Playoffs between Magnus Carlsen and Richard Rapport to determine the winner of GRENKE Chess Classic

by Shahid Ahmed - 01/04/2024

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) will face Richard Rapport (ROU) in the Playoffs to find the winner of GRENKE Chess Classic 2024. Magnus defeated Vincent Keymer (GER) with his usual grind in a supposed gridlock. He broke it wide open and Keymer succumbed. Magnus drew the tenth round game against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA). Richard Rapport (ROU) also drew with the Frenchman in Round 9 before finishing the Round-Robin stage with another draw against Daniel Fridman (GER). Keymer, after losing to Magnus, defeated Ding Liren (CHN) twice in a day. He will battle MVL for third place. Playoff games will start today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Angelika Valkova/GRENKE Chess Classic

Keymer beats Liren twice in-a-day

Before the start of ninth round, IM Ilja Schneider (GER) knelt in front of his longtime girlfriend Olga and asked the most important question. She said yes. The world champion, Ding Liren (CHN) had a tough day as he lost to Vincent Keymer (GER) twice within few hours.

Magnus Carlsen will have to battle Richard Rapport to determine the winner of GRENKE Chess Classic

Carlsen - Keymer, Round 9

Position after 48.h4

Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2823) decided to break the gridlock 48.h4 Qg7 49.Qg2 Bc8 50.hxg5 Ng5 51.Nh5 Nxh5 52.Rxh5 f6 53.Qh2 soon Vincent Keymer (GER, 2627) decided to sacrifice an exchange to create some play, but it did not work out.

The Magnus Grind! | Magnus Carlsen vs Vincent Keymer, Round 9 | Video: GRENKE Chess

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) defeated Vincent Keymer (GER) with both colors at this event

Keymer - Liren, Round 10

Position after 21.Qxc6

Black has its knight and d3-bishop under attack. How can he save both? Ding Liren (CHN, 2818) did not react correctly and he went on to lose the game.

Vincent Keymer (GER) registered two victories over the world champion, Ding Liren (CHN) on the same day

IM Ilja Schneider knelt in front of his longtime girlfriend Olga and asked the most important question. She said yes.

Olga made the ceremonial first move of Round 9 on Magnus Carlsen (NOR) and Vincent Keymer's (GER) board

Round 9 in progress

Can Keymer Beat the World Champion in the Tie-Breaks? | Vincent Keymer vs Ding Liren | Video: GRENKE Chess

Interview with Tie-Break Winner - Vincent Keymer | Video: GRENKE Chess

The tournament hall at Schwarzwaldhalle Karlsruhe in Germany

Chess Festival of Love | GRENKE Chess Open & Classic 2024 | Video: GRENKE Chess

Replay Round 9-10 and TB for 4th place games

Round 9-10 results

Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.
Round 9 on 2024/03/31 at 15:00
1	5	2818	GM	Ding, Liren	½ - ½	GM	Fridman, Daniel	2575	6
2	4	2823	GM	Carlsen, Magnus	1 - 0	GM	Keymer, Vincent	2627	1
3	3	2708	GM	Rapport, Richard	½ - ½	GM	Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime	2755	2
Round 10 on 2024/03/31 at 17:00
Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.
1	6	2575	GM	Fridman, Daniel	½ - ½	GM	Rapport, Richard	2708	3
2	2	2755	GM	Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime	½ - ½	GM	Carlsen, Magnus	2823	4
3	1	2627	GM	Keymer, Vincent	1 - 0	GM	Ding, Liren	2818	5

Details

Standings after Round 10

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.
1	4	GM	Carlsen, Magnus	NOR	2823	7
2	3	GM	Rapport, Richard	ROU	2708	6
3	2	GM	Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime	FRA	2755	5
4	1	GM	Keymer, Vincent	GER	2627	4
	5	GM	Ding, Liren	CHN	2818	4
	6	GM	Fridman, Daniel	GER	2575	4

Details

Tiebreak for 4th place results:

Ding - Keymer: 0.5 - 0.5

Fridman - Ding: 1-0

Keymer - Fridman: 1-0

Keymer - Ding: 1-0

Ding - Fridman: 1-0

Fridman - Keymer: did not take place, unnecessary

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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