Risky approach works wonders
After a good day for Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu in the third day of rapid, he failed to follow through in Saturday’s blitz session. Pragg scored only 3½/9 points on the first day of the blitz tournament, which means he had to give up the shared lead. Alireza Firouzja is in his element in blitz and scored 8/9, thus taking the sole lead. On the final day, the participants will play another full round-robin. If necessary, playoffs will also take place after the regular rounds.
Firouzja: “When I am in good form, I can take big risks”
Calculation is at the heart of practical chess. Every chess concept builds on proper calculation technique. Therefore, all chess players should continuosly train the fundamental techniques, concepts and patterns this course will present. The goal isn’t only to teach you to calculate, but to give you the tools and insights to keep improving long after the final lesson.
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: Quiet Moves
Alireza Firouzja interviewed by Maurice Ashley | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
In the interview with Maurice Ashley, Firouzja mentioned that he had played with 100% risk against Bogdan-Daniel Deac. He explained this by saying that he feels he gets good results when he is in form and plays riskily. His score of 7 wins and 2 draws on Saturday seems to confirm his assumption. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave said about Firouzja in an interview: “There is one guy who is absolutely unstoppable”.
Bogdan-Daniel Deac 0 – 1 Alireza Firouzja (round 6)
In the game against Bogdan-Daniel Deac, Firouzja’s problems began early on, after he played 15…Bg7?.
The material remains equal, but the position became more complicated for Black.
The early 9.g5, the omission of castling and the opening of the kingside did not exactly help Firouzja to play solidly. During the course of the game, he managed to exchange material, which allowed him to compensate for his lack of space. In the end, the players’ performance in an equal endgame with rook, knight and four pawns per side decided the game.
Firouzja managed to checkmate his opponent.
Alireza Firouzja in his element at the Rapid & Blitz | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Vincent Keymer has a chance for revenge
The tournament has not been particularly successful for Vincent Keymer. On day four, he scored only 3/9 points. That gave him the same blitz score as Ivan Saric and half a point more than Jorden van Foreest. Keymer is now in sixth place in the overall standings.
Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Vincent Keymer can still make up for lost ground on Sunday | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Keymer beats Gukesh
The blitz game between Keymer and Gukesh turned in the German GM’s favour early on. Before move 20, Gukesh was forced to give up material.
The course of the game did not suit Gukesh. In the endgame, he faced Keymer with three pawns for the bishop pair. The game ended when Gukesh had to give up his last pawn and saw no more chances for Keymer to make a mistake with rook against rook and bishop pair.
In total, Keymer won three games on Saturday. He defeated Gukesh, Jorden van Foreest and Ivan Saric. He lost the rest of the day’s games.
Abdusattorov feels he can still win the event
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Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: King’s Indian Setup
Commentator Maurice Ashley is surprised by Nodirbek Abdusattorov’s rook sacrifice | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
