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