The FIDE Grand Prix is set to start this Friday in Berlin, the first of a series of three tournaments that will determine the last two spots for this year's Candidates tournament. Unfortunately, COVID has reared its ugly head once again, and at least two players will miss this tournament (HT: Allen Becker).
One is Dmitry Andreikin. He's not a favorite, perhaps, but as he qualified for the Candidates in 2014 he shouldn't be considered a "tourist", either. The other player who can't make it, however, is even more notable - and unlike Andreikin he hasn't tested positive for COVID. The player? None other than world #3 Ding Liren, which is a terrible loss for him, the event, and potentially for the Candidates. Hopefully FIDE can find some sort of sensible workaround, but we'll see.