2020 Chessexpress Player of the Year

 While there has not been a lot of chess activity in 2020 (for obvious reasons), there was still enough for me to select the 2020 Chessexpress Player of the Year. 

The most significant tournament of the year turned out to be the 2020 Australian Chess Championship, hosted by the St George Chess Club. A number of strong young players took part, and one of these players, GM Temur Kuybokarov, was a well deserved winner. He then shifted to the online word, playing for Australia in both the Online Olympiad, and more significantly, as part of the team that won the Asian Online Cup. He also made significant contributions to chess in Western Australia in 2020, and so for all these achievements, GM Temur Kuybokarov is the 2020 Chessexpress player of the year.

Megaranto,Susanto (2517) - Kuybokarov,Temur (2134) [A00]
Asian Nations (Regions) Men Online Cup 2 Chess.com (2.4), 23.10.2020

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Be2 c5 7. dxc5 Qa5 8. Nd2 Qxc5 9. Nb3 Qb6 10. Nb5 Ne8 11. Qxd5 Bxb2 12. Rb1 Bg7 13. O-O Nc6 14. Qc5 Bf5 15. Bd3 Bxd3 16. cxd3 Qd8 17. d4 a6 18. Nc3 Rc8 19. Nd5 Nf6 20. Nxf6+ Bxf6 21. Qa3 e5 22. dxe5 Bxe5 23. Rfd1 Qh4 24. Bg3 Bxg3 25. hxg3 Qh5 26. Nc5 Ne5 27. Nd7 Ng4 28. Qa4 f5 29. Rxb7 Rf7 30. Qb3 Qh2+ 31. Kf1 Qh1+ 32. Ke2 Qxg2 33. Rf1 Kg7 34. Nc5 Rxb7 35. Nxb7 Re8 36. Ke1 Nh2 37. Qc3+ Kh6 0-1

1.a3 strikes again

 The opening move 1.a3 is a much underrated weapon, and continues to claim victims. While I have often used it to play a reverse Scotch system, John Michas used it to claim space on the queenside, playing it as a delayed Solkosky. In fact the position he achieved by move 23 was so good that he missed a couple of quicker wins, but still had enough up his sleave to win the double rook ending.

Michas,John (1755) - Wilson,Norm (1450) [A00]
2020/AUS/5242 (AUS) ICCF, 30.11.2020

1. a3 Nf6 2. b4 d5 3. Bb2 c6 4. Nf3 e6 5. e3 Be7 6. c4 Nbd7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. d4 Qc7 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bd3 Re8 11. O-O h6 12. b5 c5 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Bc2 b6 15. a4 Bb7 16. Nd4 Rad8 17. Nce2 Nce4 18. Qd3 Nc5 19. Qd1 Nfe4 20. Nf5 Bf6 21. Ned4 Nd6 22. Nxd6 Qxd6 23. a5 Ne6 24. Qd3 Nxd4 25. Bxd4 Bxd4 26. Qxd4 Qe5 27. Qxe5 Rxe5 28. Rfd1 Kf8 29. Rd4 Rc8 30. axb6 Rxc2 31. bxa7 Ke7 32. a8Q Bxa8 33. Ra7+ Kf6 34. Rf4+ Kg6 35. Kf1 Re8 36. Rfxf7 Rg8 37. b6 Rb2 38. b7 Bxb7 39. Rfxb7 Rc2 40. Rd7 Rc5 41. Ra6+ Kf5 42. f3 g6 43. h4 h5 44. Rdd6 Rg7 45. Rf6+ Ke5 46. Rae6# 1-0

I feel like Homer Simpson

 FIDE have just (re)announced amended regulations for next years World Cup, which is likely to be held in Sochi, Russia. The event has been expanded to 206 players, with each country in the top hundred (based on rating) getting to nominate a player. Previously, this was the teams that finished in the top 100 at the 2020 Olympiad, but this has obviously needed to be changed. There is also players qualifying from zonals and continental championships, as well as players qualifying by rating.  

The other change is that the top 50 players get seeded into the second round, with 156 players playing the first round. There are also similar changes to the Women's World Cup, although the smaller size of the event (103 players) means that only the top 39 countries (by rating) will get to nominate a player directly.

The full details and regulations can be found here

Currently +1

 The last big event of 2020 (or the first of 2021) is the Airthings Masters which is being played online on chess24.com. The format is a 12 player RR, with the top 8 players then going through to a KO final. Currently there is a 6 way tie for the lead in the qualifier, with 4.5/8 (+1) being enough for a share of equal first. The reason for such caution has a lot to do with the format, as +1 or even 50% should be enough to get the players through to the next round. Nonetheless there has been some interesting games, including this quick win for Wesley So against Anish Giri.

Giri,Anish (2731) - So,Wesley (2741) [A14]
Airthings Masters | Prelims chess24.com (3.4), 26.12.2020

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. b3 c5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. Bb2 Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Qc7 11. Qb1 e5 12. e3 f5 13. Rc1 Be6 14. Qb2 Bf6 15. Ne1 Rad8 16. d3 Bd5 17. b4 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 cxb4 19. Bxb4 Rf7 20. Bc3 f4 21. exf4 exf4 22. Rab1 Bxc3 23. Qxc3 Qd7 24. Qc5 Nd4 25. Rc4 f3+ 0-1

The Game of Death Part II

 While I haven't quite solved my computer problems (and they may be more widespread than just Chessbase), I did manage to get a copy of the game I was searching more. It was played by Max Euwe in the 1950 Luzern Christmas Tournament, and while a nice game, I only chose it due to it's proximity to Christmas. 

Kaliwoda,Kurt - Euwe,Max [C96]
Luzern Christmas 5051 4th Luzern (1), 26.12.1950

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 cxd4 12. cxd4 Qc7 13. b3 Nc6 14. Bb2 Nb4 15. Bd3 Nxd3 16. Qxd3 d5 17. Nbd2 Bb7 18. exd5 exd4 19. Nxd4 Nxd5 20. Rac1 Qb6 21. Ne4 Qg6 22. Qg3 Bb4 23. Qxg6 hxg6 24. Red1 Nf4 25. f3 Bxe4 26. fxe4 Rfe8 27. Rc6 Rxe4 28. Kf1 Rae8 0-1

The Game of Death Part I

 As it is Christmas Day, I had hoped to choose a game with a Christmas connection to show you. Unfortunately, the game I planned to show you keep crashing my copy of Chessbase. As a result this post has now turned into story about how I am checking my database for errors, and hopefully repairing the data that I have. If successful, then there will be a part II tomorrow, where I actually show you the game.

Sac rook, get rook

 I have just finished another stint as an online arbiter, this time for the 2020 World Youth and Cadets. When mentioning this someone the other day, they asked me who were the winners. "No idea" was my very honest reply. In fact this is quite common for me, especially in events where I am not the chief arbiter.

The main reason is that I am focussed on my role supervising players, and less on the tournament results. However, I do get to see some interesting games in greater detail than I would if I was busy collecting results etc, including this one from the 3rd place playoff of the Under 10's Championship. 

White gets a strong attack against the Sicilian, and decides to sacrifice a rook to expose the king. Black looks like he is faced with mate, but is able to sac one of his rooks to force the exchange of queens, at which time it is almost equal. However White has an extra pawn on the kingside and this turns out to be the decisive feature. 

Mrinmoy,Rajkhowa (1547) - Woodward,Andy (1975) [B90]
FIDE World Youth Rapid Champ - Finals - (12.2), 19.12.2020

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3 h5 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. O-O-O Be7 11. Kb1 Rc8 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. exd5 Bf5 14. Bd3 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Bg5 16. Bf2 Qc7 17. h4 Bf4 18. g3 Bh6 19. g4 Bf4 20. Rhg1 g6 21. gxh5 Rxh5 22. Rxg6 fxg6 23. Qxg6+ Kf8 24. Rg1 Qxc2+ 25. Qxc2 Rxc2 26. Kxc2 Nf6 27. Na5 Rh7 28. Nc4 Rc7 29. Kb3 Rd7 30. Nxd6 Rxd6 31. Bc5 Ne8 32. Rg6 Ke7 33. h5 b6 34. Bxd6+ Nxd6 35. h6 e4 36. h7 Nf7 37. Rg7 e3 38. h8Q e2 39. Qh4+ Kd6 40. Qxf4+ Ne5 41. Qxe5+ Kxe5 42. Re7+ Kxd5 43. Rxe2 Kc5 44. f4 a5 45. f5 b5 46. f6 a4+ 47. Kc2 b4 48. f7 Kc4 49. Re4+ Kd5 50. Rxb4 a3 51. bxa3 Kc6 52. f8Q Kd5 53. Qd8+ Ke6 54. Rb6+ Kf5 55. Qd5+ Kg4 56. Rb4+ Kg3 57. Qd3+ 1-0

Chess with dogs

 The 1973 version of "The Three Musketeers" pooped up on tv the other day. I vaguely remember watching it as a child, but not too closely, as I missed the outdoor chess scene in it. Here is a (not great) clip from the movie, showing that the pieces were in fact various animals. So the challenge was not only to play good moves, but to choose pieces who were able to "stay" on the correct square.

Into the sunlight

With most chess activity for 2020 taking place online, the question of whether this helps or hurts chess development is still to be answered. However, as chess emerges into the sunlight (in the form of OTB tournaments), it is likely that an answer is not long off. 

One OTB with interesting results was the 2020 Brisbane Xmas swiss which was held last weekend. 12th seed Byron Morris (1482) finished in 1st place, beating seeds 3 and 1 in the last 2 rounds to finish on 5.5/6. In equal 2nd was Benjamin Leong (1426) who was seeded 16th in the tournament. 

Further south, a number of juniors who performed well in online events have carried their good form into the Melbourne Chess Club Allegro, showing that improving during lockdown is quite feasible. Although the data points are pretty small at this stage, I suspect that there will be number of young players who will see quick rating jumps (from OTB chess), as the OTB system catches up with their online improvement.

2020 ACT Rapidplay Championship

 Fred Litchfield has won the 2020 ACT Rapidplay Championship, ahead of FM Michael Kethro on countback, after they both finished on 6/7. They drew their game against each, and both players also drew with CM Hui Li. Li conceded a third draw to WFM Alana Chibnall to finish on 5.5.

The event attracted a record field of 44 players, including a group who had travelled from Wollongong (a three hour drive!) . The Under 1800 prize was shared between Glenn Ingham and Harry Johnson, while Jack Zhuang won the Under 1400 prize. Joshua Lee and Lachlan Ho split the junior prize. With such a large field the final placings mainly depended on the results in the final round, and a number of players were a little unlucky to miss out on prizes. 

The ACT Rapid is the final ACT Chess Association event of the year. The ACTCA Calendar for 2021 will begin the the ACT  Lightning Championship, which is scheduled for the 2nd February 2021, to be hosted by the Gungahlin Chess Club. 

New wine, old bottle

 The oft repeated criticism of the old masters is that their attacks only succeeded because their opponents did not defend accurately. While this may be so, Daniil Dubov demonstrated that even against a modern GM, the old ways can still work.

 

Dubov,Daniil (2702) - Karjakin,Sergey (2752) [C54]
Russian Championship Superfinal Moscow (11.1), 16.12.2020

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. b4 Bb6 7. e5 Ne4 8. Bd5 Nxc3 9. Nxc3 dxc3 10. Bg5 Ne7 11. O-O h6 12. Bh4 O-O 13. Re1 Qe8 14. Bb3 a5 15. Bf6 a4 16. Bc4 Ng6 17. Qd3 d5 18. exd6 Be6 19. Qxg6 fxg6 20. Rxe6 Qf7 21. Bxc3 Kh8 22. Re4 Qf5 23. Re7 Rg8 24. Bxg8 Rxg8 25. dxc7 Qc2 26. Be5 Bxf2+ 27. Kh1 Bb6 28. h3 Kh7 29. Re1 a3 30. Kh2 g5 31. Nd4 Qc4 32. Nf5 Qxb4 33. Rc1 Kg6 34. Rxg7+ Kxf5 35. Rxg8 Bxc7 36. Bxc7 Qb2 37. Rc5+ Ke4 38. Rd8 1-0

I continue to surprise myself

 A lot of my opening choices, and opening knowledge is pretty poor. Even in openings I should know well, I often make big mistakes. So when I follow theory (even unintentionally) it comes as a pleasant surprise. 

The following game was played in an online rapid event this evening. While I basically remember some Najdorf theory, by knowledge of the Poisoned Pawn variation was restricted to a few games in the 1970's by Fischer and others. As it turns out the game was theory up until move 23 (according to my opponent) which came as a shock to me in the post mortem. While I hold out hope that I may remember more about openings than I realise, it is probably the fact that most of the moves were fairly obvious that is the real truth here.

shaunpress (1765) - chesslani123 (1829) [B97]
Live Chess Chess.com, 16.12.2020

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4 Qb6 9. Qd2 Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3 11. e5 dxe5 12. fxe5 Nd5 13. Nxd5 exd5 14. e6 Bxe6 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Bd3 Be7 17. Bg6+ Kd8 18. Bxe7+ Qxe7 19. O-O Nd7 20. Rxb7 Qc5+ 21. Kh1 Rb8 22. Rxb8+ Nxb8 23. Qf4 Nd7 24. Qh4+ Kc7 25. Rf7 Rf8 26. Qf4+ e5 27. Qxe5+ Kc8 28. Qxg7 1/2-1/2

Being part of the in crowd

 One regular piece of advice I give to new players is "keep coming back". This is usually the punchline to a long a boring story I tell about how I lost my first 8 competition games etc etc 

But one good reason for coming back even after a few losses has less to do with self improvement, and more to do with social acceptance. When you first start playing competition chess, a lot of the social norms aren't always obvious. And as a newcomer, this can make you feel like an outsider. This isn't intentional, but happens with most social groups (not just chess ones). So by sticking at it for more than one week, you can both pick up the social cues from the group, as well has become one of the 'regulars' which often helps when getting advice or simply asking non-obvious (to you) questions.

  

Anti - Pirc

 While I was never enough of a fan to play the Pirc as Black, I do acknowledge that it is still a difficult opening to face as White. The Austrian Attack would be my usual approach to playing against it, but I have been burnt by over extending in the centre and getting wiped out by the counter attack. Maybe I should try an play it like this ...

Bulgankhan ,Ganzorig - Gholami Orimi,Mahdi [A43]
World Youth, 09.12.2020

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bd3 c5 7. d5 b5 8. e5 dxe5 9. fxe5 Ng4 10. Bxb5 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. O-O Qc7 13. h3 Nd7 14. Bh6 Rd8 15. Qf3 Bd4+ 16. Kh1 Ne5 17. d6 exd6 18. Qxa8 Bb7 19. Nd5 Rxa8 20. Nxc7 Rc8 21. c3 Rxc7 22. cxd4 cxd4 23. Rac1 Re7 24. Bg5 Re6 25. Rc7 Bd5 26. Bf6 Rxf6 27. Rxf6 Be6 28. Rf4 1-0

A modest haul

 The 2nd Lifeline Bookfair of 2020 was a little smaller than usual, but I was still able to pick up some books, and some other chess related items. The oddest one was a small wooden board and box, which had a board with holes to slot pieces in. I had hoped the pieces were wood, but instead were plastic. The great feature was that painted board had the white square in the wrong corner, which if it were a stamp, would make it valuable, but in this case, just makes it wrong.

I also picked up yet another vintage chess computer, this time a Tandy 1600. Now that my collection has reached double figures, it might even be time to start taking this aspect of my chess collection a little more seriously.  

ACT Rapidplay Championship

 The ACT Chess Association is holding its traditional end of year event, the ACT Rapidplay Championship, on the 19th December 2020. It will be held in City Walk, Canberra City from 11am, and as usual, a large entry is expected. Entry fee is $10 ($5 for juniors) and there is usually around $300 in prizes. This event will also be FIDE rated, for the first time.

With the following Saturday being Boxing Day, I will be asked whether Street Chess is being run that day. The answer is 'Of course it is'. So instead of trampling your fellow shoppers, come along to Street Chess instead, and work off that Christmas excess.

A useful trick to know

 The European zone of the World Youth and Cadets Online event is significantly stronger than the other zones. The Under 18's has 4 GM's taking part, while the Under 16's has 1 GM and a number of IM's. As a result there have been a number of hard fought games in the early rounds, including the one below. While Black maintained a small edge for most of the middlegame, White missed a nice trick on move 38, and instead of regaining a piece, popped a rook istead.

Garrido Outon,Alex - Kacharava,Nikolozi [B11]
Word Youth Chess.com, 08.12.2020

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. h3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 e6 6. Qg3 Nd7 7. d3 g6 8. Be2 Bg7 9. O-O Ne7 10. f4 O-O 11. Kh1 b5 12. Bf3 b4 13. Ne2 Nc5 14. Qf2 Na4 15. Rb1 Qd6 16. b3 Nc3 17. Nxc3 Bxc3 18. Be3 Qd7 19. g4 Rad8 20. Rbd1 a5 21. Bc5 f6 22. h4 Rf7 23. h5 g5 24. fxg5 fxg5 25. Qg3 Rdf8 26. Be3 h6 27. e5 Qc7 28. d4 c5 29. dxc5 Bxe5 30. Qg2 Bf4 31. Bg1 Nc6 32. Qe2 Qe7 33. Rde1 Ne5 34. Bd4 Nxf3 35. Rxf3 e5 36. Bxe5 Bxe5 37. Rxf7 Rxf7 38. Qxe5 Rf1+ 39. Kg2 Rxe1 40. Qxd5+ Qe6 41. Qd8+ Kg7 42. Qc7+ Qe7 0-1

FIDE Congress 2020

 The 2020 FIDE General Assembly is being held online, for the first time.  While managing over 180 delegates in a zoom call may be difficult, previous 'in person' assembly's haven't seen a lot of talking by delegates, so this one may be easier to run than it first appears.

There are only a few contentious motions, although one may generate a lot of debate. The Iranian Chess Federation is being taken to task over the refusal of Iranian players to play Israeli players in tournaments, and unless the Federation does something about this, then they may be suspended by FIDE.

A slightly less contentious motion is to restrict national delegates to citizens or residents of the country they represent. PNG plan to support this motion, even when we thought it would exclude me as the FIDE delegate (as I am not a citizen and have not lived there since 1977), but a last minute amendment now also allows players who have played under the nations flag for at least 2 years to also become eligible.

While the public cannot participate in the congress, you can follow it live at https://youtu.be/2lxqCLoFKKY Be warned, it starts at 1am Canberra time, and may not finish until the sun comes up in the morning.

World Youth and Cadets - Americas

 The second qualifying zone of the 2020 Online World Youth and Cadets has finished, leaving 2 more to go. The Americas zone (covering North and South America and the Caribbean) was larger than the African zone, but once again ran pretty smoothly. The players quickly adapted to playing online chess in a remotely supervised way, and apart from some small technical issues, there were few problems.

The next zone is the European Zone on Monday (Tuesday morning for me) and this should be the real test, with 567 players currently registered. The links to all the tournaments, including replayable games through Tornelo can be found here. 

Talukdar,Rohan - Angel Soto,Miguel [D04]
Word Youth Chess.com, 25.11.2020

1. b3 d5 2. Bb2 Bg4 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nd2 g6 5. Ngf3 Bg7 6. e3 O-O 7. h3 Bf5 8. c4 c6 9. Be2 Ne4 10. O-O h5 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. Nd2 Bf5 13. Bf3 Na6 14. a3 Rc8 15. Qe2 Nc5 16. Rfd1 Ne4 17. Bxe4 Bxe4 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. d5 Bxb2 20. Qxb2 Qb6 21. dxc6 Qxc6 22. Rd4 e6 23. Rad1 b5 24. Qc2 bxc4 25. bxc4 f5 26. Qc3 Rc7 27. Rd8 Rc8 28. R1d7 1-0

Street Chess - known around the world!

 Street Chess has been featured in a very nice article at chessbase.com. It is part of an ongoing series by WIM Alexey Root, on outdoor chess activity around the world. It contains plenty of recent photos, as well as a brief history of the event. If you wish to check it out, you can do so here. 

(**Disclaimer: I was a paid contributor to this article **)

2021 O2C Doeberl Cup - Registrations open

 The 2021 Doeberl Cup website is now live, and you can register for next years event. Apart from the regular tournament information, there is also extra info on social distancing, and covid-safe policies that will be used in the tournament.

If you want to sign up (or just check out what is happening) you can do so at http://www.doeberlcup.com.au/ 

Zoom bombing

 The 2020 FIDE Congress is being held online this year. The commission meetings have just started, and the change of format looks to have resulted in an increased number of participants. On the other hand, the semi-public nature of the meetings has resulted in the "zoom bombing" of the QC meeting, by people looking for fun. This may be a "feature" of all commission meetings over the next week.

4AM Eternal

 The final games of the 2020 World Youth and Cadets (Africa Zone) are just finishing up. For me, this has meant 4 nights of getting to bed between 4am and 6am, but  at least the next zone (Americas) starts at a civilized 10am for me.

Tou can check out all the results (plus preview the other zones) at http://world2020.ge/  

Less games lost this year

 One of the side effects of 2020 is that I seem to have lost less serious games this year than last. If I can recall as far back as March, I think I have only lost one game (to Paul Dunn), although to be fair, I'm pretty sure I've only played about 6 games in total.

In checking my stats for this year, I did come across this game, which came from one of the few Street Chess events I played in 2020.

Press,Shaun - Sun,Marco [C78]
Street Chess (4), 14.03.2020

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. c3 b5 7. Bc2 O-O 8. d4 exd4 9. cxd4 Bb6 10. e5 Nd5 11. Bxh7+ Kxh7 12. Ng5+ Kg6 13. Qd3+ f5 14. exf6+ Kxf6 15. Nh7+ ( 15. Qf3+ Kg6 16. Qe4+ Kf6 17. Nh7+ Kf7 18. Qxd5+ Kg6 19. Nxf8+ Qxf8 ) 15...  Kf7 16. Nxf8 Kxf8 17. Qf3+ Nf6 18. d5 Nd4 19. Qd3 Bb7 20. Nc3 d6 21. Bg5 Qd7 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. Rae1 Re8 24. Qg6 Rxe1 25. Rxe1 Qf7 26. Qh6+ Kg8 27. Ne4 Qf8 28. Qg6+ Kh8 29. Nxf6 1-0

Online Cadets and Youth Rapid

 The next in the 2020 series of online championships, the 2020 Online Cadets and Youth Rapid Championship, starts tomorrow. The event will be run in 10 sections, with Under 18 down to Under 10 age groups, in both Open and Girls divisions. The event starts with qualifiers from each continent (Africa, Europe, Americas and Asia) followed by a 16 player KO final series. Each qualifier is a 7 round swiss, with the top 3 finishers from each qualifier going into the final, along with the 4 highest rated players in that age group.

Most of the qualifiers will be played late evening/ middle of the night Canberra time, so following the tournament will be a little tricky. However, if you do wish to watch, or just keep up to date with the event, you can do so through the tournament website.

(** I am a paid arbiter for this event **)

Before Beth

 With "The Queen's Gambit" still going strong on Netflix, there has been a lot of discussion about women's chess, and whether there was a "real" Beth Harmon. While the general consensus is that Beth Harmon was entirely fictional (or a version of Bobby Fischer), at the time of the books publication, there were already a number of female players making their mark on the male dominated scene.

One player who has been seemingly overlooked in this discussion is Pia Cramling, who had already drawn with a future World Champion as far back as 1976. From the outset her style was significantly more aggressive than the her contemporaries, and her willingness to play high level open events was also a little unusual at the time. Unlike the TV series, her climb to the tip was a little more measured, but she earned the GM title in 1992, and even now she is still one of the top female players in the world.

Kasparov,Garry - Cramling,Pia [C42]
Wch U16 (unofficial) Wattignies (6), 07.1976

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. d3 Nf6 7. Bg5 Nbd7 8. Nc3 Qxe2+ 9. Bxe2 h6 10. Bh4 g6 11. d4 a6 12. O-O-O Bg7 13. Rhe1 O-O 14. Bc4 b5 15. Bd5 Rb8 16. Bc6 Nb6 17. a3 Bb7 18. Bxb7 Rxb7 19. Bxf6 1/2-1/2

Blunder or trap?

 The following opening exchange raises the question of what is the difference between blundering in the opening, or falling for a trap. In the actual game there was in fact a double blunder (as White failed to play the best move). On the other hand, Black's moves seemed plausible, which is what a good trap should exploit. Nonetheless, having a quick look through my database did not find any previous examples, so until this mistake is repeated, I'm going with "blunder"

Jeff_Memes (2066) - Malikoovic (1724) [B27]
Live Chess Chess.com, 25.11.2020

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 b6 3. Nf3 g6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Bc4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 a6 7. Be3 d6 8. Qf3 e6 9. O-O-O Qc7 10. Bb3? ( 10. Ndb5!! axb5 11. Nxb5 Qe7 ( 11... Qxc4 12. Nxd6+ ) 12. Nxd6+ Kf8 13. Nxc8 Qc7 14. Bxe6 Bxb2+ 8.00/0 ) 10...  Nf6 11. Ndb5 axb5 12. Nxb5 Qc6 13. Nxd6+ Ke7 14. g4 Rf8 15. g5 Nfd7 16. Qh3 Be5 17. Nc4 Ba6 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. Bd4 Qxe4 20. Rhe1 Qf4+ 21. Kb1 Nbc6 22. Bxb6 Rfb8 23. Bc5+ Ke8 24. Qxh7 Nd7 25. Qg8+ Jeff_Memes won by resignation ( 25. Qg8+ Nf8 26. Qxf8# ) 1-0

There are no Grandmasters of swimming

 I've been involved in some ongoing discussions concerning the suitability for online events to be rated and award titles with the same status of OTB events. I am in the 'No' camp, although I do know some people who are in the 'Yes' camp. One of my arguments against awarding titles for online events, is that the titles are earned using a different playing format. With online chess it may be possible for a player to score a required win or draw via a mouse slip or an internet disconnection by their opponent, which doesn't occur in face to face chess. As a result, the title may not be earned by skill (for a certain value of skill) but instead by a stroke of luck. And while I recognise that the ability to play the game (in an operational sense) is important, most sports that rely on a difference between the ability to execute (eg swimming, running or even shooting) don't actually award titles. They instead reward participants by medals and prizes, which for online events, seems much more sensible.

Imagine if the World Championship was decided by a move like 38 ... Qb4??

  

Nepomniachtchi,Ian (2784) - Carlsen,Magnus (2862) [C60]
Skilling Open Prelim chess24.com INT (1.8), 22.11.2020

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. Nc3 Ng6 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 Bc5 7. Be3 Bxd4 8. Bxd4 Qg5 9. g3 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Ne5 11. Be2 Nc6 12. Qc4 d6 13. Nd5 Qd8 14. Qc3 O-O 15. O-O-O Re8 16. f3 Be6 17. Bb5 Bd7 18. h4 a6 19. Ba4 b5 20. Bb3 a5 21. a3 b4 22. axb4 axb4 23. Nxb4 Nxb4 24. Qxb4 Be6 25. Bxe6 Rxe6 26. Qc3 h5 27. b3 Rg6 28. f4 Ra6 29. Kb2 Re6 30. Qc4 Qf6+ 31. c3 Ra8 32. Rhe1 Qe7 33. Rd5 c6 34. Rd4 d5 35. Qe2 Qa3+ 36. Kc2 Qa2+ 37. Kd3 Qxb3 38. Qc2 Qb4 1-0

2020 Vikings Weekender - GM Hrant Melkumyan wins

 GM Hrant Melkumyan has won the 2020 Vikings Weekender with 5.5/6. Conceding only half a point to fellow GM Anton Smirnov, he wrapped up first place with a win over Fred Litchfield in the final round. Smirnov, who was tied with Melkumyan going into the final round, could only draw with IM Junta Ikeda, after Ikeda found a nice sacrificial idea in the Leningrad Dutch. The draw allowed Ikeda to finish in a tie for third place with Bazli Karattiyattil, who capped of a strong tournament with a last round win over Dillon Hathiramani.

The Under 1600 event was won by Harry Johnson on 5.5, half a point ahead of Paul Dunn. Johnson was making a return to chess after a break of a number of years, and his comeback tournament was a successful one. James Buckley performed well above his rating to finish in 3rd place, while Minchen Yang picked up the best junior prize after scoring 3.5/6.

The tournament was judged a success by the organisers with the strong field resulting in a number of interesting and competitive games. Almost as importantly, it served as a small test event for next years Doeberl Cup, and based on the behaviour of the players (and the feedback from the venue), it passed with flying colours!

Full results of the tournament can be found at http://tournaments.streetchess.net/vikings2020/ along with a link to replays of games from the top 2 boards.

2020 Vikings Weekender - Day 1

 At the close of Day 1 of the 2020 Vikings Weekender, 4 players share the lead in the Open section, As expected GM Hrant Melkumyan and GM Anton Smirnov are on 3/3, and they have been joined by IM Junta Ikeda and CM Hui Li. In the first round tomorrow (Rd 4), Ikeda will e white against Melkumyan, while Smirnov will be white against Li. 

Although both GM's ended the day on a perfect score, they were made to work for their points. Both Harry Press (against Melkumyan) and Dominic Fox (against Smirnov) put up determined resistance, with the Melkumyan - Press game one of the last to finish. In earlier rounds some other top seeds showed signs of rust, with Tim Pearce upsetting FM Michael Kethro in round 2, while Dominic Fox took a full point from Fred Litchfield in the first round.

In the Minor (Under 1600) tournament, Paul Dunn and James Minogue are the only players on 3/3. Top seed Harry Johnson began with 2 wins, but was held to a draw in round 3 by James Buckley. 

All the scores (and tomorrows pairings) are available at http://tournaments.streetchess.net/vikings2020 There is also a link for live coverage of the top 2 boards in the Open. Round 4 is at 12:30pm Canberra time, with round 5 at 3pm and round 6 at 5:30pm

 

2020 Vikings Weekender - Online coverage

 The 2020 Vikings Weekender begins tomorrow (21 Nov), starting at 12:30pm Canberra time. There will be live coverage of the top 2 boards in the Open, which will be (in the 1st round) games involving GM Hrant Melkumyan and GM Anton Smirnov.  

Links to the DGT coverage, as well as pairings and results for the Open and Minor events can be found at http://tournaments.streetchess.net/vikings2020/ Pairings for the 1st round of each event have been posted, and following the Doeberl Cup system, these will be the 1st round pairings if both players are present.

Another unfortunate resignation

 While skimming through games to feature on my twitch stream I came across another example of "resigning too soon". I won't give away the ending , but the lesson here is "checks and captures"

 

glenno9 (1471) - X3n0morph (1783) [C02]
Live Chess Chess.com, 18.11.2020

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. c3 Qb6 6. Bd3 cxd4 7. cxd4 Bd7 8. O-O Nxd4 9. Nc3 Nxf3+ 10. Qxf3 Ne7 11. Rb1 Rc8 12. Bg5 Ng6 13. Qe2 a6 14. Kh1 Be7 15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16. f4 g6 17. Nd1 Nc6 18. Nf2 Nb4 19. Rfd1 Nxd3 20. Nxd3 Bb5 21. Qf3 O-O 22. Nf2 Rc2 23. Ng4 Be2 24. Nf6+ Kg7 25. Qh3 Rh8 26. Re1 Rxb2 27. Rbc1 h5 28. g4 hxg4 0-1



Chess Coach Andras

 Just a heads up about a new Youtube channel from Canberra's own IM Andras Toth. The emphasis is on coaching and related topics, and one of the earlier videos is a list of books for the 1700 rated player.

You can check it out at https://www.youtube.com/c/ChessCoachAndras  

The joy of chess coaching

 Today I had the somewhat bizarre experience of getting absolutely destroyed by a 6 year old at "chess". I should have realised that game was slipping away from me when he added two robot dragons to the board, and then told me that one of them had "double flame breath" which allowed him to incinerate 2 of my pieces at a time. Even trying to capture his extra pieces did not work, as the other robot (some kind of snake), simply ate my piece on contact. I think the game went for about 8 moves, and I lost by "not having any pieces left". 

Stop wasting your time

 One of my pet hates in chess games is the unnecessary h3/h6 move in the opening. In part this is fuelled by a belief that openings should be played "correctly", and in in part, due to my inability to punish such wasted moves early in my chess career. 

So I am often glad to see a game where such time wasting is dealt with severely, as I did at Street Chess today.

Ingham,Glenn - Marks,Joe [C44]
Street Chess Chess.com, 11.11.2020

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 h6 5. c3 dxc3 6. Nxc3 d6 7. O-O Be7 8. Qb3 Ne5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. Bxf7+ 1-0

2020 Vikings 75% full

 Time to get your entry in if you are planning to play in the 2020 Vikings Weekender. There is only room for 15 more entries, as the tournament is hard capped at 60. You will need to both contact the organisers, and pay your entry fee if you want to reserve your place. Details at www.actchess.org.au

More technical difficulties

 Although online play is starting to die down (at least in Canberra), the ACTCA still runs one event a week. The Wednesday Rapid (which is every Wednesday at 7:00pm) is still a thing, and I usually do a summary on twitch on Thursday morning. However some issue with my headphones and microphone led to a very poor quality stream this morning, and I decided to delete it from my archives. But not wishing to waste the analysis, I will instead leave it here for people to go over.

glenno9 - DoctorWho64 [A47]
Wednesday Rapid 11.11.2020

1. d4 c5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c3 ( 3. c4 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. d5 ) 3...  b6 4. Nf3 Bb7 5. Bd3 g6 6. Qb3 Qc7 ( 6... Bxf3 7. gxf3 Nc6 8. Nd2 ( 8. d5 Ne5 9. Be2 c4 10. Qd1 Qc7 = ) 8... e6 =+ ) 7. O-O Bg7 ( 7... Bxf3 8. gxf3 Nc6 =+ ) 8. dxc5 bxc5 ( 8... Qxc5 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. e4 d6 =+ ) 9. Nbd2 d5 10. Bb5+ Nbd7 11. Ne5?? O-O ( 11... Qxe5 12. Bxd7+ Nxd7 13. Qxb7 Rd8 = ) ( 11... c4! 12. Qa4 ( 12. Qb4 a5 13. Qa4 ) ( 12. Nexc4 dxc4 13. Qxc4 -+ ) 12... Qxe5 13. Bxd7+ Nxd7 ) 12. Nxd7 Nxd7 13. Be2 Rab8 14. Qd1 e5 15. h4 Nf6 16. h5 Rfd8 17. hxg6 hxg6 18. Bf3 e4 19. Bg4 ( 19. Be2 d4 20. exd4 cxd4 21. cxd4 Rxd4 22. Qe1 e3! 23. fxe3 Ng4! 24. Bxg4 ( 24. exd4 Qh2# ) 24... Rxg4 -+ ) 19...  Nxg4 ( 19... d4! ) 20. Qxg4 Bc8 21. Qh4 f5 22. g3 ( 22. Qh2 Be5 23. f4 Bf6 ) 22...  Kf7! 23. f4 ( 23. Qh2 Rh8 24. Qg2 Ba6 25. Re1 Rh5 ) 23...  Rh8 24. Qg5 Bf6 25. Nb3 Bxg5 0-1

Vale Ken Holt

 I've just read that Ken Holt has passed away. A regular player on the Melbourne chess scene, he was also a common sight at the Doeberl Cup, as well as playing in a few of the Australian Open's that were held here. He was a solid 1800-2000, capable of taking down higher rated players, and always difficult to beat for lower rated opponents.

He was one of the players who formed the backbone of the Australian weekend scene, where playing was often more about who you meet, rather than who you beat. He was always good to have a chat (or a drink) with, and he will be missed by those that knew him.

Holt,Kenneth P (1953) - Canfell,Gregory (2304) [E81]
Australian op Tuggeranong (11), 09.01.2007

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Bd3 exd5 9. cxd5 Nbd7 10. Nge2 a6 11. a4 Ne5 12. O-O Bd7 13. b3 Ne8 14. Rc1 Nc7 15. f4 Ng4 16. Bd2 b5 17. h3 Nh6 18. Be3 f5 19. e5 dxe5 20. fxe5 Bxe5 21. Bxh6 Re8 22. Qd2 Qe7 23. Bg5 Qg7 24. Bf4 Bxf4 25. Qxf4 b4 26. Qxc7 bxc3 27. Qxc5 Rac8 28. Qd4 Qh6 29. Bc4 Re4 30. Qf2 Rce8 31. Nxc3 1-0

The perils of 1 hour chess

 Digging through my archives I cam across the following game from the 1999 Vikings Weekender. My memory of this game is a little hazy, but I do recall I was quite pleased to get a draw against Johnny Bolens (who regularly beat me up until then). However, what I can't remember if the draw was a result of the shortness of time, or simply because I chickened out. While the latter is more likely, the fact that the game was played with 60m followed by a 10 second increment may indicate that time was a factor.

 

Press,Shaun - Bolens,Johnny [A65]
Vikings Weekender (3), 11.12.1999

1. d4 c5 2. d5 d6 3. c4 e6 4. e4 exd5 5. cxd5 Nf6 6. Nc3 Be7 7. Bb5+ Nfd7 8. f4 O-O 9. Nf3 a6 10. Bd3 b5 11. O-O Bf6 12. e5 Be7 13. Ne4 c4 14. Bb1 Re8 15. Nfg5 Nf8 16. Qh5 g6 17. Qh6 Bf5 18. Nxd6 Bxd6 19. Bxf5 Bc5+ 20. Kh1 gxf5 21. Rf3 Qxd5 22. Be3 Re6 23. Nxe6 fxe6 24. Rg3+ Ng6 25. Rxg6+ hxg6 26. Qxg6+ Kf8 27. Bxc5+ Qxc5 28. Rd1 Nc6 29. Qf6+ 1/2-1/2

Would you rather?

 I keep seeing different versions of the "Would you rather ..."* game on youtube. So in the spirit of the times I have a chess related one of my own. Would you rather have a rook that can also move 1 square as a bishop , or a bishop that can move 1 square as a rook ( both as a separate move)? 

* An example question is "Would you rather fight 10 10 year old's, or 100 100 year old's?"

By a narrow margin

 One of the odd things for me about US Presidential elections is that have often been away from Australia when they happen. The main reason is that the Chess Olympiads often happen around the same time of the year, so I am either at the tournament, or passing through another country (usually the UK) on my way there or back.

The first time this happened was in 2000, and if I remember correctly, the result hadn't been determined by the time I left Istanbul. But I did score a good win the day before the election, and I was certainly a lot happier with that, than what was happening in the US.

Minani,Froduald - Press,Shaun [D00]
Istanbul ol (Men) 34th Istanbul (9.2), 06.11.2000

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. g3 e6 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bxf6 Qxf6 6. e4 Bb4 7. e5 Qe7 8. Nf3 c5 9. Bg2 Nc6 10. O-O cxd4 11. Nb5 O-O 12. Nbxd4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Bd7 14. c3 Ba5 15. Re1 a6 16. Re3 Rfc8 17. Rf3 Rc7 18. Rf4 Rf8 19. Bf1 f5 20. exf6 Rxf6 21. Rxf6 Qxf6 22. Qf3 Bb6 23. Qxf6 gxf6 24. Nf3 Kf7 25. h4 Rc5 26. Bh3 Rc8 27. Re1 Rg8 28. Kg2 Bc8 29. Rd1 Rd8 30. h5 Ba7 31. a4 Bd7 32. b3 Bc6 33. Nd4 Bxd4 34. cxd4 a5 35. Bg4 Bd7 36. Rc1 Rc8 37. Rxc8 Bxc8 38. f4 Ke7 39. Be2 Bd7 40. Kf3 Kd6 41. Ke3 e5 42. Bd1 Bf5 43. fxe5+ fxe5 44. g4 Bh7 45. Be2 Ke6 46. Bb5 Bc2 47. Be8 Bd1 48. g5 hxg5 49. Bg6 Bxb3 50. h6 exd4+ 51. Kxd4 Kf6 52. h7 Kg7 53. Bf5 b6 54. Ke5 Bxa4 55. Kxd5 Bb3+ 56. Kc6 a4 57. Kxb6 a3 58. Bb1 a2 59. Bxa2 Bxa2 60. Kc5 Kxh7 61. Kd4 Kg6 62. Ke3 Kh5 63. Kf3 Kh4 64. Kg2 Kg4 65. Kh2 Kf3 66. Kh3 g4+ 67. Kh2 Kf2 68. Kh1 Bd5+ 0-1

A very short review

The Queen's Gambit on Netflix. I liked it.

But more importantly, how many famous games were used in the series. I have spotted 3 so far (by Greco, Morphy and Reti) and I have seen a reference to another game that was played by Rashid Nehzmetdinov. My list would be a bit longer as I saw that someone had actually collated all the games and put it on youtube or facebook, but for the life of me, I can no longer find it,  

Opening Up

 It looks like most Australian States and Territories will be opening their borders before Christmas. This is good news for the chess community, as it will hopefully see some of the 2021 events up and running. For some events (such as the Australian Schools teams Championship) it is a little to late, although online versions will be run. For some other events like to 2021 Oceania Zonal (or the delayed Olympiad), the issues regarding international travel are still a problem, and even 2021 might be out of the question for these events.

However I expect that there will be a lot of face to face chess returning next year, which is obviously a good thing. 

2020 Vikings Weekender - Update

 A reminder that the 2020 Vikings Weekender is taking place at the Lanyon Club, Condor, ACT on the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of November. Due to an issue with the club opening times, the tournament format has now been changed to 3 rounds Saturday and 3 rounds Sunday.

The new schedule, plus all other tournament information can be found at actchess.org.au and the current entry list can be found at http://tournaments.streetchess.net/vikings2020/

A fortunate let off

 During today's Street Chess there was a game where the generosity of one player was rewarded, but maybe it shouldn't have been. In the game given below, after Black had played 10. ... Nd4 White instinctively touched the knight on f3 to capture it. But before White could complete the move, he paused, and then Black told him he didn't have to move it. So White put the knight down, and after some thought played 11.Bb5+ instead.

It of course turns out that White's best move would have been to take the knight on d4, offering a queen sacrifice. With best play the game is almost equal (Black has to give the queen back), but there is a mate for White if Black moves his king to e7. 

The move that White chose did not lose the queen, but it did eventually lose the game, as Black won enough material to easily gain an advantage.

Huang, Charles - Teki, Elwyn
Street Chess 31 October 2020

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Bg4 5. h3 Bh5 6. g4 Bg6 7. h4 h5 8. gxh5 Bxh5 9. d3 Nc6 10. Bd2 Nd4 11. Bb5+ ( 11. Nxd4! Bxd1 12. Bb5+ Ke7 ( 12... Qd7 13. Bxd7+ Kxd7 14. Rxd1 cxd4 15. Nd5 ) 13. Nd5# ) 11...  Nxb5 12. Nxb5 Qf6 13. Bg5 Qxf3 and Black eventually won

Online longtime

 The Melbourne Chess Club is running the 2020 Hjorth Memorial as an online event, using long time controls. This has been tried in other places (including a number of events here in Canberra), and it has usually worked OK. However, events like this aren't being rated (or able to award title norms), and it is unlikely that they will be for the foreseeable future (if ever). 

The main reason isn't so much about guaranteeing that everyone is playing fairly, as much as the conditions on which the tournaments are being played are different from previous OTB events. Therefore it is difficult to justify awarding titles (or changing ratings) that are the equal of those earned in OTB chess, if they aren't earned under the same conditions. 

So until chess returns to normal (hopefully soon), or FIDE develop a separate,  online title system, events like this, important as they are, are just for fame and treasure.

Tan, Justin - Winkelman, Albert
MCC Hjorth Memorial 2020

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3 d6 9. c3 Nb8 10. d4 Nb8d7 11. c4 exd4 12. Nxd4 Bb7 13. Nc3 Nc5 14. cxb5 axb5 15. Bc2 b4 16. Nd5 Re8 17. Nxb4 Bxe4 18. Bxe4 Nf6xe4 19. Nbc6 Qd7 20. b4 Bh4 21. Be3 Na4 22. Qc2 Nb6 23. Nf3 Bf6 24. Bd4 Qf5 25. a4 Nd5 26. Rad1 Qg6 27. Bxf6 Nd5xf6 28. Rd4 Ng5 29. Rxe8+ Rxe8 30. Qxg6 Nxf3+ 31. gxf3 fxg6 32. b5 Re1+ 33. Kg2 Rb1 34. Rb4 Rxb4 35. Nxb4 Kf7 36. a5 Ke6 37. f4 Kd7 38. Kf3 Kc8 39. Ke3 Kb7 40. Kd4 h6 41. h4 Nd7 42. a6+ Ka7 43. Kd5 Kb6 44. Kc4 Ka7 45. Nc6+ Kb6 46. Ne7 Ka7 47. Kd5 Nb6+ 48. Kc6 Kb8 49. Nd5 Na8 50. f3 h5 51. Nxc7 1-0

Movember is coming

 Heads up readers! Movember is almost here. As usual, I will be sacrificing my upper lip (and good looks) for a worthy cause. If you wish to make a donation or check my progress you can do so at https://movember.com/m/shaunpress?mc=1 Or, for the first time ever, you can see the progress of the moustache (in real time), by checking out some of my upcoming chess videos at my youtube channel.   

The first grandmaster draw?

 Up until 1867, draws were kind of an odd thing in chess. When chess was mainly match play they did not effect the final result, and even when tournaments became round robins, draws were either replayed, or in some cases, not counted towards the final result (ie both players scored 0 for the game!).

The first tournament where draws were treated as a valid result was probably the Dundee tournament of 1867. A number of the worlds leading players took part, including Steinitz and Blackburne. The tournament was one by Gustav Neumann who took advantage of the new scoring system to finish half a point ahead of Steinitz, by virtue of drawing one of his 9 games (plus 7 wins), while Steinitz won 7, but drew none.

As for the game which has the honour of being the first 'scored' draw, this may well be it.

De Vere,Cecil Valentine - Fraser,George Brunton [C80]
British CA Grand Tourney Dundee (3), 06.09.1867

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Re1 Nc5 7. Nxe5 Nxe5 8. Rxe5+ Be7 9. Bb3 Nxb3 10. axb3 O-O 11. d4 d5 12. Nc3 c6 13. Qd3 Bd6 14. Rg5 Qf6 15. h3 g6 16. Be3 h6 17. Rg3 Bxg3 18. fxg3 g5 19. Rf1 Qg6 20. Qd2 Bf5 21. Rf2 Rae8 22. Nd1 Re7 23. g4 Bc8 24. Rf3 Rfe8 25. Qf2 Kg7 26. Nc3 Rf8 27. Na4 f5 28. Bd2 Ree8 29. Bb4 Rf7 30. gxf5 Rxf5 31. Nc5 Rxf3 32. Qxf3 Qxc2 33. Nd3 Kg8 34. Qh5 Re6 35. Ne5 Qf5 36. h4 Kg7 37. Bd2 Rxe5 38. dxe5 Qg4 39. Qxg4 Bxg4 40. hxg5 hxg5 41. Bxg5 Kg6 42. Bf6 Kf5 43. Kf2 Ke4 44. Kg3 1/2-1/2

2021 O2C Doeberl Cup

 I've been fielding questions about what is happening with the 2021 O2C Doeberl Cup. The good news is that the ACTCA is planning to hold it next year, from the 1st to the 5th of April. The venue is the Southern Cross Club at Woden, and we plan to keep the same prize pool (and entry fees) as the cancelled 2020 event.

The main difference for next year is that we do not expect many overseas players, due to international travel restrictions. While this will make earning title norms very difficult (as we will be relying on locally based but OS registered players), it will give local players a greater chance at winning the big prizes.

Of course this good news is on the condition that the Covid-19 situation in the country continues to improve, but at this stage we are expecting that most if not all internal travel restrictions will be lifted, allowing Australia's number 1 event to welcome everyone to Canberra.

Australia wins 2020 Asian Nations Cup

 Australia has won the 2020 Asian Nations Cup, upsetting top seeded India in the Final 4.5-3.5. The win was built on winning the first match 2-5.1.5. Due to the tie-break method used (Berlin), India needed to win the 2nd match by at least 3-1, but a 2-2 draw left Australia a full point in front.

At the start of the match it looked as though Australia might start at least one game down, as a severe storm in Queensland left Australian board 4 GM Moulthun Ly with power. There were also issues with GM Max Illingworth, who was playing from Vietnam, and there was doubt that a full team could be assembled. In the end, IM James Morris played in place of Ly, while Illingworth was able to solve his connection problems, and indeed won his game.

The crucial result in the first match was the win by GM Anton Smirnov on the top board. Under the tie break system, wins on the top boards count for more than ones on the lower ones, even if India reversed the result (and won 2.5-1.5), a draw on the top board in the 2nd match would still leave Australia in front. This put the India team under significant pressure in the 2nd match, and in the end could not quite pull it out of the fire, with the 2-2 result leaving Australia ahead on game points.

As some consolation India picked up the Gold in the Women's section, beating Indonesia 6-2 in the final. 

Smirnov,Anton (2367) - Adhiban,B. (2624) [A00]
Asian Nations (Regions) Men Online Cup 2 Chess.com (5.1), 25.10.2020

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nde2 Be6 8. g3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Bg2 Nxe3 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. fxe3 Nc6 13. O-O-O+ Ke8 14. Nd5 Rc8 15. Nec3 h5 16. Nb6 Rd8 17. Rxd8+ Nxd8 18. Nbd5 Bc5 19. b4 Ba7 20. Rd1 Bb8 21. Ne4 h4 22. Nc5 hxg3 23. hxg3 Rh2 24. Rd2 e4 25. Bxe4 Rxd2 26. Kxd2 Bxg3 27. Nxe6 fxe6 28. Nc3 Bd6 29. a3 Ke7 30. Ne2 a5 31. c3 axb4 32. axb4 Nc6 33. Bxc6 bxc6 34. Nd4 Kd7 35. Nf3 Ke7 36. Nd4 Kd7 37. Nf3 Ke7 38. Ng5 Kf6 39. Ne4+ Ke5 40. Nxd6 Kxd6 41. c4 Ke5 42. Ke2 Ke4 43. Kf2 Ke5 44. Kg3 Kf5 45. Kf3 e5 46. e4+ Kg5 47. b5 cxb5 48. cxb5 Kf6 49. b6 1-0

The mouse slip

 The Australian team are the surprise qualifiers for the final of the 2020 Asian Nations Cup. They overcame the higher rated Iranian team, in part due to two things that only happen in online events. After a narrow 2.5-1.5 loss in the first match, got of two a surprise 1-0 lead after the Iranian Bd 2 Parham Maghsoodloo let go of a piece on the wrong square, and resigned after it was captured by Temur Kuybokarov. With the match in the balance Max Illingworth found himself desperately trying to find a draw in a Q+P ending. With both players very short of time, his opponent suddenly had internet issues and Max won on time. Just to make the win secure GM Anton Smirnov outplayed his opponent, and the 3.5-0.5 second round win was enough to see Australia win the match 5-3. 

In tomorrows final they will play top seeds India, who overcame Kazakhstan 5.5-2.5 to go through the final match. While India are favourites on paper, Australia did draw 2-2 against them in the qualifying section, so the match may be closer than many think. The final begins at 5pm (Canberra time) tomorrow, and will played over 4 boards, and 2 matches. Game points will determine the winner, but if the match is tied at 4-4, then the Berlin countback system will be used.

Maghsoodloo,Parham (2532) - Kuybokarov,Temur (2134) [A00]
Asian Nations (Regions) Men Online Cup 2 Chess.com (4.2), 24.10.2020

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O a6 7. a4 h6 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. b4 Ba7 10. Bb2 Nh7 11. b5 Ne7 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Re1 Nf4 16. Ba3 Re8 17. Qb3 Be6 18. Bd5?? Qxd5 0-1

An impressive fortress

The knockout part of the 2020 Online Nations Cup has started, and for a few teams it was hard work advancing to the next round. Australia were looking for revenge after a heavy loss to Indonesia in the Online Olympiad, and took it with a 6.5-1.5 win. On the other hand India looked to be in trouble against Mongolia, having won the first round 2.5-1.5, but looked to be struggling in the 2nd round. However, they eventually turned the tables to win the 2nd match by the same score. On of the games where they 'got out of jail' was the one shown below, where Sasikiran decided that sacrificing the queen for 2 bishops would give him just enough to hold the game.

Gan-Erdene,Sugar (2109) - Sasikiran,Krishnan (2577) [A00]
Asian Nations (Regions) Men Online Cup 2 Chess.com (2.3), 23.10.2020

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Nb3 g6 7. Be3 Bg7 8. f3 h5 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. Be2 b5 11. O-O-O Bb7 12. Kb1 Rc8 13. Rhg1 Ne5 14. Qe1 Qc7 15. Bd4 b4 16. Na4 Qxc2+ 17. Ka1 Qc7 18. Nb6 Rb8 19. f4 O-O 20. fxe5 dxe5 21. Bc5 Nxe4 22. Rd7 Qc6 23. Bf3 Nxc5 24. Bxc6 Nxb3+ 25. axb3 Bxc6 26. Qe3 Rxb6 27. Rc7 Rfb8 28. Rc1 Bd5 29. Rxe7 Rb5 30. Rc5 Rxc5 31. Qxc5 Bxb3 32. Rc7 Rd8 33. Rc8 Rxc8 34. Qxc8+ Kh7 35. Qc5 Ba4 36. Qxb4 Bb5 37. Kb1 Kg8 38. Kc1 Bf6 39. Kd2 Bg5+ 40. Ke1 Be3 41. Qd6 Bd4 42. b4 Kg7 43. Kd2 Ba1 44. h3 h4 45. Qe7 Bc6 46. Qxh4 Bxg2 47. Qg3 Bb7 48. h4 Bd4 49. h5 Bc6 50. Qg5 Bb5 51. h6+ Kh7 52. Qf6 Kxh6 53. Qxf7 Kg5 54. Qe7+ Kf5 55. Qf7+ Kg5 56. Qd5 Kf5 57. Qf3+ Kg5 58. Qg3+ Kf5 59. Qf3+ Kg5 60. Qg3+ Kf5 61. Qf3+ 1/2-1/2

Chess has a rich vocabulary

 The puzzle shown below appeared in today's Canberra Times (in the kid's section no less). I'm quite surprised at some the works used in it. 'Checkmate' and 'Castling' I understand, but 'Zeitnot' and 'Kriegspiel' show the compiler is going all out!

Stalemate as a win (Part III)

 The rules commission still get suggestions that a stalemate = win. On one level it kind of makes sense, in that for most stalemate positions, one side is heavily outnumbered by the other (so in a real battle, surrender would be the usual option). But if we went that far, then we would miss the hilarity of white playing 1.c4 in the diagrammed position. I know which one I'd prefer.

White to play and not win

The Queen's Gambit

 While I had mixed opinions about the book, I do plan to watch "The Queen's Gambit" which is being released on Netflix soon

2020 Asian Nations Cup - Rounds 7-9

 The qualifying swiss for the knockout stage of the 2020 Asian Nations Cup saw Iran maintain their lead on the final day to finish 1st on 15 points out of 18. However they were upset in the last round by the tournament surprise packets, Mongolia who beat them 2.5-1.5 to take 3rd place. Mongolia won all 3 matches on the last day, including a win over Australia in round 8.

Australia started the day with a win over 2nd seed Kazakhstan, and finished it with a draw over top seed India. This left them in 4th place, behind Iran, The Philippines and  Mongolia. There opponents in the knockout stage will be fifth placed Indonesia, he beat them in the 2020 Online Olympiad.

The other Oceania teams finished further down, with Guam and Fiji finishing on 8 points. New Zealand had a below par performance, with a final score of 7 points. 

2020 Asian Nations Cup - Rounds 4,5 and 6

 The 2nd weekend of the 2020 Asian Online Nations Cup  got off to a better start than the first weekend, with most rounds (bar the first), starting within a sensible time. For the Australian team is was a particularly good evening, as they won all three of their matches and are now tied for equal second. They are on 10 points, one point below Iran, who they lost to in the 3rd round. While finishing anywhere in the top 8 will qualify them for the finals, a higher placing may result in an easier path in the knockout section.

Of the other teams from Oceania, both Fiji and Guam are performing above their seeding, with 6 points each. In what was a real upset, Fiji defeated New Zealand 2.5-1.5 in round 4,  while Guam beat a strong Syrian team in round 5. On the other hand, New Zealand hasn't really been able to get into gear and has only scored 3 match points at this stage.

The final 3 rounds of the Open will be on Sunday evening from 5pm Canberra time. The draw for round 7 hasn't been published yet, but an Australia v India match is a distinct possibility.

.

Mohammad Fahad,Rahman (2243) - Kuybokarov,Temur (2134) [A00]
Asian Nations (Regions) Men Online Cup 2 Chess.com (4.4), 16.10.2020

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 f5 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 b5 7. Bb3 Bb7 8. O-O Na5 9. Nxd4 c5 10. Nxf5 c4 11. Re1 Qb6 12. Be3 Qg6 13. Nh4 Qe4 14. Bg5 Qd5 15. Bd2 Be7 16. Qg4 Bxh4 17. Bxa5 Nh6 18. Qh3 O-O 19. Nc3 Bxf2+ 20. Kh1 Bxe1 21. Rxe1 Qe6 0-1

2020 Viking Weekend - November 21-22

 The 2020 Vikings Weekender has been confirmed, with the details below. The two important things to note is that the tournaments (Open and Under 1600), will be restricted to 60 players in total, and that the organisers will not be taking entries of players located in areas currently under travel restrictions. As there is potential for this to change in the next 4 weeks, if you are from outside the ACT, please check with the organisers, who may be able to place you on a waiting list. 

Vikings Weekender 2020
21-22 November 2020

The ACT Chess Association and the Tuggeranong Chess Club are holding the 2020 Vikings Weekender Chess Tournament on the 21st and 22nd November 2020. The venue is the Lanyon Club, Heidelberg St, Condor, ACT.

Open Section and Under 1600 Section

7 round swiss - Time limit: 60m+10s (Fischer)

Entry Fee: $65, $45 concession, $45 Under 18, GM,WGM,IM,WIM Free

Prizes: Open $1000 1st, Under 1600 1st $500 other prizes determined by entries ($3000+ is the normal prize pool for this event)

Total entries are limited to 60 players. Payment is required to confirm entry and no entries will be received on the day. The organisers reserve the right to reject (or cancel) entries from players affected by current Covid-19 restrictions.

Entries to: camcunningham8@gmail.com

Payment to:

ACT Chess Association Inc

BSB Code 062903

Account Number 00907972

5d Chess

 A common political trope is that one side or the other is playing '4-D Chess'. This implies that they are both smart (by playing chess) and super duper smart, because they are playing a form of chess that everyone else fails to understand. Ironically, this is usually wheeled out when defending particularly clueless politicians, by people who don't actually understand 2-D Chess.

Normally the step beyond '4-D Chess' is of course '5-D Chess', but it turns out that this is a real thing. The details of it can be found here. Having looked at it a couple of times, I know it involves time travel, split timelines, and some getting used to. Apart from that I am none the wiser on how to actually play the game well, but given enough time (boom boom!) I may look into it.

(HT to Mark Scully for sending me the link)

The amount of work in CC

 I've just finished playing the 2019 Australian Reserves Championship (in Correspondence Chess), with the final game (one of mine) lasting around 16 months. I was fortunate to win the last game, as my opponent blundered in a winning ending. But to show you how much work does into games like this, I will post the game, with all my analysis included (NB none of this involved the use of chess engines)

 

Press, Shaun - White, Christopher
2019 Australian Reserves Championship

1. e4 c5 2. c3 e6 3. d4 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. Nf3 Ne7 6. O-O Ng6 7. Re1 Be7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Nf1 Nc6 10. d5 ( 10. Ng3 cxd4 11. cxd4 Nb4 12. Bb1 ) 10...  Nce5 ( 10... Na5 11. c4 ) ( 10... exd5 11. exd5 Nce5 ( 11... Na5 ) 12. Nxe5 ) 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. Bc2 exd5 ( 12... d6 13. f4 Nc4 ) 13. exd5 d6 14. Ng3 ( 14. Bxh7+ Kxh7 15. Qh5+ Kg8 16. Re3 g6 ) ( 14. Qh5 h6 ( 14... g6 15. Qh6 Ng4 ) 15. Rxe5 dxe5 16. Qf5 ( 16. Bxh6 Bxd5 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Qh7+ Kf6 19. Qh6# ) 16... g6 ) ( 14. f4 Nd7 15. Qh5 Nf6 ) ( 14. Rxe5 dxe5 15. Qh5 ( 15. Bxh7+ Kxh7 16. Qh5+ Kg8 17. Qxe5 ) 15... g6 16. Qxe5 Bf6 ) 14...  g6 ( 14... Qd7 15. Bf5 ) ( 14... Bg5 15. f4 ( 15. Rxe5 Bxc1 16. Bxh7+ Kxh7 17. Rh5+ Bh6 18. Rxh6+ gxh6 19. Qd3+ Kg8 20. Nh5 ) ) 15. Bh6 Re8 16. f4 ( 16. Rxe5 dxe5 ) 16...  Nd7 ( 16... Nc4 17. b3 ( 17. Rxe7 Qxe7 18. Bg5 Qe3+ ) ( 17. f5 Nxb2 ( 17... Bg5 18. Bxg5 Qxg5 19. fxg6 fxg6 20. Ne4 ) 18. Qg4 Bxd5 19. fxg6 fxg6 20. Bxg6 Kh8 21. Bxe8 Bf6 22. Nh5 Qc7 23. Nxf6 ) 17... Na5 18. c4 ( 18. f5 ) ) 17. c4 ( 17. Ne4 Nf6 ( 17... Bf8 18. Bg5 Be7 19. Nxd6 ) 18. c4 Bf8 ( 18... Nxe4 19. Rxe4 ( 19. Bxe4 ) ) 19. Bg5 Bg7 20. Nxf6+ Bxf6 21. Rxe8+ Qxe8 22. Bxf6 ) ( 17. f5 Nf6 ( 17... Bf8 ) 18. fxg6 ( 18. c4 ) ( 18. Rxe7 Rxe7 19. Bg5 Kg7 20. Ne4 Rxe4 21. Bxe4 Qe7 ) 18... fxg6 19. c4 ) ( 17. Nh5 Nf6 18. Rxe7 Qxe7 ) ( 17. Qd3 Nf6 18. Bg5 ) 17...  Bf8 ( 17... f5 18. Nxf5 gxf5 19. Bxf5 Nf6 20. Be6+ Kh8 ) 18. Bg5 ( 18. Rxe8 Qxe8 19. Bxf8 Qxf8 20. Qg4 ( 20. f5 Ne5 21. fxg6 fxg6 ) 20... Qe7 21. f5 ) ( 18. Bxf8 Rxe1+ 19. Qxe1 Qxf8 20. f5 ( 20. Ne4 Re8 21. Qh4 Qg7 22. Re1 ) ( 20. Qf2 Re8 21. Re1 ) ) 18...  Be7 ( 18... Nf6 19. Rxe8 Qxe8 20. Bxf6 ) ( 18... f6 19. Bh4 g5 20. fxg5 fxg5 21. Qh5 ) ( 18... Rxe1+ 19. Qxe1 Nf6 20. Qc3 Bg7 21. Re1 ) 19. Rxe7 ( 19. Nf5 gxf5 20. Qh5 Bxg5 21. fxg5 Ne5 22. Bxf5 Ng6 ) ( 19. Bxe7 ) ( 19. Qg4 f6 ( 19... Bxg5 20. Rxe8+ ( 20. fxg5 Ne5 21. Qh4 Qe7 22. Ne4 Nxc4 23. Nf6+ ) 20... Qxe8 21. Qxg5 Qe3+ 22. Kh1 Re8 ) ) ( 19. h4 Bxg5 20. hxg5 ) ( 19. Ne4 Bxg5 ( 19... Nf6 20. Nxf6+ Bxf6 21. Rxe8+ Qxe8 22. Bxf6 Qe3+ 23. Kh1 Qxf4 ) ( 19... f6 ) 20. fxg5 Ne5 ( 20... f6 21. Nxd6 Rxe1+ 22. Qxe1 Qc7 23. Qe6+ Kg7 24. gxf6+ Kh6 25. Qh3+ Kg5 26. Ne4+ Kf4 27. Qg3+ Kf5 28. Rf1+ Qf4 29. Qxf4# ) 21. Nf6+ ) ( 19. Ba4 Bxg5 20. fxg5 ( 20. Rxe8+ Qxe8 21. fxg5 Qe3+ 22. Kh1 Ne5 ) 20... Rxe1+ 21. Qxe1 Ne5 ) 19...  Rxe7 20. Ne4 ( 20. Nf5 f6 ( 20... gxf5 21. Qh5 Qe8 22. Bxe7 Qxe7 23. Bxf5 ( 23. Qxf5 Nf6 ) 23... Nf6 ) 21. Nxe7+ Qxe7 ) ( 20. Qg4 f6 ) ( 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. Qd2 ( 21. f5 Re8 22. fxg6 hxg6 ) ) ( 20. f5 ) 20...  Kg7 ( 20... f6 21. Nxf6+ ( 21. Nxd6 Qc7 22. Nxb7 Qxb7 ) 21... Nxf6 22. Bxf6 Qd7 ( 22... Re1+ 23. Qxe1 Qxf6 24. Qe6+ Qxe6 25. dxe6 Re8 26. Re1 ) 23. Bxe7 Qxe7 24. Qe1 Re8 25. Qxe7 Rxe7 26. Kf2 Ba6 27. b3 b5 28. Bd3 bxc4 29. bxc4 Bc8 30. Re1 Rxe1 31. Kxe1 Kf7 32. Kf2 Kf6 33. Kg3 Bf5 34. Bxf5 Kxf5 35. Kf3 h5 36. h3 h4 37. Ke3 g5 38. fxg5 Kxg5 39. Ke4 Kg6 40. Kf4 Kh5 41. Kf5 Kh6 ) ( 20... Qe8 21. Nxd6 Re1+ ) ( 20... Qf8 21. Nxd6 Re3 ( 21... Re1+ 22. Qxe1 Qxd6 23. Qe7 Qxe7 24. Bxe7 Re8 25. Re1 ) ( 21... Ree8 22. Nxb7 Reb8 ( 22... Rab8 23. Qf3 Rxb7 24. d6 Rbb8 25. Be7 Qg7 ) ) ( 21... f6 22. Nxb7 fxg5 23. d6 Re6 ( 23... Ree8 24. Qd5+ ( 24. Ba4 Qf7 25. Qd5 Qxd5 26. cxd5 ) ) 24. Qd5 ) 22. Nxb7 ( 22. f5 Qxd6 ( 22... Re5 23. Nxb7 ) 23. Bxe3 gxf5 24. Bxf5 ) ( 22. Qd2 ) 22... Qb8 ( 22... Rb8 ) 23. Nd8 Nf6 ) ( 20... Nf8 21. Nf6+ ( 21. Bxe7 Qxe7 22. Qf3 ( 22. Qd2 Re8 ( 22... f5 23. Ng5 h6 24. Re1 Qf6 25. Ne6 Qxb2 26. Nxf8 Kxf8 ) 23. Re1 ) ) ( 21. Ba4 ) ( 21. Qe2 Qc7 22. Nf6+ Kg7 ) ( 21. Qg4 ) 21... Kg7 ( 21... Kh8 22. Ng4 h5 23. Bf6+ Kh7 24. Ne5 Kg8 25. Bxg6 Nxg6 26. Nxg6 fxg6 ) 22. Nh5+ ( 22. Qg4 Bc8 23. Nh5+ gxh5 24. Bh6+ Kxh6 25. Qg5# ) ( 22. Ng4 Nd7 ( 22... h6 23. Bf6+ Kh7 24. Nxh6 Re1+ 25. Qxe1 Qxf6 26. Ng4 Qxf4 27. Qh4+ Kg8 ( 27... Kg7 28. Rf1 Qd4+ 29. Kh1 ) 28. Nf6+ ) 23. Qd2 f6 24. Qc3 Rf7 ) ( 22. Qd2 h6 23. Qc3 Re1+ 24. Rxe1 hxg5 25. Ne8+ Kh6 26. Qg7+ Kh5 27. Nf6+ Kh4 28. Qh6# ) 22... Kh8 ) ( 20... h6 21. Bh4 ( 21. Nxd6 hxg5 22. Nxb7 Qc7 ( 22... Qc8 23. Nd6 Qc7 24. Ne4 gxf4 ( 24... Qxf4 ) 25. Qg4 ) 23. d6 Qxb7 24. dxe7 Re8 25. Qd6 Nb8 26. Bxg6 fxg6 27. Qxg6+ Kh8 28. Qxe8+ Kh7 29. Qf7+ ) ( 21. Bxh6 Re8 ( 21... Qc7 22. Bg5 Ree8 23. Nf6+ Nxf6 24. Bxf6 Qd7 25. Qf3 ) ) ( 21. Bxe7 Qxe7 22. Qg4 ( 22. Qd2 Nf6 23. Re1 Re8 24. Nxf6+ ) ( 22. Ba4 ) 22... Nf6 23. Nxf6+ Qxf6 ) 21... g5 22. fxg5 Re8 ( 22... Ne5 23. gxh6 ( 23. Nf6+ Kh8 24. Qh5 Qf8 25. gxh6 ) ) 23. Nf6+ ( 23. Qd3 Ne5 24. Nf6+ Kf8 25. Qh7 Ke7 26. gxh6 Rh8 27. Ng8+ ) ( 23. Qh5 Rxe4 24. Bxe4 Qe7 25. Re1 Ne5 26. Qxh6 f6 27. gxf6 Qf7 ) 23... Nxf6 24. gxf6 ) 21. Bxe7 ( 21. Ba4 ) ( 21. Qg4 ) ( 21. Nxd6 f6 22. Nxb7 ( 22. Nf5+ gxf5 23. Qh5 fxg5 24. Qxg5+ ) ( 22. Be4 fxg5 23. Nxb7 Qb8 24. d6 Rxe4 ) ( 22. Bxf6+ Nxf6 ) ( 22. Bh4 ) 22... Qb8 ( 22... Qc7 23. d6 ) 23. d6 ( 23. Bh4 Qxb7 ) 23... Re6 ( 23... fxg5 24. dxe7 Qxb7 25. fxg5 Ne5 26. Qd6 ) ( 23... Re8 24. Qd5 ( 24. Qf3 fxg5 25. fxg5 Rf8 26. Qc6 Ne5 27. Qc7+ Qxc7 28. dxc7 ) ( 24. Bh4 Qxb7 25. Qg4 ) 24... fxg5 25. fxg5 Re5 26. Qc6 Nf8 ) 24. Qd5 Kf7 25. Re1 ) ( 21. Qf3 f6 ( 21... h6 22. Qc3+ Kh7 23. Bxe7 Qxe7 24. Re1 ) ( 21... Qf8 22. Nxd6 Nf6 23. Bxf6+ Kxf6 24. Qc3+ Re5 25. Qxe5# ) 22. Qc3 ( 22. Nxd6 fxg5 23. Nxb7 ) ( 22. Nxf6 Nxf6 23. Bxf6+ Kxf6 24. Qc3+ Kf7 ) ( 22. Ba4 fxg5 23. Nxg5 ) ( 22. Qh3 fxg5 23. fxg5 ( 23. Nxg5 Qg8 24. Ne6+ ) 23... Rxe4 24. Bxe4 Ne5 25. Qh6+ Kh8 26. Rf1 Qe8 ) ( 22. Bh4 Qc7 23. Re1 Rae8 24. Nxf6 ) 22... Kg8 ( 22... Qf8 23. Nxd6 ( 23. Ba4 ) ( 23. Bxf6+ Nxf6 ) ( 23. Nxf6 Nxf6 ) 23... Rb8 24. Nxb7 Rxb7 25. d6 ) 23. Nxf6+ ) ( 21. b4 f6 ) 21...  Qxe7 22. Qd2 ( 22. Qf3 Re8 23. Qc3+ ( 23. Re1 f5 24. Qc3+ ) 23... Nf6 ) 22...  f5 23. Qc3+ ( 23. Ng5 Re8 ( 23... h6 24. Ne6+ Kh7 25. Re1 Qf6 26. Nc7 Rc8 27. Re6 Qd4+ 28. Qxd4 cxd4 29. Re7+ Kg8 30. Rxd7 ) ( 23... Ne5 24. Ne6+ ) ( 23... Qf6 24. Ne6+ ) 24. Ne6+ ( 24. Kf2 Nf6 25. Ne6+ ) 24... Kg8 25. Qc3 ( 25. Ba4 ) ( 25. Re1 Nf6 ( 25... Nf8 26. Ba4 ) 26. Qc3 Ng4 ( 26... b5 27. Kf2 b4 ) ) 25... Nf8 26. Nxf8 Rxf8 ) 23...  Kg8 ( 23... Nf6 24. Ng5 Bc8 ( 24... Qe2 25. Re1 ) ( 24... Re8 25. Ba4 ( 25. Ne6+ Kh8 ( 25... Kf7 26. Ba4 Rh8 ( 26... Rg8 27. Re1 ) 27. Re1 Ne4 28. Qg7# ) ( 25... Kg8 26. Ba4 Ra8 27. Re1 Ne4 28. Bc2 ( 28. Qh3 Bc8 29. Ng5 ) 28... Bc8 29. Ng5 ) 26. Ba4 Rg8 27. Re1 ) ) 25. Re1 Qc7 26. Nxh7 ) ( 23... Ne5 24. Ng5 ( 24. Ng3 ) ( 24. fxe5 fxe4 25. exd6+ Qf6 26. Qxf6+ Kxf6 27. Bxe4 ) ) 24. Ng5 Re8 ( 24... Qg7 25. Qxg7+ Kxg7 26. Re1 h6 27. Re7+ Kf6 ( 27... Kf8 28. Rxd7 ) 28. Rf7# ) ( 24... Qf6 25. Re1 ( 25. Qxf6 Nxf6 26. Re1 Kf8 27. Re6 Ne8 28. Nxh7+ ) 25... Qxc3 26. bxc3 Nf6 27. Re7 Bc8 ) 25. Ba4 ( 25. Ne6 Nf8 ( 25... Qf6 26. Ba4 Qxc3 27. bxc3 Re7 28. Nd8 Nf6 29. Nxb7 Rxb7 30. Re1 Ne4 ) ( 25... b5 26. b3 Nf8 27. Re1 Nxe6 ( 27... Bc8 ) 28. Rxe6 ) ( 25... Qh4 26. Qg7# ) 26. Re1 ( 26. Ba4 Rc8 27. Re1 Nxe6 28. Rxe6 Qd8 29. Re8+ ) 26... Bc8 ) 25...  Bc8 ( 25... Rd8 26. Re1 ) ( 25... Rf8 26. Re1 Qd8 27. Ne6 Nf6 ( 27... Qf6 28. Bxd7 Qxc3 29. bxc3 Rf7 30. Ba4 ( 30. Be8 Re7 ) ( 30. Bc6 Ba6 ) ) ) 26. Ne6 Qf7 ( 26... Nf8 27. Bxe8 Bxe6 ( 27... Nxe6 28. dxe6 Qxe8 29. Re1 Bxe6 30. Qf6 ) 28. dxe6 Qxe8 29. Re1 Nxe6 30. Qf6 ) ( 26... Nf6 27. Bxe8 Bxe6 ( 27... Ne4 28. Qg7+ Qxg7 29. Nxg7 Kxg7 30. Bc6 ) 28. dxe6 Ne4 29. Bf7+ ) ( 26... a6 27. Kf2 b5 28. cxb5 axb5 29. Bxb5 Qf6 ) ( 26... Qh4 27. Qg7# ) ( 26... Qf6 27. Qxf6 Nxf6 28. Bxe8 Bxe6 29. dxe6 ( 29. Bxg6 Bxd5 30. Bxf5 ( 30. Bxh7+ Kxh7 31. cxd5 Nxd5 32. Rd1 Nxf4 33. Rxd6 ) 30... Bxc4 ) 29... Nxe8 ) 27. Re1 ( 27. Nc7 Re7 ( 27... Re4 ) ) ( 27. Kf2 Re7 28. Nd8 Qe8 ) ( 27. h4 Qe7 28. h5 gxh5 29. Qg3+ Kh8 30. Qg5 ) ( 27. Bc6 Re7 28. Qa3 Nf8 ) 27...  Re7 ( 27... h6 28. Nc7 Rxe1+ 29. Qxe1 Nf6 ) 28. Ng5 ( 28. Qg7+ Qxg7 29. Nxg7 Rxe1+ ) ( 28. Nd8 Rxe1+ 29. Qxe1 Qf8 30. Qe6+ Kg7 31. Bxd7 Qxd8 32. Bxc8 ) ( 28. Kf2 Nf8 ( 28... Nf6 29. Ng5 ( 29. Nd8 Qf8 30. Nc6 ) 29... Qf8 ) 29. Ng5 ( 29. Nd8 Qg7 30. Qxg7+ Rxg7 31. Re8 Bd7 ( 31... Ba6 32. Ne6 Rf7 33. b3 Bb7 34. Bd7 Rxd7 ( 34... a5 35. Nxf8 Rxf8 36. Be6+ Kg7 37. Re7+ ) 35. Rxf8# ) 32. Bxd7 Rxd7 33. Ne6 Rf7 34. Ke3 ) 29... Qg7 30. Qxg7+ Rxg7 31. Be8 ( 31. Re8 Ba6 32. Ne6 Rf7 33. b3 ) ) ( 28. Qa3 Nf6 29. Ng5 ) ( 28. Bxd7 Bxd7 ) 28...  Qe8 ( 28... Rxe1+ 29. Qxe1 Qf6 ( 29... Qf8 30. Qe6+ Kg7 31. Bxd7 ) 30. Qe8+ ( 30. Qe6+ Qxe6 31. dxe6 Nf6 32. e7 h6 33. e8=N ( 33. Nf3 Kf7 ) 33... Nxe8 34. Bxe8 hxg5 35. Bxg6 gxf4 36. Kf2 Kg7 37. Be8 Kf6 38. Kf3 Ke5 ) 30... Kg7 31. Ne6+ ( 31. Bxd7 Qd4+ 32. Kf1 ) ( 31. Qxc8 Qd4+ 32. Kf1 ) 31... Kh6 32. Qxc8 ( 32. Bxd7 Bxd7 33. Qxd7 Qxb2 ) 32... Qxb2 ( 32... Qh4 33. g3 Qg4 34. Qxd7 ) 33. Qxd7 Qb1+ ( 33... Qc1+ 34. Kf2 Qd2+ 35. Kg3 Qe1+ 36. Kh3 Qe3+ 37. g3 ) 34. Kf2 Qxa2+ ( 34... Qb2+ 35. Kg3 Qc3+ 36. Kh4 Qf6+ ( 36... Qe1+ 37. g3 Qc3 38. Qf7 ) 37. Ng5 ) 35. Kg3 Qa3+ 36. Kh4 ) ( 28... Qg7 29. Qxg7+ Rxg7 30. Re8+ ) 29. Ne6 ( 29. Re6 h6 30. Rxe7 Qxe7 31. Ne6 Nf6 ) ( 29. Rxe7 Qxe7 30. Kf2 Nf6 ) 29...  h6 30. Kf2 Qf7 31. Nd8 Qf8 ( 31... Qe8 32. Nc6 Rxe1 ( 32... Re4 33. Rxe4 Qxe4 34. Qe3 Qxc4 35. Qe6+ ( 35. Qe8+ Kg7 36. Qxc8 ( 36. Qe7+ Kh8 37. Qf8+ Kh7 38. Ne7 ) 36... Qxf4+ ) 35... Kh7 36. Qf7+ Kh8 ) 33. Qxe1 Qf8 34. Qe6+ ( 34. Ne7+ Kh8 ( 34... Kf7 35. Qe6+ Kg7 36. Qxg6+ Kh8 37. Nxc8 Qxc8 38. Qxh6+ Kg8 39. Qe6+ ) 35. Nxg6+ ) 34... Kg7 35. Ne7 ) ( 31... Qg7 32. Rxe7 Qxe7 33. Nc6 Qh4+ ( 33... Qe4 34. Qe3 Qxc4 ) 34. Qg3 Qf6 35. Nxa7 Qxb2+ 36. Ke1 Qc1+ 37. Bd1 Ba6 38. Qxg6+ Kh8 39. Qe8+ Kg7 40. Qxd7+ ) 32. Rxe7 ( 32. Nc6 Rxe1 ( 32... Re4 33. Rxe4 fxe4 34. Nxa7 Qxf4+ 35. Kg1 e3 ) ( 32... Rg7 33. Nxa7 Nf6 34. Nxc8 ) ( 32... Re8 33. Nxa7 ) 33. Qxe1 ( 33. Kxe1 Nf6 ( 33... Qe8+ 34. Kf1 Nf8 35. Qf6 Bd7 36. Ne7+ Kh7 37. Bxd7 Nxd7 38. Qxd6 ) 34. Kf1 ( 34. Nxa7 Qe7+ 35. Kf1 Ne4 ( 35... Qxa7 36. Qxf6 Qxa4 37. Qd8+ ( 37. Qxg6+ Kf8 38. Qxh6+ Ke7 39. Qg7+ Kd8 40. Qf6+ Kc7 41. Qe7+ Bd7 ) 37... Kf7 38. Qc7+ Kf6 39. Qxd6+ Kf7 40. Qc7+ Kf6 41. Qxc8 Qxc4+ 42. Kf2 ) 36. Nxc8 ) 34... Bd7 ) 33... Nf6 ( 33... Qf6 34. Ne7+ Kf8 35. Nxc8 Qxb2+ 36. Qe2 Qd4+ 37. Kg3 ) 34. Ne7+ ( 34. Qe7 Ba6 35. Qxf8+ ( 35. Qxa7 Bxc4 ( 35... Ne4+ 36. Ke1 Qg7 ( 36... Bxc4 37. Ne7+ Kf7 38. Nxf5+ Kf6 39. Ne3 ) ) 36. Ne7+ Kh7 37. Nxf5+ Kh8 38. Ne7 ) 35... Kxf8 36. Nxa7 Bxc4 ) ( 34. Bc2 Ba6 35. Qe6+ Qf7 36. Ne7+ ( 36. b3 ) ( 36. Qxf7+ Kxf7 37. b3 b5 38. Bd3 Ng4+ 39. Kg3 ) 36... Kg7 ) 34... Kg7 ( 34... Kh8 35. Nxc8 ( 35. Nxg6+ ) 35... Qxc8 ( 35... Ne4+ 36. Kf3 Qxc8 ) 36. Qe7 Ne4+ ) 35. Nxc8 Ne4+ ( 35... Qxc8 36. Qe7+ ) 36. Kg1 Qxc8 ) ( 32. Re6 Rxe6 ( 32... Qxd8 33. Rxg6+ Kh7 ) 33. Nxe6 ) 32...  Qxe7 33. Nc6 ( 33. Bxd7 Bxd7 ) 33...  Qh4+ ( 33... Qe4 34. g3 ( 34. Qe3 Qxc4 35. Qe8+ Kg7 36. Qxc8 Qxf4+ 37. Ke1 Qc1+ 38. Bd1 Qe3+ 39. Be2 Qc1+ 40. Kf2 Qf4+ 41. Bf3 ( 41. Kg1 Qe3+ 42. Kf1 Qf4+ 43. Bf3 Qc1+ 44. Kf2 Qd2+ 45. Kg3 Qg5+ 46. Kh3 ) 41... Qd2+ 42. Kg3 Qg5+ 43. Kh3 Ne5 44. Qc7+ Kf8 45. Qd8+ Qxd8 46. Nxd8 ) 34... Nf6 ( 34... Nf8 35. Nxa7 ) ) ( 33... Nf6 34. Nxe7+ ) 34. Kg1 ( 34. g3 Qxh2+ 35. Kf3 Qh5+ 36. Kg2 Qe2+ ) ( 34. Qg3 Qf6 35. Nxa7 Qxb2+ 36. Kf1 Qc1+ 37. Qe1 Qxf4+ 38. Kg1 Qxc4 39. Nxc8 Qxa4 40. Qe8+ Kg7 41. Ne7 ) ( 34. Ke3 Qxh2 ( 34... Nf6 35. Ne7+ Kf7 36. Nxc8 Ng4+ 37. Kd2 Qf2+ 38. Kc1 Qg1+ 39. Kc2 Ne3+ 40. Kb3 Qf1 ) 35. Ne7+ Kf7 36. Nxc8 Qg3+ 37. Kd2 Qxg2+ 38. Kc1 Qf1+ 39. Kc2 ) ( 34. Kf3 Qg4+ 35. Ke3 Kf8 36. Qh8+ Kf7 37. Nd8+ ( 37. Qh7+ Kf8 38. Qe7+ Kg8 39. Qe8+ Kg7 40. Qxc8 Nf6 41. Qc7+ Kf8 42. Qd8+ Ne8 43. Qe7+ Kg8 44. Qxe8+ Kg7 ) 37... Ke7 ) 34...  Ba6 ( 34... Qxf4 35. Ne7+ Kf7 36. Nxc8 Ne5 37. Nxd6+ ) ( 34... Nf6 35. Ne7+ Kf7 36. Nxc8 Ne4 37. Qe3 ) ( 34... Bb7 35. Qe3 ( 35. Nxa7 ) ( 35. g3 Qf6 ( 35... Qh3 36. Ne7+ Kf7 37. Bxd7 Kxe7 38. Qg7+ Kd8 39. Be6 ) ( 35... Qh5 36. Ne7+ Kf7 37. Bxd7 Kxe7 38. Qg7+ Kd8 39. Be6 Qd1+ 40. Kf2 ) 36. Qxf6 ( 36. Nxa7 Qxc3 37. bxc3 Nf6 38. Nb5 Ne4 39. Bc2 Ba6 40. Bxe4 Bxb5 41. cxb5 fxe4 42. c4 Kf7 43. Kf2 Kf6 44. Ke3 Kf5 45. a4 ( 45. h3 h5 46. a3 Kf6 47. Kxe4 ) ) 36... Nxf6 37. Nxa7 ) 35... Bxc6 ( 35... Nf6 36. Qe6+ Kg7 37. Qe7+ Kg8 38. Qd8+ ) 36. dxc6 Nf6 37. Qe6+ ( 37. c7 ) ) 35. Nxa7 ( 35. g3 Qf6 ( 35... Qg4 36. Ne7+ ( 36. Nxa7 ) 36... Kf7 ) 36. Qxf6 ( 36. Nxa7 Qxc3 37. bxc3 Nf6 38. Bb5 Bxb5 39. Nxb5 Ne4 40. Kf1 Kf7 41. Ke2 Ke7 42. Kd3 Kd7 ) 36... Nxf6 37. b3 b5 ( 37... Ne4 38. Nxa7 Nc3 39. Nb5 ( 39. Be8 Kg7 40. a4 Ne2+ 41. Kf2 Nd4 ) 39... Nxa4 40. bxa4 Bxb5 41. axb5 Kf7 42. a4 Ke7 ( 42... g5 43. Kf2 g4 44. Ke3 Ke7 45. Kd3 Kd7 46. a5 bxa5 47. Kc3 a4 48. Kb2 Kc7 49. Ka3 Kb6 50. Kxa4 h5 51. Kb3 Ka7 52. Ka3 Kb7 53. Ka4 Kb6 ) 43. Kf2 Kd7 44. Kf3 h5 45. h3 Ke7 46. g4 h4 47. gxf5 gxf5 48. Ke3 Kd7 49. Kd3 Kc7 50. Kc3 Kb7 51. a5 bxa5 52. Kb3 Kb6 53. Ka4 ) 38. cxb5 ) 35...  Qe7 ( 35... Nf6 36. g3 Qg4 37. Qxf6 ) ( 35... Bxc4 36. g3 ( 36. Bxd7 Qxf4 ) ( 36. Qxc4 Qe1+ 37. Qf1 Qe3+ 38. Kh1 ) 36... Qf6 37. Bxd7 Qxc3 38. Be6+ Kf8 39. bxc3 Bxa2 40. Nb5 Ke7 41. Kf2 Bc4 42. Na3 b5 43. Ke3 ) ( 35... b5 36. Nxb5 Qxf4 37. Nc7 ) 36. Nc6 ( 36. Bxd7 Qxd7 37. Nc6 Qe8 38. Kf2 Qe4 39. g3 Bxc4 ) ( 36. Kf2 Qh4+ 37. Qg3 Qxg3+ 38. hxg3 Nf6 ) ( 36. Bb5 Bxb5 37. Nxb5 Nf6 ) ( 36. Qg3 Qf6 ) ( 36. Nb5 Nf6 ) 36...  Qe4 37. g3 ( 37. Nd8 Nf8 ( 37... Qxf4 38. Ne6 Qe5 39. Bxd7 Qxc3 40. bxc3 Bxc4 41. Nc7 Bxa2 42. Be6+ Kf8 43. Na8 b5 44. Nc7 b4 45. cxb4 cxb4 46. Nb5 ) ( 37... Qb1+ 38. Kf2 ) ( 37... Nf6 38. Bc2 Qxf4 39. Qxf6 Qc1+ 40. Kf2 Qxc2+ 41. Kg3 Qd3+ 42. Kh4 Qxc4+ 43. Kh3 Qd3+ ( 43... Qg4# ) 44. g3 Qf1+ 45. Kh4 ) 38. g3 ( 38. Bc2 Qxc4 39. Qxc4 Bxc4 ) ( 38. Ne6 Nxe6 39. dxe6 Qxc4 ( 39... Qxe6 40. Bc6 Qxc4 ) 40. Qxc4 Bxc4 41. e7 Bf7 42. Bb3 ) ( 38. Qg3 ) 38... Qxc4 39. Qxc4 Bxc4 40. b3 ( 40. Bb3 Ba6 ) ( 40. Nb7 Bxd5 41. Nxd6 Bxa2 42. Nc8 Ne6 43. Nxb6 ) ) ( 37. Qg3 Qb1+ 38. Kf2 Qxb2+ ) ( 37. Ne5 Nxe5 ( 37... dxe5 38. Bxd7 Bxc4 39. Be6+ Kg7 40. Qxe5+ ( 40. fxe5 ) 40... Qxe5 41. fxe5 Bxa2 ) 38. fxe5 dxe5 39. b3 ) ( 37. Bc2 Qxc4 38. Qxc4 Bxc4 39. b3 Bb5 40. Ne7+ Kf7 41. Nc8 Ba6 42. Na7 Bb7 43. Nb5 Ke7 ) 37...  Bxc4 ( 37... Qb1+ 38. Kg2 Qxa2 39. Ne7+ Kf7 40. Bxd7 Kxe7 41. Qg7+ Kd8 42. Be6 ( 42. Bc6 Bc8 43. Qf8+ Kc7 44. Qe7+ Kb8 45. Qxd6+ Ka7 46. Qc7+ Ka6 47. Qxc8+ Ka5 48. Qa8+ ) 42... Qa4 43. Qf8+ Kc7 44. Qe7+ Kb8 45. Qxd6+ Ka7 46. Qc7+ Ka8 47. Bd7 Qc2+ 48. Kh3 Bb7 49. Bc6 Bxc6 50. dxc6 ) ( 37... Qxc4 38. Qxc4 ( 38. Ne7+ Kf7 39. Qxc4 ( 39. Bxd7 Qf1# ) 39... Bxc4 40. Nxf5 gxf5 41. Bxd7 Bxd5 42. Bxf5 Bxa2 ) 38... Bxc4 39. b3 ( 39. Ne7+ Kf7 40. Bxd7 ( 40. Nxf5 gxf5 41. Bxd7 Bxd5 ( 41... Bxa2 42. Bxf5 Bxd5 ) 42. Bxf5 Bxa2 43. Kf2 ) 40... Kxe7 ) 39... Bd3 ( 39... Ba6 40. Ne7+ Kf7 41. Nxg6 ( 41. Nxf5 gxf5 42. Bxd7 Kf6 ) 41... Nf6 42. Nh4 Nxd5 43. Nxf5 Nc3 44. Nxh6+ Kg6 45. Ng4 ) 40. Ne7+ ( 40. Na7 Nf6 41. Nc8 Nxd5 42. Nxd6 ) 40... Kf7 41. Nxg6 ( 41. Nc8 Nf6 42. Nxd6+ Ke7 43. Nc8+ Kf7 44. Nxb6 ) 41... Kxg6 42. Bxd7 Be4 ( 42... Bb1 43. a3 Ba2 ) 43. Be6 b5 44. Kf2 Kh5 45. h3 c4 46. bxc4 bxc4 47. Ke3 Bg2 48. Bxf5 ) ( 37... Nf6 38. Qxf6 Qe1+ 39. Kg2 Qe2+ 40. Kh3 Qf1+ 41. Kh4 ) ( 37... Nf8 ) 38. Qd2 ( 38. Ne7+ Qxe7 ( 38... Kf7 39. Bc2 Qe2 ) 39. Qxc4 ( 39. Bxd7 ) 39... Qe1+ 40. Kg2 Qd2+ 41. Kh3 Nf6 ) ( 38. Nd8 Bxd5 ( 38... Qb1+ 39. Kf2 Qf1+ 40. Ke3 Qe2# ) ) ( 38. Bb3 Bxb3 ( 38... Qb1+ 39. Kf2 Qf1+ 40. Ke3 Qe2# ) 39. Qxb3 ) ( 38. Bc2 Qd4+ ( 38... Qe2 ) ( 38... Qf3 39. Qxc4 ) 39. Qxd4 ) ( 38. Qc2 Qxc2 ( 38... Bd3 ) ( 38... Qe1+ 39. Kg2 Qf1# ) 39. Bxc2 Bxa2 40. b3 Nf6 41. Ne7+ Kf7 42. Nc8 Nxd5 43. Nxd6+ Ke6 44. Nc4 Nb4 45. Bd1 b5 46. Nd2 c4 ) 38...  Kf8 ( 38... Bxa2 39. Bc2 ) ( 38... Qb1+ 39. Kf2 Qf1+ 40. Ke3 Qg1+ 41. Qf2 Qc1+ 42. Qd2 Qxd2+ 43. Kxd2 Bxa2 44. b3 Bb1 45. Ne7+ ) 39. Bb3 ( 39. Bc2 Qxd5 40. Qxd5 Bxd5 ) ( 39. Nd8 Bxd5 ( 39... Qb1+ 40. Kf2 Qf1+ 41. Ke3 Qg1+ 42. Qf2 Qc1+ 43. Qd2 ) 40. Bxd7 Qh1+ 41. Kf2 Qg2+ ( 41... Qxh2+ 42. Ke1 Qxg3+ 43. Kd1 ( 43. Qf2 Qxf2+ 44. Kxf2 Ke7 45. Bc6 Bxc6 46. Nxc6+ Kd7 47. Nb8+ Kc7 48. Na6+ Kb7 ) 43... Qg1+ 44. Kc2 Be4+ 45. Kc3 Qd4+ 46. Qxd4 cxd4+ 47. Kxd4 Ke7 48. Bc6 ) 42. Ke1 Qg1+ 43. Ke2 Bc4+ 44. Kf3 ) ( 39. Ne5 Nxe5 40. fxe5 Qxe5 ) ( 39. Na7 Bxd5 ( 39... Nf6 40. Bc2 Qxd5 41. Qxd5 Nxd5 42. Nc8 ) ( 39... Ke7 40. Nc6+ Ke8 ) 40. Bxd7 Qh1+ 41. Kf2 Qxh2+ 42. Ke1 Qxg3+ 43. Qf2 ) ( 39. Qg2 Qb1+ 40. Kf2 ) 39...  Qb1+ ( 39... Bxb3 40. axb3 Nf6 41. Qc3 ( 41. Nb8 Nxd5 42. Nd7+ ) 41... Nxd5 42. Qh8+ Kf7 43. Qh7+ Ke8 44. Qg8+ Kd7 45. Nb8+ Kc7 46. Na6+ Kb7 47. Qb8+ Kxa6 48. Qa8+ Kb5 ) 40. Kf2 ( 40. Bd1 Bxa2 41. Qe2 Qe4 ) ( 40. Qd1 Qxd1+ 41. Bxd1 Bxd5 ) 40...  Qf1+ ( 40... Nf6 41. Qc2 Ne4+ 42. Ke3 ( 42. Kf3 Qf1+ 43. Ke3 Qg1+ ) 42... Qg1+ 43. Kf3 Qh1+ 44. Ke3 ) 41. Ke3 Nf6 42. Qd1 ( 42. Bxc4 Ng4# ) ( 42. h3 Nxd5+ 43. Qxd5 ) ( 42. Bd1 Nxd5+ ) 42...  Qxd1 ( 42... Ng4+ 43. Kd2 ) ( 42... Nxd5+ 43. Kd2 Qf2+ ( 43... Qd3+ 44. Kc1 ) 44. Kc1 Qe3+ 45. Qd2 Qxd2+ 46. Kxd2 Bxb3 47. axb3 ) 43. Bxd1 Nxd5+ 44. Kd2 Bxa2 45. Na7 ( 45. Nd8 Ke7 46. Nb7 Kd7 47. Bf3 Kc7 ) ( 45. b3 Bb1 46. Na7 ) 45...  Ke7 ( 45... Ne7 46. Nb5 Nc8 47. b3 Bb1 48. Nc3 Be4 ) ( 45... Bc4 46. Bf3 ( 46. Be2 Bxe2 47. Kxe2 Nc7 ) ( 46. Nc8 ) 46... Nb4 ) 46. Nb5 ( 46. Bf3 Kd7 47. Kc2 ( 47. Nb5 ) ) ( 46. Nc8+ Kd7 ) 46...  Bc4 47. Na3 Bf1 48. Nc2 b5 49. Bf3 Ke6 50. Bxd5+ Kxd5 51. Ne3+ Kd4 52. Nxf1 c4 53. Ne3 b4 ( 53... Ke4 54. Nc2 ( 54. Ng2 g5 ) 54... Kf3 ( 54... d5 ) ( 54... g5 55. fxg5 hxg5 56. Na3 Kf3 ( 56... b4 57. Nxc4 d5 58. Nd6+ Ke5 59. Nxf5 Kxf5 60. h4 gxh4 61. gxh4 Kg4 62. Kd3 Kxh4 63. Kd4 Kg5 64. Kxd5 Kf5 65. Kc4 Ke5 66. Kxb4 Kd6 67. Kb5 Kc7 68. b3 Kb7 69. b4 Ka7 70. Kc6 Ka8 71. Kc7 Ka7 72. b5 Ka8 73. Kb6 Kb8 74. Ka6 Ka8 75. b6 Kb8 76. b7 ) 57. Nxb5 Kg2 58. Ke3 ( 58. Nxd6 f4 59. gxf4 gxf4 60. h4 f3 61. Ne4 ) ) 55. Nd4+ Kg2 56. Ke3 ( 56. Nxb5 Kxh2 57. Nxd6 Kxg3 58. Ke3 h5 ( 58... g5 59. Nxf5+ Kg4 60. Nxh6+ Kh5 61. fxg5 Kxg5 62. Kd4 Kxh6 63. Kxc4 Kg6 64. Kc5 Kf6 65. Kc6 Ke7 66. Kc7 Ke6 67. b4 Kd5 68. b5 ) 59. Nxc4 h4 60. Nd2 h3 61. Nf3 g5 ) ) ( 53... h5 54. Ng2 Ke4 55. Nh4 ) 54. Nc2+ ( 54. Ng2 c3+ 55. bxc3+ bxc3+ 56. Kc2 Ke4 57. Kxc3 Kf3 58. Nh4+ Kg4 59. Nxg6 Kh3 60. Ne7 Kg4 61. Kd4 ) 54...  Kc5 ( 54... Ke4 55. Nxb4 Kf3 56. Nd5 Kg2 57. Ke3 Kxh2 58. Kf3 g5 59. fxg5 hxg5 60. Nb6 g4+ 61. Kf4 Kg2 62. Nxc4 d5 63. Nd6 d4 64. b4 d3 65. Nc4 Kf2 66. b5 ) 55. Ke3 b3 ( 55... d5 56. Nd4 ( 56. Nxb4?? d4+ ) 56... c3 57. bxc3 ( 57. b3 Kd6 58. Nc2 Kc5 59. Kd3 g5 60. fxg5 ( 60. h4 g4 61. Ne3 ) ( 60. Ne3 gxf4 61. gxf4 d4 62. Nxf5 c2 63. Kxc2 ) 60... hxg5 61. h4 f4 ) 57... bxc3 58. Kd3 Kb4 59. Ne2 d4 ( 59... c2 60. Kxc2 Kc4 61. Nc1 d4 62. Nd3 Kd5 63. Ne5 g5 64. Kd3 ) 60. Nxd4 h5 61. Ne2 ) ( 55... c3 56. bxc3 ( 56. b3 d5 57. Kd3 d4 58. Nxd4 ) 56... b3 57. Na3 b2 58. Kd3 d5 59. Kc2 d4 60. c4 Kb4 61. Kxb2 d3 62. c5 ) 56. Nd4 ( 56. Na3 Kb4 57. Nb1 Kc5 58. Kd2 ( 58. Nc3 d5 59. Na4+ Kb4 ( 59... Kb5 60. Nc3+ Kc5 61. Nb1 d4+ 62. Kd2 Kb4 ) 60. Nb6 c3 61. Nxd5+ Kc4 62. Nxc3 ) 58... Kd4 ( 58... Kb4 ) ) ( 56. Ne1 c3 57. bxc3 Kc4 ) 56...  c3 ( 56... d5 57. Ne6+ ( 57. Ne2 d4+ 58. Nxd4 c3 59. Nxb3+ Kb4 60. bxc3+ Kxb3 61. Kd4 ) 57... Kb4 58. Kd2 ( 58. Kd4 c3 59. bxc3+ Ka3 60. Nc5 b2 ) 58... c3+ 59. bxc3+ Ka3 60. Kc1 Ka2 ) 57. Nxb3+ ( 57. Kd3 c2 ( 57... cxb2 58. Nxb3+ Kb4 59. Nd2 d5 ( 59... Ka3 60. Kd4 ( 60. Kc2 Ka2 61. Nb1 d5 62. Nc3+ Ka1 ( 62... Ka3 63. Nxd5 ) 63. Kd3 ) 60... Kb4 ) 60. Kd4 h5 61. h4 Ka3 62. Kxd5 Kb4 63. Kd4 ) ( 57... Kb4 58. bxc3+ Ka3 59. c4 ( 59. Nb5+ Ka2 60. c4 b2 61. Nc3+ Kb3 62. Kd4 Ka3 ( 62... Kb4 63. Nb1 Kb3 64. Kd5 Kb4 65. Kxd6 Kxc4 66. Ke6 Kb3 67. Kf6 Kc2 68. Na3+ Kb3 69. Nb1 Kc2 ) 63. Nb1+ Ka2 64. Nd2 b1=Q 65. Nxb1 Kxb1 66. Kd5 Kc2 67. Kxd6 Kd3 68. c5 ) 59... b2 60. Kc2 Ka2 ) 58. Nxb3+ ) 57...  Kb4 ( 57... Kc4 58. bxc3 Kxb3 59. Kd4 d5 60. Kxd5 ) 58. bxc3+ ( 58. Nc1 cxb2 59. Nd3+ Kb3 60. Nxb2 Kxb2 61. Kd4 Kc2 ( 61... g5 62. Kd5 ( 62. h4 g4 ( 62... gxf4 63. gxf4 Kc2 64. Kd5 Kd3 65. Kxd6 Ke4 ) ) 62... gxf4 63. gxf4 Kc2 64. Kxd6 Kd3 65. Ke5 Ke3 66. Kxf5 Kf3 67. h4 Kg3 68. h5 Kh4 69. Kg6 ) 62. Kd5 Kd2 63. Kxd6 Ke2 64. Ke6 Kf2 65. Kf6 Kg2 66. Kxg6 Kxh2 67. Kxf5 ( 67. Kxh6 Kxg3 68. Kg5 ) 67... Kxg3 ) ( 58. Kd4 c2 ( 58... Kxb3 59. bxc3 d5 60. Kxd5 Kxc3 61. Ke6 Kd3 62. Kf6 Ke3 63. Kxg6 ) ( 58... cxb2 59. Nd2 d5 60. Kxd5 Kc3 61. Nb1+ Kc2 62. Na3+ Kb3 ) 59. Nc1 ) ( 58. Kd3 Kxb3 ( 58... cxb2 59. Nd2 Ka3 ( 59... d5 60. Kd4 h5 61. h4 Ka3 62. Kxd5 Ka2 ( 62... Kb4 63. Kd4 ) 63. Ke6 ) 60. Kd4 Kb4 61. Kd5 Kc3 62. Nb1+ Kc2 63. Na3+ Kb3 64. Nc4 b1=Q 65. Nd2+ ) 59. bxc3 d5 60. Kd4 Kc2 61. Kxd5 Kxc3 62. Ke5 Kd3 63. Kf6 Ke4 ) 58...  Kxc3 ( 58... Kxb3 59. Kd4 g5 ( 59... h5 60. c4 Kb4 61. Kd5 Kc3 62. Kxd6 Kxc4 63. Ke6 Kd4 64. Kf6 Ke3 65. Kxg6 Kf3 66. Kxh5 Kg2 67. Kg5 Kxh2 68. Kxf5 Kxg3 69. Ke5 Kg4 70. f5 Kg5 71. f6 Kg6 72. Ke6 ) ( 59... d5 60. Kxd5 Kxc3 61. Ke5 Kc4 ( 61... Kd3 62. Kf6 Ke3 63. Kxg6 Kf3 64. Kxh6 ) 62. Kf6 Kd4 63. Kxg6 Ke4 64. Kxh6 Kf3 65. Kg5 ) ( 59... Kc2 60. Kd5 Kxc3 61. Kxd6 Kd4 62. Ke6 Ke4 63. Kf6 g5 64. fxg5 hxg5 65. Kxg5 Ke5 66. h4 Ke6 67. Kg6 Ke7 68. Kxf5 ) 60. Kd5 ( 60. h4 gxf4 ( 60... g4 61. c4 Kc2 62. Kd5 Kd3 63. Kxd6 Ke3 64. c5 Kf3 65. c6 Kxg3 66. c7 Kxh4 67. c8=Q g3 68. Qxf5 g2 69. Qg6 Kh3 ) 61. gxf4 h5 62. c4 Kc2 63. Kd5 Kd3 64. Kxd6 Kxc4 65. Ke5 Kd3 66. Kxf5 Kd4 67. Kg5 ) ( 60. c4 g4 ( 60... gxf4 61. gxf4 Kb4 62. Kd5 h5 63. h4 Kc3 64. Kxd6 Kxc4 65. Ke5 Kc5 66. Kxf5 Kd5 67. Kg6 Ke6 68. f5+ Ke7 69. Kg7 ) ( 60... Kc2 61. Kd5 Kd3 62. Kxd6 Ke4 63. c5 gxf4 64. gxf4 Kxf4 65. c6 Ke3 66. c7 f4 67. c8=Q f3 68. Qh3 Ke2 69. Qxh6 f2 70. Qf4 f1=Q 71. Qxf1+ Kxf1 72. h4 ) 61. Kd5 Kc3 62. Kxd6 Kxc4 63. Ke5 ) 60... Kxc3 61. Kxd6 Kd4 62. Ke6 Ke4 63. fxg5 hxg5 64. Kf6 f4 65. gxf4 gxf4 ) 59. Nd4 d5 ( 59... Kc4 60. Ne6 ( 60. Nf3 d5 61. Ne5+ Kc3 62. Nxg6 d4+ 63. Ke2 Kc2 64. Ne5 Kc3 65. Kd1 d3 66. Nf7 Kd4 67. Nxh6 ) 60... d5 61. Nf8 g5 62. Ne6 gxf4+ 63. Kxf4 d4 64. Nxd4 Kxd4 65. Kxf5 Ke3 66. Kg6 ) 60. Nf3 Kc4 ( 60... g5 61. fxg5 hxg5 62. h4 ( 62. Nxg5 d4+ 63. Ke2 Kc2 64. Nf3 d3+ 65. Ke3 ) 62... gxh4 63. gxh4 d4+ ( 63... f4+ 64. Kxf4 d4 65. h5 d3 66. h6 d2 67. Nxd2 ) ) ( 60... h5 61. Ne5 d4+ 62. Ke2 Kc2 63. h4 Kc3 64. Nxg6 d3+ 65. Kd1 Kd4 66. Ne7 Ke4 67. Kd2 Kf3 68. Nxf5 Ke4 69. Ng7 Kf3 70. f5 ) 61. Ne5+ ( 61. Kd2 Kc5 62. Ne5 g5 63. Nf7 Kd4 64. fxg5 hxg5 65. Nxg5 f4 66. gxf4 Kc5 67. f5 Kd6 68. f6 Kd7 69. f7 Ke7 70. Kd3 ) 61...  Kc3 62. Nxg6 ( 62. Nc6 Kc4 ( 62... h5 63. h4 Kc2 64. Kd4 Kd2 65. Kxd5 Ke3 66. Ne5 Kf2 67. Nxg6 Kxg3 68. Ke5 Kg4 69. Kf6 ) ( 62... g5 63. fxg5 hxg5 64. h4 gxh4 65. gxh4 d4+ 66. Nxd4 f4+ 67. Kxf4 Kxd4 68. h5 Kd5 69. h6 Ke6 70. h7 ) 63. Kd2 ) 62...  d4+ 63. Ke2 Kc2 ( 63... d3+ 64. Kd1 d2 ( 64... Kd4 65. Ne7 Ke4 66. Kd2 h5 ( 66... Kf3 67. Nxf5 h5 68. Kxd3 ) 67. Nxf5 Kxf5 68. Kxd3 Kg4 69. Ke4 h4 70. f5 Kg5 71. Ke5 ) ( 64... h5 65. Nh4 ) 65. Ne7 ) 64. Ne5 Kc3 ( 64... h5 65. h3 ( 65. h4 Kc3 66. Kd1 d3 67. Nf3 Kc4 68. Kd2 Kd5 69. Kxd3 Ke6 70. Kd4 ) 65... d3+ 66. Nxd3 ) 65. Kd1 ( 65. Nd3 ) ( 65. h3 h5 66. h4 Kc2 ) 65...  d3 66. Nf7 ( 66. Nf3 Kc4 67. Kd2 Kd5 68. Kxd3 ) 66...  h5 67. Nd6 h4 68. Nxf5 hxg3 69. hxg3 d2 70. Ne3 1-0

Asian Online Nations Cup 2020 - First Weekend

 The first weekend of the 2020 Asian nations Cup has been completed, with 3 rounds in both the Open and Women's tournaments completed.

The Open got off to a very shaky start, with a number of technical difficulties delaying the rounds quite significantly. The day eventually finished around 2.5 hours late, but the all matches were completed. The Philippines, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Iran won all 3 of their matches and lead on 6 points. Australia had a narrow 2.5-1.5 loss in the third round and are on 4 points.

The Women's even ran a lot more smoothly, with the only real issue being unstable internet connections from some countries. Australia suffered a surprise 3.5-1.5 loss to Singapore, but won both their other matches to sit on 4 points. The teams on 6/6 are Vietnam, Iran, Kazakhstan and Indonesia. 

Full result from both events (plus most of the games) can be found here 

Idani,Pouya (2460) - Smirnov,Anton (2367) [A00]
Asian Nations (Regions) Men Online Cup 2 Chess.com (3.2), 10.10.2020

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4 c6 9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 13. Rb1 b5 14. Be2 Bg6 15. Rb2 Nd7 16. d5 cxd5 17. Rxb5 Nc5 18. Be3 Rc8 19. Bxc5 Bxc5 20. Nd4 Bb6 21. Qd2 Re8 22. Bg4 Rc4 23. Be2 Rc7 24. Rb2 Qf6 25. Rd1 h6 26. a4 Rec8 27. Ba6 Bxd4 28. Bxc8 Bxc3 29. Qc1 Rxc8 30. Rxd5 Re8 0-1

2020 Asian Nations Cup

 The 2020 Asian Nations Cup (online) begins tomorrow event at 5pm Canberra time. Following on from the success of the 2020 Online Chess Olympiad, the event has attracted 40 countries from the Asian Chess Confederation. Unlike the Olympiad, this event has an Open and Women's section, and will be run as a 9 round swiss, followed by a KO final series.

Australia is the 6th seed on the Open, and the 4th seed in the Women's. India is the top seed in both sections, with China not entering this event. There will be 3 rounds played on the first weekend (Open Saturday, Women's Sunday), with the reaming 6 rounds played the following weekend (Friday to Monday). The top 8 teams then qualify for a knockout final which will be played the weekend after. As it is a swiss, the actual pairings won't be known in advance, but you can find out more information at http://asianchess.com/ The games themselves will be played on chess.com and you can follow the event there.

Rules are for birds

 When I am involved in drafting changes to the Laws of Chess, I have a strong preference for short, clear and less prescriptive regulations. I have often objected to detailed a rule, on the grounds that people will assume anything left out is not covered. One way I illustrate this is the using the fictitious example of a bird flying into the playing hall, upsetting the game, and then having to write a new rule on how to deal with this (do players get extra time? what to do if the bird accidently indicates the winning move etc).

So, as the gods would have it, a bird did manage to fly into the playing area of the 2020 ACT Junior Chess Championship yesterday. No doubt attracted by the food scraps left by the players over lunch, it wandered through the door, came into the main area, and then decided to fly around and around. While this did cause a minor distraction for the players, it seemed content not to interfere in the games, and instead watch from afar. 

Fortunately for the bird (and the school alarm system), I was able to coax it outside by the simple method of opening a second door and turning all the lights off. After a couple of attempts it worked out where the fresh air was coming from, and swooped through the door and off into the blue sky.

(PS A follow to yesterdays Pawn Wars / Transfer post. You can only drop pawns in your own half of the board)

Some slightly odd goings on

 I tend to make a big thing about directing the ACT Junior Chess Championship, as it was both the first important tournament I played in (in 1982) and the first tournament I was the arbiter for (in 1984).So I'm always happy when asked to the the Arbiter, as I was this year.

The first day saw 35 players turn up, which is not a bad number (the fields were a lot smaller in my day). With only 3 rounds so far the top players are only just starting to meet, so a likely champion is not clear at this stage. But there was still some things worth noting, including some odd opening theory.

One game started with 1.c4 e5 2.c5?! which was met by the obvious 2 ... Bxc5, while a new line in the Sicilian started with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Q "oh it's touch move" a5.

However the winner of the strangest idea was in fact a chess variant which I have never seen before (or quite understood the rules once I did). It looked like the "Pawn Game" (where you only have pawns and try and promote first) combined with Transfer (so 4 players in total). Where it lost me was not understanding why you couldn't just drop onto the 7th rank and win very quickly.  

As there are another 3 rounds tomorrow, I should make the effort to find the answer to this question.

And now for the chess

 Altibox 2020 begins in a couple of hours, with Carlsen, Aronian, Caruana, Duda, Firouzja and Tari playing in a double RR, IRL! The tournament is using the 3 points for a win scoring system, with an Armageddon game played in case of a draw (the winner earning 1.5 points instead of the usual 1).

The starting time is a little bit late for me to stay up for, but there may be still games in progress when I wake up. If you want to follow the live action the Chess24 seems to be the place to go.  

Tal

 I have just realised, to some embarrassment, that I don't really have many books on Mikhail Tal. My only game collection is "Tal's 100 Best Games" by Cafferty, but this only covers the period from 1960 to 1973. While trips to bookshops outside Canberra is fairly limited at the moment, when I do hit the road, I do know what gaps in my library I will be looking to fill.

Nonetheless, the Cafferty book is a good read. Recently I have been doing some coaching using the Fischer v Najdorf game from the 1962 Olympiad, which Fischer won in 24 moves. Interestingly enough, Najdorf suffered a similar two years earlier against Tal, getting crushed as Black in only 26 moves. Here is the game, which is Game 2 in Cafferty's book.

Tal,Mihail - Najdorf,Miguel [B42]
Leipzig ol (Men) fin-A Leipzig (6), 02.11.1960

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be3 a6 7. f4 b5 8. Qf3 Bb7 9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. O-O Be7 11. a3 O-O 12. Qh3 Qc7 13. Rae1 Nc5 14. Bf2 d5 15. exd5 Nxd3 16. cxd3 Bxd5 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Nf5 Bc5 19. d4 Ba7 20. Bh4 Ne4 21. Rxe4 dxe4 22. Bf6 Qb6 23. Bxg7 Rfe8 24. Be5 Qg6 25. Nh6+ Kf8 26. f5 1-0

Well, that escalated quickly

 This.

After the Armenia Eagles upset the St Louis Arch Bishop's in the final of the chess.com Pro Chess League, the chatter about how unlikely the result was quickly started. The comments section in chess.com quickly filled with people both suggesting that something fishy was going on, and others who though such complaints were sour grapes. Then GM Wesley So joined in, and the whole discussion really took off.

After 2 days of claim and counter claim, chess.com announced that the Armenia Eagles had been DQ'd and first place was to be awarded to St Louis. More significantly, chess.com were very public about their reasons, and that GM Tigran L Petrosian was to be given a lifetime ban from the site. Normally titled players who get suspended or banned aren't publicly name (their accounts just get shut down), but not this time.

The latest news is that Petrosian plans to defend his reputation in an online press conference, so it may be worth stocking up on popcorn.

This is not the Bongcloud

 I am not shocked that a number of internet based events have now descended into a competition among the top GM's to see who can troll the hardest (it is the internet after all). All very amusing (except to some outraged purists), but could people at least get the names of the openings correct. (Am I the chess equivalent of the grammar police?)

1.e4 e5 2.Ke2 is the Bongcloud. Not 1.f3 e5 2.Kf2 This instead is the Hammerschlag. And for further reference 1.e4 f5 is The Fred (often followed up with 2.exf5 Kf7 aka The Tumbleweed for black), while 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Kf2 is the Tumbleweed for white.

Carlsen,Magnus (2863) - So,Wesley (2770) [A00]
chess24 Banter Series Final chess24.com (40.1), 29.09.2020

1. f3 e5 2. Kf2 d5 3. e3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Nge7 5. d4 a6 6. Ba4 exd4 7. exd4 Nf5 8. Ne2 Bd6 9. c3 O-O 10. Nd2 Re8 11. Nf1 Bd7 12. Bc2 Qh4+ 13. g3 Qf6 14. Bf4 Nce7 15. Bxd6 Nxd6 16. Ne3 Bf5 17. Nf4 c6 18. Re1 Qh6 19. h4 Qf6 20. Bxf5 Nexf5 21. Ng4 Qd8 22. Qd3 Qb6 23. b3 Qb5 24. a4 Qxb3 25. Reb1 Qc4 26. Qd2 a5 27. Ne5 Qa6 28. h5 f6 29. Ned3 Nc4 30. Qa2 b6 31. g4 Nfd6 32. Re1 Qb7 33. Ne6 Qd7 34. Ndf4 Re7 35. Re2 Rae8 36. Rae1 Nf7 37. Qb1 Ng5 38. Nxg5 fxg5 39. Rxe7 Rxe7 40. Nd3 Re6 41. Ne5 Qe7 42. Re2 h6 43. Qf5 Rf6 44. Qc8+ Qf8 45. Qxf8+ Rxf8 46. Nxc6 Kf7 47. Re7+ Kf6 48. Rd7 Rc8 49. Ne7 Ke6 50. Ra7 Rf8 51. Nf5 Rf7 52. Nxg7+ Kf6 53. Rxf7+ Kxf7 54. Nf5 Nb2 55. Ke2 Nxa4 56. Nxh6+ Kf6 57. Kd3 Nb2+ 58. Kc2 Nc4 59. Nf5 b5 60. h6 Kg6 61. Ne7+ Kxh6 62. Nxd5 Kg6 63. Nc7 Nd6 64. Kb3 Kf6 65. Nd5+ Ke6 66. Ne3 Kd7 67. Ng2 Kc6 68. f4 Ne4 69. fxg5 Nxg5 70. Nf4 Ne4 71. Nh3 a4+ 72. Kb4 a3 73. Kxa3 Nxc3 74. g5 Kd5 75. g6 Ne4 76. Ng5 Nf6 77. Nf3 Ke4 78. g7 Kf5 79. Ne5 Kg5 80. Kb4 1-0

Would you resign here?

 The 'trigger' for resigning can sometimes be quite complicated. I have had opponents resign to me when I have played a seemingly strong move, only to find it was a blunder that should have thrown the win away. I've also had opponents decide to play on in hopeless positions, hoping that there is still one last blunder left in me.

While the general rule seems to be 'play until you have no winning tricks left', it isn't always clear what this means. For example, should White have resigned in this game, or was there a chance to turn the tables if they played on?

Amateur - Beis [C31]
Germany Germany, 1940

1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Nxe5 Nc6 5. Bb5 Nf6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bxc6+ Bd7 8. Bxa8 Bg4 0-1

ACT Chess Association Annual General Meeting - 1 October 2020

 Just a reminder to all members of the ACT CHess Association. The 2020 Annual General Meeting will be held at 6pm Thursday 1st October 2020 at the Hellenic Club, Moore Street, Canberra City.

Was the fix in?

 A number of my older chess books contain amusing anecdotes dated many years before. As these books do not often include sources for these stories, it could be assumed that some tales have been either invented, or are exaggerations of real events.

One story is about an early form of match fixing between Ruy Lopez and Giovanni Leonardo. In a match to decide the best player in the world (in 1575), Leonardo threw his first two games, only to come back and win the match 3-2. In looking for more background on this story I did discover discrepancies about the venue (Madrid or Rome), but more importantly, if Leonardo was trying to throw some games, he could have been a bit more subtle about it.

Lopez de Segura,Ruy - Leonardo,Giovanni da Cutri [C30]
Ruy Lopez Rome, 1560

1. e4 e5 2. f4 d6 3. Bc4 c6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. fxe5 dxe5 6. Bxf7+ Kxf7 7. Nxe5+ Ke8 8. Qxg4 Nf6 9. Qe6+ Qe7 10. Qc8+ Qd8 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. Nf7+ 1-0

The plural of chess?

 Whether there was a plural form of the word 'chess' was something I have not really though about until today. But according to Wiktionary, the plural of chess is chesses. Now I'm pretty sure that 'chesses' isn't even a word, and I am struggling to think of a sentence that could contain it. 

But I do like the other identifier attached to the word "chess" in the article. The fact that it is uncountable (ie you can't have 'several chess') does make sense to me. There is just chess!

Even GM's sometimes forget

 Anyone who has been coached by me recently will know I am a big fan of castling and king safety. Of course anyone who has played me recently will also know that I often get this wrong in my own games. It turns out I am not the only one, as even GM's sometimes forget to get their king out of the firing line. In the following 3 minute game, a well known GM and trainer never gets around to castling, and quickly pays the price.

Jeff_Memes (2526) - GurevichMikhail (2539) [B06]
Live Chess Chess.com, 20.09.2020

1. e4 d6 2. d4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Be3 a6 5. f4 b5 6. Nf3 Bb7 7. Bd3 Nd7 8. e5 c5 9. Be4 Qc8 10. Bxb7 Qxb7 11. dxc5 dxe5 12. Qd5 Qxd5 13. Nxd5 Rc8 14. O-O-O exf4 15. Bxf4 Nxc5 16. Rhe1 e6 17. Nc7+ Ke7 18. Bd6+ Kf6 19. Be5+ 1-0