1Movsesian kicks things off with a classic central pawn move! This opening move does a lot more than just gain space; it opens up the diagonal for his Queen and starts to control key central squares.
Keymer wastes no time in answering Movsesian’s central advance with an equally classic pawn push. This move mirrors White’s early control of the center and opens up space for his Queen.
2Just like in the morning’s Round 6 game, we see a Knight on the left corner again in the starting position of the Freestyle setup!
Keymer reinforces his center with the pawn push, solidifying his grip on the e-pawn. More than just a defensive move, it also opens up the diagonal for his light-squared bishop, giving him additional flexibility for future development.
3Movsesian ramps up the pressure with an energetic pawn push, striking directly at Black’s center. This is not just a space-gaining move, it also opens the diagonal for his dark-squared Bishop.
Keymer keeps his cool and captures the pawn. Will Movsesian recapture with his Queen and immediately restore material balance, or use this moment to accelerate development?
4Instead of rushing to recapture the pawn, Movsesian calmly develops his Knight. He’s setting up a smooth recapture on his terms, while also unlocking the path for Queenside castling.
Keymer answers Movsesian’s Knight move with a Knight move of his own! A perfect mirror that brings his own Knight into the center, guarding critical squares and adding pressure to the board.
5Movsesian’s Queen swoops in to recapture the pawn, but that’s not all - he’s also defending his vulnerable e-pawn, which was under fire from Keymer’s pesky Knight!
A quiet move? Don’t be fooled! By pushing this pawn, Keymer is clearing the path for his dark-squared Bishop. That Bishop is now eyeing Movsesian’s Queen, ready for a potential attack!
6Movsesian and Keymer both castle queenside. The Kings are tucked away safely, leaving the center wide open for explosive play!
7Movsesian develops his Bishop, connecting his Rooks and getting his pieces working together.
Keymer pushes his pawn, immediately attacking Movsesian’s Bishop. Now it’s decision time: will Movsesian trade his Bishop for the Knight or find a safe square to keep the pressure on?
8Movsesian’s Bishop retreat to may seem safe, but it’s actually an inaccuracy - he’s given Keymer an opportunity to launch an attack on the e-pawn, which is now looking increasingly vulnerable. Keymer’s eyes light up, sensing a chance to attack the weak spot in Movsesian’s position.
Keymer quickly develops his Rook, putting immediate pressure on Movsesian’s e-pawn and the file in general. He’s already eyeing the weaknesses in Movsesian’s position, especially that vulnerable e-pawn. It’s a solid and threatening move that could force Movsesian to defend more than he would like!
9Movsesian pushes his e-pawn but it may have been a misjudgment or simply a sign of fatigue after the long day of games. The eval bar shifts in Keymer’s favor as the move opens up weaknesses, and Movsesian is starting to feel the pressure.
Keymer snatches the pawn with ease, his position looking more and more dominant with each passing move. You can almost sense his confidence oozing through the screen as he eyes up Movsesian’s weaknesses. The board is his playground now, and he's playing with poise and precision.
📸 Courtesy: Chess24 Broadcast
10Movsesian tries to decline the Queen trade, keeping the Queens on the board in an attempt to complicate the position. Movsesian is in shock - this game has taken a dramatic turn!
📸 Courtesy: Chess24 broadcast
With this pawn move, Keymer is winning material! The Pawn strikes at Movsesian’s Knight, and here's the kicker - if the Knight moves, the Bishop behind it is left hanging and will fall.
12Movsesian finds himself in a tough spot - he simply cannot defend both his Knight and Bishop at once! Faced with the dilemma, he brings out his Rook to protect the Bishop, leaving the Knight to its fate.
No hesitation from Keymer: he gobbles up the Knight without blinking. Clean, clinical, and cold-blooded. He's up material and in full control now!
13It looks like that b-pawn is hanging by tactic of discovered attack, but wait! If Movsesian takes it, Keymer springs a brilliant in-between move snatching the Bishop and hitting the Queen with tempo!
Keymer maneuvers his Knight with purpose - it's not just repositioning, it's preparation. The move clears the long diagonal for his Queen.
Keymer springs into action, activating his Queen with precision! It now targets Movsesian's undefended light-squared bishop, putting the pressure on and forcing him to respond.
15Movsesian moves his Bishop to avoid getting captured.
Keymer keeps up the pressure, attacking Movsesian's light-squared Bishop with a pawn!
On Board 5 of Round 7 at the Freestyle Chess Open, Vincent Keymer delivered a stunning victory over Sergei Movsesian, and he did it in just 16 moves! This wasn’t just a win - it was a statement.
Movsesian, a seasoned grandmaster, looked confident early on but quickly found himself on the defensive after a few sharp tactical blows from Keymer. A couple of small inaccuracies snowballed into a full-on collapse, and with material falling and no hope of recovery, Movsesian was forced to resign. Absolute shock on his face.
Keymer played with elegance and power - snatching control of the center, coordinating his pieces like a symphony, and finishing with razor-sharp calculation. This is Vincent in top form, and with this win, he’s now firmly in the race for the top heading into the final day!
With a stunningly fast victory, Keymer is rapidly climbing the leaderboard, now closing in on Carlsen, who still holds the lead. With just two games left tomorrow, Keymer's form could set the stage for an electrifying finish. The final day promises intense action - who will come out on top and claim the crown? Only time will tell! Stay tuned!
The Grenke Freestyle Chess Open continues in Karlsruhe, Germany, and we now turn our attention to a compelling Round 7 matchup between Sergei Movsesian of Armenia and Vincent Keymer of Germany. With both players emerging from long, hard-fought draws earlier in the day, this round will test not only their creativity in a fresh position but also their stamina as the tournament intensifies.
Movsesian enters the game with deep experience and a reputation for resilience. He’s no stranger to complex positions and will be looking to steer the game into territory where calm calculation triumphs over chaos. Across the board, Keymer brings youthful energy and fearless creativity, eager to press with initiative and make a statement on home soil.
As the tournament moves into its decisive phase, this game could be a turning point for both players. Will Keymer seize the momentum and thrill the local supporters, or will Movsesian’s steadiness prove decisive in a format where anything can happen? We’re moments away from action!