Скачать или смотреть RICHARD RAPPORT VS PRAGGNANDHA | TECHMAHINDRA LEGUE

OPENING (Moves 1-8)

Ruy Lopez, Exchange Variation - modern handling

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6


Rapport chooses the Exchange Ruy Lopez, giving Black the bishop pair but dan

Black's pawn structure.

Praggnanandhaa accepts structural weakness for central control and bishop a

5. 0-0 Qf6

An ambitious move, immediately defending e5 and eyeing kingside ideas.

Keeps options for long castling.

6. d4 exd4 7. Bg5 Qd6 8. Nxd4

Very precise by White.

White regains the pawn and develops with tempo.

Black stays flexible but slightly passive.

Assessment:

= Equal, with rich middlegame prospects.

DEVELOPMENT & KING PLACEMENT (Moves 9-14)

9. Be3 Nf6 10. f3

f3 is a modern multi-purpose move:

Supports e4

Prepares Qd2/ long castling if needed

Controls g4

10... c5

Strong central reaction.

Challenges d4 and gains space.

11. Ne2 Be6 12. Nbc3 0-0-0

Praggnanandhaa commits to long castling, signaling kingside pawn storms.

13. Nf4 Qc6

Excellent centralization.

Targets e4, keeps queens active.

CRITICAL MIDDLEGAME BATTLE (Moves 15-19)

15. Rfd1 g5

A bold pawn thrust.

Weakens kingside but gains space and attacking chances.

16. Rxd8+ Bxd8

Rapport simplifies to reduce pressure.

17. Nxe6 fxe6

Structural damage for Black, but:

Opens f-file

Strengthens central control

18. Bf2 Be7 19. Rd1

White consolidates.

Black still holds dynamic chances.

Key point:

Praggnanandhaa willingly accepts pawn weaknesses for activity and initiative, very mature decision-making.

QUEENSIDE TRANSFORMATION (Moves 20-27)

20. b3 Nd7 21. Nb1

Very "Rapport-style": rerouting knights for long-term play.

21... c4!

Excellent break.

Fixes queenside pawns and opens lines.

22. Nd2 cxb3 23. Nxb3 Qa4

Black activates the queen aggressively.

Targets a2, b3 weaknesses.

24. c3 Rd8 25. Rd4 Qb5

Precise maneuvering.

Both sides fighting for key squares.

MASS SIMPLIFICATION (Moves 28-32)

28. Bg3 Rxd4 29. cxd4

Exchange sacrifice leads to a dynamic pawn structure.

29... Nc4

Knight becomes dominant.

30. Qc3 Qb4 31. Be1 Qxc3 32. Bxc3

Queens are exchanged.

Transition into a pure endgame.

Very important:


Despite material equality, the pawn structure is imbalanced, making this endgame f from simple.

ENDGAME PHASE I - STRUCTURAL WAR (Moves 33-38)

33. Kf2 b5 34. Ba1 b4

Black creates queenside majority.

35. Ke2 a5 36. Kd3 Na3

Excellent knight maneuver.

Black dominates dark squares.

37. Nc5 Bxc5 38. dxc5

White creates connected passed pawns on the kingside.

Assessment:

Black has space and knight activity; White has dangerous pawn potential.

ENDGAME PHASE II - TACTICAL TRAPS (Moves 39-44)

39. Bf6 Kd7 40. Kc3 Nc2

Knight hits e1 & d4.

41. Bxg5 Ne1

Rapport grabs a pawn.