Volume 65, Number 3 The official publication of the Texas Chess Association JAN-FEB 2024 $5

Texas Team Championship!!!

Left to Right: Vijay, Kevin, Arsal and Vasee a.k.a Minority Attack - Winner of the Texas Team Championship

Table of Contents
A Message from the TCA President .................................................................................. 4
TCA Texas Team Championship 2024 ............................................................................. 5
Historical: 1986 Southwest Open - Could I Be Beaten?! By LM Robert Harrington ........ 7
17th SPICE Cup Open ......................................................................................................... 8
Texas Triump (Pan-American Intercollegiate Team) by David Ortiz .............................. 9
New Chess Books - Two by GM Karsten Müller by Dr. Alexey Root ............................. 11
Coach’s Corner - e4! - The Chess Top 40, Part 2 by Robert L. Myers .......................... 13
Historical: Jottings of Interest... by Mike Moore ............................................................ 14
Tactics Time! by Tim Brennan (Answers on page 18)................................................. 15
Leader List ........................................................................................................................ 16
Game Index ...................................................................................................................... 19
Upcoming Events.............................................................................................................. 30
TEXAS CHESS ASSOCIATION
texaschess.org
Facebook.com/TexasChess
Chess.com/club/texas-chess-association
A 501(c)(3) Educational Nonprofit Corporation Dedicated to Promoting Chess in Texas

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TCA Hall of Honor

Lifetime Patron Patron Family Patron
Selby K. Anderson Raymond Feyes Margaret Bailon-Labednick
Thomas Boyd Charles Fricks Sarah Brauner
Caleb S. Brown Robert Jones Thomas E. & Jo Ann Crane
Clarence Callaway, Jr. Peter Kappler Jeff & Lonann French
Carmen Chairez George Laiacona Renate Garcia
George W. Church, Jr. Carlos Lau Joshua Goldberg
David W. Cofer Pablo Moujan Danny & Brenda Hardesty
Jack Garcia David Ortiz James Houghtaling Jr.
Austen Green Robert Skipper Amy Jones
David Harrington Barbara Swafford Ross Lynn Leone
Patrick C. Long Robert L. Myers
Harmon Throneberry Patron Online Douglas & Alexey Root
Louis Thurston Michael Donovan
Gregory Lane Newman
Luis Salinas
Contributors: Tom Braunlich, Tim Brennan, Yang Cong, Robert Harrington, Jim Hollingsworth, Mike Moore,
Robert Myers, Nelllie Nadoo, Kwunnie Ng, David Ortiz, Dr. Alexey Root
Cover photo: Kwunnie Ng
Game annotations: If not attributed, are a collaboration between the Editor and Fritz 19.

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No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express permission of the Editor.

2
 texasknightsed@gmail.com

From the Desk

of the Editor
Facebook.com/texasknightsed

Hello Texas, Chess Magazine. It’s not clear at this time

whether there were details published in Texas
Welcome to the new year. I hope you have a Knights about the 1986 Southwest Open that
prosperous year with plenty of chess through- took place in San Antonio and ended in a four
out the year and all the years that follow. -way tie between Joe Bradford, John Cline, Car-
los Lau, and Ildiko Madl. While future issues in
Let’s start off this year with just a couple of the Texas Knights Archive may include an is-
announcements (they are changes, but some- sue with the details for the tournament, it cur-
times change can be very good). rently doesn’t, and it’s well past time for some
coverage.
1. There is a new Texas Knights Archive. You
can find a link to it at the bottom of the Texas There are also details (and games) from the
Knights page on the TCA Website. We recently 17th SPICE Cup Open, where 13-year-old chess
added about 50 new back issues that are now prodigy Andy Woodward, from Texas, brought
available for you. There will be approximately home the first prize. Also, there is an article
45 more back issues coming soon (some will (and games) from the Pan-American Intercolle-
replace partial issues we currently have). We giate Team Chess Championship by new con-
are still looking for issues from 1959 through tributor David Ortiz.
1971. More details on issues we are still miss-
ing will be coming soon. Thanks to Chris From returning contributors: Dr. Alexey Root
Wood, the TCA Website Administrator, for provides two new book reviews. We have Part
building and populating the new Archive. 2 of the Coach’s Corner: The Chess Top 40
article that started in the Nov-Dec 2023 issue
2. I am now including Chessbase Icons with of Texas Knights, provided by Robert L. Myers.
the Texas Knights PGN game files. They are Finally, Tim Brennan has provided the next
miniaturized captures of the cover page for nine Tactics Time! puzzles to solve.
the associated issues. Just copy the ICO file to
the same location as the Game PGN file. See Finally, there is a historical article previously
my Facebook page for more information. published in the March-May 1981 Texas
Knights about the formation of TCA in 1892.
Here’s what you can find in this, the first issue
of Texas Knights for 2024…. March 15th is the submission deadline for the
next issue. Mid-April is when the next issue
There are results, photos, and games from the should arrive in mailboxes. The digital issue
TCA Texas Team Championship 2024. should be on the website within the first week
of April.
Also, there is a historical article (and a game
to go with it). Both have been published be- I hope you enjoy the issue. –Jeff
fore in the April 2023 issue of Oklahoma
3
 A Message from the President

February 2024

As we start a new year, once again, the Texas join the winners of the same sections from the
Chess Association staff and I thank you for your 2023 Texas Girls Championships to determine the
outstanding support and love for the game of Texas representative to the Haring National Tour-
chess. As always, it is a team effort, and your con- nament of Girls State Champions. Of course, we
tributions do not go unnoticed. cannot forget about the Irwin National Tournament
of Senior Champions. The winner of the 2024 Sen-
This, the first issue of Texas Knights this year, is ior Championship, which is being organized by the
packed with tournament reports, games, and pic- Arlington Chess Club, will be the Texas representa-
tures. Thanks to those who contributed to this, tive. As you may know, those national events are
and in particular to our Editor, Jeff French. As I always held in conjunction with the U.S. Open, and
mentioned before, please mark your calendar for in 2024, they will be held at the Sheraton Norfolk
the 2024 tournaments, starting with the Regional Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Virginia, July 27 – 30.
Championships, which are being held during the So, again, please make plans to attend the TCA
early part of the year in most of the ten TCA re- events and visit our website as well as the TCA Fa-
gions. Following the Regional Championships, we cebook page for information.
will have the Texas Scholastic Chess Champion-
ships, both North and South. Players are not lim- We have had a lot of chess action recently, and this
ited to one or the other, and they may play in both. issue also covers, among other things, the Texas
The Texas Scholastic Chess Championships North Team Championship, the Intercollegiate Team
are being organized by the Dallas Chess Club and Championship, the SPICE Cup Open, a historical
will be held in Houston, on March 1 – 3. The South game from the 1986 Southwest Open, an informa-
Championships are being organized by UTRGV and tive book review by the 1989 U.S. Women’s Cham-
will be held in Brownsville, on March 16 – 17 pion WIM Alexey Root, and much more, so read on!
(correction from the last issue, as the South Cham-
pionship will start on Saturday, not Friday). We For this issue, we were also going to include Part 2
hope to see most of our scholastic chess players in of my article for tournament directors and organiz-
either one of these or both! And as we mentioned ers, but I am still working on it, and it will be in-
before, since these events will be used to select our cluded in the next issue of Texas Knights.
representatives for the US Chess National Invita-
tional events (Denker, Barber, and Rockefeller), Thanks again for your support for this organization
there will be online playoffs between the first-place and, most importantly, for our chess players!
winners of the North and South High School, Middle
School, and Elementary School Championship sec- With best regards,
tions. In addition, we will have an online playoff
between the top female players of those three sec- Franc
tions in both North and South events, and they will
About the Author
• Franc Guadalupe is a US Chess National Tournament Director, FIDE International Arbiter Category A, and FIDE
International Organizer.
• He is a former US Chess Executive Director, US Chess Director of Events, and FIDE Zonal President for the U.S.
• He has organized and directed over 50 National events including many in Texas.
• In addition to his current position as TCA President he was President of the Florida Chess Association.

4
 TCA Texas Team Championship 2024
Photos by: Kwunnie Ng
Additional Individual Info: https://www.uschess.org/assets/msa_joomla/XtblMain.php?202401214302
Additional Team Info, See Post on: https://www.facebook.com/TexasChess/

The TCA Texas Team Championship 2024 was played in Houston on January 20th and
21st. Sixteen teams of four players each participated in the Open Section for five
rounds. The time controls for the Open Section were G90;inc30. The Open Section was
a two-day event with three rounds on Saturday and two rounds on Sunday. Games from
the tournament start on Page 20.
Below are the Results of the Top 3 Teams in the Open Section.
# Name Score TBrk[G] TBrk[M]
1 Minority Attack (2156.3) 4.0 14.0 14.0
Vaseegaran Nandhakumar (2254) 3.5 Bd: 1
Arsal Gardezi (2238) 1.5 Bd: 2
Kevin Qin (2104) 4.0 Bd: 3
Vijay Srinivas Anandh (2029) 5.0 Bd: 4
2 Illegal Biryani (2165.8) 4.0 14.0 13.5
Sharvesh Deviprasath (2481) 4.5 Bd: 1
Nicolas De La Colina (2303) 4.0 Bd: 2
Alexander Elliott (2047) 3.5 Bd: 3
Amay Babel (1832) 2.0 Bd: 4
3 Sicilian Schemers (2116.8) 4.0 13.5 12.5
Ryo Wenyu Chen (2447) 2.5 Bd: 1
Kyle Y Wang (2078) 3.5 Bd: 2
Joshua Meng (2014) 4.0 Bd: 3
Ethan Y Wang (1928) 3.5 Bd: 4
See Cover Photo for First Place Winners

Second Place Winners Third Place Winners

(Left to Right: Alexander, Nicolas, Sharvesh & Amay) (Left to Right: Joshua, Ryo, Kyle & Ethan)
5
Seven teams of four players each participated in the Scholastic Section in five rounds.
The Scholastic Section time controls were G45;d5. The Scholastic Section was a single-
day event.
Below are the Results of the Top 3 Teams in Scholastic Section.
# Name Score TBrk[G] TBrk[M]
1 Saturday Night Live (922.5) 4.0 13.5 9.5
Calvin Munsayac (1545) 3.5 Bd: 1
Reyansh Arora (912) 3.5 Bd: 2
Siddanth Relan (735) 4.5 Bd: 3
Brayden Parillon (498) 2.0 Bd: 4
2 Black Kings White Queens (992.8) 3.5 13.5 10.0
Simon Nguyen (1311) 3.5 Bd: 1
Suri Ngoc Nguyen (1000) 2.0 Bd: 2
Charles Wong (857) 4.0 Bd: 3
Neha Teresa Sony (803) 4.0 Bd: 4
3 The Queens Guardians (714.5) 3.5 11.0 11.5
Aditya Naidu (1183) 3.5 Bd: 1
Rohan Naidu (246) 1.0 Bd: 2
Shourya Sethi (unr.) 2.5 Bd: 3
Soham Sethi (unr.) 4.0 Bd: 4

First Place Scholastic Team Second Place Scholastic Team

(Left to Right: Brayden, Calvin, Siddanth & Reyansh) (Left to Right: Suri, Neha, Simon & Charles)
Photo Provided By: Nelllie Nadoo Photo Provided By: Yang Cong
6
 More Memories from the Tournament

The 1986 Southwest Open - Could I Be Beaten?!

By LM Robert Harrington

[Editor's Note: The article and game were originally defense. I was very fortunate to draw him in a 56-
published in the April 2023 issue of Oklahoma move game. In round 2, I was paired with Michael
Chess Magazine and are used with permission.] Calogridis, USCF 2322. Result draw. Round 3 saw
me paired with a 2100 player. Result draw. In round
On my quest to become a chess master, I decided 4, I was paired with a 1900-rated opponent. Result
to enter the strong Southwest Open. I felt prepared, draw. So far, each round, my opponent was rated
and I was having good results at that time. So, I 200 points lower than the previous round. As I
packed my bags and went to a city that has a rich posted my result after round 4, I jokingly asked the
heritage: San Antonio. My USCF rating was 2144. tournament director, "Can't you find anyone that
To my surprise, I was on board 1 in round 1. My can beat me?" Round 5 saw me paired with a 1700-
opponent was Joe Bradford, USCF 2547. Joe had rated opponent. Can you guess the result?! If you
already won this prominent event, or tied for first, guessed a draw, you were wrong. He beat me!
five previous times. He went on to tie for first this
time too (and three more times). A little about Mr. So, my journey to obtain a 2200 rating continued.
Bradford. Joe had surprised the chess world in In terms of my overall chess result, I was not overly
1978 by winning the U.S. Open with a rating of pleased. 4 draws and a loss. Nonetheless, I have
2307! By winning that prestigious event, he quali- fond memories of the 1986 S.W. Open. (Maybe I
fied to play in the 1980 US Closed Championship. should have titled this "The 1986 Southwest Open -
His result in that event was 3 wins, 4 draws, and 5 Can I Win a Game?!)
losses. His three wins were against GM Larry Chris-
tiansen, IM Jack Peters, and GM Robert Byrne. Bradford missed a couple difficult-to-see shots, but
in the end, a stubborn defense earned the half-
Back to my game with "Big Joe." I was white, and Joe point.
employed his favorite defense to 1.e4 - the French See Game 10 on Page 23.

7
 17th SPICE Cup Open
Complete Results: https://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?202312229782
Tournament Photos: https://www.facebook.com/LiemChess

The 17th SPICE Cup Open was played in Chesterfield, MO from Decem-
ber 17th to December 22nd. The tournament was played in nine rounds
with a time control of G/90+inc/30. There were 52 participants in the
tournament.

Andy Woodward, one of two participants from Texas, was the sole win-
ner with a score of 7.0/9 and brought home the $5000 grand prize. Jus-
tin Wang tied for 5th place with a score of 6.0/9 and brought home a
$500 prize. Andy is the January 2024 top rated 13 year-old in the coun-
try, and Justin is the January 2024 top rated 18 year-old in the country.
Both players have earned the title of Life Senior Master. Games start on
Page 24. The PGN File has all games from both Texas players.
Below are the Results of the Top 6 Participants.
# Name Rnd1 Rnd2 Rnd3 Rnd4 Rnd5 Rnd6 Rnd7 Rnd8 Rnd9 Tot
1 ANDY AUSTIN WOODWARD W27 W29 D9 W2 D4 D3 W13 D15 W7 7
2 ARAM HAKOBYAN W24 W16 D12 L1 D21 W14 D7 W11 W8 6.5
3 YASSER QUESADA PEREZ W45 D15 W21 D9 W13 D1 W12 D8 D4 6.5
4 SAFAL BORA W36 W30 W20 D13 D1 D12 D8 W9 D3 6.5
5 ILLIA NYZHNYK W31 D21 L13 D24 W44 D18 W29 D10 W15 6
6 JUSTIN WANG D44 W39 D15 D30 W29 L9 W23 D13 W18 6

8
 Texas Triumph
UT Dallas and UTRGV Secure Final Four Spots at
2024 Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship
Article and Photos By David Ortiz
Full Standings: https://southtxchess.org/2024panampairings

The 2024 Pan-American Intercollegiate crucial victory against IM Brian Escalante,

Team Chess Championship took place in though complete notation is not available
McAllen, Texas this year, hosted by the at this time for analysis. See Game 24 on
South Texas Chess Federation from Janu- Page 29.
ary 4-7th, 2024. Drawing 40 universities
and 81 teams to the competitive arena, a On board 4, IM Karolis Juksta secured a
total of 353 players participated in the much-needed victory against IM Shawn Ro-
event, with UTRGV boasting a record nine drigue-Lemieux. Rodrigue-Lemieux's mis-
teams and UT Dallas fielding five teams. step with Bxe4 on move 17 provided IM
Juksta with an opening to seize material
UTRGV vs. UT Dallas: Clash of Titans advantage, paving the way for a decisive
endgame. See Game 25 on Page 29.
In a pivotal match during the champion-
ship, UTRGV and UT Dallas squared off in The match concluded in a hard-fought
round 4. draw, with both UTRGV and UT Dallas
earning 0.5 match points, preserving their
On board 1, GM Viktor Gazik secured a undefeated streaks.
victory against GM Koustav Chatterjee by
capitalizing on a critical mistake in the Final Standings
endgame. The game remained relatively
even until Chatterjee's crucial error on The University of Missouri emerged as the
move 61… Re3, which allowed Gazik to winner of the 2024 Pan American Intercol-
maneuver his passed pawn with a series of legiate Team Chess Championship, secur-
checks. See Game 22 on Page 28. ing 1st place. UT Dallas earned 2nd place,
Webster University claimed 3rd, and
On board 2, GM David Brodsky's tactical UTRGV clinched the 4th place team prize.
brilliance shone as he outmaneuvered GM
# Name Rating Total
Gleb Dudin in a dynamic exchange. The
game unfolded in a flurry of moves until 1 University of Missouri 2625 5.5
Team A
Dudin's fateful Rb2, allowing Brodsky to
exploit the position with 31. Nc4, culmi- 2 University of Texas at Dallas 2561 5
Team A
nating in a brilliant sacrifice highlighted by
31... Rc2 32. Nxd2. See Game 23 on Page 3 Webster University 2677 4.5
Team A
29.
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
4 2559 4.5
On board 3, IM Irakli Beradze clinched a Team A

9
UTRGV and UT Dallas both secured covet- in the open division, while UT Dallas's IM
ed spots in the Final Four, also known as Andrei Macovei clinched the Top Board 2
the President’s Cup, slated to unfold on prize. Additionally, UT Dallas's IM Karolis
March 30-31, 2024, at the UT Dallas cam- Juksta seized the Top Board 4 prize in the
pus in Richardson, Texas. UTRGV boasts open section, with UT Dallas Team E claim-
three recent prior victories in the Presi- ing the 3rd place team trophy in the
dent’s Cup (2018, 2019, and 2021), while U1800 section.
UT Dallas has clinched the title four times
(2001, 2002, 2007, and 2008). Texas Tech Texas Chess: A Legacy Unmatched
narrowly missed advancing to the Final
Four due to tiebreaks, but delivered an The stellar performances of UTRGV, UT
impressive 5th place performance. Dallas, and Texas Tech at the 2024 Pan-
American Intercollegiate Team Chess
Celebrating Excellence Championship underscore the Lone Star
State's rich chess culture and talent. As the
In the awards ceremony, UTRGV's WGM Final Four approaches, the question re-
Maili-Jade Ouellet claimed the Top Female mains: Will a Texas college reclaim its title,
Prize, accompanied by UTRGV's Alexandra or will one of St. Louis's colleges continue
Herrera Solis earning the 2nd Place Female its reign? The stage is set for a battle of
award. Not to be outdone, UTRGV's GM intellect, skill, and unwavering determina-
Viktor Gazik secured the Top Board 1 prize tion.

UT Dallas Team A Open UTRGV Team A Open

Left to Right (not including South Texas Chess Federation Representatives) Left to Right (not including South Texas Chess Federation Representatives)
Coach GM Julio Sadorra, GM Viktor Gazik,
IM Karolis Juksta, GM Gleb Dudin,
GM Koustav Chatterjee, Coach GM Bartek Macieja,
GM David Brodsky, GM-elect Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux,
IM Saksham Rautela, IM Irakli Beradze
GM Brian Escalante Ramirez

10
.
New Chess Books - Two by GM Karsten Müller
By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
Dr. Alexey Root volunteers for the Texas Chess Association by writing this column.
• She was the 1989 U.S. Women’s Champion.
• She is the Chief Science Officer for Chessable: https://www.chessable.com/
• She also teaches Chess Online courses for UT Dallas. Find registration information here:
https://www.utdallas.edu/chess/education-programs/
• Find her books here: https://amazon.com/author/alexeyroot/

This column describes two books pub- While most diagrams make it clear which
lished in 2023 by Joachim Beyer Verlag side is to move, others did not. I found
(JBV Chess Books) and written by this frustrating as I didn’t want to use the
Grandmaster Karsten Müller. One similarity QR code, which would reveal the answer
between the two books is their use of QR along with which side was to move. Using
codes (quick-response codes). QR codes a square or circle—blank for White to
can be scanned to replay each of Müller’s move and filled in with dark ink for Black
examples and exercises on electronic de- to move—to the right of each diagram
vices. should be considered for future JBV Chess
Books.
Müller has a doctorate in mathematics. He
is a grandmaster and prolific chess author. Here is an example of a caption that I
Müller was named “Trainer of the Year” in found ambiguous, from under diagram
2007 by the German Chess Federation. 101: “Does White have to worry about his
g-pawn?” Does that mean White is to move,
Typical Queen’s Gambit Middlegames to save his g-pawn? Or does that mean
that Black is to move, and the reader must
Müller’s book titled Typical decide if Black’s best move is to capture
Queen’s Gambit Exchange White’s g-pawn? See Game 26 on Page 29.
Variation: Effective Mid-
dlegame Training is for a Even when I knew which side was to move,
specific audience. As the I found the exercises challenging. That’s
book’s back cover states, not surprising, as often the players don’t
“this book only deals with choose what Müller names as their best
the Queen’s Gambit – more moves. For example, the 24th move cho-
precisely: the Exchange sen by Grandmaster Loek van Wely, in An-
Variation with white pawns on e3 and d4 gelo Young versus Van Wely, 1995 (See
against black pawns on c6 and d5 – the so- Game 27 on Page 29), is described as
called ‘Carlsbad structure’.” weak (the “?” symbol) by Müller. In his an-
swer key, Müller gives a first alternative to
The book has a specific structure as well. Van Wely’s move as dubious (?!), a second
There are 120 diagrammed positions at alternative as remarkable (!?), before giv-
the front of the book. Answers to the dia- ing an excellent move (!!) as the solution.
grams are in the latter part of the book. If Van Wely, a 2600-level player, picked a
Each diagram is taken from a middlegame weak move, my odds of picking the excel-
position of a real game with the afore- lent move seem slim.
mentioned pawn structure.
11
Magnus Carlsen - The Chess DNA of a Genius of each chapter were two, three, or four
exercises, presented as diagrams with the
The back cover of Magnus side to move made clear. The solutions to
Carlsen - The Chess DNA of the diagrams are on the pages immediate-
a Genius states that “any ly following. Photographs of Carlsen and
reader who delves a little his opponents also broke up the text in a
deeper into Carlsen’s games pleasing way.
can learn a great deal about
the subtleties of chess from Where to buy
one of the greatest players
of all time. Each chapter is As of December 14, 2023, Typical
rounded off with topic-related exercises.” Queen´s Gambit Exchange Variation: Ef-
fective Middlegame Training is not availa-
I liked how this book was organized. Chap- ble from a U.S. seller. It is available from
ters were short, ranging from three to 11 Chess & Bridge: The London Chess Centre
pages. Each chapter was on a specific for $28.42. Magnus Carlsen - The Chess
theme, such as “Exploiting open files” or DNA of a Genius is available from USCF
“Playing with the bishop pair.” At the end Sales for $27.95.

Links relating to the article

Chess & Bridge: https://chess.co.uk/collections/new-chess-products/products/typical-queen-s-
gambit-exchange-variation-karsten-muller
USCF Sales: https://www.uscfsales.com/magnus-carlsen-the-chess-dna-of-a-genius.html

For:
Windows,
Chess Whiz - En Croissant For:
Windows,
Mac and Linux By Jeff French Mac and Linux

I occasionally wrote a Chess Whiz column during (i.e. Stockfish, Komodo, etc.) for use in Analysis,
my first tenure as Editor. Since I had a little space as kibitzers, and/or as AI Opponents. En Crois-
that needed content, it was time to bring it back. sant is free/Open Source. Even though it is still
This column is just a small introduction to some- being developed, it does seem stable. You could
thing that wouldn’t normally be found in Texas download the code, modify it to your liking, and
Knights. Just a small morsel. Almost equivalent to build a new version. Or, just download/install the
what you might put on a cracker for a snack. latest version, then grab future updates as they
Don’t expect a lot of detail, just enough to ‘wet become available. If you would like to give it a try,
your whistle’ with details of where to learn more. you can find it here: https://www.encroissant.org.

This time, I am pointing you to a Chess Toolkit

called En Croissant. It allows you to Manage
Chess Databases (by directly downloading prede-
fined large databases, like Caissabase, or by
downloading your own games played on
Chess.com/LiChess.org, or even by importing
your own PGN files). It also allows you to Analyze
Games, Study LiChess Tactics Puzzles, and/or
Play Games. It supports UCI-based Chess Engines

12
 Coach’s Corner - e4! * Editors Note: The Chess Top 40
began in the Nov-Dec 2023 issue
The Chess Top 40, Part 2 of Texas Knights and will continue
by Robert L. Myers in the next issue.

4) Knights on the Rim are Dim: While in the constantly looks for ways to exploit weaknesses in
“Crescent City”, too many years ago to mention, at your position. Taking the time to analyze the board
Susan Polgar’s $100K Scholarship Open, I was walk- allows you to identify and respond to potential
ing hurriedly by an analysis table where this Chess threats. Miscalculations: Speed can lead to miscalcu-
Master was analyzing games from scholastic players lations. Chess requires a deep understanding of po-
vying for the scholarship. Offering my two cents of sitions and the ability to foresee the consequences
unwarranted advice, I said, “Knights on the rim or of your moves. Rushing through your moves may
dim.” I later became fast friends with this guy who result in overlooking key variations or misjudging
quipped, “Unless your name is Jim.” National Master the outcome of certain moves. Missing Tactical Op-
James Rouselle, top rating: 2332. After 20 years of portunities: Chess often involves tactical opportuni-
competitive chess coaching and hundreds of hours ties, such as forks, pins, and skewers. These tactics
hanging out with Grandmasters, Life Masters, and can turn the game in your favor, but you need to
such, one can pick up a few tips. These chess princi- recognize and capitalize on them. Moving too fast
ples we teach students are a plethora of gems that may cause you to miss these opportunities and allow
cover essential guidelines for chess players to im- your opponent to gain an advantage. Poor Positional
prove their game. They are in no certain order but Choices: Chess is not just about tactics; it’s also
are pretty good to mull over before each tournament about creating a sound position. Quick moves may
game and each move. lead to poor positional choices, such as placing your
pieces on weak squares or neglecting the overall
“Knights on the Rim are Dim” is a chess saying em- coordination of your pieces. Careful consideration is
phasizing the strategic disadvantage of placing needed to develop a solid position. Lack of Strategic
knights on the edges or corners of the chessboard. Planning: Successful chess play often involves long-
The phrase suggests that knights positioned on the term strategic planning. Moving too fast may result
periphery of the board may have limited mobility and in a lack of consideration for the overall strategy of
influence on the game. In chess, knights have a the game. It’s important to have a plan and to make
unique L-shaped move that allows them to jump over moves that contribute to the fulfillment of that plan.
other pieces. However, when placed on the rim or
edges of the board, knights have fewer squares to In timed games, moving too fast early in the game
move to compared to their placement closer to the can lead to trouble later. If you use up your time
center. Centralized knights generally have more po- quickly in the opening moves, you may find yourself
tential to control key squares and contribute to vari- rushed into critical positions, leading to hasty deci-
ous areas of the board. The saying is a reminder to sions and potential blunders. Failure to Adapt: Chess
players to consider the positioning of their knights is dynamic, and the position on the board can
carefully, aiming to place them in more central and change rapidly. Moving too fast may indicate a fail-
active positions for better overall control and influ- ure to adapt to changing circumstances. Taking the
ence on the game. time to reassess the position as it evolves allows you
to make more informed decisions. So, use your time
5) Don’t Move Too Fast: Avoiding moving too fast in wisely; careful consideration of each move is essen-
chess is crucial because it gives you the time and tial in chess to avoid blunders and to make strategic
opportunity to consider your moves and anticipate decisions. Patience and a thoughtful approach to the
potential consequences carefully. Moving too quickly game contribute to better overall performance and
can lead to blunders for several reasons: Overlook- increase the chances of success on the chessboard.
ing Threats: When you move too fast, you may over- This is a huge tip for beginners, those below 900,
look potential threats from your opponent. Chess is and even non-rated players. They want to win quick-
a game of strategy and tactics, and your opponent ly, which usually ends in their demise. *

Robert L. Myers is a Level V Candidate for Master Chess Coach, High School Basketball Coach, freelance writer,
and an award-winning 30-year veteran classroom educator. You can follow “Coach” on social media and at
www.thechessacademy.com

13
 Jottings of Interest to Those Who Play
the Game of Kings & Queens
By Mike Moore
Reprinted from the March-May 1981Texas Knights

The year was 1892, when the Texas State lems by Manuel Lopez, a San Antonio player.
Chess Association was formed. At the histor-
ic Menger Hotel in San Antonio, a group of It was George Bucklin who decided to organ-
mostly San Antonio players gathered on ize a state chess organization. In his Febru-
Washington's birthday to elect officers, draft ary chess column, he announced his plans to
a constitution, and hold an annual tourna- organize the TCA at the Menger Hotel on
ment that would determine the state champi- Washington's birthday, 1892. At this meet-
on. ing, a host of officers were elected, including
three vice presidents. A secretary was elect-
Although the membership of the new Texas ed to draft a constitution, and the champion-
Chess Association was only nineteen mem- ship was held.
bers, it was the first step in the unification of
chess activity happening from Palestine to Only eleven people participated in the first
Galveston. It was also the source of heated Texas Championship tournament, which
debate as to the true representativeness of found Bucklin in a three-way playoff with
the new organization. John F. Ford and Capt. Charles Smith. Bucklin
managed to win the playoff, and, so, in addi-
Elected first president of the Texas State tion to being president of the TCA, he was
Chess Association was a San Antonio man by also the first state champion. All of this did
the name of George Bucklin. Bucklin was not go unchallenged, though. The Galveston
then the president of the San Antonio Chess News and local players from that area com-
Club, which had been meeting regularly at plained that the new organization was not
the Menger on Saturday nights. It was at fairly representative of the whole of Texas
these meetings that the likes of R.W. Norton, since most of the participants were from the
Everett G. Graves, John F. Ford, Capt. Charles San Antonio area. Bucklin responded that he
Smith, and many others gathered to play the had announced the meeting in advance, and
game of kings and queens. it was Galveston's fault if they did not read
the announcement that appeared in his col-
George Bucklin was also the editor of a very umn. He also offered to play their strongest
informative chess column that appeared player for a stake.
weekly in the San Antonio Sunday Express.
The column reported on the activities of It was not reported if the match with Galves-
chess clubs across the country, including the ton ever took place. Bucklin's chess column
Brooklyn Chess Club, the Manhattan Chess soon vanished from the Express. Perhaps
Club, and the Providence (R.I.) Chess Club. Bucklin continued his writing for another
Bucklin reported on events in Europe as well publication or committed himself to other
as the world championship match between activities. In any event, we salute the fine
Steinitz and Tschigorin in Havana. The col- efforts of George Bucklin, founder of the
umn also featured a series of chess prob- Texas Chess Association.

14
Tactics Time! These positions came from games played in Texas
(or elsewhere) by at least one Texas Player.
by Tim Brennan Answers can be found on page 18.

1. C. Koustav – N. Moor 2. M. Moore – I. Schitco 3. I. Schitco – G. Dudin

Texas Collegiate 2023 Texas Collegiate 2023 Texas Collegiate 2023
White to Move Black to Move Black to Move

4. J. Druska – D. Brodsky 5. M. Moore – E. Ozenir 6. V. Gazik – C. Koustav

Texas Collegiate 2023 Texas Collegiate 2023 Texas Collegiate 2023
White to Move Black to Move Black to Move

Available Digitally Now!!!

7. D. Brodsky – V. Matviishen 8. S. Rahul – I. Beradze

Texas Collegiate 2023 Texas Collegiate 2023 www.amazon.com/dp/B014AL1FRG/
Black to Move Black to Move

15
US CHESS TOP PLAYERS OF TEXAS - January 2024 Regardless of Residence or Federation
Overall Age 18 (continued) Age 12 (continued)
11 Xiong, Jeffery 2731 93 Nguyen, Anh Nhu 2012 92 Sunil, Arush 1808
15 Onischuk, Alexander 2708 100 Pathak, Dhruv 1985 96 Konstantakos, Christos 1802
32 Sadorra, Julio C 2651
35 Matviishen, Viktor 2647 Age 17 Age 11
38 Li, Ruifeng 2637 6 Deviprasath, Sharvesh R 2489 15 Anandh, Vijay Srinivas 2046
40 Vazquez, Guillermo 2628 12 Oberoi, Shelev 2319 42 Yuan, Owen 1883
42 Stukopin, Andrey 2620 47 Trakru, Rohun 2156 46 Kandikayala, Srikar 1870
51 Wang, Justin 2602 53 Polavaram, Rithik Sai 2132 52 Petukhov, Arthur 1856
62 Macieja, Bartlomiej 2592 91 Yang, Benjamin 2012 67 Shen, Yangyang 1812
63 Beradze, Irakli 2591 94 Tang, Andrew 1997 84 Zhang, Alicia S 1747
76 Belous, Vladimir 2564 98 Sathiaram, Sarvadh 1992 85 Seelam, Tanish 1746
80 Hernandez, Holden 2560 87 Wu, Zekai Bryson 1742
82 Duque, Sm Raymond D. 2559 Age 16 95 Wang, Jason 1713
85 Woodward, Andy Austin 2553 12 Laddha, Shubh Jayesh 2341
85 Druska, Juraj 2553 66 Lomakina, Anzhelika 2099 Age 10
88 Root, Douglas D 2551 66 Qin, Kevin 2099 72 Vyas, Miransh Purven 1633
91 Steingrimsson, Hedinn 2541 83 Senapati, Avni 1600
Age 15
Age 65 and Over 8 Gutla, Aryan 2355 Age 9
9 Bradford, Joseph Mark 2444 13 Nandhakumar, Vaseegaran 2268 10 Zhang, Oscar Yihang 1949
62 Hulse, Brian 2200 20 Gardezi, Arsal 2238 25 Maddipati, Srihas Sai Sarvesh 1769
62 Weaver, Richard 2200 57 Bist, Atharva 2090 26 Tendulkar, Ojas 1764
62 Anderson, Selby K 2200 70 Friedman, Andrew Charles 2059 41 Kolli, Rishi 1669
62 Calogridis, Michael S. 2200 78 Zhang, Eric J 2041 49 Liu, Chloe 1643
62 Simms, Gary 2200 86 Raghuraja, Sri Avishkar 2015 67 Zhang, Lawrence 1553
68 He, Julian 1549
Age 50 and Over Age 14 88 Wang, Nathan Zicheng 1491
12 Duque, Sm Raymond D. 2559 5 Liu, Eric Chang 2397 98 Garcia, Kaiser Troy 1446
13 Root, Douglas D 2551 6 Kunka, Harshid 2375
32 Bradford, Joseph Mark 2444 20 Melillo, Lucius 2237 Age 8
47 Allicock, Rawle A 2375 38 Hiwale, Ronak 2128 12 Manchanda, Advik 1716
71 Almeida, Alfonso A 2291 48 Nair, Ajitesh 2079 19 Yao, Annie 1626
95 Feinstein, Michael 2251 53 Shafer, Logan C 2070 22 Iskandarov, Elvin 1585
64 Dasari, Saathvik 2027 29 Li, Owen 1547
Under Age 21 69 Raju, Yakshwag Reddy 2024 37 Baksi, Antariksh 1497
8 Wang, Justin 2602 87 Polisetti, Lohit Krishna Narayana 1984 40 Yang, Matthew 1485
12 Woodward, Andy Austin 2553 98 Chang, Luca 1945 57 Muthiah, Yugan 1365
21 Deviprasath, Sharvesh R 2489 60 Bergknoff, Gabriel 1336
27 Vivekananthan, Anish 2469 Age 13 80 He, Jayden 1263
39 Chen, Ryo Wenyu 2435 1 Woodward, Andy Austin 2553 86 Veretennikov, Benjamin Ryan 1238
46 Liu, Eric Chang 2397 2 Chen, Ryo Wenyu 2435 92 Sutantri, Benjamin Matthias 1233
48 Rorrer, Grayson 2396 8 Li, Rachael 2260 95 Goldberg, Joshua 1203
59 Kunka, Harshid 2375 48 Meng, Joshua 2028 98 Wang, Kai Yi 1195
65 Gutla, Aryan 2355 78 Zhou, Brian Xing 1933 100 Danda, Adhyan Reddy 1188
71 Laddha, Shubh Jayesh 2341 79 Thilop, Aarav Nambiar 1932
79 Kung, Thomas 2330 84 Zhang, Sunny 1916 Age 7 and Under
91 Oberoi, Shelev 2319 95 Nigudkar, Rusheel 1883 17 Lan, Kai Zhou 1417
97 Zafar, Faris 1881 32 Chen, Yiheng Ethan 1191
Age 18 48 Joseph, Asher 1120
1 Wang, Justin 2602 Age 12 65 Choi, Nolan 1037
8 Rorrer, Grayson 2396 14 Yang, Daniel 2135 88 Wong, Charles 974
19 Gundam, Rohit 2267 23 Singh, Siddharth 2094
30 Kumarappan, Ganesh 2200 28 Wang, Kyle Y 2082
36 Zheng, Peter 2181 34 Fang, Elbert 2040
72 Yellamraju, Ambica 2081 50 Gu, Samuel 1926
74 Pullabhotla, Venkata 2074 54 Wei, Colin 1914
88 Zhu, Harvey 2025 55 Ramachandran, Advait 1908
91 Miller, Collin Alexander 2017 76 Bhangale, Likhit 1846

16
 Women Overall Girls Age 16 (continue) Girls Age 11 (continued)
37 Li, Rachael 2260 81 Asthigiri, Lakshana 1187 31 Maddipati, Srijani Sai 1444
38 Shamatava, Ana 2252 83 Cardin, Maddie 1165 47 Duran, Violet 1293
74 Palmero Martinez, Rachel 2119 84 Adams, Sapphire 1161 48 Kalavagunta, Saanvika C 1274
79 Lomakina, Anzhelika 2099 88 Nitturi, Rajni 1137 58 Liu, Mina 1174
88 Yellamraju, Ambica 2081 95 Torres, Asia 1079 64 Perel, Livia 1107
96 Nakkala, Sharvi 1076 70 Palamarthy, Shreya 1082
Women Age 65 and Over 72 Durbhakula, Bhanusri 1067
31 Hardesty, Brenda T 1169 Girls Age 15 73 Nguyen, Suri Ngoc 1051
35 Pulliam, Landra 877 13 Roy, Aanya 1803 75 Cisneros, Ariana 1044
42 Cain, Jo Ellen 733 22 Gupta, Sara Sachin 1716 76 Quezada, Miranda Isabela 1041
47 Swafford, Barbara R 314 36 Singh, Sejal 1621 85 Munsayac, Stella 978
41 Mcnutt, Kaitlynn Lee 1545 94 Suresh Kumar, Thejal Shree 925
Women Age 50 and Over 49 Sun, Yimeng Jenny 1469 99 Lu, Andie 914
7 Root, Alexey 2000 60 Akella, Sravya 1424
30 Kent, Nadia Taylor 1504 63 Ande, Eesha K 1385 Girls Age 10
44 Stuckert, Elena 1427 73 Kirumaki, Shreya A 1307 10 Senapati, Avni 1600
63 Kneen, Melanie Anne 1212 76 Seals, Ayre Allbritton 1300 23 Choi, Nyla 1418
67 Hardesty, Brenda T 1169 89 Milova, Vladislava 1215 45 Hiwale, Riona 1143
91 Pulliam, Landra 877 95 Camacho, Kaitlyn Alexandria 1180 56 Kaul, Anika Shambhavi 1039
100 Lively, Shana 783 100 Reddy, Laxmisri V 1148 66 Skripkina, Elizaveta 981
71 Villegas, Valentina Loretto 963
Girls Under 21 Girls Age 14 82 Anbalagan, Ananyasree 912
9 Li, Rachael 2260 24 Stubbins, Isabella 1686 83 Borse, Anushka 911
30 Lomakina, Anzhelika 2099 40 Shankar, Aashritha Vidhya 1489 84 Serrato, Nailey A 903
36 Yellamraju, Ambica 2081 53 Tiruveedhula, Suhavi 1380 87 Gonzalez, Kimberly 883
55 Nguyen, Anh Nhu 2012 61 Laskaris, Evie 1329 94 Balaji, Lakshra 848
76 Yellamraju, Aparna 1918 72 Cruz, Vivica Renee 1219 97 Martens, Lyla Mae 834
77 Zhang, Sunny 1916 74 Pyle, Abigail 1202 99 Parame, Frances Jamie 821
79 Davis, Samantha Katelynn 1154
Girls Age 18 94 Venkadesan, Prathyuktha 1081 Girls Age 9
3 Yellamraju, Ambica 2081 5 Liu, Chloe 1643
5 Nguyen, Anh Nhu 2012 Girls Age 13 13 Sun, Claire 1350
6 Yellamraju, Aparna 1918 1 Li, Rachael 2260 57 Raina, Advika 893
22 Tiruveedhula, Saanvi 1657 10 Zhang, Sunny 1916 58 Banala, Ira Jaya 883
36 Padilla, Karlee 1457 16 Prakash, Nandini 1818 60 Anand, Keren 876
50 Babaria, Rajvi Rakesh 1296 25 Hosur, Sanmita 1688 61 Loera, Samantha Nicole 871
55 Mallick, Lipika 1204 31 Borse, Tanvi 1636 62 Saha, Prateeti 870
89 Varanasi, Sriharshita 592 40 Namala, Dhanvi 1596 66 Patino, Eliana 847
41 Krishnan, Mihika 1585 74 Vargas, Zaira 786
Girls Age 17 53 Raghuraja, Sri Yashvi 1460 96 Zhang, Emma 697
39 Naidu, Suchitra Ganesh 1478 69 Pidathala, Esha 1246
45 Zhang, Taylor Chengyue 1373 73 Ford, Katherine Michelle 1220 Girls Age 8
54 Vasquez, Izabel Amparo 1319 79 Vijayaraghava, Aditi 1200 4 Yao, Annie 1626
55 Hernandez, Sarah 1316 84 Callens, Jael 1191 17 Ganesh, Kaira Ananya 1150
57 Hunt, Vivian 1307 96 Song, Lucia 1132 27 Shi, Jiahui 977
64 Athila, Akshaya 1246 98 Sastry, Adya 1106 32 Sony, Neha Teresa 912
76 Morales, Natalia Aseneth 1112 99 Gracia, Emma Cadence 1090 34 Zhao, Lily 897
80 Deleon, Christina Marie 1046 46 Cruz, Julia A 839
83 Parvathaneni, Voshita 1017 Girls Age 12 47 Wali, Zarmina 836
84 Cisneros, Anahi 1006 27 Vinayagaram, Nethra 1587 86 Mamidibattula, Manasvini 597
90 Zermeno, Mia A 970 45 Rios-Ocampo, Sofia 1393 90 Sanchez, Adalie Marie 585
65 Zamarripa, Salma 1217 98 Panta, Keerthana Reddy 544
Girls Age 16 67 Kuchibhatla, Nitya 1193
4 Lomakina, Anzhelika 2099 76 Velu, Shambhavi 1121 Girls Age 7 and Under
19 Wang, Kalia Yuke 1783 89 Nair, Aditi 1052 27 Arambul, Zoey 878
27 Reddy, Tanvi Chinthagunta 1655 92 Perez, Andrea 1030 32 Peng, Grace 829
35 Yu, Vicky 1581 43 Wang, Erica 715
51 Ham, Emily 1400 Girls Age 11 85 Berilgen, Emel 442
57 Solis, Natalie 1337 8 Shen, Yangyang 1812 88 Protopapas, Athena Rose 440
63 Shivam, Annika Elizabeth 1278 10 Zhang, Alicia S 1747 89 Quiroga, Alana 436
74 Thornhill, Eowyn 1202 16 Zhang, Ellery 1650 92 Gonzalez, Jaylin Rose 415
75 Wickramasinghe, Binadie 1200 20 Fu, Elaine 1606

17
 Tactics Time! Answers - Download Now (see page 19)
1. White’s Queen was under attack from the Bishop, and alertly grabs a pawn
with 22. Qxf5!! Bxf5 23.Bxf5 pinning the Black Queen to the King, and get-
ting the material back.
2. 25...Qxf4 and White cannot recapture because of 26.Nxf4 Re1#
3. 43...Ng3+ forks the White King and Rook.
4. 25.Rxb8! Qxb8 26.Rxa6 wins two minor pieces for the Rook.
5. 31.Na3+ forks the White King and Queen. The b2 pawn is pinned.
6. 16...Rxa4! The White Rook is overloaded protecting the Bishop on a4 and
the f3 pawn.
7. 38...Ne2 threatens the Rook and ...Qg1# White cannot stop both threats.
8. 37...a4 creates an unstoppable passed pawn.
Cover. 34.g6 pins and wins the Black Knight.

Tactics Time courses are now available on Chessable by Tim Brennan & Anthea Carson
Tactics Time 1: https://www.chessable.com/tactics-time-1/course/21108/
Tactics Time 2: https://www.chessable.com/tactics-time-2/course/24008/

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18
Game Index
+ = Additional Games in Games PGN file.
* = No Article Associated with Games.
# Tournament ECO Result Annotated by Rnd Date Page(s)
1 TCA Texas Team Championship 2024 B06 0-1 Fritz 19 1 20.01.2024 20
2 C56 0-1 4 21.01.2024 20
3 B30 ½-½ 4 21.01.2024 20-21
4 A84 ½-½ 5 21.01.2024 21
5 E21 0-1 5 21.01.2024 21
6 E05 0-1 5 21.01.2024 21-22
7 B32 ½-½ 5 21.01.2024 22
8 D02 ½-½ 5 21.01.2024 22-23
9 B33 0-1 5 21.01.2024 23
10 1986 Southwest Open C15 ½-½ Tom Braunlich 1.1 30.08.1986 23-24
11 17th SPICE Cup Open+ E11 1-0 Fritz 19 1.8 17.12.2023 24-25
12 D78 0-1 2.5 18.12.2023 25
13 B94 0-1 4.2 19.12.2023 25
14 D13 1-0 7.3 21.12.2023 25
15 E11 1-0 9.2 22.12.2023 26
16 D07 ½-½ 1.6 17.12.2023 26
17 E46 0-1 2.13 18.12.2023 26-27
18 C13 1-0 5.7 19.12.2023 27
19 C48 1-0 6.5 20.12.2023 27
20 B60 1-0 7.8 21.12.2023 27-28
21 A13 ½-½ 8.7 21.12.2023 28
22 2024 Pan-American Team Championships C84 1-0 David Ortiz 4 04.01.2024 28
23 C54 1-0 4 04.01.2024 29
24 D35 1-0 4 04.01.2024 29
25 D38 1-0 4 04.01.2024 29
26 Golden Sands (New Chess Books) D36 * N/A ? 2014 29
27 New York Open (New Chess Books) D43 1-0 ? 04.1995 29

Game/Tactics Time! Puzzle PGN files are downloadable from the following:
https://bit.ly/3qK7YQB (or scan the QR Code, at the left, to get URL link). To Learn
about how to scan QR Codes, search for “Using QR Codes” in your favorite Search
Engine or find a video on YouTube.
The PGN Files are only available for the Texas Knights issues during my tenure as
Editor. The files that are not in a year folder contain all Games and Tactics Time!
Puzzles up to and including the current issue.

19
 White=1 --- OK: White=6 Black=6 Qxd3 41.Qc5 Qe3+ Artfully played
Lomakina,A.(2100) Best: --- Black=2 Strong: --- Black=3 by Harper. Weighted Error Value:
1 0-1 White=0.41/Bla ck=0.33. Loses
Deviprasath,S. (2481)
game: White=2 Black=1 Missed win:
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 a6 4.a4 d6 Lomakina,A. (2100) --- Black=1 Mistake: White=4
5.Nf3 b6 6.Bc4 e6 7.h4 B06: Modern 2 Bla ck =3 I na ccura te: W hite =2
Defence. 7...h6 8.Be3 Bb7 [8...Nc6 Harper,W. (2477) Black=2 OK: White=19 Black=9 Best:
is more appropriate.] 9.d5N White is White=4 Black=3 Strong: White=1
better. [Predecessor: 9.h5 g5 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Black=2 Brilliant: --- Black=1 0-1
10.Nh2 Nd7 11.Qe2 Ne7 12.Bb3 Nf6 5.e5 d5 6.Bb5 Nd7 7.0-0 Be7
8.Bxc6 bxc6 9.Nxd4 C56: Two
Nf6 13.f3 Nxh5 14.Qf2 Qd7 15.0-0-
Knights: 4 d4 exd4 5 0-0 Nxe4. 3
Shafer,L. (1984)
0 0 - 1 Gu se in ov ,G (2 6 46) -
Seliverstov,V (2449) Titled Tuesday 9...Nb8 10.c4 0-0 11.Nc3 The posi- Colina,N. (2303)
intern op 5th Jan Chess.com INT tion is equal. 11...c5 [11...dxc4
blitz 2016 (4)] 9...e5 [9...exd5 deserves consideration. 12.Be3 c5] 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.e5
10.Bxd5 Bxd5 11.Nxd5 (11.Qxd5 12.Ndb5= A dynamic duo of Nd5 5.Nc3 Nc7 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.d3
Nd7) 11...Nc6] 10.h5 Ne7 Black is k n i g h t s . 1 2 . . . d 4 1 3 . N d 5 N B30: Sicilian: 2...Nc6 3 Bb5, lines
weak on the light squares 11.hxg6 [Predecessor: 13.Ne4 Nc6 14.Bf4 without ...g6. 7...g6 8.Ne4 Ne6
fxg6 12.Qd2 [12.Qe2+-] 12...Nd7 Be6 15.Na3 a5 16.b3 h6 17.Nb5 [8...c4= might be stronger.] 9.Be3
13.0-0-0 [13.Bxh6? is the wrong Qd7 18.Re1 a4 19.h3 0-1 Bersami- White is slightly better. 9...b6 10.0-
capture. 13...Ng8 14.Qg5 Qf6-+ na,P (2434)-Valenzuela Gomez,F 0 Bg7 11.Qd2 h5N [11...Qc7=; Pre-
(14...Nxh6 15.Qxg6+ Nf7 16.Qe6+ (2404) Titled Tuesday intern op decessor: 11...0-0 12.Bh6 c4 13.d4
Kf8 17.Rxh8+ Nxh8 18.Qf5+ Nf7 05th Sep Early Chess.com INT blitz f5 14.exf6 exf6 15.Bxg7 Kxg7
19.g3; 14...Rxh6? 15.Ke2-+) ] 2023 (3)] 13...c6 14.Nxe7+ Qxe7 16.Rfe1 f5 17.Nc3 Qf6 1-0
13...g5 14.Ng1 [14.Qe2] 14...Ng6 15.Qf3 Be6 [15...Qxe5? 16.Bf4 Qf6 Girinath,P (2333)-Pappelis,D (2204)
15.Nge2 b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.Bxb5 17.Nc7+-; 15...cxb5= 16.Qxa8 Ba6] Titled Tuesday intern op 19th Jul
Ra1+ 18.Nb1 b3 is the strong 16.Nd6 aiming for Qg3. 16...Nd7 Early Chess.com INT blitz 2022 (2)]
threat. 18...0-0 19.Qb4 [19.g3] 17.Qg3 f6 18.exf6 Nxf6 Strongly 12.h4 White is much more active.
19...Ba6 [19...Nf6] 20.Bxa6 Rxa6 threatening ...Rad8. 19.Re1 Qd7 [12.Rae1] 12...Nc7 13.Rae1 Be6
21.Na3 [White should play 21.g3] 20.Qe5 [20.Bd2!] 20...Bxc4!= Deflec- [13...Bg4= feels stronger.] 14.Ng3
21...Nf4 22.Qb5 Qc8 23.Rh2 tion 21.Qxc5! [21.Nxc4? Rae8 [14.Bg5] 14...Qd7= 15.a4 a5 16.Ra1
[23.Rdg1] 23...Nf6!= 24.f3⇆ Strong- 22.Bf4 Rxe5 23.Bxe5 Re8-+] [16.Bf4=] 16...Rb8 [16...Bg4! Hoping
ly threatening Ng3. White is not 21...Bd5 And now ...Rad8 would for ...Bxf3. 17.Qe2 Bxf3 18.Qxf3
holding back 24...Qa8! ...Rb8 would win. 22.Bf4 [22.f3!=] 22...Nh5! Bxe5] 17.Rfe1 Nd5 18.Bf4 Rd8
now be deadly. 25.Nc3 With the idea [22...Qg4?! 23.Bg3=] 23.Bg3 Nxg3 19.Ne2 [White should try 19.Bg5=]
g3. 25...g4! 26.g3 [26.Rdh1!] 24.hxg3 Rad8 25.Ne4 Qf5! 26.g4 1 9 . . . B g 4 T h r e a t e n s t o w i n
26...gxf3 Hoping for ...Ng4. [26.Qxd4? Bxe4 27.Qe3 (27.Qxe4? with ...Bxf3. 20.Nh2 Bf5 21.Ng3 Be6
27.Bxf4? White does not recover Qxf2+ 28.Kh2 Rf6-+) 27...Bd5-+] 22.Rad1 [22.Ne4= keeps the bal-
from this. [27.gxf4= and White is 26...Qf4⇆ Black puts up resistance ance.] 22...Nxf4 23.Qxf4 Qd4
okay. 27...Ng4 28.Qd7 (28.Bg1 [26...Qxg4 27.Qxd4 h5] 27.f3= 2 4 .Q xd 4 [ 24.Qe 4] 2 4 ...R xd 4
Nxh2 29.Bxh2 exf4=) 28...Nxh2 d3 ...d2 would now be deadly. [24...cxd4 25.Ngf1] 25.b3 Rxh4
29.Rg1] 27...exf4-+ 28.gxf4 [28.e5 28.Rad1 Bxa2 29.Qc3 Prevents Bb3 26.Nf3 [26.Ne4] 26...Rb4 [Black
Ng4 (28...fxg3? 29.exf6 Bxf6 29...Qb8 30.b4 [30.Rxd3 Rxd3 should play 26...Rf4-+ 27.Ng5 Bg4]
30.Rh3-+; 28...dxe5? 29.gxf4 Ng4 31.Qxd3] 30...Qb5 31.Re3 White 27.Nd2 [27.Ng5] 27...Rd4 [27...Rf4-
30.Rh3-+) 29 .Rh4] 2 8 ...R xa 3 has compensation. 31...Bc4 32.Nc5 + 28.Ne2 Rf5] 28.Nc4 Bxc4 29.bxc4
[28...Ng4? 29.Rh4 h5 (29...Rxf4 a5? 33.Re7+- Rf7 34.Qe5 [34.Re4= Kd8 [29...h4! 30.Ne2 Rd8] 30.Ne2
30.Qd7=) 30.Rxh5 Rxa3 (30...Rxf4 and White is okay. 34...Bd5 35.Rd4 [30.Ne4=] 30...Rd7 [30...Rg4] 31.e6!
31.Rg5=) 31.bxa3-+] 29.bxa3 (35.Qxd3 Qxd3 36.Rxd3 Rb8; = Rd6 32.exf7 Rf8 [Better is
Qxa3+ 30.Qb2 Qxb2+ 31.Kxb2 3 5 . R x d 3 R a 8 ) ] 3 4 . . .a x b 4 ? 32...e5=] 33.Rb1 [33.Ng3!] 33...Kc7
Nxe4 32.Rd3 f2 33.Rh1 Nxc3 [34...Qxb4-+ Threatens to win [33...Rxf7 34.Rxb6 Re6 35.Kf1]
34.Kc1 Rxf4 35.Rf1 h5 36.Kd2 Ne4+ with ...d2. 35.Rxf7 Bxf7 36.Rxd3 34.Nf4 e5 [Reject 34...Rxf7?!
37.Ke3 Bh6 38.Rd4 Rg4+ 39.Kf3 Re8 (36...Qb1+ 37.Kh2) ] 35.Rxf7?? 35.Ne6+ Rxe6 (35...Kb7 36.Ng5)
Ng5+ [39...Rg3+ 40.Kxe4 Re3+ [ 3 5 .R x d 3 ! = B x d 3 (3 5 . . .R x d 3 36.Rxe6] 35.Ne2 e4 [35...Rd7 sim-
41.Kf5 Kf7 42.Re1 f1Q+ 43.Rxf1 36.Re8+ Rf8 37.Qe7) 36.Rxf7 Kxf7 plifies 36.Ng3 Rdxf7 37.Ne4 Bf6]
Re5#] 40.Ke3 Ne6+ Weighted Error 37.Qc7+ Ke8 38.Qe5+ Kf7 39.Qc7+ 36.Nf4 g5!⇆ Black is fighting back
Value: White=1.25/Black=0.31. Los- Kg6 40.Ne6] 35...Bxf7-+ 36.Qe7 Re8 37.Nxh5 Bd4 38.Rxe4 [Don't play
es game: White=1 --- Mistake: 37.Qd6 b3 38.Nxd3 b2 39.Rb1? 38.dxe4 Rxf7 39.Re2 Be5; 38.Ng3
W hite =7 Bla ck =3 I na ccura te: [39.Nxb2 Qxb2 40.Qxc6] 39...Bg6 seems wilder. 38...exd3 39.Re7+
Black is clearly winning. 40.Rxb2 Rd7 40.Rxd7+ Kxd7 41.cxd3 Rxf7

20
42.Ne4] 38...Rxf7 39.Re2 Rdd7? 54.Qd8+=) 49.Qf8 Nxh2+ (49...Qxf2
[39...Rd8=] 40.Ng3+- White is clearly Yao,A. (1722) leads to mate. 50.Qxg7+ Decoy
better. 40...Rde7 [40...g4 was worth
5 50...Kxg7 51.Nf5+ Kf6 52.a4 gxf5+
Shafer,L. (1984)
a try.] 41.Rxe7+ Rxe7 42.Ne4 Kh2! 53.exf5 Qg2+ 54.Kh5 Qh3#) 50.Kg5
would now be deadly. 42...Re8 What 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 0-0 Qh3 (50...fxg3 gets mated. 51.f3
a bad dream for Black. Weighted 5.Bd2 b6 6.Nf3 Bb7 7.Be2 d6 8.a3 Qh3 52.Qh8+ Kxh8 53.Kxg6 Kg8
Error Value: White=0.28 (precise) / Bxc3 9.Bxc3 Ne4 10.Qc2 f5 11.0-0 54.Kg5 Nxf3+ 55.Kg6 Qh7# ;
Black=0.40. Loses game: --- Black=1 Nd7 12.Rfd1 E21: Nimzo-Indian: 4 50...Nf3+ 51.Kg4 Ng1 52.Qxg7+
Mistake: White=10 Black=11 Inaccu- Nf3. 12...Ndf6 13.Nd2 Nxc3N Kxg7 53.Kg5 fxg3 54.Kh4 Qh3+
rate: White=2 Bla ck=2 OK: [13...Ng4 keeps more tension. 55.Kg5 Qh5#) 51.Qh8+ Kxh8
White=8 Black=11 Best: White=1 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Bd3 Qg5; Prede- 52.Kxg6 Kg8 (52...fxg3 53.Kf7
Black=1 Strong: --- Black=1 Brilliant: cessor: 13...Nxd2 14.Bxd2 Ne4 Qd7+ 54.Kg6 g2 55.f3 g1Q+ 56.Kh5
White=1 --- An unexpected result. 15.f3 Qg5 16.Be1 Nf6 17.Qd2 Nh5 Qh3#) 53.f3 Qh6+ 54.Kf5 Qf6#]
[42...g4 keeps fighting. 43.g3 Rh7] 18.Bd3 e5 19.dxe5 dxe5 0-1 46.Qd7+ Black is clearly winning.
½-½ Giblon,M (1348)-Gladstone,S (1999) 46...Kg8 47.Qd8+ Kh7 (...gxh2+)
CAN-ch U20 Mississauga 2011 (8)] 48.Qh4+ Qh5! Weighted Error Value:
Polomsky,J. (1747) 14.bxc3 [14.Qxc3 Qe8 15.Bf3] White=0.75/Bla ck=0.58 . Loses
4 14...Qe7= 15.Bf3 Bxf3 16.gxf3 game: White=3 --- Missed win: ---
Hinkle,C. (1500) [16.Nxf3= Rad8 17.a4] 16...Nd7 Black=2 Mistake: White=10 Black=9
17.Kh1 Qh4 18.Nf1 [18.Qa4 might Inaccurate: White=1 --- OK: White=8
1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e6 4.Qc2 d5 work better. 18...Nf6 19.Rf1] Black=9 Best: White=4 Black=2
5.Bf4 c6 6.e3 Bd6 7.Bxd6 Qxd6 18...Rae8 [18...Rf6-+ Strongly threat- Strong: --- Black=1 0-1
8.Nf3 0-0 A84: Dutch Defence: 2 c4 ening ...Qh3. 19.f4 Qg4] 19.Qe2
Miscellaneous. 9.Bd3 Ne4 10.Ne5 [19.f4] 19...f4 [19...e5-+ 20.c5 dxc5 Awad,S. (2125)
Nd7 White is slightly better. 11.c5? (20...bxc5 21.Rab1) 21.dxe5 Nxe5] 6
[Much weaker is 11.Bxe4 fxe4 20.e4? [20.Nd2 is tougher.] 20...e5? Wang,K. (2078)
12.Nxd7 Qxd7=; 11.f4 keeps the [20...Rf6!-+ is more deadly. 21.e5
upper hand.] 11...Qc7 [11...Nexc5! Rg6 22.exd6 cxd6] 21.Nd2 Rf6 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7
12.f4 Nxd3+ 13.Qxd3 a5] 12.Nxd7= Black is more active. 22.Rg1 Rh6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 b5 8.a4!
Bxd7 13.Bxe4N [13.f4 stays ahead.; 23.Rg2 Ree6 [23...Qd8] 24.Rag1 E05: Open Catalan: 5 Nf3 Be7. 8...b4
Predecessor: 13.Nxe4 fxe4 14.Be2 Reg6→ Black attacks. 25.Nf1 [25.c5] 9.Qxc4 [9.Nfd2 c6 10.Nxc4] 9...Ba6
Rf6 15.0-0-0 Rxf2 16.g3 Raf8 17.g4 25...Rxg2 26.Rxg2 Rg6 [26...Qe7 10.Qc2 Black is slightly better.
Rxh2 18.g5 Rff2 19.Rxh2 Qxh2 0-1 27.Nd2 Nf6] 27.Rxg6 hxg6 End- 10...Nbd7 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5
Bianchi,E (1381)-Fakudze,N (1339) game. KQN-KQN 28.Nd2 Qf6 Nd5 13.b3 c5 14.Rd1 [14.Be4]
Online Olym Div4 C Chess.com INT [28...c5 29.Kg2 exd4 (29...cxd4 14...Qc7 [14...Qc8 15.e4 Nb6]
rapid 2021 (6.5)] 13...fxe4 14.0-0-0 30.cxd4 exd4 31.Nb3) 30.cxd4 15.Bb2N [15.Bxd5 exd5 16.Rxd5
[14.Ne2] 14...b6 15.b4? Loses the cxd4] 29.d5 [29.c5] 29...Nc5 30.Qf1 Rad8 (16...Bb7 17.Rd1) 17.Rxd8
game. [15.cxb6 was necessary. White is weak on the dark squares Rxd8-+; Predecessor: 15.Bxd5 exd5
15...axb6 16.a3] 15...a5 16.cxb6 30...Qh4 31.Qe2 [31.Kg2] 31...Qh3- 16.Rxd5 Bb7 17.Rd1 Qxe5 18.Bb2
Qxb6 17.bxa5 [17.Na4 was called + 32.Kg1 Qc8 [32...Na4-+ 33.Qd3 Qe6 19.Nd2 Rfd8 20.Nc4 Be4
for. 17...Qxb4 18.Nc5] 17...Qxa5 g5] 33.Qf1 Kf7 34.Qg2 Qe8 21.Qc1 Rxd1+ 22.Qxd1 0-1 Krall-
18.Rd2 Rfc8 19.Qb2 Rcb8 20.Qa1 [34...Kf6] 35.Qg5 [35.Qh3] 35...Nd7! mann,M (2253)-Holzapfel,D (2292)
c5 21.dxc5 Qxc5 Strongly threaten- 36.Qg4 Nf6 37.Qh3 a5 [Black should BL2-Nord 1314 Germany 2013 (6.5)]
ing ...Ba4. White is weak on the light play 37...Qa4 38.Qc8 (38.Qe6+? Kf8) 15...Rfd8 16.Be4 [White should try
squares 22.Rc2 Qa3+ 23.Kd2 Ba4? 38...Qd7 (38...Qxa3 39.Qxc7+ Kf8 16.Bf1] 16...h6 [16...c4! Strongly
[23...Rf8-+ 24.f4 exf3 25.gxf3 Rxf3] 40.Kf1=) ] 38.Qf1 [38.c5!] 38...Qa4- threatening ...c3. 17.bxc4 Qxc4
24.Nxa4 Threatens to win with Nc5. + 39.Qc1 Nd7 [Black should try 18.Bxh7+ Kf8 19.Qxc4 Bxc4] 17.Bd3
24...Qd3+ [But not 24...Rxa4 39...g5-+ 40.Kh1 Nd7] 40.Qb2? [17.Bh7+ might be stronger.
25.Rhc1] 25.Kc1 Rxa4 26.Rd1 Qa3+ [40.Kf1 is a better defense.] 17...Kh8 18.Bd3] 17...Bxd3 [17...c4
27.Kd2 Qd3+ Weighted Error Value: 40...Nc5 [40...Qd1+-+ has better 18.Bxc4 Rac8] 18.exd3 Bf8 19.Nd2
White=0.72/Bla ck=0.83 . Loses winning chances. 41.Kg2 Nc5] Rd7 [19...Ra c8 is superior .]
game: White=1 --- Missed win: --- 41.Kg2? [41.Qc1] 41...Qd1 42.Nf1? 20.Rac1= Rc8 21.Ne4 Nb6 22.Qe2
Black=1 Mistake: White=4 Black=2 [42.Qb5 Qxd2 43.Qc6] 42...Nd3 Qd8 23.h4 Rd5 24.Rd2 Nd7 25.f4
Inaccurate: White=3 Black=1 OK: 43.Qb5 Ne1+ 44.Kh3 Qxf3+ 45.Ng3 Nb8 [25...Be7=] 26.Rf1 [26.g4! stays
White=4 Black=3 Best: White=4 --- fxg3 [45...Kg8 46.Qe8+ Kh7 47.Qe7 ahead.] 26...Nc6 And now ...Na5
[27...d4 28.exd4 Qd3+ 29.Kc1 Qa6 Qg2+ (47...fxg3? 48.Qh4+ Qh5 would win. 27.Qd1 [White should
(29...Qa3+ 30.Kd2) ] ½-½ 49.fxg3-+) 48.Kg4 Nf3 (48...fxg3 play 27.f5! exf5 28.Rxf5] 27...Rc7!
49.Qh4+ Kg8 50.Qd8+ Kf7 51.Qd7+ 2 8 .Q e 2 ? [ 2 8 . Q c 2 ] 2 8 . . . R c d 7
Kg8 52.Qd8+ Kh7 53.Qh4+ Kg8 [28...Na5!-+ 29.Qd1 Rcd7] 29.Nf2?

21
This costs White the game. [29.f5 30.Rxf8 Nxf8 31.Ne3] 28...Qc4 Weighted Error Value: White=0.27
exf5 (29...Nxe5 30.fxe6 fxe6 [28...Qxd5? 29.Bxf5 Rxf5 30.Rxf5 (precise) /Black=0.28 (precise).
31.Nf2=; 29...Rxd3 30.Rxd3 Rxd3 gxf5 31.Qxh5+ Kg8 32.Qg6+ Missed win: --- Black=1 Mistake:
31.fxe6=) 30.Rxf5] 29...Na5!-+ 30.f5 (32.Qxf5 Rf8=) 32...Kh8 33.Qh6+ W hite =8 B la ck =9 I na ccur a te :
[30.Kh2 keeps fighting.] 30...Nxb3 (33.Rxf5? Rc1+; 33.Qxf5 Rf8=; White=3 Black=2 OK: White=11
31.fxe6 Nxd2 [31...fxe6? 32.Rc2-+] 33.Qh5+ Kg8+-) 33...Kg8 34.Qg6+ Black=15 Best: White=6 Black=3
32.exd7 Nxf1 33.e6 Nxg3 34.Qg4 Kh8 35.Qh6+ (35.Rxf5? Rc1+; Strong: White=1 Black=1 ½-½
Nf5 35.Ne4 Kh8 36.Nf6 gxf6 35.Qxf5 Rf8=; 35.Qh5+ Kg8+-)
37.exf7 Bg7 [And not 37...Qxd7 35...Kg8 36.Qg6++-] 29.Qd1 Qd4 Hiwale,R.(2163)
38.Qg8#] 38.Qe4 Ne7 [38...Qxd7? [29...Qxb4? 30.Bxf5 Kh6 31.Bxd7+-] 8
perishes. 39.Qe8++-] 39.Qe6 Rxd7 3 0 .Q e 2 [ 3 0 . Q x d 4 s i mp l i f i e s Lomakina,A. (2100)
40.Bxf6 Qf8! 41.Kf1 [41.Kh2 Bxf6] 30...Nxd4 31.Rxf8 Rxf8 32.Rxf8
41...Bxf6 42.Qxf6+ Kh7 43.h5 Nxf8 33.Ne3] 30...Kh6 [30...Qxd5? 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.g3 Bf5 4.Bg2
Wards off Ng6 43...Rd5 Weighted 3 1 .Bx f 5 R x f 5 3 2 .R x f5 g xf5 Nc6 5.0-0 e6 6.a3 [6.c4!?] 6...Be7
Error Value: White=1.16/Black=0.39. 33.Qxh5+ Kg8 34.Qg5+ (34.Qxf5 D02: 1 d4 d5 2 Nf3 sidelines, in-
Loses game: White=2 --- Mistake: Rf8=) 34...Kf7 (34...Kh8? 35.Rxf5 cluding 2...Nf6 3 g3 and 2...Nf6 3
White=7 Black=6 Inaccurate: --- Qg8 36.Qh4+ Qh7 37.Rh5+- Pin) Bf4. 7.b3 h5N [Predecessor: 7...Ne4
Black=2 OK: White=7 Black=12 Best: 35.Qxf5+ Ke7 36.Qg5+ Ke8 8.Bb2 h5 9.Nfd2 h4 10.Nxe4 Bxe4
White=1 Black=1 Strong: White=1 37.Qh5+ Ke7 (37...Kd8? 38.Qh8+ 11.Nd2 Bxg2 12.Kxg2 Qd7 13.Rh1
Black=2 0-1 Kc7 39.Rc1+ Skewer 39...Nc5 h3+ 14.Kf1 ½-½ Magalakis,S (2153)-
40.Qh6+-) 38.Qh7+ (38.Qh4+ Ke6+-) Hartofylakas,S (1911) GRE-ch U18
Elliott,A. (2047) 38...Kd8 39.Qh8+ Kc7 40.Rc1+ Nc5 Larisa 2023 (5)] 8.c4 Ne4 9.h4
7 41.Qh6+-] 31.Bxf5 Rxf5 32.Rxf5 [9.h3=] 9...g5 [9...Bf6!] 10.hxg5
Qin,K. (2104) gxf5 33.Ne3 Qe4+ [33...Qxb4 [10.cxd5! exd5 (10...Qxd5 11.Bxg5
34.Nxf5+ Kg6 35.Qe3 (35.Ne7+ Nxg5 12.Nxg5) 11.Nxg5] 10...Nxg5
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 Kg7+-; 35.Ne7+ Kg7+-) ] 34.Kg1 [10...Bxg5= remains equal. 11.cxd5
4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6 6.N1c3 a6 [34.Qf3 deserves consideration. exd5] 11.Bxg5 [11.Nxg5 Bxg5
7.Na3 Be6 8.Nc4! Rb8 The modern 34...Qxf3+ (34...Qxb4 35.Nxf5+ Kg6 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Nc3] 11...Bxg5=
move. B32: Sicilian: Löwenthal and 36.Ne7+ Kh6 37.Qe3+) 35.Rxf3] 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Nc3! h4↑ Black has
Kalashnikov Variations. 9.g3 h5 34...Kg6! aiming for ...Rc3. [34...f4? some pressure. 14.gxh4 [14.e4!=
10.Nd5 Bxd5N [10...h4=; Predeces- 35.Ng4+ hxg4 36.Qxe4+-; 34...Nf6? Bxe4 (14...dxe4 15.Re1) 15.Nxe4
sor: 10...b5 11.Nce3 h4 12.a4 hxg3 35.N xf5+ Kg6 36.Ne7+ Kg7 dxe4 16.Qe1] 14...Bxh4 This pair of
13.fxg3 Nf6 14.axb5 axb5 15.Bg2 37.Qxe4 Nxe4 38.Nxc8+-] 35.Rxf5? bishops is nice. 15.Re1 [15.Qd2]
Be7 16.Nf5 Bxf5 17.exf5 Nxd5 [35.Qf2] 35...Rc1+? [35...Nf6-+ is 15...Be4-+ [15...Rg8 16.Kf1 Be4
18.Bxd5 1-0 Khubukshanov,E (2278) more deadly. 36.Qf3 Qxf3 37.Rxf3 17.Qd2] 16.Qd2? [16.Nxe4 dxe4
-Chyndygyr,T (2161) Belgrade Rc3] 36.Kf2 Nf6 [Not 36...Qxb4 17.d5 exf3 18.exf3+ Ne7 19.Qd4]
Radnicki IM T2 08 2021 (6)] 11.exd5 37.Qxh5+ (37.Rxh5 Nf6) 37...Kg7 16...Qf6 17.Qe3 0-0-0! 18.Nxe4
[11.Qxd5 Nd4 12.Ne3 b5 (12...Nf6 38.Qf7+ Kh8 39.Rh5#; Black should [18.Kf1 Bxf3 Deflection 19.Qxf3
13.Qc4) ] 11...Nce7 12.Ne3 White is try 36...Rc2! 37.Nxc2 Qxe2+ Qxf3 (19...Nxd4 20.Qxf6 Bxf6
more active. [12.a4] 12...Nf6 13.c4 (37...Qxf5+ 38.Kg2) 38.Kxe2 Kxf5] 21.Nxd5) 20.Bxf3 Nxd4 21.Rad1]
g6 14.Bg2 Nd7 [14...h4=] 15.0-0 37.Rxf6+ Deflection 37...Kxf6 18...dxe4 19.Qxe4 Rxd4 [19...Nxd4
Bh6 16.b4! Rc8 [16...b6] 17.Qb3 3 8 .Q xh5 Endga me . KQR -KQN 20.Nxh 4 Rxh 4 (20...Q xh4?
[17.c5] 17...0-0 [17...h4=] 18.Bh3 38...Qg6 [But not 38...Qxb4?! 21.Qxb7+ Kd7 22.Ra d1+-)
[White should play 18.a4] 18...Kh7= 39.Ng4+ (39.Kf3 Ke7) 39...Ke7 21.Qxb7+ Kd7 22.Rad1 (22.Qxa7?
19.Rd1 f5 20.Bd2 [20.c5=] 20...f4 40.Qh4+ Kf8 41.Qh6+ Kg8 42.Qg5+ Rg8-+; 22.e3 Ne2+ 23.Kf1 Ng3+
[20...e4] 21.Ng2 fxg3 22.fxg3 Kf8 43.Qxc1=] 39.Qh8+ Ke7 24.Kg1 Ne2+ 25.Kf1 Ng3+ 26.Kg1
[22.hxg3= is superior. 22...Nf5 [ 3 9 . . .K f 7 T h r e a t e n s t o w i n Ne2+=) ] 20.Qe3 Rg4 21.Kf1
23.Bxh6 Kxh6 24.Rac1] 22...Bxd2 with ...Qf6+. 40.Qh3 Ke8] 40.g4! Kb8 ...Qg7 is the strong threat.
23.Rxd2 Nf5 Inhibits Nh4. 24.Rf1 Qf6+ [40...Qg5 41.Nf5+ Kd7 22.Red1 [22.Rac1 Rxg2 23.Kxg2
[24.Rf2=] 24...Qb6+ 25.Rdf2 Qd4 42.Qh7+ Kd8 43.Qh8+ Kc7 44.Qg7+ Qg6+ 24.Ng5 (24.Kf1? Be7-+)
Prevents Qd3. 26 .Kh1 Qxc4 Qxg7 45.Nxg7 Rc2+ 46.Kg3 Rxa2] 24...Bxg5 (24...Qxg5+ 25.Qxg5
[26...Rxc4 27.Bxf5 Rxf5 28.Rxf5 41.Nf5+= The position is equal. Bxg5 26.Rh1) 25.Qg3] 22...Qg7
gxf5] 27.Qd1 White is weak on the 41...Kf7 42.Qh7+ Kf8 ...e4 would 23.Bh3 Bf6? [23...Bg5 24.Nxg5
dark squares 27...Qd4 [27...Qxb4? now be deadly. Black is not holding Rxg5] 24.Bxg4 Qxg4 [24...Bxa1
28.Bxf5 Kh6 29.Bxd7+-; 27...Nf6 back 43.Qxb7 Rc2+ 44.Kg3 Rc3+ 25.Qe4=] 25.Ng1 Rg8 26.Qg3 Qxg3
keeps more tension. 28.Bxf5 gxf5 45.Kg2 Qb8+ is the strong threat. 27.fxg3 Bxa1 [Inferior is 27...Rxg3
29.Rxf5 Kg7] 28.Qe2 [28.Qxd4 sim- Chess con chili. 45...Rc2+ 46.Kg3 28.Rab1] 28.Rxa1 Rxg3 Endgame.
plifies 28...Nxd4 29.Rxf8 Rxf8 And White is the lucky defender. KRN-KRN 29.Nf3 Kc8 30.Kf2 Rg8

22
31.Rh1 Kd7 32.Rh7 Ke7 33.b4 a6 21.Bf3 Bb7 22.a3 Rad8 23.Rd1 move recognize that white's Q is
34.Rh4 Nd8 35.Nd4 Ne6 36.Nf5+ [23.Raf1= might be stronger.] awkwardly placed on d3 and there-
Kd7 37.Rh3 Rg5 38.Rf3 Rh5 Inhibits 23...Rd7 24.Qg2 Rdf7 25.Rfd2 fore there is no reason to chase it
Nh6. 39.Ng3 Rh7 40.e4 [40.Rf5] [25.Qg5] 25...Ne8 [25...e5 Hoping elsewhere. 5.Nf3 Robert defends the
40...c5 [40...Kc6-+ And now ...Kb5 for ...exf4. 26.f5 (26.Rxd6 exf4 d4 square. 5...Nf6 6.e5 Nd7 6...Ne4
would win. 41.Kg2 Kb5 42.Rf5+ Kc4] 27.Bf2 Ne8) 26...gxf5 27.Rxd6 seems more logical, but might lead
41.bxc5 Nxc5 42.Rf5 Ne6 [Black (27.exf5 Ne7) 27...fxe4] 26.Bg4 Qe7 to exchanges that Bradford would
should play 42...Kd6 43.Ke3 b5 [26...Nd8] 27.Qh3!= Against Bh6 have wanted to avoid. 7.a3 Bxc3+
(43...Rh3 44.Kf4) 44.Rf6+ Ne6 27...Nd8 28.Nc5 Nxb7 is the strong 8.bxc3 f6= has been played, with a
45.Nf5+ Ke5] 43.Rd5+ [43.Nh5 is a threat. 28...h5! 29.Bxe6 [29.Be2] good game for black. 7.a3 Be7
better defense. 43...Kd6 44.Kg3] 29...Nxe6 30.Nxe6 Bxc3 [30...Bc8-+
43...Kc6-+ 44.Nf5 Rh2+ 45.Kg3 Ra2 31.f5 Bxc3 32.bxc3 Bxe6] 31.bxc3
[45...Rc2-+ aiming for ...Rc3+. Bc8 32.f5 Bxe6 33.fxe6 This move
46.Rd6+ Kc7] 46.Rd3 a5 47.Nh6 loses the game for White. [33.Rg2
[47.Rc3+ Nc5 48.Kf4] 47...f6 Bc8 34.Bh6] 33...Rf3-+ 34.Qg2 Rxe3
[47...Re2-+ ...Nc5 would now be 35.Rf2 [35.Qxg6+ Qg7 36.Rg2 Qxg6
deadly. 48.Kf3 Re1] 48.Ng4 Nc5 (36...Rxc3? 37.Qxh5 Rc7 38.e5+-)
[ 48...Kb5! Str ong ly threaten- 37.Rxg6+ Kh7 38.Rg5] 35...Rxf2
ing ...Nc5. 49.Nxf6 Kc4] 49.Rc3 Kd6 36.Kxf2 Rxc3 37.Qxg6+ Ng7 38.Rg1
50.Nxf6 b6 Hoping for ...Ke5. [38.e5 Qf8+ (38...Rxa3? 39.exd6
51.Re3 Ke5 52.Ng4+ Kd4 53.e5 Ne6 Qa7+ 40.Kg2-+; 38...dxe5? 39.Rd7-
[Better is 53...b5] 54.Rb3! White +) 39.Qf7+ Qxf7+ 40.exf7+ Kxf7
happily takes the draw. Weighted 41.Rxd6] 38...Rxc2+ 39.Ke3 Rc5
Error Value: White=0.44/Black=0.39. 40.Kd3 Re5 41.Qh6 [41.Kc2] 41...d5
Loses game: White=1 --- Mistake: [Inferior is 41...Rxe6 42.Rxg7+
White=10 Black=8 Inaccurate: (42.Qxh5? is the wrong capture.
White=1 Black=1 OK: White=16 42...Re5-+) 42...Qxg7 43.Qxe6+ Qf7 8.Bf4!? A very intriguing move by
Black=17 Best: White=3 Black=1 44.Qxd6=] 42.Kd4 Rxe4+ Black ma- Robert. He literally dares Bradford to
Strong: White=2 Black=1 ½-½ tes. 43.Kxd5 Qb7+ [Stronger than hit him with ...g5 here; I think in
43...Rxe6 44.Rxg7+ Qxg7 45.Qxe6+ order to get him out of his comfort
Gardezi,A. (2238) Kh7 46.Qxa6=] 44.Kd6 Qb6+ zone in the French. More normal
9 45.Kd7 Rd4+ A cool game by Colina. would be 8.Be2 f6 9.exf6 Nxf6 but
Colina,N. (2303) Weighted Error Value: White=0.89/ you have to understand that in
Black=0.47. Loses game: White=1 --- those days Bradford was considered
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 Mistake: White=10 Black=7 Inaccu- somewhat of a top expert on this
4.Nxd4 Qb6 5.Nb3 Nf6 6.Nc3 e6 rate: White=4 Black=1 OK: White=4 type of position in the French, as he
7.Bd3 a6 8.Be3 Qc7 9.0-0 d6 10.f4 Black=8 Best: White=2 Black=4 had won a famous game with black
Be7 11.Qf3 0-0 12.g4 has lost popu- Strong: White=2 Black=1 0-1 against some GM using a new setup
larity (12.Rae1). 12...b5 B33: Sicili-
an: Pelikan and Sveshnikov Varia-
tions. 13.Qh3 g6 14.g5 Nh5 The
K of a Q on g7. 8...g5 Bradford takes
up the challenge. Now a funny ma-
neuvering game begins, in which
position is equal. 15.Be2 [15.Rac1=] both sides don't want to reveal
15...Ng7N [15...b4! stays ahead. Harrington, R. (2144) where they are going to castle.
16.Nd1 e5; Predecessor: 15...b4 10 9.Bg3 h5 10.h3 Nb6 11.Qe3 Na5
16.Nd1 e5 17.f5 Nf4 18.Bxf4 exf4 Bradford, J. (2547)
12.Nd2 A fight for the c4 square.
19.Qh4 gxf5 20.Qxf4 fxe4 21.Ne3 12...Bd7 12...c5!? 13.Be2 a6
Be6 22.Rad1 ½-½ Delchev,A (2603)- 1.e4 e6 Bradford always played the
14.Nd1?! I think Robert's idea here
Thorhallsson,T (2444) EU-chT (Men) French. 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qd3!?
was to play b3/Nd1-b2/ and then c2
14th Plovdiv 2003 (2.1)] 16.Rf3 A rare but tricky move which in re-
-c4 at some point. However, he
[16.f5! Black must now prevent f6. cent years has been used by Hou
should have played b3 first, with
16...exf5 17.Nd5 fxe4 18.Qh6 Yifan. 4...Nc6!? This was a theoreti-
advantage. 14.b3 14...Nac4 15.Bxc4
(18.Nxc7? Bxh3 19.Nxa8 Bxf1-+) ] cal novelty at the time by Bradford.
Nxc4 16.Nxc4 dxc4 [# See Diagram
16...f5 [16...b4 17.Na4 Rb8] 17.gxf6 He avoids the obvious continuation
at top of Next Page #] 17.Nc3 Now
[Better is 17.Qh6!= Nh5 18.Rh3] 4...dxe4 5.Qxe4 Nf6 6.Qh4 which is
Bradford has equalized and has the
17...Bxf6 18.Qh6 [18.Raf1] 18...Nh5 actually what white wants ... the
space for the 2500-player to do
Threatens to win with ...Nd8. Queen pressurizing black's kingside
2500-things. 17.Qc3!? Bc6 18.Ne3
19.Rf2! Bg7 [19...b4 20.Na4 Nd8] from h4.The main book move is
Bd5 I think the N is better placed on
20.Qg5 Nf6 [20...b4 21.Na4 Rb8] 4...Ne7. Both that and Bradford's
e3. Robert wants to put it on e4, but

23
 Bxf3) 29...Bxa3+ with advantage to winning trick. 47.Qe2 Kb7
black in the endgame. 28.c3 Kb7
29.Kd2 b4 30.axb4 axb4 31.Ra1
hxg4 32.hxg4 Rxh1 33.Rxh1 Ra8
34.Rb1 White can't stay active with
34.Rh7 because 34...Ra1 35.Ke2
Qa4 and black's attack comes first.
36.Qd2 Bxe4 37.fxe4 bxc3 38.bxc3
Ra2 34...Ra2

After 16...dxc4
it ends up getting kind of 'stuck' 47...Qh7 48.Bg3= 48.Bg3! Kc6
there, and Joe starts to build an 49.Qe1 Bxg3 50.Kxg3 Ra8 51.Ra1
initiative. 17...Bc6 18.Ne4 Qd5 19.f3 Qh6 52.Kg2 Ra2 Bradford seems to
0-0-0 20.0-0-0 Now that Bradford give up on keeping the game going.
committed his king, Robert felt He could keep trying with 52...Rh8
obliged to do the same. 20...Rhg8 53.Qg3 Bxe4 54.fxe4 Qh7 but ac-
21.Bf2 Qa5 Note how Bradford is cording to the computer White can
making probing moves to see how continue to defend successfully:
his opponent reacts. 22.Qc3 Qb5 35.Ke1 The white K continues his 55.Qe5 Qh3+ 56.Kf2 Qh2+ 57.Qxh2
23.g4 Probably a small error. The sojourn to the kingside, where he Rxh2+ 58.Ke3 Rxb2 59.Ra4 Rg2
pawn on f3 is weak, and although hopes to be able to defend invasion 60.Rxc4+ Kd7 61.Rb4 b2 62.Kd3=
the N blocks the attacks on this squares on the h-file. 35...Qa4 53.Rb1 Qh7 54.Qe3 Qg6 c5 5.Qe1
pawn, it means the N is limited in its 36.Qc1 Kc8 37.Kf1 Qc6 37...Bxe4 is Kb6 56.Qe3 ½-½
future movements. 23...Bd5 24.Rde1 a critical move here, but it's likely
Rh8 25.Qe3 Qc6 26.Kb1 b5!? both players were low on time and
Bradford may not have wanted to
K
make this commitment. But 38.fxe4
bxc3 39.Qxc3 Black is better but it's
not obvious how black would break 11 Woodward,A. (2481)
11
through. 38.Qe1 b3!? 39.Kg2 Qe8 Puckett,M. (2172)
40.Kg3 Qg8 41.Qe3 Qg6 Notice how
Bradford continues probing. This 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2
move pins the N. 42.Be1 f5 42...Qh6
a5 5.Bg2 d5 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Qc2 c5 E11:
43.Bd2 Ba3! is a shot the computerBogo-Indian. 8.cxd5 cxd4 9.Nxd4
found. 43.exf6 Bxf6 Nxd5 White is slightly better. 10.0-0
Qb6 11.e3 Na6N [11...Bc5 is superi-
or.; Predecessor: 11...Bd7 12.Nc3
Nf6 13.a3 Bc5 14.Nf3 Rc8 15.Na4
Bxa4 16.Qxa4 Nc6 17.Rfc1 h6 0-1
Esipenko,A (2593)-Short,N (2646)
27.Kc1?! A funny move. Not many Moscow Nutcracker rapid 2018
players would have the courage to (5.4)] 12.Nc3 [12.a3 Bc5 13.Nc3]
do this having just played the oppo- 12...Nxc3 13.bxc3 Be7 14.Rab1 Qc7
site move! But when black commit- 15.c4 Nc5 16.Nb5 Qb8 17.Bc3 Bd7
ted to an attack with ...b5 the White 18.Qe2 [18.Rfd1] 18...Rd8 19.Rfd1
King decided now is a good time to Be8 20.h4 a4 [20...Rxd1+ 21.Rxd1
get out of town! He intends to run to Bc6] 21.h5 [Better is 21.Rd4]
the kingside now... The computer 21...h6! 22.Qg4→ White is up to no
thinks this is unnecessary though. good. 22...Rxd1+ 23.Rxd1 Bf8 24.f4
27...a5 27...c3! was a strong move [24.Bf3] 24...Bxb5 [24...f5= is more
Bradford either missed or rejected. 44.Bd2 Be7 45.Be1? Bd6+! 46.Kg2 appropriate. 25.Qe2 Bc6] 25.cxb5
28.Qxc3 Qxc3 29.bxc3 (29.Nxc3 Bf4? 46...Qh7! 47.Bg3 Ba3 was the Qe8 26.Qe2 White is much more

24
active. 26...Rd8 27.Bd4 b6 28.Bf3 47.axb4 e6] 47.a4 bxa4 48.bxa4 27...h6 28.a5 [28.Kh2] 28...Kh7-+
Be7 29.Kg2 [29.Bc6 Qf8 30.e4] Ba5 ...Bb6 would now be deadly. 29.Rd1 Re4 30.Rd6 R8e6 31.Rxe6
29...Bf6? [29...Qd7!] 30.Bxc5+- This 49.Bh6 Bb6 50.Be3 Ba7 And [31.h5 Qf6 (31...Qxh5? perishes.
pair of bishops is nice. 30...Rxd1 now ...Bb6 would win. 51.Kc3? 32.Rxe6 Rxe6 33.Qxe6+-) 32.Rxe6
31.Qxd1 bxc5 32.Qxa4 [32.b6!+-] [51.a5] 51...g5!-+ aiming for ...g4. Qxe6 33.Qd3] 31...Rxe6 Endgame.
32...Qb8 [32...e5 is more resistant. 52.Kd3 [52.Kb4 Bb6] 52...g4 53.a5 KQR-KQB 32.Qd5 Re4 [32...Qe4-+
33.Qa6 exf4 34.exf4 Bd8] 33.b6! [53.f3 f5 (53...gxf3 54.g4=) 54.fxg4 33.Qxe4+ Rxe4] 33.h5 Qe6 34.Qxe6
Weighted Error Value: White=0.18 fxg4 55.Bg5] 53...f5 54.Kc3 Ke4 Rxe6 KR-KB 35.Bb6 Re5 36.g4 Re4!
(very precise) /Black=0.33. Loses Threatens to win with ...Bb8. 55.Kc4 37.f3 Re2 38.Kf1 Ra2 39.Kg1 Kg8
game: --- Black=2 Mistake: White=6 Kf3? [55...f4-+ 56.gxf4 Bb8 (56...g3? 40.Kf1 Kf7 41.Ke1 Kf6 42.Kf1 Ke5
Black=3 Inaccurate: White=2 Black=2 57.fxg3 Kxe3 58.d5-+) ] 56.Kb4? [42...Rc2 ...Ke5 would now be dead-
OK: White=8 Black=9 Best: White=1 [56.Bf4=] 56...Bb8 57.Kc5 Bxg3! ly. 43.Bd4+ Kg5 (43...Kf7? 44.Ke1-
Black=1 Brilliant: White=1 --- 1-0 Double Attack 58.Kb6 [58.Bg5 Bxf2] +) ] 43.Bc7+ Kd5 44.Ke1? This costs
58...Bxf2 59.Bxf2 Kxf2 60.Kxa6 g3 White the game. [44.Bb6] 44...Rc2!-+
Tsay,V. (2353) Weighted Error Value: White=0.67/ 45.Bb6 Ke5! 46.Kd1 Rc3 47.Ke2 Kf4
12 Bla ck=0.31. Mistake: White=6 48.Bd4 Rxf3 49.Be5+ Kxg4! [Inferior
Woodward,A. (2481) Black=4 Inaccurate: White=6 Black=4 is 49...Kxe5 50.Kxf3 Kf6 51.Kf4=]
OK: White=16 Black=30 Best: 50.Bxg7 Rf5 51.Bxh6 Rxa5 52.Kd3
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 0- White=3 Black=1 Strong: White=1 --- Rxh5 53.Bg7 [53.Bf8] 53...Kf3 Black
0 5.0-0 d5 6.c4 c6 7.Ne5 dxc4 Brilliant: --- Black=1 0-1 is clearly winning. 54.Kc4 Rb5
8.Nxc4 Be6 D78: Fianchetto Grün- 55.Bf6 Ke2 56.Kc3 Kd1 57.Bg7 Kc1
feld: 6 0-0 c6. 9.b3 Bd5 10.Bb2! Na6 Hakobyan,A. (2616) 58.Bf6 a5 Weighted Error Value:
The position is equal. 11.Nbd2 Bxg2 13 White =0.57/Bla ck =0.33 . L ose s
12 .Kxg2 c5 13.N f3 Rc8N Woodward,A. (2481) game: White=1 --- Mistake: White=8
[Predecessor: 13...cxd4 14.Bxd4 Black=5 Inaccurate: White=4 Black=1
Nb4 15.Bc3 Nbd5 16.Bd4 Nb4 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 OK: White=18 Black=21 Best:
17.Bc3 Nbd5 18.Bd4 ½-½ Mar- Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 Nbd7 7.Bc4 Qb6 White=7 Black=5 Strong: --- Black=2
szalek,M (2272)-Kaim,P (2172) POL- B94: Sicilian Najdorf: 6 Bg5 Nbd7. Brilliant: White=1 --- 0-1
chT 2nd League Jastrzebia Gora 8.0-0 Qxb2 was the old line
2018 (3.1)] 14.Rc1 b5 [14...Qd5 (8...Qc5). 9.Nd5 Nxd5 White has an Woodward,A. (2481)
simplifies 15.dxc5 Nxc5 16.Bxf6 edge. 10.Rb1 Qc3 11.Bxd5 e6 14
Qxd1 17.Rfxd1 Bxf6 18.Nce5 Ne6] 12.Rb3 [12.Bxb7= Bxb7 13.Rxb7] Wang,T. (2347)
15.Nce5 Qd5 [15...Nd7!= keeps the 1 2 . . . Q c 7 N [ 1 2 . . . Q a 5 1 3 . R e 3
balance.] 16.dxc5! Strongly threat- (13.Bxb7? Bxb7 14.Nxe6 fxe6-+; 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Nc3
ening Qxd5. 16...Nxc5 [16...Rfd8] 13.Qf3? Ne5-+) 13...h6 (13...exd5 Nf6 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Be2 Bf5
17.Qd4 [17.Ba3! Qxd1 18.Rfxd1] 14.exd5+ Ne5 15.f4 Pin) ; Predeces- 8.Nf3 e6 9.Qb3 D13: Slav Defence:
17...Rfd8 [17...a5= remains equal.] sor: 12...Qa5 13.Bd2 Qc7 14.Bxe6 Exchange variation without ...Bf5.
1 8 .Rf d 1 [ Better is 18 .Q b4!] fxe6 15.Nxe6 Qc4 16.Nf4 Nf6 9...Ra7 [9...Nh5=] 10.0-0 Bd6
18...Qa8= 19.Qb4 Rxd1 20.Rxd1 a6 17.Re1 Be7 18.Nd5 Bd8 ½-½ Night- 11.Bxd6 White is better. 11...Qxd6
21.Rc1 Nfe4 22.Qd4 f6 Black has ingale,D (2508)-Oechslein,R (2390) 12.Rfc1 0 -0 13.Na4 Bg4N
counterplay 23.Nd3 Rd8 24.Qe3 VW-Cup9 sf03 email ICCF email [Predecessor: 13...Nd7 14.Nc5 b5
Nxd3 25.exd3 Ng5 26.Rc7 Bf8 2018] 13.Bxe6! fxe6 14.Nxe6 Qc4 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.Rc5 Be4 17.Rac1
27.d4 [27.Ba3!= feels stronger.] 15.Nxf8 [15.Nf4! was forced to keep Bxf3 18.Bxf3 Na5 19.Qc3 Nc4 0-1
27...Kf7 28.h4 Ne6 29.Rc2 Qd5 a grip.] 15...Rxf8 16.Qxd6 Kf7 17.e5 Glavina,P (2411)-Gunina,V (2437)
30.Qc3 Qf5 Black has more active Re8 [ 17...Kg 8?! 18.Rg 3 Qc6 Titled Tuesday intern op 06th July
pieces. 31.Re2 Rc8! 32.Qe3 Wards (18...Qxa2? 19.Bh6+-) 19.Qxc6 bxc6 Chess.com INT blitz 2021 (2)]
off Nf4+ [32.Qxc8? too greedy. 20.Bh6=] 18.Rxb7 Decoy 18...Bxb7 14.Nc5 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 b6 16.Nd3 Nd7
32...Nf4+ 33.gxf4 Qxc8-+; Don't 19.Qxd7+ Kg8 20.Qxb7 Rab8 17.Rc3 Rc7 [17...Ne7] 18.Rac1
blunder 32.Ne5+? fxe5 33.Rxe5 21.Qd7 Rxe5→ (...Qxf1+!). Black Strongly threatening Qa3. 18...Rfc8?
Rxc3-+] 32...Nc7 33.Ne1 Nd5 34.Qf3 goes for the king. [21...Qxa2 22.h3] [18...Rcc8 was worth a try.] 19.Qa3!
Qxf3+ [34...e6!?] 35.Kxf3 h5 36.Rc2 22.Be3 Rf8 Black is more active. +- Qxa3 20.bxa3 f5 21.Nf4 Weighted
Rxc2 37.Nxc2 Endgame. KBN-KBN [22...Qxc2 23.Bf4 Rb1 24.Bxe5; Error Value: White=0.03 (flawless) /
37...Bh6 38.Ne1 Nb4 Dodges Nd3 22...Ree8] 23.Rd1 [23.Bd4 Rg5 Black=0.49. Loses game: --- Black=1
39.a3 Bd2 40.Ng2 Nd5 41.Ke2 Ba5 24.h4] 23...Qxc2 Hoping for ...Rxe3! Mistake: --- Black=2 Inaccurate: ---
42.Bc1 Ke6 43.Nf4+ [White should 24.h4 Rfe8 [Much weaker is Black=3 OK: White=6 Black=5
play 43.Kf3] 43...Nxf4+-+ 44.Bxf4 24...Qxa2?! 25.Bd4=] 25.a4 Qg6 Strong: White=1 --- 1-0
KB-KB 44...Kd5 Hoping for ...Bb6! [25...Re4 26.Rd4 h6] 26.Rd6
45.Kd3 Be1 46.Be3 e6 [46...b4-+ [26.Kh2] 26...R5e6 27.Rd4 [27.Rd2] More Games

25
 Inaccurate: White=4 Black=3 OK: Nd5 37.Rg7+ Kb6 38.Rxh7 [38.Bc8
Woodward,A. (2481) White=14 Black=13 Best: White=5 looks sharper. 38...Rxc3 39.Rb7+
15
Yoo,C. (2606) Black=1 Strong: White=3 --- 1-0 Ka5 40.Rxc3 Nxc3 41.Bd7]
38...Rxh7 39.Bxh7 Nxc3 Endgame.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2
Wang,J. (2512) KRB-KRN 40.Bg8 b4 41.Bc4 Nd5
Be7 5.Bg2 d5 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Qc2 16 [41...Kc7] 42.Bxd5 The position is
Nbd7 8.0-0 c6 9.Rc1 E11: Bogo- Mcconnell,S. (2191) equal. 42...cxd5 KR-KR 43.Kf4 Rc3
Indian. 9...Ne4 10.Be3 f5 11.Ne1 44.Rh1 b3 45.e4 dxe4 [45...b2!?
White has an edge. 11...Bf6 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nf3 Bg4 46.Rb1 Rb3=] 46.Kxe4 Kb5
[11...h5 was preferrable.] 12.Nd2N 4.cxd5 Bxf3 5.gxf3 Qxd5 6.e3 e5 [46...b2!? 47.Rb1 Rc2=] 47.Rh8
[Predecessor: 12.f3 Nd6 13.Nd2 f4 7.Nc3 Bb4 8.Bd2 Bxc3 9.bxc3 Qd6 Rc7 48.Kd3 Kb4 49.Rb8+ Ka3
14.Bf2 Nf5 15.Qd3 Bg5 16.Bh3 Qf6 10.Rb1 b6 11.Rg1 D07: Queen's 50.Ra8+ Kb2 51.d5 Rb7 52.Kd4
17.cxd5 exd5 18.Ng2 fxg3 Ga mb it : Chig o r in D e fe nce . Kc2 53.d6 b2 54.Ra2 Rd7 55.Kc5
19.hxg3 0-1 Maghsoodloo,P 11...Nge7 [11...0-0-0] 12.f4 [Better Kb3 56.Rxb2+! An exciting game.
(2676)-Xiong,J (2709) PNWCC is 12.Rxg7 Qf6 13.Rg3] 12...exf4! Weighted Error Value: White=0.21
Online Masters WOO Chess.com 13.Rxg7 White is slightly better. (precise) /Black=0.15 (very pre-
INT rapid 2020 (5.1)] 12...Qe7 1 3 . . . f x e 3 1 4 . f x e 3 0 - 0 - 0 N cise). Loses game: White=1 --- Mis-
13.Nd3 g5 14.f3 Nd6 15.Bf2 Qg7 [Predecessor: 14...Qh6 15.Qg4 Kf8 take: White=5 Black=6 Inaccurate:
16.e3 a5 17.Rab1 Kh8 18.b3 h5 16.Rg5 Qxh2 17.Rh5 Qd6 18.e4 White=4 Black=2 OK: White=18
19.Kh1 Qh7 20.Re1 g4 [20...Be7] Nd8 19.Qf3 c6 20.Bc4 Rg8 Black=15 Best: White=4 --- Strong:
21.Nf4 Re8 22.h4 Prevents Bg5. 21.Rxh7 ½-½ Smet,M (1800)- White=2 Black=4 ½-½
22...Nf8 23.a3 [23.a4 is superior.] Roques,P (2187) IECG
23...Ng6= 24.Nxg6+ [24.a4] CP.1998.Q.00003 IECG email
Takahashi,M. (2033)
24...Qxg6 25.f4 Bd7 [25...b5!=] 1999] 15.Qf3 White is more active. 17
26.Rg1 [26.a4] 26...Rec8 [26...b5=] [15.Rxf7 Rhf8 16.Rxf8 (16.Rxh7 Wang,J. (2512)
27.c5↑ White is more active. Rxf1+ 17.Kxf1 Rf8+ 18.Ke1 Qg6)
27...Nb5 28.Ra1 Bd8 29.Bf1 Nc7 16...Rxf8 17.Qh5] 15...Kb8!= 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 0
30.Bd3 Ne8 31.b4 a4 [31...Nf6] 16.Rg2 [16.Qxf7? Rhf8 17.Qc4 Nf5 -0 5.Nge2 d5 6.a3 Be7 7.cxd5
32.Nb1 Ra7 33.Nc3 Rca8 34.Rab1 -+ (17...Qxh2 18.Qe2; 17...Qf6 exd5 8.Nf4 a5 9.Bd3 c6 10.0-0
[34.b5] 34...b5 35.cxb6 Bxb6 18.Rg2) ; 16.Ba6= might be E46: Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein: 4
36.b5 [36.Nd1] 36...cxb5! 37.Bxb5 s t r o n g e r . ] 1 6 . . . Q e 6 1 7 . a 4 e3 0-0 5 Ne2 without early Bd3.
[Better is 37.Nxb5 Rb7 38.Nc3] [17.Rb2=] 17...Rhg8 18.Rf2 f5 10...Na6 11.f3 Nc7 12.Qc2 The
37...Bd8 [37...Bxb5 deserves con- 19.Bg2 Qa2 20.Rc1 Qc4 [20...a5] position is equal. 12...Re8
sideration. 38.Nxb5 (38.Rxb5 Bd8) 21.a5! Rg4 [21...Rd6 22.axb6] 13.Rd1N [13.Nce2 is more appro-
38...Rb7] 38.Bxd7!= Rxd7 39.Nxa4 22.axb6 axb6 23.Qe2! Dancing on priate.; Predecessor: 13.g4 h6
Rda7 40.Nb6 Bxb6 [40...Rb8!? a razor blade. 23...Na5 24.Qxc4 14.Qf2 c5 15.Bd2 b6 16.Rad1 Ba6
41.Na4 Rba8=] 41.Rxb6 Rxa3 [24.Ra1 is interesting. 24...Qb3 17.Bxa6 Rxa6 18.Bc1 cxd4
42.Qc6 Hoping for Rgb1! 42...Ra2 25.Kf1 Nd5 26.Rxf5 Rgg8 27.e4] 19.exd4 1-0 Brunello,S (2564)-
43.Rgb1 Rb8 is the strong threat. 24...Nxc4 25.Ke2 c6 [25...b5 Gedajlovic,M (2304) Titled Tuesday
43...Ra1? This costs Black the seems wilder. 26.Kd3 c6 27.Re2 intern op 2nd Aug Chess.com INT
game. [43...Ng7=] 44.Rxa1!+- Kb7] 26.Rcf1 Kc7 27.Bh3 Rh4 blitz 2016 (1)] 13...Ne6 14.Nxe6
[44.Qxe6? loses. 44...Rxb1+ 28.Rf3 Ra8 ...Ra2 is the strong Bxe6 15.Na4 [15.Bd2=] 15...h5
45.Bg1 Rxb6-+] 44...Rxa1+ 45.Kg2 threat. 29.Kd3 Nxd2 30.Kxd2 Ra2+ 16.Nc5 Bc8 17.Bd2 Bd6 18.b4
a iming for Rb8! 45...Ng7? [30...Nd5 simplifies 31.Bxf5 Rxh2+ [White should try 18.h3] 18...Qc7
[45...Kg8 46.Rb8 (46.Qxe6+ Qxe6 32.R1f2 Ra2+] 31.Kd3 Nd5 19.h3 [19.f4] 19...Bxh3!-+ 20.gxh3
47.Rxe6 Kf7=) 46...Kf8 47.Qc5+ [31...Rxh2?! 32.Bxf5 c5 33.Be6] And now f4 would win. [20.Kh1
Kg7] 46.Rb8+! Black is weak on the 32.Rg3 [32.Bxf5= Rhxh2 33.Be4] Bc8] 20...Bxc5 21.Kg2 Prevents
dark squares 46...Kh7 47.Rf8 And 32...Ra3 [32...Rxh2? 33.Rg7+ Qg3+. 21...Bb6 22.h4 [22.bxa5
now Qc8 would win. Active counter (33.Bxf5 Rh1) 33...Kd6 34.Bxf5+-; Bxa5 23.Bc1] 22...Qd6→ ...Bc7 is
play! 47...Ra7 48.Qc8 Qf7 49.Rxf7 32...b5! 33.Bxf5 Rhxh2] 33.Rc1? the strong threat. White is in trou-
Rxf7 50.Be1 Re7 51.Bb4 Re8 [White should play 33.Bxf5 Rxc3+ ble. 23.Rab1? [23.Rh1 keeps
52.Qd7 Threatening mate with 34.Ke2] 33...b5? [33...Nb4+-+ fighting.] 23...Bc7 24.f4 Ng4
Bd6. 52...Kg6 53.Bd6 Weighted 34.Ke2 Na2 (34...Ra2+ 35.Kf3=) ] 25.Re1? [25.Rb3 might work bet-
Error Value: White=0.25 (precise) / 34.Bxf5 Nb4+! 35.Ke2 Rxh2+ ter.] 25...Qf6 Weighted Error Value:
Black=0.58. Loses game: --- [35...Na2 36.Rh1 (36.Rg7+ Kb6) White=0.65/Black=0.08 (flawless).
Black=1 Mistake: White=6 Black=7 36...Nxc3+ 37.Kf2 Kb6] 36.Kf3 Mistake: White=7 --- Inaccurate:

26
White=2 Black=1 OK: White=4 c6 11.d4 d6 12.Qd2 Be6 [12...b5= Re3 80.R1f6] 75...Rh8 76.Ke6
Black=7 Best: --- Black=2 0-1 13.Bb3 a5] 13.d5↑ White has the [76.Ke4 Rg8 77.Rf1 Kh3 78.Rff5 Kg4
initiative. 13...Bd7 14.dxc6 bxc6 79.Rh5 Rg7 80.Rh1 Rb7 81.Rg1+
Wang,J. (2512) 1[16...Bxb3=
5.0-0-0 B e6 16.B b3 Qd7
remains equal. 17.axb3
Kh4 82.Re8] 76...Re8+ 77.Kd6 Ra8
78.Ke7 Kf7 would kill now.
18
Tsay,V. (2353) 0-0] 17.Ba4! White is more active. 78...Ra7+ 79.Kf8 Intending Re7 and
17...Nf6 Inhibits Nd5. [17...0-0] mate. 79...Ra1 80.Kg7 Ra8 81.Rf8
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 18.f4 [White should try 18.Bh6+-] Ra6 82.Re7 Kg5 83.Kg8 Kh6 84.Kh8
dxe4 5.Nxe4 Nbd7 6.Nf3 h6 7.Bxf6 18...Rc8 [18...0-0-0] 19.f3+- Qb7 Ra5 85.Rh7+ Kg6 86.Rg7+ Kh6
Nxf6 C13: French: Classical System: [19...0-0] 20.Nd5 Nxd5 21.exd5 Bd7 87.Rf1 Rf5 88.Rh1+ Weighted Error
4 Bg5 Be7, Alekhine-Chatard Attack. 22.fxe5 cxd5 [22...0-0 23.Bh6 Rfe8] Value: White=0.36/Black=0.32. Mis-
8.Bd3 g6 9.c3N [Predecessor: 2 3 . B x d 7 + [ 2 3 . Q x d 5 ? ! Q x d 5 take: White=2 Black=12 Inaccurate:
9.Nxf6+ Qxf6 10.Ne5 Bg7 11.Qd2 0- 24.Bxd7+ Kxd7] 23...Kxd7 24.exd6 White=5 Black=10 OK: White=26
0 12.h4 Qd8 13.Qf4 c5 14.dxc5 Qc7 [24.Qxd5?! Qxd5 25.Rxd5 Rc6] Black=11 Best: White=1 Black=10
15.Nxg6 0-1 Heymann,U (2180)- 24...Bxd6 25.Qxd5 Qxd5 26.Rxd5 Strong: White=1 --- 1-0
Peng,Z (2401) 4 Laender-Cup Ke6 [26...Rc6 is a better defense.
(Women) Halle 2001 (5.1)] 9...Nxe4 27.Rgd1 (27.Bxa7 Ra8) 27...Ke6]
Wang,J. (2512)
White is slightly better. 10.Bxe4 Bg7 27.Rd2 [Better is 27.Ra5+-] 27...Bc5 20
11.h4 h5 12.Qe2 Qd6 [12...0-0] [27...Rhe8 was necessary. 28.Rg4 Sheehan,E. (2339)
13.Ne5! 0-0 [13...Bd7] 14.f4! c5 (28.Bxa7 Bf4 Pin) 28...Rc6] 28.Re1
15.0-0-0 g4 would now be deadly. Kf6 Against Bg5+ 29.Bd4+ Bxd4 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4
White is much more active. The 30.Rxd4 Endgame. Black must now Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 g6 7.Bxf6 exf6
black rooks are passive. 15...Qc7 prevent Rf4+. KRR-KRR 30...Rhf8 8.Bb5 B60: Sicilian: Richter-Rauzer:
[15...cxd4 16.Rxd4 Qe7] 16.Bc2 [30...g5 31.Rd6+ Kg7] 31.c4 Rc5 Unusual Black 6th moves and
[16.g4!+-] 16...b6 [16...cxd4 is a 32.Kc2 Rf5 33.Re3 Threatens to win 6...Bd7 without 7 Qd2. 8...Bd7
better defense. 17.Rxd4 b5] with b4. 33...Rc8 [33...a5 34.Kc3 9.Nde2 Be6 10.Nf4 White is slightly
17.dxc5 [17.g4!+-] 17...bxc5? Black h6] 34.b4 a5 35.a3 axb4 36.axb4 better. 10...Bh6N [10...Bg7; Prede-
is weak on the light squares Rh5 37.h4 Rf5 38.c5 g5 39.hxg5+ cessor: 10...Bg7 11.Nxe6 fxe6
[17...Bh6 18.Qe4 bxc5] 18.g4!+- Kxg5 40.Kc3 h5 41.Kc4 f6 42.Red3 12.Qg4 Qe7 13.0-0 0-0 14.Rad1 f5
Qa5? [18...Bh6] 19.gxh5 Qxa2 h4 43.Rg4+ Kh5 44.Rdd4 Rxf3 15.exf5 gxf5 16.Qh5 Nd4 0-1 An-
20.hxg6 fxg6 21.Bb1 Qb3 22.Nxg6 45.Rxh4+ Kg5 46.Rhg4+ Kf5 47.b5 tipov,M (2615)-Riazantsev,A (2634)
White wants to mate with Qh5! Strongly threatening b6. 47...Rf1 Wch Blitz Warsaw 2021 (9)] 11.Nxe6
22...Re8 23.Rhg1 Hoping for Ne5. 48.c6 [48.Kd5] 48...Rc1+ 49.Kb4 fxe6 Black is weak on the light
23...Ba6 24.Qxa6 Bxc3 25.Ne5+ Kf8 Rb8 50.Ka5 Ra8+ 51.Kb6! Rb8+ squares 12.Qg4 Qe7 13.0-0 0-0
26.Qd6+ Black got outplayed after 52.Ka6 Rc5 53.Rb4 Ke6 54.Rge4+ 14.Bc4 Rae8 15.Qh3↑ Black is under
the opening. A cool game by Wang. Kf7 55.Rec4 Rbxb5 56.c7 f5 57.c8Q pressure. 15...Bg7 16.Rfe1 Nd4
Weighted Error Value: White=0.47/ O v e r w o r k e d P i e ce 5 7 .. . R x c 8 [16...Na5= 17.Be2 Nc6] 17.Rad1! f5
Black=1.26. Loses game: --- Black=1 58.Kxb5 Re8 59.Kc5 Rb6 is the 18.exf5 Rxf5 19.Re4 Qf7
Mistake: White=2 Black=5 Inaccu- strong threat. 59...Kg6 60.Kd4 Rb1 [19...Nxc2? 20.Bxe6+ (20.Rxe6
rate: --- Black=2 OK: White=4 would now be deadly. 60...Kg5 Qxe6 21.Bxe6+ Rxe6+-) 20...Qxe6
Black=2 Best: White=2 --- Strong: 61.Kd3 Re5 [61...Ra8 62.Rc1 Ra3+ 21.Rxe6 Rxe6 22.Qd3+-; 19...Ref8]
White=3 --- 1-0 63.Kd4 Ra5 64.Rg1+ Kf4] 62.Rc8 20.Qe3 [20.Rdxd4 d5=; 20.Rexd4+-
Ra5 63.Rg8+ Kf6 64.Ke3 And now Bxd4 21.Rxd4] 20...d5 21.Bxd5
Pham,T. (2393) Kf4 would win. 64...Kf7 65.Rg5 Nxc2 22.Rxe6 [22.Qxa7? exd5
19 [65.Rgb8 Threatening mate with 23.Rxe8+ Qxe8-+] 22...Rf8 23.Re7
Wang,J. (2512) R8b7+. 65...Ra3+ 66.Rb3 (66.Kf4 Nxe3 24.Rxf7 R5xf7 25.fxe3 Bxc3!
Ke7+-) ] 65...Ra1 [65...Ke6 66.Kf4 26.bxc3 Kg7! 27.Bxf7 Rxf7 End-
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Ra1 67.Rb6+ (67.Rxf5 Rf1+ 68.Kg4 game. KR-KR 28.Rd4 h5 29.h4 Kh6
Nd4 5.Bc4 Nxf3+ 6.gxf3 C48: Four Rg1+ 69.Kf4 Rf1+ 70.Kg5 Rxf5+ 30.Rc4 Rd7 31.a4 Rd2 32.Kh2 a6
Knights: 4 Bb5, replies other than 71.Kg4 Rf2=) 67...Kd5 68.Rb5+ 33.Kg3 b5 34.axb5 axb5 35.Rc5
4...Bb4. 6...Bc5 7.Rg1 g6 8.d3 The (68.Kxf5 Rh1+-; 68.Rxf5+ Kd4+-) Rb2 36.e4 b4 37.cxb4 Rxb4
posit ion is e qua l. 8 ...N h5 N 68...Ke6 69.Rg6+ (69.Rbxf5 Rf1+ 38.Kf4 Rb2 39.g3 Rf2+ 40.Ke3 Rg2
[Predecessor: 8...h6 9.f4 d6 10.Qf3 70.Kg4 Re1+-) 69...Kf7] 66.Rxf5+ 41.Kf3 Rg1 42.Rc7 Ra1 [Better is
c6 11.fxe5 dxe5 12.Be3 Be7 13.0-0- Ke6 67.Rf2 Re1+ 68.Re2 Rh1 69.Rd4 42...Rf1+= 43.Ke2 Ra1] 43.Rc3
0 h5 14.h3 b5 1-0 Vakhlamov,I Kf5 70.Rd5+ Ke6 71.Kd4+ Kf6 White is more active. [43.e5!]
(2413)-Perez,R (2240) Titled Tues- 72.Rd6+ Kf5 73.Re5+ Kf4 74.Rf6+ 43...Ra8 44.Rd3 Rf8+ 45.Ke3 Re8
day intern op 28th Sept Chess.com Kg4 75.Kd5 [75.Ref5 Rd1+ 76.Ke4 46.Rd4 Re6 [46...Re7= is superior.]
INT blitz 2021 (4)] 9.Bg5 Be7 10.Be3 Re1+ 77.Kd5 Re7 78.Rf1 Kg3 79.Rf7
47.Rd5 [47.Rd7!] 47...Ra6 48.Rc5

27
Ra1 49.Rc2 Ra8 50.Rd2 Re8 16...Rd8 [16...b3! 17.Qb1 Qd7] Black=1 Missed win: White=2
51.Rd3 Ra8 52.e5 And now Rd7 17.Rfd1 [17.Bg5] 17...Qd7 [17...g6 Black=1 Mistake: White=10 Black=16
would win. 52...Ra4 53.Rd4 Ra1 18.Ne3; 17...b3! 18.Qb1 g6] 18.e4= Inaccurate: White=4 Black=1 OK:
[53...Ra7= feels stronger.] 54.Ke4 Strongly threatening exd5! 18...d4 White=18 Black=17 Best: White=7
Threatens to win with e6. 19.Bf1 b3 [19...Qb7=] 20.Qd3 Ra8 Black=6 Strong: White=3 Black=1
54...Re1+? Loses the game. [Black 21.Be5 White is more active. ½-½
should try 54...Kg7!] 55.Kd5+-
Strongly threatening Kd6.
21...Ng4! 22.Bxg7 [22.Nxg7+ Bxg7
23.Bxg7 Rg8] 22...Rg8 23.Bxf8 Kxf8
K
55...Re3? [55...Kg7 56.Kd6 Re3] [23...Ne5 24.Qe2 Kxf8] 24.Bg2 Rg6
56.e6 Kg7 57.Kd6! Hoping for e7. 25.Nh4 [25.Rac1! Ne5 26.Qd2] Gazik,V. (2624)
25...Rg7 [25...Qd6=] 26.Nf3! Qa7 22
57...Rxg3 58.e7 [58.Kd7 White
[26...Rc8] 27.h3 [27.Rac1] 27...Nf6
Chatterjee,K. (2638)
wants to mate with e7. 58...Ra3
28.Rac1 Nd7! 29.a5 Rg6 [29...Re8]
59.e7 Ra7+ 60.Ke6] 58...Re3 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
30.Nh4+- Ne5 [30...Rg7 is a better
59.Kd7 g5 60.hxg5 [60.e8R Rxe8 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6
defense.] 31.Qe2 [31.Nxg6+ hxg6
61.Kxe8 gxh4=] 60...Kg6 61.Rd6+ 8.Bd2 Bg4 9.c3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.h3
32.Qe2 c4] 31...Rg7 [31...Rd8 Bh5 12.Bc1 0-0 13.Nbd2 Nc6 14.Re1
[Not 61.e8R Rxe8 62.Rd6+ 32.Nxg6+ hxg6] 32.Kh2 Re8 33.Qh5
(62.Kxe8 Kxg5 63.Rd1 h4=) d5 15.Qe2?! d4 16.g4 Bg6 17.Nf1
[ 3 3 .f 4 + - N g 6 3 4 .Q h 5 N x h 4 Nd7 18.Bb3?! Nb6! 19.cxd4 Nxd4
62...Kxg5 63.Rd5+ (63.Kxe8 h4=) 35.Qxh4] 33...f6 [33...Nc4] 34.Bf1?
63...Kg4 64.Rd4+ (64.Kxe8 h4=) 20.Nxd4 cxd4? 21.f4 exf4 22.Bxf4
[34.Nf5+-] 34...c4 35.Qh6 Kf7
64...Kf5 65.Kxe8 Kg5=] 61...Kxg5 Bg5 23.Qd2?! Bxf4 24.Qxf4 Qb8?
[35...Kg8?! 36.Qxf6 Qc5 37.f4+-]
62.Re6 [Inferior is 62.e8Q Rxe8 25.Qxb8 Raxb8 26.Nh2 a5 27.Rec1
36.Qd2 [36.f4 d3 37.fxe5 Qf2+
63.Rd5+ (63.Kxe8 h4=) 63...Kf4 a4 28.Bd1 f6 29.Nf3 Rfd8 30.Rc7?!
38.Bg2 (38.Kh1 Qxg3 39.Bg2 Qxe5)
Bf7?! 31.a3?! Nd7 32.Rac1 Nf8
64.Kxe8 h4=] 62...Rd3+ 63.Kc6 38...Qxg3+ 39.Kh1 Qxe5 40.Rd2]
33.Kf1?! Ne6 34.Ra7 Ra8 35.Rxa8
Rc3+ 64.Kd5 Rc8 65.e8Q Rxe8 36...d3 37.Bg2 Kg8!↑ Black is on the Rxa8 36.Ke1 Nf4?! 37.Kd2 Rd8
66.Rxe8 KR-KP 66...Kf4 67.Rh8 roll. 38.f4 Nd7 39.Re1 Qc5 Wards
38.h4 Be6 39.g5 fxg5 40.Nxg5 Bd7
Kg4 68.Ke4 Rg8+ would kill now. off Nf5 [39...Kh8!] 40.Re3!= Threat-
41.Rc5? h6 42.Nf3 Be8 43.Ne5?!
68...h4 69.Rg8+ Kh3 70.Kf3 ens to win with Rxd3. 40...Qd6
Rd6? 44.Bg4 h5 45.Bf5?! Kf8?
[70.Kf4 Kh2 71.Kf3 Kh3 72.Rh8 [40...Qd4=] 41.Rce1 [41.Nf5 Bxf5
46.Rc8 Ke7 47.Rc7+! Kf8 48.Rc8
Kh2 73.Rxh4+ Kg1 74.Rh8 Kf1 42.Rxc4] 41...Kh8 [41...Rge7!] Ke7 49.Nf3? b4 50.axb4 g6! 51.e5
75.Rh1#] 70...Kh2 71.Rh8 [71.Rd8 42.Nf3 [42.Qc3!=] 42...Reg8 43.Nh4
Rb6! 52.Be4 Rxb4 53.Kc2 Bb5?
Kh1 72.Rh8 h3 73.Rxh3+ Kg1 Qd4 44.Nf3 Qc5 45.Nh4 Qh5 54.Rc7+ Ke8 55.Rc8+ Ke7 56.Rc7+
74.Rh8 Kf1 75.Rh1#] 71...h3 [45...Qd6] 46.Qc3? [46.Nf5!= and
Ke8 57.Ng5? Rb3! 58.e6 Bxd3+
72.Kf2 Kh1 73.Rxh3# Weighted White has nothing to worry.]
59.Bxd3 Nxd3 60.Ne4 Nb4+! 61.Kc1
Error Value: White=0.29 (precise) / 46...Nc5? [Black should play
Re3?
Black=0.30. Loses game: --- 46...Qxh4!-+ 47.gxh4 Rxg2+ 48.Kh1
Black=1 Mistake: White=4 Black=7 d2] 47.Nf5= Qf7 48.Nxg7+- Qxg7
49.Qd4? [Better is 49.f5+- Na4
Inaccurate: White=8 Black=2 OK:
50.Qb4] 49...Qe7= And now ...Rd8
White=16 Black=21 Best: White=1
would win. 50.f5 [50.Ra1] 50...Rd8
Black=2 Brilliant: White=1 --- 1-0
51.Qc3 d2 52.fxe6 [52.Rd1? Na4-+]
52...dxe1Q [52...d1N? 53.Rxd1
Wang,T. (2347) (53.Qxc4 Nxe3 54.Rxe3 Qd6+-)
21 53...Rxd1 54.Rf3 (54.Qxc4 Rd2+-)
Wang,J. (2512) 54...Nxe6 55.Rxf6+- (55.Qxf6+?
Qxf6 56.Rxf6 c3-+ Promotion) ]
1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 dxc4 4.Qa4+ 53.Rxe1 Qxe6 aiming for ...Rd3.
Nd7 5.Qxc4 a6 6.Qc2 Ngf6 7.Nf3 c5 54.Rc1 Nd3 [54...Nxe4? 55.Bxe4
8.Nc3 Qc7 A13: English Opening: (55.Qxc4 Qxc4 56.Rxc4 f5=) 55...h5
1...e6. 9.d4 b5 10.Bf4 Qa7 The posi- 56.Bg2+- (56.Qxc4 Rd2+ 57.Bg2
tion is equal. 11.d5! Nxd5 12.Nxd5 Qxc4+-) ] 55.Qxc4 Qxc4 56.Rxc4
exd5 13.a4 b4 14.Nh4N [14.e4! d4 Rb8 [56...Ne1= remains equal. 61...Re3 62.Nd6+ Kf8 63.Rf7+ Kg8
15.0-0; Predecessor: 14.0-0 Be7 57.Rc1 Nxg2 58.Kxg2 Rd2+ 59.Kf3 64.e7 Nd3+ 65.Kc2 Ne1+ 66.Kd1
15.Ne5 Nxe5 16.Bxe5 f6 17.Bxd5 Rxb2] 57.Rc6 Nxb2 58.Rb6! Re8 Nd3 67.Rf8+ Kg7 68.e8R] 62.Nd6+!
fxe5 18.Qe4 Rb8 19.Qxe5 Qb6 [But not 58...Rxb6? 59.axb6 Kg7 Kf8 63.Rf7+! Kg8 64.e7 Game may
20.Rfd1 0-1 Schlosser,P (2498)- 60.b7+-] 59.Rxb3 Nc4 60.Rf3 have continued...[64.e7 Nd3+
Raupp,T (2283) Bodensee op Bre- Weighted Error Value: White=0.39/ 65.Kc2 Ne1+ 66.Kd1 Nd3 67.Rf8+
genz 2022 (4)] 14...Nf6 15.0-0 Be6 Black=0.42. Loses game: White=1 Kg7 68.e8R Nxb2+ 3.86/0 ] 1-0
[15...Be7] 16.Nf5 [16.e4= d4 17.b3]

28
 1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 8.Bd3 Nb6 9.Nge2 Nh5 10.Bxe7
Brodsky,D. (2590) Nbd7 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bf4 Qxe7 11.h3 g6 12.0-0-0 Ng7 13.g4
23
Dudin,G. (2587) Nb6 8.Qd2? Bd6 9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.e3 Bd7 14.Kb1 0-0-0 15.Qb3 h5
0-0?! 11.Bd3 Be6 12.a3 c6 13.b4? a5
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 14.Rb1?! axb4 15.axb4 Nbd7?! [#]
Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.b4?! Be7 7.e5 d5?! Game may have continued...
8.exf6 Bxf6 9.b5! Nb4? 10.Qe2+?! [15...Nbd7 16.b5 c5 17.dxc5 Nxc5
Be6! 11.Ba3? c5 12.bxc6!! Nxc6 18.0-0 Rfc8 19.Bc2 Bg4 -0.20/0 ]
13.Bb5 dxc3 14.0-0! Qa5?! 15.Ne5?! 1-0
a6 16.Bxc6+ bxc6 17.Bd6? d4!
18.Nd3?! Ra7? 19.Nc5 Qd8 20.Nxe6 25 Juksta,K.
Qxd6 21.Nxg7+ Kd8? 22.Nf5 d3?
23.Qe3 Qd7 24.Qc5?? Re8 25.Nxc3 Rodrigue-Lemieux,S.
Bxc3 26.Rad1 Be5?! 27.Ne3? Rb7?
28.Qc4 d2 29.Qxa6 Rb5?! 30.a4! 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3
Rb2? Bb4 D38 Queen's Gambit Declined:
Ragozin Defense 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6
Qxf6 7.e3 0-0 8.Rc1 dxc4 9.Bxc4 c5
10.0-0 cxd4 11.Ne4 Qe7 12.a3 Ba5
13.exd4 Rd8 14.Rc2 Bd7 15.Re2 Bc6 16.a4 hxg4 17.a5 Nc4 18.Bxc4 dxc4
16.Qc2 Bb6 17.Rfe1? [17.Rd1; 19.Qxc4 gxh3 20.d5 *
17.Rfe1 Bxd4] 17...Bxe4

Young,A. (2435)
27
Van Wely,L. (2580)
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.d4 c6
5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 Qb6
8.Qc1 h6 9.h3 Nbd7 10.Be2 a5
11.a3 Be7 12.Bh2 0-0 13.0-0 Rfe8
14.Ne5 Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Nh7 16.Bd1
31.Nc4! Rc2 32.Nxd2!! Bd4 33.Nf3 Qa7 17.g4 Bd3 18.Re1 Bh4 19.Bc2
c5 34.Nxd4 cxd4 35.Qf6+ Game Bxc2 20.Qxc2 Ng5 21.Kg2 b5
may have continued...[35.Qf6+ Kc8 22.Rg1 Qd7 23.Qd3 Re7 24.Rae1
36.Rxd4 Re6 37.Qh4 Qe8 38.Qg4 Rae8 25.Re2 Ne6 26.Bh2 Nf8 27.Qf5
Rc5 39.Rb4 5.68/0 ] 1-0 Re6 28.Rc2 Ng6 29.Ne2 Qe7 30.Nf4
Nxf4+ 31.Qxf4 Rc8 32.Rgc1 Rf6
Beradze,I. (2591) 18 .Rxe4 Qf8 19.Rxe6 ?! Nc6 33.Qe5 Qd7 34.Bg3 Bg5 35.h4 Re6
24 20.Rxc6!! bxc6 21.Ne5! Re8 22.Re4 36.Qf5 Bf6 37.g5 g6 38.Qf4 hxg5
Escalante,B. (2578) Rxe5 23.dxe5 Kh8?! 24.Rf4 Qc5 39.hxg5 Bg7 40.Qg4 Qe8 41.Rh1
25.Rf5 Qa5 26.g3 Qe1+ 27.Kg2 Re8 Re4 42.Qh3 Qe6 43.Qxe6 Rxe6
28.Rxf7 Qxe5 29.Qg6 Qg5 30.Rxg7 44.Rhc1 Bf8 45.Be5 Be7 46.f4 Kf8
Qxg6 31.Rxg6 Rd8 32.Rxh6+ Kg7 47.Rh1 Ke8 48.Rh8+ Kd7 49.Rh7
33.Re6 Rd4 34.b3 Unterminated Rf8 50.Kf3 Bd6 51.e4 dxe4+
Game may have continued...[34.b3 52.Kxe4 Bxe5 53.fxe5 Ke7 54.Rf2
Rd2 35.Re2 Rxe2 36.Bxe2 Bc5 37.a4 Ke8 55.b3 Ke7 56.a4 b4 57.Rf1 Ke8
Bd6 38.Bd3 5.66/0 ] 1-0 58.Rh2 Ke7 59.Rhf2 Ke8 60.Rf3 Ke7
61.Rh3 Kd7 62.Rh7 Ke7 63.Rf2 Ke8
K 64.Rc2 Ke7 65.d5 cxd5+ 66.Kd4
Ra6 67.Rc7+ Ke6 68.Rh1 Kf5
69.Rf1+ Kxg5 70.Rcxf7 Rxf7
71.Rxf7 Rc6 72.Rf1 Rc3 73.e6 Rc2
Santiago,Y. (2466) 74.Re1 Rc8 75.e7 Re8 76.Kxd5 Kf6
26 77.Kd6 Kf7 78.Kd7 1-0
Vajda,L. (2601)

After 15...Nbd7?!
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5
exd5 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Qc2 c6
KQRLNP
29
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LATE FEBRUARY 2024 MARCH 2024
Feb 15-19 - 15th Annual Southwest Class Championships Mar 1-3 - $2,000 March FIDE
Info: https://new.uschess.org/15th-annual-southwest-class-championships Info: https://new.uschess.org/2000-march-fide

Feb 17 - 2024 Region V Scholastic Championships Mar 1-3 - North Texas State Scholastic Championships
Info: https://new.uschess.org/tca-region-v-scholastic-hosted-chess-refinery Info: https://new.uschess.org/2024-northcentral-texas-state-scholastic-
championships
Feb 17 - 2024 Region VI Scholastic Championships
Info: https://completechesseducation.com/event/region-vi-2024/ Mar 2 - ACC USCF rated G/90 Standard Swiss
Info: https://www.austinchesstournaments.com/acc-g-24-march-2024/
Feb 17 - ACC USCF rated G/90 Standard Swiss
Info: https://www.austinchesstournaments.com/acc-g90-february-2024/ Mar 8-10 - Lone Star Open
Info: https://new.uschess.org/2024-lone-star-open
Feb 17 - HCC: Saturday Swiss
Info: https://new.uschess.org/saturday-swiss-feb-17 Mar 9 - 2024 March Scholastic at the Chess Studio Championship
Info: https://new.uschess.org/march-9th-scholastic
Feb 18 - HCC: Sunday Swiss
Info: https://new.uschess.org/sunday-swiss-feb-18-2024 Mar 9 - Many Springs 132
Info: https://new.uschess.org/many-springs-132
Feb 18 - Southwest Class Blitz Championship
Info: https://new.uschess.org/southwest-class-blitz-championship Mar 15-17 - South Texas State Scholastic Championships
Info: https://www.utrgv.edu/chess/
Feb 20 - Mardi Quads
Info: https://new.uschess.org/mardi-quads-17 Mar 16-17 - 2024 Texas Senior Chess Championship
Info: https://arlingtonchess.com/senior
Feb 21 - Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy Monthly Quad Tournament
Info: https://new.uschess.org/1st-agca-quads-tournament Mar 16 - Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy Open USCF Rated Tournament
Info: https://www.austinchesstournaments.com/austin-grandmaster-chess-academy-
Feb 24 - 2024 Region VII Scholastic Championship tournament-march-2024/
Info: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyVsLzpvvStp8VJwHiBIbIM6adEa-
87nMdi8tmvmlVvLd9XA/viewform Mar 16 - Texas Spring Championships 2024
Info: https://new.uschess.org/texas-spring-championships-2024
Feb 24 - ACC USCF rated G/90 Standard Swiss
Info: https://www.austinchesstournaments.com/acc-g90-february-2024/ Mar 16 - Waco March 16 Swiss
Info: https://new.uschess.org/waco-march-16-swiss
Feb 24 - Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy February Scholastic
Info: https://www.austinchesstournaments.com/austin-grandmaster-chess-academy- Mar 19 - Mardi Quads
scholastic-february-2024/ Info: https://new.uschess.org/mardi-quads-17

Feb 24 - Austin Monthly Scholastic – G/30 Sections Mar 23 - Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy March Scholastic
Info: https://www.austinchesstournaments.com/aca-austin-monthly-scholastic- Info: https://www.austinchesstournaments.com/austin-grandmaster-chess-academy-
tournament-february-2024-g30/ scholastic-march-2024/

Feb 24 - Austin Monthly Scholastic – G/45 Sections Mar 30 - K-12 SpringScholastic Chess Tournament
Info: https://www.austinchesstournaments.com/aca-austin-monthly-scholastic- Info: https://chesschallenge.us/tournaments/index.php?
tournament-february-2024-g45/ view=zNTizdLa&tid=m6Geng==

Feb 24 - Many Springs 131 Mar 30 - West Texas ’24 March Open
Info: https://new.uschess.org/many-springs-131 Info: https://new.uschess.org/west-texas-24-march-open

Feb 24 - Poison Pawn Saturday Swiss

Info: https://new.uschess.org/saturday-swiss-feb-24th-noon EARLY APRIL 2024
Feb 24 - West Texas ’24 February Open
Info: https://new.uschess.org/west-texas-24-february-open Apr 5-7 - 2024 April Houston Chess Studio Championship
Info: https://poisonpawns.club/
Feb 25 - Poison Pawn Sunday Swiss
Info: https://new.uschess.org/sunday-swiss-feb-25-2024-1pm Apr 13 - 2024 April Scholastic at the Chess Studio Championship
Info: https://poisonpawns.club/

Apr 13 - 2024 Spring NYOS Scholastic Chess Tournament

Info: https://www.austinchesstournaments.com/2024-spring-nyos-scholastic-chess-
tournament/

Apr 13 - Open Section at the 2024 Spring NYOS Scholastic Chess Tournament
Info: https://www.austinchesstournaments.com/open-section-at-the-2024-spring-
nyos-scholastic-chess-tournament/

WEEKLY EVENTS
RCC Weekly Quads (rated U1200) TCC PLANO Swiss Tournament
Feb 16, 23; Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Apr 5, 12 Feb 17, 24; Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Apr 6, 13
Info: https://new.uschess.org/rebecca-chess-club-monthly-swiss-over-1200-and- Info: https://new.uschess.org/plano-swiss-texas-chess-center
weekly-quads-under-1200
Feb 2024 Tue Night Swiss
RCC Monthly Swiss (rated 1200+) Feb 20, 27
Feb 16, 23; Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Apr 5, 12 Info: https://new.uschess.org/jan-2024-tue-night-swiss
Info: https://www.rebeccachess.com/otb.html
Poison Pawns Weekly Chess Meetup at Slowpokes
TCC Irving: Texas Swiss Tournament Feb 21, 28; Mar 6, 13, 20, 27; Apr 3, 10
Feb 17, 24; Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Apr 6, 13 Info: https://poisonpawns.club/
Info: https://www.texaschesscenter.com/store/p/irvingswiss

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 2024 Texas North/Central State Scholastic
Chess Championships
March 1 - 3 2024
Houston Marriott Westchase
2900 Briarpark Drive, Houston Texas, 77042. $139,$139,$139,$139 rate includes American
Breakfast Buffet. Register online thru link on webpage or call 1-800-452-5110 to make
reservations mention group code TCCA

Reserve by 2/13/2024 or rate may not be honored.

7 round Swiss System (No Elimination)

Four championships: TX North/Central Primary Championships; TX North/Central Elementary

Championships; TX North/Central Middle School Championships; TX North/Central High School
Championships. Eleven Sections total.

Entry Fee is $44 by 2/4; $55 by 2/26; $73 after and on site.

John W. Griffin Memorial Chess Scholarship Award sponsored by JWG Memorial Scholarship Fund
awarded to the winner of the High School Championship for $1,200.

Texas Chess Association Scholarship Awards will go to the top five players and top girl in the HS
Championship Section as follows: 1st Place - $600 scholarship, 2nd Place - $500 scholarship,
3rd Place - $500 scholarship, 4th Place - $500 scholarship, 5th Place - $500 scholarship, 1st
Place Girl - $500 scholarship.

Trophies for top 15 individuals and top 10 teams in each section plus participation medals for
all, and plus Score Awards for players scoring 4 or more points that do not win an individual
trophy.

Side Events:
Blitz - Saturday Night 7 pm

Bughouse - Saturday Night 8:30 pm

TCA - Texas Chess Association meeting Saturday 8:35 pm

For tournament info, visit www.dallaschess.com and click the “banner” in the middle of the page
to go to web page

contact Barbara Swafford, info@dallaschess.com or 214-533-0061 with questions.

Houston Marriot Westchase: www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/houwm-houston-marriott-

westchase/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2

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 Texas Chess Association
2709 Longhorn Trail
Crowley, TX 76036-4719
©

Answer on
Tactics Time! page 18

S. Rodigue – M. Moore
Texas Collegiate 2023
White to Move