Grenke Freestyle Open R4-5: Aryan and Leon spell beautiful disaster for Arjun and Rapport
by Shahid Ahmed - 20/04/2025
GM Leon Luke Mendonca continues his great run at Grenke Freestyle Open 2025. After beating the reigning World Blitz cochampion, Ian Nepomniachtchi in Round 3, Leon defeated the ever creative, GM Richard Rapport (HUN). In the fifth round, Leon drew with GM Alexey Sarana (SRB) to move to 4.5/5, a half point behind the sole leader, GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) 5/5. GM Aryan Chopra got the better of GM Arjun Erigaisi in the fourth round. Arjun had a substantial advantage for the better part of the game. However, an error in an extremely complex position gave Aryan the win. Aryan drew with GM Hans Niemann (USA) in Round 5 to take his score 4/5. Round 6 starts today at 10 a.m. local time, 1:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy
Carlsen emerges sole leader, Seven in pursuit
Round 4
The starting position for the fourth round was position number 302.
The starting position for Round 4 was number 302
Bacrot - Carlsen: 0-1
GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) scored his fourth win in-a-row as GM Etienne Bacrot (FRA) made a tactical error causing his position to fall apart
Rapport - Leon: 0-1
GM Richard Rapport (HUN) made an incorrect queen retreat against GM Leon Luke Mendonca.
Position after 28...Qb8
29.Qh2 Qxh2+ 30.Kxh2 Be8/Kd6 Black has slight advantage. However, 29.Qh4?? just gave his opponent the complete upper hand 29...Rh8-+ 30.Qe1 Qh2+ 31.Kf2 Qg3+ 32.Kg1 Qh2+ 33.Kf2 Rf3+ 34.Ke2 Qxg2+ 35.Rf2 Rh2 and Black won. Beating the artist Rapport like this should give Leon an extra joy and motivation.
GM Arjun Erigaisi was winning for the better part of the game against GM Aryan Chopra. However, in a complex position, Arjun misplayed.
Position after 34...e2
According to the computer 35.Rxg7 is winning for White. Yes that is quite unbelievable as White allows Black to promote the queen 35...e1Q 36.Rg8 Re8 37.Ne5 Nd6 38.Rxe8+ Nxe8 39.Qg8 and Black must give up his queen to prevent the backrank checkmate threat. The game continued 35.Qg3?? Rxc6 36.bxc6 Bxd4+ 37.Kb1 f4 38.Qe1?? f3 and now Black is completely winning.
GM Aryan Chopra scored a big win over GM Arjun Erigaisi
Round 5
The starting position for the fifth round was position number 630
The starting position for Round 5 was number 630
Magnus Carlsen calls the arbiter before the game | Video: ChessBase India
GM Magnus Carlsen defeated GM Victor Mikhalevski (ISR) to emerge sole leader 5/5
GM Leon Luke Mendonca drew with GM Alexey Sarana (SRB) to move to 4.5/5
GM Aryan Chopra - GM Hans Niemann (USA): 0.5-0.5
For more Round 4 and 5 photos, please click at the respective links.
Replay live stream
Replay Round 4 live commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India
Replay Round 5 live commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India
Video Gallery
Hans Niemann and his fans | Video: ChessBase India
The absolute gentleman of the chess world - Levon Aronian | Video: ChessBase India
Vladimir Kramnik draws the position for Round 5 | Video: ChessBase India
The 10-year-old boy cannot believe that his IM opponent made an illegal move | Video: ChessBase India
Interview with Sagar Shah | Video: Grenke Chess
What do you like most about Grenke Chess | Video: Grenke Chess