The episode recaps the 2025 World Cup and argues that the knockout + rapid-tiebreak format is too random for awarding three Candidates spots, even though Sindarov, Wei Yi, and Esipenko were deserving stories in different ways. The sensei preview how this unpredictability shapes the upcoming Candidates, discuss favorites (Fabi, Prag, Naka), and explain why Dojo still prefers a more merit-based qualification system.

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00:00 Dojo in Charlotte and live classes
03:30 World Cup recap and qualifiers
07:30 Rapid tiebreaks and fatigue
12:30 Why the World Cup feels random
19:00 Final four paths and upsets
28:00 Sindarov and Wei Yi trajectories
41:00 Candidates preview and favorites