7th Gashimov Memorial Blitz R1-7: Mamedyarov makes an impressive start

by Shahid Ahmed - 23/12/2021

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov has once again beaten Richard Rapport. The tournament leader lost the following round against Navara. Mamedyarov scored 5.0/7, Rapport and Caruana scored 4.5/7, followed by Navara and Asadli 4.0/7 each. Rapport is currently just 1.5 points ahead of Mamedyarov at 20.5/28. The most exciting game of the day has to be between Rauf Mamedov and Rapport in Round 5. The former was completely winning till the latter made a comeback. Anand is struggling with his form as he made five draws and still in search for his first win in Blitz. The last seven rounds of Blitz will be played today, starting from 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Gashimov chess

Rapport is in sole lead

Rapport started the Blitz event with 4.5/5. Then he lost the next two games against Mamedyarov and Rapport. He is still in the sole lead.

Mamedyarov scored an impressive 5.0/7 | Photo: Gashimov chess

Round 1: Karjakin - Rapport: 0-1

Rapport started the day with a typical win of his own style against Karjakin.

Position after 28.Nb3

Black has a bishop, knight and queen ready to launch an attack on the kingside. Find out the best way to do so.

Rapport made a perfect start | Photo: Gashimov chess

Round 4: Navara - Caruana: 1-0

David Navara scored a very nice victory over Fabiano Caruana, handing him his only loss of the day.

Position after 25...Be8

It is evident that White has a huge advantage, thanks to the beautiful c6-d5-e4 pawn chain. White played 26.f4 here, however there was a better move. Find out what it was.

Davud Navara is a creative genius who can beat anyone on his best day | Photo: Gashimov chess

Rapport - Asadli: 1-0

Rapport beautifully maneuvered his knight to win a knight vs bishop ending including many pawns.

Position after 35...a5

35...a5 turned out to be first in a series of big mistakes which eventually accentuated by the nightmare caused by the white knight.

Rapport spun magic in the endgame | Photo: Gashimov chess

Round 5: Mamedov - Rapport: 0-1

Rauf Mamedov and Richard Rapport had a very interesting encounter.

Position after 26...Kg7

The game continued 27.Nd2 which allowed Black to get back in the game 27...Bxg3 28.fxg3 Qxg5. Find out what White should have done instead.

Mamedov and Rapport had an interesting game | Photo: Gashimov chess

Round 6: Mamedyarov - Rapport: 1-0

Rapport's first loss of the day was against Mamedyarov who punished him for playing a bit passive.

Position after 12...Qe8

White just flowed his pieces on the queenside with ease 13.a4 e5 14.Nc6 Rb7 15.axb5 axb5 16.Ra8 and things just quickly spiraled out of control for Black.

Mamedyarov beat Rapport in a fantastic manner | Photo: Gashimov chess

Vishy Anand had another tough day as he scored only 2.5/7 | Photo: Gashimov chess

Replay Blitz Round 1-7 games

Standings after Round 7 Blitz

Richard Rapport is currently in the lead 20.5/28 | Photo: Official site

Replay the Live Stream

7th Gashimov Memorial Blitz Round 1-7 Live Commentary by GM Nijat Abasov and Murad Hashimov | Video: ChessBorn TV

Links

Official site

Tournament Regulations

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