Rapport roars in Hainan Danzhou

by Klaus Besenthal
7/8/2019 – Richard Rapport won the super grandmaster tournament in Danzhou (China) on Sunday after a draw against China's Wei Yi in the last round gave the Hungarian Grandmaster a final score of 4½/7, half a point ahead of Wei his countryman Yu Yangyi. Rapport gained 9 Elo points and entered the Top 20, surpassing Hikaru Nakamura on the live ratings. | Photos: Misty Pine / cca.imsa.cn

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Rapport undefeated with two wins

We last looked at Danzhou heading into the rest day. Richard Rapport had the momentum after beating Bassem Amin in the fourth round. From the looks of it, the "off" day was a fairly busy one as players were invited on a trip to the sights of Hainan Island.

Rapport and Wang

More chess, even on the 'rest day'

group photo

A travelling chess tournament

When the tournament in resumed with round five, Rapport followed up with a win over Ernesto Inarkiev.

Inarkiev had defended a bad position for a long time, when the duo reached the time control.

 

Results of Round 5

 

All in all, there were more "controlled" draws in the sixth round. One exception was the duel between the Chinese Yu Yangyi and his Egyptian opponent Bassem Amin. The two grandmasters delivered an exciting exchange of blows. Amin had the better game, but its hard to judge whether he missed any clear winning chances:

 

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Results of Round 6

 

With a half point lead, Rapport was in the driver's seat, but he had his work cut out for him defending in the Berlin against Wei Yi:

 

Wang Hao could have caught up with Rapport by defeating his Indian opponent Vidit, but in his zeal, he ultimately allowed Vidit to score his second win and end an otherwise disappointing tournament on a high note.

Pawn moves can open up holes in one's position, which the opponent can then occupy with his pieces, as Wang re-learned first hand.

 

Wang Hao (right) self-destructed in his loss to Vidit

Results of Round 7

 

Final standings

 

All games

 

Andre Schulz contributed reporting

Translation from German: Macauley Peterson

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Klaus Besenthal is computer scientist, has followed and still follows the chess scene avidly since 1972 and since then has also regularly played in tournaments.

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