Richárd Rapport, a Hungarian chess grandmaster, is known for his creative and aggressive playing style. Born in Szombathely, Hungary, he became the country’s youngest-ever grandmaster at 13 years and 11 months. His bold and unpredictable approach to the game, including frequent use of unconventional openings like the Nimzo-Larsen Attack, has made him one of the most exciting players to follow on the global chess scene.
Rapport’s career highlights include winning the Hungarian Chess Championship in 2017 and achieving a peak ranking of world No. 5 in May 2022. In 2022, he qualified for the prestigious Candidates Tournament through his performance in the FIDE Grand Prix but finished in last place. In 2023, he served as a second for Ding Liren during the World Chess Championship, where Ding won the title against Ian Nepomniachtchi.
After representing Romania for two years due to a sponsorship deal, Rapport switched back to representing Hungary in 2024. Despite ups and downs, he remains a formidable player, known for his daring strategies.