GRENKE Classic R5-6: Magnus wins two in-a-row, storms into sole lead

by Shahid Ahmed - 29/03/2024

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) won both games on the third day of GRENKE Chess Classic 2024. He is now the new sole leader 4/6. In the fifth round, he defeated Vincent Keymer. The Germany no.1 made a tactical error in the endgame against the world no.1. In Round 6, Magnus avenged his opening round loss against Richard Rapport (ROU). The Artist did not defend his position correctly against the onslaught on his king by the Norwegian. He exchanged his queen for Magnus' two rooks and arrived at a lost endgame. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) won an interesting game against Rapport in Round 5. Today is a rest day. Classic Round 7 and 8 will start tomorrow Saturday 30th March from 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Angelika Valkova/GRENKE Chess Classic

Rapport loses both games

In a sad turn of events, the previous day sole leader, Richard Rapport could not manage to win a single game on the third day. He had an extremely complex battle against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) in the fifth round. He lost the following round against the world no.1, Magnus Carlsen (NOR).

Magnus Carlsen in sole lead! | Video: GRENKE Chess

Keymer - Carlsen, Round 5

Position after 29.Nb6??

Vincent Keymer (GER, 2627) blundered 29.Nb6?? Find out the winning continuation which Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2823) executed on the board.

Vincent Keymer vs Magnus Carlsen - First Moves | Video: GRENKE Chess

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) for the first time at this event, started his day with a victory

Vachier-Lagrave - Rapport

Position after 36.Kc1

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA, 2755) shuffled his king from e1 to c1 in an extremely intriguing battle against Richard Rapport (ROU, 2708). The game must be viewed in its entirety for its complex nature.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) won an exciting game against Richard Rapport (ROU)

Wolfgang Grenke, founder of GRENKE AG, made the ceremonial first move of Round 5 on Vincent Keymer and Magnus Carlsen's board

Round 6: Keymer - Fridman: 0.5-0.5

The first round All-German encounter between Vincent Keymer and Daniel Fridman ended in a draw. However, in their rematch, Keymer had a great opportunity to win the game. Once again he faltered in the endgame.

Position after 51.Kd1

Find out the only move which is winning for Black after 51.Kd1.

Carlsen - Rapport

Position after 25.Rxg4

25...Rf5 26.hxg6 h5 is the best defense for Black. 25...Rg7 26.Re1 gxh5 27.Rgxe4 Qxe4 28.Rxe4 Rxe4 29.Nxd6 Re5 30.f4 Rxd5 31.Qe2 h6 32.Qe6+ and White won.

Magnus Carlsen vs Richard Rapport | Mindblowing Game Analysis with Lawrence Trent | Video: GRENKE Chess

Round 5 in progress

Replay Round 5-6 games

Round 5-6 results

Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.
Round 5 on 2024/03/28 at 18:30
1	6	2575	GM	Fridman, Daniel	½ - ½	GM	Ding, Liren	2818	5
2	1	2627	GM	Keymer, Vincent	0 - 1	GM	Carlsen, Magnus	2823	4
3	2	2755	GM	Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime	1 - 0	GM	Rapport, Richard	2708	3
Round 6 on 2024/03/28 at 20:30
Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.
1	6	2575	GM	Fridman, Daniel	½ - ½	GM	Keymer, Vincent	2627	1
2	5	2818	GM	Ding, Liren	½ - ½	GM	Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime	2755	2
3	4	2823	GM	Carlsen, Magnus	1 - 0	GM	Rapport, Richard	2708	3

Details

Standings after Round 6

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.
1	4	GM	Carlsen, Magnus	NOR	2823	4
2	2	GM	Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime	FRA	2755	3
	3	GM	Rapport, Richard	ROU	2708	3
	5	GM	Ding, Liren	CHN	2818	3
5	1	GM	Keymer, Vincent	GER	2627	2,5
	6	GM	Fridman, Daniel	GER	2575	2,5

Details

Round 7-8 pairings

Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.
Round 7 on 2024/03/30 at 15:00
1	4	2823	GM	Carlsen, Magnus		GM	Fridman, Daniel	2575	6
2	3	2708	GM	Rapport, Richard		GM	Ding, Liren	2818	5
3	2	2755	GM	Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime		GM	Keymer, Vincent	2627	1
Round 8 on 2024/03/30 at 17:00
Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.
1	6	2575	GM	Fridman, Daniel		GM	Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime	2755	2
2	1	2627	GM	Keymer, Vincent		GM	Rapport, Richard	2708	3
3	5	2818	GM	Ding, Liren		GM	Carlsen, Magnus	2823	4

Details

Format

6 players, double round robin (two games with reversed colors against each player)

Time control: 45 minutes per game, with a 10 sec increment from move 1

No draw offers before move 40

Places 1, 3 and 5 will be decided in 2 games with reversed colors. In the case of a score of 1-1, a tiebreaker decides: 2 games 10+2 (10 minutes + 2 sec increment per move), if necessary 2 more games 5+2, if then necessary: Armageddon (6 minutes for White, 5 minutes for Black, in case of a draw the Black player wins).

Links

Official site

Tournament Regulations

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