Learn the rare Four Knights with a3 on Chessreps: https://www.chessreps.com/course-creator/mustreader-s-4-a3-in-the-four-knights-vbnf1t0

Today my guest is one of the world’s top GMs and a 2026 Candidates participant — Wei Yi. We talk about his preparation for the 2026 Candidates, the mental struggles he had to overcome, and whom he sees as the main favorites. Wei also shares why Gukesh hasn’t looked as sharp lately, plus his honest take on Ding Liren — is he actually considering stepping away from chess? We finish with an intense blitz game with a surprising result — don’t miss it!

Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader
My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb
My X: https://x.com/mustreader
My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips
My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub

Collabs: [email protected]

My previous podcast with Wei: https://youtu.be/080CuetikLE
Nepo’s 2026 Candidates Tier List: https://youtu.be/Kk1u6caPMW8
My podcast with Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo?si=AtUforPE0YYsWbhi
My podcast with Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q?si=kJmwzyxph6XJ2Jdp
My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs?si=j_GBgdtZKywBKEfc

Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus

00:00 — Intro
00:48 — Meet Wei Yi
01:22 — Surprised to be in the Candidates?
02:15 — The plan to reach the Candidates
04:35 — Last year’s mental struggles
05:35 — Why the World Cup "clicked"
07:51 — Wei Yi's Candidates tier list
10:35 — What matters most at the Candidates?
11:49 — When did you start preparing?
12:28 — Candidates prep plan
13:26 — Does fitness matter in prep?
14:06 — Chess training vs gym
14:35 — Is Ding Liren helping?
15:27 — What’s going on with Ding?
17:06 — What happened to Gukesh?
20:06 — Will Gukesh bounce back?
21:43 — Wei Yi’s goals
22:48 — Who beats Gukesh in a title match?
24:48 — Chess as an esport
26:55 — Blitz vs Wei Yi

Wei Yi: CANDIDATES, Ding’s Comeback & Gukesh | PODCAST
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greg mustreader
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My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. 

On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). 

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

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