Saint Louis R&B Day 1: Caruana and Leinier share the lead 5.0/6

by Shahid Ahmed - 12/08/2021

The first day of Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz witnessed a lot of exciting games. Caruana and Leinier has taken an early lead 5.0/6. They both scored two victories and a draw each. So and Nakamura also made an unbeaten start 4.0/6. Rapport, Mamedyarov and Liem suffered a loss each, and they are at 3.0/6 each respectively. Liem scored the fastest victory of the day against Mamedyarov in 23 moves, followed by Caruana's win over Xiong in 24 moves. Both of those wins happened in the third and final round of the day. Svidler and GCT debutants - Xiong and Shankland had a tough start as they scored only 1.0/6. Round 4 starts tonight from 1:30 a.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Nine decisive games

The first day of Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz 2021 witnessed nine decisive games out of 15 which means 60% games were decisive. All five games in the third round, ended decisively.

Caruana share the lead with Leinier 5.0/6 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Round 1: Shankland - Rapport: 0-2

Nepomniachtchi launched a premature attack but Korobov was unable to thwart it.

Position after 14.a3

14.a3 is a big mistake because 14...axb3 15.axb4 Qxb4 and then Black has too many threats - b2, dxc4 and eventually the b5-knight will be in trouble too. 14.Nc3 would have been a better alternative.

Rapport made a perfect start | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Leinier - Xiong: 2-0

Jeffery Xiong played the endgame passively, for which he had to pay a heavy price against Leinier Dominguez Perez.

Leinier spoiled Xiong's GCT debut | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Round 2: Svidler - Mamedyarov: 0-2

Svidler was completely winning but a few inaccuracies allowed his opponent, Mamedyarov to make a comeback and eventually win on time.

Position after 42...Rc8

White needed to play 43.Rc3 to prevent Nd3 and keep his c5-pawn in the game. 43.Nf5 dropped the pawn as it allowed 43...Nd3.

The agony of losing a won game is indescribable | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Round 3: Leinier - Rapport: 2-0

Leinier scored a nice victory over Rapport as he unsettled his opponent's kingside and increased his advantage with a great positional play.

Position after 18...Re8

It is evident that White has an edge in the above position. Find out how should White play here.

So - Shankland: 2-0

Shankland's strategical mistake cost him the game against So.

Position after 19...Nb6

19...Nb6 leaves the black king vulnerable. How should White take advantage of it?

Shankland lost his second game of the day | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Caruana - Xiong: 2-0

Xiong made a tactical error and lost the game in just 24 moves.

Position after 16...Nd6

16...Nd6 is a big mistake. Why? Black should have played 16...Rf7 instead.

Mamedyarov - Liem: 0-2

World Blitz 2013 winner, Liem Quang Le is in terrific form lately. He unleashed has wrath on Mamedyarov who went wrong as early as ninth move of the game.