Grenke Classic: Rapport widens the gap after eventful pair of rounds

Turnarounds, missed chances

A “fast-classical” time control is in place at the Grenke Chess Classic in Karlsruhe, with 45 minutes for the game and 10-second increments per move. After four rounds of play, it is apparent that this format allows both for interesting theoretical battles and tense-filled tactical sequences (which might lead to game-losing blunders). Naturally, it also tends to deprive us of accurate endgame play or long, intricate middlegames.

Rounds 3 and 4 of the event featured three major turnarounds.

• Daniel Fridman survived a clearly losing position before turning the tables and beating Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in round 3.
• Vincent Keymer misplayed a winning pawn endgame and thus failed to convert his clear advantage against world champion Ding Liren in round 4.
• Magnus Carlsen had an extra piece against Vachier-Lagrave, but a single misstep with his knight gave away his advantage, and the round-4 game ended in a draw.

Improve your pieces - a winning system you need to know

In this course, we will learn how to identify passively placed pieces in any given situation and how to improve their health by bringing them into active squares.

The one player who has managed to avoid making big mistakes is, consequently, the sole leader: Richard Rapport. The Romanian representative scored 1½ out of 2 on each of the first two days of action and now has a 1-point lead over Carlsen, Ding and Keymer.

On Wednesday, Rapport played with the white pieces twice. First, he drew Keymer after getting a slight edge in the middlegame. Then, he took advantage of an early blunder by Fridman to get a 25-move victory.

Vachier-Lagrave 0 - 1 Fridman

Analysis by Johannes Fischer

Daniel Fridman | Photo: Angelika Valkova

Carlsen ½ - ½ Vachier-Lagrave

Analysis by Johannes Fischer

Endgame essentials you need to know Vol.1 & Vol 2

In this video course, GM Surya Ganguly joins IM Sagar Shah and drawing from his colossal experience, shares some uncommon endgame wisdom. The material mostly features positions with rook against rook and a pawn, and starts by covering the fundamentals.

Magnus Carlsen and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Photo: Angelika Valkova

Rapport 1 - 0 Fridman

Analysis by Johannes Fischer

Sole leader Richard Rapport facing Ding Liren on Tuesday | Photo: Angelika Valkova

Ding ½ - ½ Keymer

Analysis by Johannes Fischer

Master Class Vol.8 - Magnus Carlsen 2nd Edition

Let our authors show you how Carlsen tailored his openings to be able to outplay his opponents strategically in the middlegame or to obtain an enduring advantage into the endgame.

Standings after round 4

All games

Links

• Official website
• Grenke Classic: Magnus caps grand performance with a win (2019)
• Grenke Classic: Caruana clear first after clutch win (2018)
• Grenke Classic: Aronian misses win in exciting finale (2017)