In contrast Fabiano has relocated several times. I'm not even sure where he lives now, although he was born in the US and is of Italian heritage so maybe less have latched on to him.

Likewise Anish is of Nepalese and Russian heritage and now represents the Netherlands who already had a chess hero of sorts. I think in Giri's case that will change as he makes his way towards the top and he starts to become recognized for his immense talent.

I don't think So will attain the same level, he is already way to ready to escape with a draw. His fans will diminish somewhat and likely be mostly motivated by nationalism while Giri will gain international appeal. I really think his commentary is awsome and he is very likable to boot.

Caruana is more of a question mark to me, how far he will go is slightly less clear but all these guys will find a home in the 2700's which in my opinion is do to elo inflation as much as improved chess and will become crowded making 2750's the new mark.

I agree with your assessment in all three parts, although I think I am a tad more optimistic as to Caruana's potential. I think that So will need something extra that he doesn't currently have to break into the Top Ten, while for Giri it seems virtually guaranteed. His play, mannerisms, and annotations all speak of an incredibly mature individual.

Caruana is the wild card, however I sometimes see flashes in him of something great. I think Giri will go the farthest of these three (perhaps world champion someday, if he's as good at manuevering the intricacies of FIDE anyway!!!), and Caruana could very well be at the top someday as well.

I made a quick visit to the Wesley So page and found that most of the commentary there has nothing to do with So.

Regarding Fischer's results vs Petrosian from page 12: <Petrosian: =, -, -, =, =, +, =, =, -, =, =, =, =, +, +, =, =, +, +, =, +, -, =, =, =, +, +>

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 c6 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2 b6 9. Rd1 Ba6 10. b3 Nbd7 11. Bf4 Rc8 12. Nc3 c5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. a3 b5 15. b4 Bxf2+ 16. Kxf2 Rxc4 17. Rd3 e5 18. Bg5 e4 19. Rxd5 Qb6+ 20. Kf1 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 Rxc2 22. Nxb6 exf3 23. Nxd7 fxg2+ 24. Kf2 Re8 25. Be3 Bc8 26. Nc5 Bg4 0-1>

15..Bxf2!?

<Likewise Anish is of Nepalese and Russian heritage and now represents the Netherlands who already had a chess hero of sorts. I think in Giri's case that will change as he makes his way towards the top and he starts to become recognized for his immense talent.

I don't think So will attain the same level, he is already way to ready to escape with a draw. His fans will diminish somewhat and likely be mostly motivated by nationalism while Giri will gain international appeal. I really think his commentary is awesome and he is very likable to boot.>

<YouRang:>

<So would probably be embarrassed by the childish bickering going on there.>

I agree, I was a huge fan of his games until a gradual process of losing my interest of his chess started happening. A weird occasion was one of his zealous fans started attacking me when I was complimenting his chess. Any objectivity or sometimes even agreeing will land one in a hostile ad hominem attack.

To <YouRang>, I agree, there is some truth there where his fans are actually detractors to his career. And I also agree with <Jambow> that So's appeal is much more limited compared to Giri, due to certain things out of his control.

I was a huge fan of the plays from many Philippine players including Torre for a long time (and still am) but it is hard to find a venue to share my thoughts on the games (CG is a great place, don't get me wrong but my interest had waned for reasons previously stated). There is a general hostile vibe on his page whenever anything objective/criticisms are brought up, and there isn't much to do about the atmosphere regarding So. Essentially this is a phenomena because the zealous fans could be the problem itself.

What's interesting to me is fans like Frogbert can be very objective about players such as Nakamura, and his "past" avoidance of top flight events, and his statistical capabilities against 2700 players, and the fans propose ways he could improve and further his career. Comparably to So, it is unfortunate that part of So's career is marred by things out of his control, which have little to do with his chess strength and immense talent. All I see on his page is the fans diminishing his losses and the massive senseless postings suggest it is difficult to glean any serious advice from his countrymen, and fans alike.

Over ICC I met many Filipino players who are much more objective and agree to some of these points. In fact a few of my chess friends who are also huge So fans are a bit offended to seen in this light, or to be suggested they are hostile, as probably the reality is that it is they are all very nice people who tend to feel like they are all being a part of the process and career of their best player, and as such, any detractors will seem very hostile.

I have spent time in the Philipines and worked with several Filipinos and over all they are a wonderful hospitable people. I think sometimes even when we give constructive critisism if we persist to much in making our point it can be percieved as focusing on that individual and their fans can become defensive. Then perhaps another walks into a heated situation after all objectivity and respect has disintigrated into personal attacks etc...

I wouldn't dwell on it though enjoy chess it is a great game, and if W. So does even better than I expect good for him and his fans won't bother me a bit.

I think this has happened on Nakamura's page some over zealous fans some very persistently over zealous in correcting those fans and the lines are drawn blanket innuendo's pro and con are made, more are offended and armageddon follows, well ok maybe not that bad but you get the idea.

Anyway Giri looks to be a future champ in my humble opinion, certainly So might blossom if he could get to Europe it has helped Caruana and Nakamura should bennefit by mixing it up at the top, but it's just a game, my favorite one but a game.

I'm tired of individuals blaming the fans for their OWN personality disorder.