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Superbet R&B 2023 Day 2: A Draw day for Carlsen

by Shahid Ahmed - 23/05/2023

When was the last time Magnus Carlsen struggled to win a game at a rated event? It is certainly difficult to recall. The World no.1 lost his number one position in the live ratings of Rapid ranking on the previous day. On the second day of Superbet Rapid and Blitz, Carlsen drew all three of his games against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Levon Aronian and Anish Giri. He is now at the seventh place, same as the previous day, with a score of 5/12. Jan-Krzysztof Duda defeated Radoslaw Wojtaszek in an All-Polish battle in the fifth round. He continues his lead with Wesley So 9/12 each, followed by Aronian at 8/12. Round 7 starts today from 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

So and Duda continue to lead

Both Wesley So (USA) and Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL) won a game and drew two on the second day of Rapid. Levon Aronian (USA) drew all three of his games to move down to the sole third spot.

Magnus Carlsen drew all three games on the second day | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Wesley: You can play your best, but not get chances | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Wesley So and... | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Jan-Krzysztof Duda are the coleaders 9/12 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Rapport - Duda, Round 4

Position after 13...Qf1

When Richard Rapport (ROU) and Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL) two of the creative geniuses of the current times are playing, one should expect a crazy wild game. The fourth encounter witnessed just that. The above position is after 13...Qf1. Both players are breathing down their opponent's king with their respective queen and bishop. Anyone trying too hard to win the game will have to pay a heavy price. Thus, the game naturally ended in a draw.

Rapport solemn for missed opportunities | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

There is a reason why Richard Rapport was chosen by Ding Liren as his second | Photo: Bryan Adams/Grand Chess Tour

FIDE World Cup 2021 winner - Jan-Krzysztof Duda is no less either | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Duda - Wojtaszek, Round 5

Position after 17...Bg6

Jan-Krzysztof Duda has not lost a rated game against Radoslaw Wojtaszek since World Rapid 2015. That remained unchanged yesterday. The Poland no.2 offered his c6-pawn. Duda decided to take it. 18.Qxc6 d4 19.Rd1 Rc8 20.Qxa6 Qc7 21.Rxd4 Qc2 22.Qe2 Ne4 23.Rd1 Qb3 24.0-0 Rc2 25.Qb5 Rf8 26.Bd4 Rxf2 and White could have ended things much earlier.

Position after 26...Rxf2

The game continued 27.Rxf2 Qxd1+ 28.Rf1 and Black went on to equalize the queen and minor piece endgame. Eventually, Black blundered and lost the game.

Jan-Krzysztof Duda prevailed in the All-Pole battle | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Photo Gallery

Augusta Dragic, President of the Superbet Foundation, made the ceremonial first move of the fourth round on Rapport-Duda's board | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

The picture which is worth thousand words | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Garry Kasparov shaking hands with the former World Blitz champion, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Garry Kasparov made the first move of the fourth round on Carlsen-MVL's board | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Did Giri get distracted by Carlsen? | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Radoslaw Wojtaszek walking with his better half Alina Kashlinskaya, Giri with his second Jan Gustafsson | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Round 5 in progress | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Ceremonial first move of the fifth round All-Poland battle between Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Radoslaw Wojtaszek | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Magnus Carlsen poses for a photo with a fan | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

A fan takes a selfie with Wesley So | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Highlights of Day 2

Replay Superbet Rapid and Blitz Day 2 Live commentary by GMs Varuzhan Akobian, Cristian Chirila, Yasser Seirawan, IM Nazi Paikidze and WGM Anastasiya Karlovich | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay Round 4-6 games

Standings after Rapid Round 6

Wesley So and Jan-Krzysztof Duda are still in the lead 9/12 | Photo: Grand Chess Tour

Superbet Rapid and Blitz 2023 schedule | Photo: Grand Chess Tour

Prize

The total prize fund for each of the Rapid and Blitz event is US$ 175000 with the first prize being US$ 40000.

Prize details | Photo: Grand Chess Tour

Links

Official site

Tournament regulations


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