Richard Rapport was devastated after a tough loss he suffered in the 7th round of FIDE Candidates 2022 playing against Ian Nepomniachtchi. The Petroff line chosen by Nepo was a known theoretical draw where Black sacrifices a Rook to hunt the perpetual check. However, Rapport decided to refuse the threefold repetition and go on into a clearly worse position. Replay the game here
In the post-game interview with WGM Dina Belenkaya, Richard couldn’t explain what was the factor to make him refuse the draw and play on: “I don’t know. I should probably throw away my computer. Because I am pretty sure the line is 14…Bd6 instead of 14…Bh3, and then 15.Qxh7 Bh3 is a draw, so I figured I should be better here…“
“I got really upset about this that I played on, no one knows for what reason exactly. And position clearly seems dangerous. And also many other small things which were not going maybe before the game already. So clearly, it was extremely stupid for me to play on, regardless what is the evaluation of the position.” added Richard.
The event continues today with the 8th round starting from 15:00 CEST. Richard Rapport will again have white pieces, playing against Jan-Krzysztof Duda. “We will see if I do the same tomorrow, as I have another White” said Rapport about today’s game. See the complete interview below.
Read more: Rapport was brave, but it didn’t pay off; Nepo remains the sole leader of the FIDE Candidates / FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament 2022- R8 preview
Featured photo: FIDE/ Stev Bonhage
