Sinquefield Cup: So beats Rapport

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
11/25/2023 – Following three rounds without decisive games, an exciting fourth round in the Sinquefield saw the draw streak being broken. Wesley So was the first to grab a win in the classical tournament, as he got the better of an adventurous Richard Rapport, who employed the King’s Indian Defence with the black pieces. | Photo: Lennart Ootes
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Tactical shots all around

A decisive result was finally seen at the Sinquefield Cup in Saint Louis. Wesley So’s win over Richard Rapport was not the only exciting game of round 4, though. Anish Giri, for example, showed razor-sharp opening preparation in his game against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, while Alireza Firouzja almost managed to take down Leinier Dominguez in a double-edged struggle.

So is now the sole leader with 2½/4 points, as he is set to face Dominguez with black in the last round before the rest day. Resting on Saturday will be Fabiano Caruana, who was supposed to face Jan-Krzysztof Duda in the fifth round.

Let us not forget that Giri and So are fighting to climb up the leaderboard in the FIDE Circuit, which grants a spot in the 2024 Candidates Tournament. Also with chances to clinch this spot is Dommaraju Gukesh, who will participate in the London Chess Classic next week.

Anish Giri

Anish Giri | Photo: Lennart Ootes

So 1 - 0 Rapport

Analysis by GM Karsten Müller

Richard Rapport

Richard Rapport | Photo: Lennart Ootes

Giri ½ - ½ Vachier-Lagrave

Analysis by GM Karsten Müller

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Photo: Lennart Ootes

Firouzja ½ - ½ Dominguez

Analysis by GM Karsten Müller

Alireza Firouzja

Alireza Firouzja | Photo: Lennart Ootes

Standings after round 4

All games

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Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.

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