Laznicka-Rapport Thrilling Till The End

Richard Rapport defeated Viktor Laznicka in a 6-game match in Novy Bor, where a blitz playoff was needed to force a winner. The match finished last week already but definitely deserves to be mentioned here!

This match between Czech number two Viktor Laznicka and Hungarian number two Richard Rapport was held 30 September-5 October in Novy Bor, Czech Republic. It was a great battle between styles: the solid Laznicka versus the highly creative Rapport.

From the start it seemed that creatity would score a convincing victory; Rapport was leading 3-1 after four games. He took off with a flashing, Tal-like double knight sacrifice in the very first game:

The first four games Rapport was kind of mirroring the perfect match strategy: drawing with White, and winning with Black! It must be noted that Laznicka reached a winning position in game 2 but he allowed his opponent to escape.

The fourth game was spectactular as well:

Laznicka was down 3-1 and needed to win the last two games... and so he did! First, a very smooth victory as White where Rapport was just outplayed strategically.

Then, the following win as Black. Laznicka duly copied Rapport's off-beat opening moves, and then defended successfully against a piece sacrifice when his opponent played for a win too long.

Suddenly the score was 3-3, and a two-game blitz playoff followed directly after the last game. Laznicka reached a promising position but then blundered. Rapport, who needed a draw in the second, opened with the remarkable 1.e4 c5 2.Qh5!? and won in just 17 moves:

Rapport-Laznicka | Match Score