GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda took a giant step in the direction of profitable the Aimchess Rapid match as he beat GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 3-1 on Thursday. 24-year-old Duda, who eradicated GM Magnus Carlsen within the semifinals, dominated the primary of two matches within the last and gained each his white video games.

The outcomes converse for themselves, however Duda’s play has been very spectacular as effectively. He hardly enable Mamedyarov to play his common, reckless and imaginative chess, and particularly with the white items he was in full management.

After a fast attract a Nimzo-Indian, Duda’s win in sport two was form of particular as he adopted a positional idea virtually from begin to end: conserving the e5-square underneath management. Even the stunning push of his h- and g-paws in entrance of his king was a part of it. 

Afterward, Duda instantly talked about this sport in his interview: “I actually favored the second sport, additionally from the aesthetic viewpoint.”

Only within the third sport, Mamedyarov had some possibilities after he tricked his opponent right into a Queen’s Gambit Declined, the place he castled queenside. Objectively talking, that was fairly a foul transfer however Duda didn’t benefit from it.

“I’m very glad with the best way I performed, truly with each colours,” stated Duda, who denied that he performed particularly to not enable Mamedyarov his most well-liked play. “My technique is all the time the identical: to attempt to squeeze with white and be very stable with black. I feel it is a very environment friendly technique, particularly within the matches.”

In the second match on Friday, Duda wants to attain two sport factors to win the match, which might be his second victory within the tour after profitable the Oslo Esports Cup in April. If Mamedyarov wins the second match, the gamers will instantly play a tiebreaker.