Nepomniachtchi, Ian

Ian Nepomniachtchi is a Russian grandmaster who became one of the few players in history to win two consecutive Candidates Tournaments, earning World Championship challenges against Magnus Carlsen in 2021 and Ding Liren in 2023. A childhood rival of Carlsen from their junior days, Nepo is known for his rapid calculation, aggressive instincts, and exceptional speed, having been a top-10 fixture for over a decade with a peak rating of 2795.