After two days of play, Ian Nepomniaschi led the FIDE World Rapid Championship with a 9.0/10 score, and his two point lead on the field seemed rather safe even with a full five rounds to play on Saturday. But not only did Nepomniaschi not hold on to the lead, he ultimately gave up the victory not to Ivan Cheparinov or Ildar Khairullin - the two players who were sitting closest behind him with seven points - but rather Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, who finished with a 5/5 score on Saturday to make up a 2.5 point deficit and finish with 11.5 points, a half-point ahead of Nepomniaschi. Most of the 58-player field will also be in action on Sunday and Monday as they compete for the World Blitz Championship.
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