European Rapid Championship
Riazantsev wins rapid-chess title !
Following on the heels on his victory in the Russian Championship not so long ago, GM Riazantsev has added to his trophy rack the 2016 European Rapid Championship cup. Congratulations!
This year’s European Rapid (/blitz) Championships were held in Tallinn,Estonia between the 14th and 18th of December. The time control for the Rapid was 15 minutes plus 10 spm for each player. The tournament was organized as an 11-round Open. Not less than 29 countries were represented, translating into 550 players (76 grandmasters and 49 international masters).
Andreikin won the Blitz title. Photos by Oleg Harchenko.
Winning 5-second tactics from the Rapid Championship:
Here is a short selection of examples of tactical skill in rapid chess from this championship. Ofcourse, the themes are less subtle compared to slower time control themes, but they are still excellent training material. You can download the pgn here. Good luck!
gm Mamedov – gm Wojtaszek
White to play and crush!
gm Cvitan – im Tomazini
White to play and crush!
gm Zvjaginsev – im Kashtanov
White to play and crush!
gm Naiditsch – gm Popov, M
White to play and crush!
gmMamedov – gmMolchanova
White to play and crush!
gm Kobalia– im Krupenski
White to play and win!
gmMovsesian– gmPonkratov
Black to play and crush!
gmYussupov – imTomazini
White to play and crush!
gm Vallejo -gm Tregubov
Black to play and crush!