Magnus Carlsen shares the lead in the prestigious chess tournament in the Dutch Wijk aan Zee. He beat Hungarian Richárd Rapport in the sixth round on Friday.
– I’m very pleased. It was definitely a victory I needed as the tournament has been, says Carlsen.
The victory gives him four points after the first six rounds, and it was his first triumph on the last four attempts. Friday’s party was decided by a mistake by Rapport. In addition, he spent a lot of time. The Hungarian gave up after 31 moves. Then both players had spent a lot of time.
Carlsen admits that the use of time worried him a little.
– There was a lot to think about. I felt that there was always an opportunity to safe a little with white. I never felt that it was going to be very critical with the use of time, says Carlsen.
– It was a bit sketchy, since I ended up playing a move I would have done anyway. In any case, I hopefully learned a little by thinking for so long, he says.
Carlsen shares the tournament management with Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Santosh Gujrathi Vidit. Carlsen has not met them yet.
Friday’s game started smoothly, and the chess computer could not distinguish between the duelists after the first eight moves. They also had equal time use up to that point. In the subsequent move, however, Rapport spent 26 minutes, which cost him precious time for the time control of 40 moves. Both had spent a lot of time and were around 40 minutes to perform a scant 30 moves.
In Rapport’s 21st move, the chess computers made a difference. They then showed a solid advantage to Carlsen. Rapport had very little time towards the end, and it took advantage of the Norwegian with the white pieces to the full and won.
On Saturday, Carlsen will meet Indian Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa with black pieces.
(©NTB/TV 2)
–
