wrote on 03/27/20 at 02:22:58:


Wang Hao's been public since before the tournament. He stated he agreed with Radjabov, although obviously not enough to withdraw over it. It is a heinous thing FIDE has done to make players choose their health or their profession. Anyways, in every round, Wang Hao would make mention of how FIDE messed up, playing under these conditions is wrong. When they asked him in Round 1 what he thought of the conditions and how well they prepared against the virus, he said, "they had no preparation of any kind and that was obvious to the whole world that saw the Opening Ceremony." In round 2 when they asked him he didn't beat Giri, he said, "You try to concentrate when you aren't sure if you will be able to get home. When your loved ones under threat of a virus for nearly 2 months. When you are playing a tournament under duress." He's been vocal and it's been great although in some ways funny because he is very soft spoken even though he is using harsh and direct words.



Confused_by_Theory wrote on 03/27/20 at 16:04:31:


What do you mean? That interview is basically the only logical thing I have seen yet anywhere regarding the candidates. At the very least, Radjabov has gained some fans for life.

Every sporting event on earth was postponed or rescheduled except for the Candidates. And now this utterly predictable farce. Words fail me.

FIDE is like certain politicians; just when you think: surely now, they have reached the nadir, they can't possibly go any lower, somehow they always manage to limbo under the bar.

Keano wrote on 03/26/20 at 21:14:30:



Totally agree.

It's a disgrace... Here is Wang Hao, "I think it's like a joke. From the start, it shouldn't have been held. It shouldn't be started just to be postponed. Not like this, this is just a big mess. They could have known it would cause a lot of different problems. Of course, they cannot control everything. There were a lot of reasons to postpone. During the whole tournament, I felt I was distracted. I was worrying about flights, seeing bad news about China... Now if we enter China, we will be quarantined for two weeks. I could just have arrived from Tokyo to Beijing and quarantine at home, now I don't think that is possible."

Grischuk relayed a comment from Botvinnik earlier in the tournament, "Botvinnik was commenting on this, that if you make two players play while standing it’s completely unsure that the same one will win who would win while playing seated." https://streamable.cm/xoolv

And people are actually denying that this is effecting the players play?! Nepo said after his game with Wang he didn't feel well (see clip) and then goes to lose to MVL.
https://clips.twitch.tv/CogentMoistKathyJKanStyle

Do Fabi, Ding or even Giri remotely look like the players you expected to show up? What about Wang Hao... his round 2 game with Giri shows he was under stress that has nothing to do with chess... Come on people wake up. Wang Hao wasn't even ABLE TO GO HOME before the tournament started due to the virus. He has been dealing with this for way longer than the rest of the world.

And I could go on and on. Quoting players who are feeling ill, who wanted the rest days removed to make the tournament go quicker, who asked for postponements...

So now assuming everyone survives the pandemic - a big assumption at this point - what should FIDE do?

I think they have two choices.

1) Restart the tournament with MVL replaced by Radjabov.
2) Restart the tournament with 10 players letting MVL remain and adding a wildcard to keep even numbers with Radjabov back in obviously.

Or the corrupt as crappity smack option that FIDE will likely pursue. Keep the score as is knowing the candidates tournament is compromised and Radjabov was screwed. Giving at best Radjabov a consolation 2022 candidates spot to hope he doesn't sue the ever living crappity smack out of them.

The reality is that they will be delaying the World Championship match since the chess events won't be resume until the earliest OCTOBER and that is under a very optimistic timeline.  Yet here at the bottom, https://fide.com/news/463, "Q: And an important question about the match for the title of World Champion. Is the match also being postponed?

Arkady Dvorkovich: The match for the chess crown is due to take place at the end of the year. There is no question of changing dates."



So yeah, at this point, FIDE needs to take its head out of its crappity smacking ass... admit a giant mistake and that they've been totally irresponsible since the start. https://clips.twitch.tv/LazyCreativeEggnogCurseLit

Sure, it has been a nice distraction for us viewers since the start... but that's being selfish.

Hi.

It makes sense to postpone the tournament given the flights.

If enough participants say they'd rather have a complete replay of the tournament, possibly including a Radjabov, obviously Fide would have some things to discuss. To me however; this would seem morally dubious considering the players signed a contract with the eventuality of cancellation included. In other words they were made aware beyond doubt this situation could happen and still decided to participate. I'm not saying there isn't some chance players won't comment on the situation in the time from here until resumption but I doubt there will form a front against the tournament continuing.

How big or small a health hazard playing chess is, especially with precautions, seems to my mind not clear. I am therefore not majorly inclined to say Fide did right or wrong from a health standpoint. If anyone has any interesting studies or just anecdotes about virus spread in environments mimicking chess venues/clubs it is of continuing interest.

Have a nice day. Stay healthy

Edit: Spelling mistake

Radjabov correctly made the unilateral, and therefore brave, decision not to play under the prevailing conditions. What should have happened next is one or more of the other candidates stepping up to say the same. Ideally all of them en masse. They are only human. Even grandmasters can be meek at the wrong time.

The future is uncertain. Radjabov still has a chance!