[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2006.07.28"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2662"]
[Annotator "Soltis"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2006.07.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. g3 Qb6 7. Nb3 Ne5 8. e4
Bb4 9. Qe2 d6 10. f4 Nc6 11. Be3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Qc7 13. Bg2 O-O 14. O-O b6 15.
Nd4 Nxd4 16. cxd4 Ba6 17. Rac1 Rac8 18. e5 Nd5 19. Bxd5 exd5 20. f5 dxc4 21. f6
g6 22. Qg4 Qc6 23. Rf4 dxe5 24. dxe5 Bb7 25. Qh3 Rfe8 26. Kf2 Rxe5 27. Rcxc4
Qxc4 28. Rxc4 Rxc4 29. Qd7 Rc2+ 30. Kg1 Bc6 31. Qd4 Rd5 32. Qg4 h5 0-1

[Event "Baden-Baden"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "1870.07.26"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Steinitz, William"]
[Black "Neumann, Gustav Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C29"]
[Annotator "Soltis"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "1870.07.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. d3 dxe4 5. fxe5 Ng4 6. Nxe4 Nxe5 7. d4 Ng6 8.
Nf3 Qe7 9. Bd3 f5 10. Bg5 Qe6 11. O-O fxe4 12. Bxe4 Bd6 13. Ne5 Bxe5 14. dxe5
Nd7 15. Qh5 Ndf8 16. Rad1 Bd7 17. h3 Rg8 18. Kh1 Qb6 19. e6 Bxe6 20. Rd2 a5 21.
b3 a4 22. Rfd1 Bd7 23. Rxd7 1-0

[Event "Merano"]
[Site "Merano"]
[Date "1924.02.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Spielmann, Rudolf"]
[Black "Selezniev, Alexey Sergeevich"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C30"]
[Annotator "Soltis"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1r6/5p1k/2qP3p/4Pp2/2p1b3/2Q5/2PR2PP/4NK2 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[EventDate "1924.02.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[#]} 1. d7 Rd8 (1... Bd5 2. Qd4 (2. Qa5)) 2. Rd6 Qb5 3. Qe3 c3+ 4. Kf2 Kg8 5.
Rxh6 1-0

[Event "Merano"]
[Site "Merano"]
[Date "1924.02.19"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Gruenfeld, Ernst"]
[Black "Koltanowski, George"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A42"]
[Annotator "Soltis"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/pp1qPp2/3p1Qpr/2pPn3/2P5/1P6/P5PP/3B1RK1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "1924.02.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[#]} 1. Bg4 (1. Bg4 Nxg4 (1... Qe8 2. Qxd6) 2. Qxf7+) 1-0

[Event "Merano"]
[Site "Merano"]
[Date "1924.02.11"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Selezniev, Alexey Sergeevich"]
[Black "Takacs, Sandor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Annotator "Soltis"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4rqk1/pb3r1R/4p3/1p1nb1p1/2pPQ1P1/2P5/PPB2N1P/4R1K1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[EventDate "1924.02.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[#]} 1. Qg6+ (1. Qg6+ Bg7 (1... Rg7 2. Qh5) 2. Rh8+ Kxh8 3. Qh7#) 1-0

[Event "Merano"]
[Site "Merano"]
[Date "1924.02.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Selezniev, Alexey Sergeevich"]
[Black "Tarrasch, Siegbert"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A85"]
[Annotator "Soltis"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1bbq3r/rp1n1kpp/p7/3N1p2/1B2p3/4PN2/PPQ2PPP/2R1K2R b K - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "22"]
[EventDate "1924.02.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[#]} 1... exf3 2. Ne7 (2. Qxf5+ Nf6) 2... Ne5 3. O-O Be6 4. Rfd1 Qe8 5. Nxf5
Qc6 6. Qb1 Bxf5 7. Qxf5+ Qf6 8. Rd7+ Nxd7 9. Qxd7+ Kg6 10. Qg4+ Qg5 11. Qe6+
Qf6 12. Qg4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Merano"]
[Site "Merano"]
[Date "1924.02.16"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Rosselli del Turco, Stefano"]
[Black "Koltanowski, George"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B10"]
[Annotator "Soltis"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2q1rk1/1Q5p/p3p1p1/2RnN3/3P1p2/6P1/PP3PP1/2R3K1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "5"]
[EventDate "1924.02.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[#]} 1. Rc7 Nxc7 (1... Nf6 2. Rg7+ Kh8 3. Rcc7) 2. Rxc7 Qf6 3. Ng4 (3. Ng4
Qxd4 4. Nh6+ Kh8 5. Rxh7#) 1-0

[Event "Merano"]
[Site "Merano"]
[Date "1924.02.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Rubinstein, Akiba"]
[Black "Przepiorka, Dawid"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C01"]
[Annotator "Soltis"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2brnq1k/p2r1ppn/1pp4p/3pBP2/3P1QP1/P1NB4/1PP1R2P/4R1K1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "1924.02.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[#]} 1. Qg3 (1. Qxh6 $1 f6 2. Qh4 fxe5 3. dxe5) 1... f6 2. Bf4 Ng5 3. h4 Nf7
4. Nd1 Ned6 5. Nf2 Ne4 6. Bxe4 dxe4 7. Bc7 Re8 8. Rxe4 Rxe4 9. Rxe4 c5 10. d5
Rxd5 11. Qe3 Ne5 12. Nd3 Kh7 13. Nxe5 fxe5 14. Bxe5 Rd1+ 15. Kf2 Bb7 16. Bxg7
Qd6 17. Re5 Kxg7 18. g5 Rd2+ 19. Ke1 Rd1+ 20. Kf2 Rd2+ 21. Ke1 Rd1+ 22. Kf2
Rd2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 22nd"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2005.03.08"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Kasparov, Garry"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B84"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "Tatev"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2005.02.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,52,41,41,63,46,81,54,46,27,34,26,53,32,57,57,82,50,43,6,9,15,64,31,35,
28,44,30,34,11,11,32,29,33,42,47,69,31,52,52,45,15,0,-8,-6,-149,-208,-212,-238,
-236,-236,-489,-497,-497,-538]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5.
Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. Be2 Qc7 8. Qd2 b5 9. a3 {Creating a hook.} Bb7 10. f3 Nc6
11. O-O-O {[#]} b4 {Here Black is the first to attack, taking advantage of the
hook White has created. The black king is safe in the center for the time
being, as there is no way for White to blast open the center.} 12. axb4 Nxb4
13. g4 Be7 14. g5 Nd7 15. h4 Nc5 {Black holds off on castling, and instead
transfers his pieces to the queenside. Meanwhile, White has started pushing
his g- and h-pawns in anticipation of Black's short castling.} 16. Kb1 Rb8 17.
h5 O-O {It is brave to castle as the white pawns approach Black's pawn shield,
but White was ready to start attacking the king in the center with a g5-g6
push, weakening the e6-pawn.} 18. g6 Bf6 $1 {Correctly ignoring the g6-pawn,
Black activates his bishop instead, which serves both attacking and defensive
purposes.} 19. Rdg1 {[#]} ({Now} 19. gxh7+ {would be met with} Kh8 20. h6 g6 {
when the black king finds safety behind the enemy pawns. Hiding the king
behind your opponent's pawns is an excellent defensive technique - White
wishes he could simply take both h-pawns off the board to open the file, but
he has no way of forcing Black to capture them.}) ({And after} 19. h6 fxg6 20.
hxg7 Bxg7 {the queen defends the seventh rank, and White's attack is not
strong.}) 19... Ba8 $1 {The bishop slides back to make the b-file available
for the rook. We saw in the previous Kasparov game how vital the dark-squared
bishop can be on this diagonal. Almost every black piece is now aiming at the
white king.} 20. Bg5 Be5 21. gxh7+ Kxh7 22. Nb3 ({Here again} 22. h6 {will be
met by} g6 {when White has no way of opening lines to the king.}) 22... Nxc2 $1
{With such good pieces, it's little surprise that Black can win the game
tactically.} 23. Nxc5 Na3+ $1 24. Ka2 Qxc5 25. Na4 Nc2 $3 {A beautiful mating
net.} 26. Kb1 ({If} 26. Nxc5 Rxb2# {, while Black wins after}) (26. Rb1 Nb4+
27. Ka1 Qa5 28. Bd1 Bc6 {.}) 26... Qa3 (26... Qa3 {White resigned in view of}
27. Qxc2 Rfc8 28. Qd2 Qxa4 {.}) 0-1

[Event "Women-Veterans"]
[Site "Aruba"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Geller, Efim P"]
[Black "Polgar, Judit"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B85"]
[WhiteElo "2525"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[Annotator "Tatev"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "1992.08.??"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NAU"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,64,27,27,53,66,77,75,57,35,35,30,60,28,63,50,62,35,53,37,38,37,33,34,
38,52,52,18,11,-2,-10,-31,-35,-32,-24,-29,-37,-28,-45,-49,-49,-30,0,0,-1,-72,
-82,-70,-70,-62,-63,-81,-60,-96,-88,-125,-125,-145,-145,-143,-129,-129,-111,
-111,-114,-206,-204]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6.
Be2 e6 7. O-O Be7 8. f4 O-O 9. Qe1 {A classical setup against the Scheveningen:
White castles on the same side as Black, but will launch an attack by
transferring the queen to the g3-square.} Qc7 10. Qg3 Nc6 11. Be3 Nxd4 12. Bxd4
b5 {This move aims to develop the c8-bishop on the long diagonal, and also
potentially undermine the e4-pawn by attacking its defender with ...b5-b4.} 13.
e5 dxe5 14. fxe5 Bc5 $1 {Correctly trading the dark-squared bishops in order
to leave White with the weak e5-pawn.} ({Black might also have tried} 14... Nd7
15. Ne4 Bb7 16. Nd6 (16. Nf6+ Nxf6 17. exf6 Qxg3 18. hxg3 Bxf6 19. Bxf6 gxf6 {
is equal}) 16... Bd5 17. Rad1 {when the position is equal but the knight on d6
is a bit annoying.}) 15. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 16. Kh1 Nd7 {[#] This is the position that
I want to focus upon. White has overextended with the e4-e5 push, and now the
pawn is extremely weak. Endgames will favor Black as there is a clear weakness
in White's camp, and without the dark-squared bishops, White's attack is less
frightening. Targetting the h7-pawn with the queen and the bishop will be met
with ...g7-g6, as Black doesn't have to worry about dark square weaknesses.
Black does have to consider the white knight going to e4 and then, potentially,
to f6, but that does not work tactically as the e5-pawn hangs. Generally,
Black would also be happy to play ...Bc8-b7 and exchange that bishop for the
c3-knight, leaving White with a bishop against the knight. This situation
favors Black as the light-squared bishop cannot defend the e5-pawn.} 17. Rae1
Qxe5 18. Qh4 {White decides to give up a central pawn in hopes of building an
attack. Black still needs to remain vigilant and take the threats against the
king seriously.} Qc7 19. Bd3 g6 20. Re3 Qd8 21. Qh6 f5 {[#]} 22. Bxf5 {Now the
position gets extremely messy. White's idea is to bring the knight into the
attack via the d5-square, utilizing the fact that his pieces are
well-centralized.} Nc5 $1 {Polgar avoids the mess that would come with
capturing the bishop and instead forces a trade of pieces} ({If} 22... Rxf5 23.
Rxf5 exf5 24. Nd5 Ne5 25. Rxe5 {Black keeps the balance with} Be6 $3 {,
preventing the knight check at all costs. Now if} (25... Ra7 $2 26. Re8+ Qxe8
27. Nf6+ {and wins}) 26. Rxe6 Qxd5 27. Re1 {the position is entirely equal.})
23. Bd3 Rxf1+ 24. Bxf1 Bb7 25. Rh3 Qc7 {The black king is now fully safe as
White is attacking with a limited number of pieces - neither the knight or the
bishop can join the attack. The black queen is able to defend against the only
threat.} 26. Qe3 Rf8 27. Kg1 e5 28. Nd1 Ne6 29. c3 Nf4 30. Rg3 Qf7 31. Nf2 e4
32. Be2 Qxa2 0-1

[Event "Ubeda"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1997.02.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Illescas Cordoba, Miguel Angel"]
[Black "Andersson, Ulf"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B88"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[Annotator "Tatev"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1997.02.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,71,5,53,100,47,98,86,70,56,56,53,94,63,84,63,71,34,47,29,28,28,21,6,
62,37,35,21,38,38,58,33,49,35,35,35,72,34,27,27,152,100,152,76,73,72,91,24,24,
84,96,101,78,0,0,-17,-31,-75,-75,-330,77,-291,-322,-99,-43,-411,-540,-540,-619,
-619,-590,-768,-768,-29997]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3
e6 6. Bc4 {White develops the bishop on the a2-g8 diagonal with the idea to
pressure e6 after f4-f5.} a6 7. O-O Be7 8. Bb3 Nc6 9. f4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 O-O 11.
f5 Kh8 12. Kh1 Bd7 13. Bg5 Qa5 14. Rad1 Rad8 15. Qd3 {[#]} exf5 $1 {A good
strategic decision by Black. Opening the diagonal for the b3-bishop looks
scary, but Black's idea is to activate his own bishop in the process. Normally,
Black almost never plays this move.} 16. exf5 Bc6 17. Qd4 d5 $1 {We can now
see the idea behind exchanging on f5. The break with the d5-pawn is the main
idea for Black in the Sicilian - if they can play ...d6(7)-d5 without major
consequences, like allowing a strong e4-e5 or being saddled with a weak,
isolated pawn, it's usually a huge success. In this position, Black is left
with an isolated pawn, but in return he keeps the b3-bishop out of play,
controls the c3-knight, and can place his own knight on e4 eventually. And if
the d5-pawn moves to d4, the c6-bishop will become a monster.} 18. Qh4 Rfe8 19.
Rd3 Qc5 20. Rh3 {[#]} Kg8 $1 {The beginning of a king run. It also helps that
it's the only move for Black!} ({Naturally} 20... h6 21. Bxh6 {is immediately
game over.}) 21. Bxf6 ({Alternatively,} 21. Rg3 Kh8 22. Rh3 Kg8 {would lead to
a forced draw}) 21... Bxf6 22. Qxh7+ Kf8 23. Qh8+ Ke7 24. Qh5 Rd7 $1 {
Defending the f7-pawn and opening a path for the king to escape to the
queenside. Here, as in the Polgar game, Black has good control of the position
with the bishops not allowing White's minor pieces to enter the game. All of
Black's pieces are well placed, and once the king gets to safety, he will take
control of the board.} 25. Re1+ Kd8 26. Rxe8+ Kxe8 {[#] This exchange of rooks
may feel dangerous for Black as the king is in the center, but we will see
that it leaves White with a very tender back-rank. Remember: a weak king is
only weak if it can be attacked!} 27. Qh8+ Ke7 28. Nd1 d4 {Without an attack,
White's pieces are scattered all over the board without any harmony or purpose.
We also see the weaknesses of the white king in the backrank and the g2-pawn.}
29. Qg8 Qe5 30. Qxf7+ Kd8 31. Rh8+ Kc7 32. Qe8 {It looks like that White has
made progress, but there are no real threats. The black king is perfectly safe,
while his counterpart is under heavy fire.} Qxf5 33. Qe1 Re7 34. Qg3+ Kb6 35.
Bc4 Qxc2 36. Bb3 (36. Bb3 {White resigned in light of} Qxg2+ ({or} 36... Re1+
37. Qxe1 Qxg2#) 37. Qxg2 Re1#) 0-1

[Event "World Junior"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.10.02"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Black "Woodward, Andy"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2667"]
[BlackElo "2475"]
[Annotator "Woodward"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:56"]
[BlackClock "0:13:39"]

{[%evp 0,84,28,27,26,-16,44,44,44,44,86,76,87,88,46,61,61,63,42,58,45,29,72,85,
85,57,29,5,18,15,19,71,47,52,40,14,15,26,30,23,20,-34,30,-42,-36,-103,80,8,-6,
-103,-92,-92,13,-19,-19,-113,-113,-113,-113,-113,-110,-99,-83,-79,-97,-131,
-164,-164,-206,-188,-189,-189,-179,-284,-284,-301,-263,-196,-189,-651,-615,
-29989,-29990,-29991,-29992,-29993,-29994]} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4.
e4 e5 {The engines tell us that this move is not enough to reach near equality,
but I think it is a good practical try to stop White from getting a strong
center.} 5. Nxe5 O-O 6. Nf3 Re8 {Putting pressure on the e4-pawn.} 7. d3 d5 $1
{The point of the pawn sacrifice, breaking White's center down while
activating both of Black's bishops.} 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Bd2 ({If} 9. Nxd5 Qxd5 {
due to the pin.}) 9... Bg4 10. Be2 Nb4 11. Be3 Bxf3 12. gxf3 N8c6 13. h4 {
This move took me by surprise. I had only seen 13.a3 previously.} Nd4 {The
most logical move, taking control of the dark squares.} 14. Rc1 {This is
forced, as otherwise either (a) one of the black knights would end up on c2,
or (b) White would have to give up his dark-squared bishop, which would be bad
news for him.} ({We see more clearly why this is the case if we examine the
position after} 14. Bxd4 $2 {A strategical mis-step.} Qxd4 15. Qd2 Rad8 16. Rd1
h5 {[%cal Rf3f4,Rg7h6] . Here Black has complete control over the dark squares,
whereas White has no counterplay. If he tries to go f3-f4-f5, it always runs
into ...Bg7-h6.}) 14... Qd6 $6 ({White is just slightly better after} 14... Qd7
15. a3 Na6 16. b4 h5 {.}) 15. a3 $1 {White needs to act fast, as Black is
threatening ...Nd4xe2 followed by Ra8-d8, leaving the d3-pawn defenseless.} Na6
16. f4 Rad8 {[#]} 17. b4 $5 {A decent practical choice, forcing Black to make
a decision.} ({The engine likes} 17. h5 Nc5 18. Nb5 $1 {, a nice semi-tactic
to gain the bishop pair and trade White's passive knight for Black's good one.
After} Qb6 19. b4 $1 {, counter-attacking, the position looks really crazy,
but White has enough to compensate for all of Black's attacks and get an
slight advantage. For example,} Nxe4 $1 20. dxe4 Nf3+ 21. Kf1 Rxd1+ 22. Rxd1
Qc6 $1 {(keeping an eye on the b6-knight)} 23. Rh3 $1 {(attack and
counter-attack!)} a6 $1 24. Na7 Nh2+ 25. Rxh2 Qxe4 26. Rh3 {. White has a rook,
bishop, and knight for Black's queen and pawn, so "objectively" White should
be almost winning. In this particular case, however, the white knight is
offside on a7, so it is much closer to equal.}) 17... c5 $1 {Now White has to
make a decision. Should he push a pawn on the queenside, or in the center?} ({
Note that} 17... c6 $6 {is too slow, as it allows White to block out the black
bishop and control the center after} 18. e5 $1 Qe6 19. h5 {.}) 18. e5 $5 {
The best practical move.} ({After} 18. b5 $6 Nc7 19. e5 Qe7 20. a4 f6 {Black
breaks White's center, achieving a slightly better position despite being down
a pawn.}) 18... Qe7 $1 ({The move} 18... Qe6 $2 {fails to} 19. Bg4 $1 {,
targetting Black's queen while improving the bishop's position and removing
any ...Nd4xe2 threats. White is significantly better after} Qe7 20. Ne4 cxb4
21. Qa4 $1 {.}) ({We see one of the points of White's previous move after} 
18... Qc6 $2 19. Ne4 $1 {, as the e4-square is cleared for the knight.}) 19. b5
({White had to be careful to avoid} 19. Ne4 cxb4 20. Nd6 $2 (20. Qa4 Nf5 $1 (
20... Rd5 $1 {aims to play ...Na6-c5, but allows White initiative after} 21. h5
$1)) 20... Rxd6 21. exd6 Qxd6 {with a winning position for Black.}) 19... Nc7
20. Qa4 {[#]} Qe6 ({Here I calculated} 20... Qd7 {for a long time before
realizing White could get what he wanted with} 21. b6 $1 {, trading the queens.
With White dealing with a weak king in the center, a queen trade is always
near the top of the priority list. The position is equal after} axb6 ({or} 
21... Qxa4 22. Nxa4 axb6 23. Nxb6 Nce6 24. h5) 22. Qxd7 Rxd7 23. h5 {.}) ({
Also equal is} 20... h5 21. Qxa7 Nce6) ({and even} 20... Nce6 {straightaway.})
21. Bd1 $2 ({The best try was probably} 21. h5 g5 $1 ({not} 21... Nxe2 $6 22.
Kxe2 $1 Qg4+ 23. Kd2 $1 Nd5 24. hxg6 hxg6 25. Rhg1 Qe6 26. Ne4 b6 27. Ng5 Qf5
28. Qe4 {with a White advantage}) 22. fxg5 $1 Bxe5 23. Qc4 b6 24. a4 {when we
reach an unclear position.}) (21. Qxa7 $6 {is met with} Nxe2 22. Nxe2 $1 (22.
Kxe2 Qg4+ 23. Kd2 (23. f3 $2 Qg2+ 24. Bf2 Ne6 {and Black is winning}) 23... Ne6
{gives Black the advantage, as White's king is very weak, and Black threatens
all sorts of things, including ...Qg4-f5, ...Ne6xf4, and ..c5-c4.}) 22... Qd5
$1 23. Rg1 (23. O-O $6 Qf3 24. Qxc5 $1 (24. Ng3 Rxd3 25. Qxc5 $2 Ne6 {wins for
Black}) 24... Qxe2 25. Qxc7 Qg4+ {peters out to a draw.}) 23... Nxb5 $6 {
. This looks like a natural human move, but it turns out that Black puts his
knight in a precarious position after} (23... Ne6 {is equal}) 24. Qxc5 Qxd3 25.
a4 Na3 26. Qc3 $1 {. White successfully trades queens and remains a pawn up.})
21... Qf5 {Targeting the d3-pawn.} 22. Qc4 $6 {Human, all too human, but not
the best. Instead White should have played} (22. Ne2 $1 Qxd3 23. Bxd4 Rxd4 $1
24. Qb3 (24. Nxd4 $2 Qe4+ {wins}) 24... Ne6 25. Qxd3 Rxd3 {. Black will soon
win one or two of the white pawns, and probably later the game, but this
remained the best practical chance for White to survive.}) 22... Bh6 $1 {
With the f4-pawn in the crosshairs.} 23. Ne4 {[#] The best/only chance for
white to try to keep the game going.} Bxf4 $1 ({I calculated} 23... Nd5 $6 {
for awhile, before realizing that White could keep practical chances with the
temporary queen sacrifice} 24. Qxd5 $1 Rxd5 25. Bg4 Qxf4 $1 (25... Rexe5 $2 26.
Bxf5 Rxf5 27. Ng3 $1 Rf6 28. Ne4 Rb6 29. Nxc5 Rxb5 30. Ne4 {and White is back
in the game}) 26. Bxf4 Bxf4 27. Nf6+ Kh8 $1 28. Nxd5 Bxc1 29. f4 h5 30. Bh3 {
. While Black will be a pawn up after nabbing the a3-pawn, White has decent
holding chances.}) 24. Nf6+ Kg7 25. Nxe8+ Rxe8 26. Qxc5 Ncxb5 $6 {Giving White
more chances; now Hans finds the resource I missed.} ({More precise was} 26...
Nce6 $1 {as it deprives White of the necessary time to castle. Black is
winning after} 27. Qd5 ({or} 27. Qc4 Qxe5 28. Rh3 Qf5) 27... Bxe3 28. fxe3 Qxd3
{.}) 27. O-O $1 {In the middle of a storm, and on move 27!, White finally gets
his king to safety. Now he has chances to hold the draw.} Rxe5 28. Bxd4 Nxd4
29. Qxd4 Bxc1 {[#] Black is up a pawn, and has a much safer king. Is it enough
to win?} 30. Re1 ({Not} 30. f4 $4 Be3+ {.}) 30... Bf4 31. Re4 Qf6 $1 {I was
very lucky to have this resource, unpinning the rook, to keep control of the
position.} 32. h5 ({It may look like White has decent drawing chances after} 
32. Rxf4 $5 Re1+ 33. Kg2 Qxd4 34. Rxd4 Rxd1 35. Rd7 a5 {, having entered a
rook and pawn endgame down just one pawn, but White's pawns are split and very
weak. Black should win this in the long run.}) 32... Rg5+ 33. Kf1 Be5 {[#]
King safety is often a determining factor in opposite-colored bishop
middlegames. This is why I decided to keep the queens on the board - to keep
the attacking opportunities alive.} 34. Qxa7 ({Even if White had not taken the
pawn, Black would still have had a great position after something like} 34. Qe3
gxh5 35. f4 Bd6 {.}) 34... b6 $1 {I suspect this is what Hans missed. Black
cuts the white queen off on the g1-a7 diagonal, and now Black is ready to
attack with ...Be5-d4 or even ...Be5-h2, threatening ...Rg5-g1.} 35. Qa8 $5 {
Setting one last trap.} gxh5 ({Avoiding} 35... Bd4 $4 36. h6+ $1 Kxh6 37. Qf8+
Qg7 38. Rh4+ Rh5 39. Qxg7+ Bxg7 40. Bxh5 {, winning for White.}) 36. Re3 Bh2 $1
{The final touch, enforcing ...Rg5-g1+ followed by ...Qf6-b2+ and then
grabbing the bishop on d1.} 37. Re8 Rg1+ 38. Ke2 Kh6 $6 ({The engine way of
winning is} 38... Qb2+ 39. Kf3 Kh6 $1 {, but it looks risky to the human eye.
If} 40. Qc6+ Rg6 {.}) 39. Bc2 $6 {Getting low on time, White errs, although
the best move loses as well:} (39. d4 $1 Qxd4 40. Qc6+ Kg7 $1 {and wins.} (
40... Rg6 $2 41. Qe4 {gives White hope})) 39... Qc3 40. Rc8 {Now it is mate by
force.} Re1+ 41. Kf3 Qf6+ 42. Kg2 Rg1+ {Mate is inevitable; to wit,} (42...
Rg1+ 43. Kh3 (43. Kxh2 Qxf2+ 44. Qg2 (44. Kh3 Qg3#) 44... Qxg2#) 43... Qf5+ $1
44. Kh4 (44. Kxh2 Qxf2+ 45. Qg2 (45. Kh3 Qg3#) 45... Qxg2#) 44... Qg4#) 0-1

[Event "World Junior"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.10.02"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Maurizzi, Marc`Andria"]
[Black "Schitco, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C64"]
[WhiteElo "2555"]
[BlackElo "2514"]
[Annotator "Woodward"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteClock "0:11:19"]
[BlackClock "0:01:30"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Bc5 $5 {The fourth most common move. More
popular are 4...Nf6, 4...d6, and 4...b5.} 5. O-O Nge7 {Once again, the fourth
most common move! Black is trying to get White out of book and just play chess.
It turns out that Maurizzi has a pocket full of ideas, even when he is caught
by surprise.} 6. c3 Ng6 7. d4 Ba7 8. Bg5 f6 9. Be3 d6 $5 {A very rare move,
and apparently a specialty of the young Indian FM Aradhya Garg! With six games
prior to this game (three by Aradhya!) compared to the 164 with 9...0-0, this
was definitely not expected.} 10. d5 $6 {Not the best move, but worth a try.
Better was} (10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Re1 {followed by a normal game.}) 10... Bxe3 $6 (
{Necessary was} 10... b5 $1 {, as Black can't allow White to have so much
counterplay so fast. Things are equal after} 11. Bxa7 ({or} 11. dxc6 bxa4 $1
12. Bxa7 Rxa7 13. Qxa4 Bg4) 11... Nxa7 12. Bc2 O-O {.}) 11. dxc6 b5 12. fxe3
bxa4 13. Qxa4 O-O {[#]} 14. c4 $1 {This is the only move to snatch the
advantage. White's next moves are Nc3-d5 and b2-b3 if necessary.} f5 15. Nc3 $1
({Here} 15. exf5 $6 {looks normal, undoubling the pawns, but it's a mistake.
Black has an edge after} Bxf5 16. Nc3 Bd3 $1 {.}) 15... fxe4 16. Nd2 $1 ({
Stronger than} 16. Nxe4 $6 Bf5 17. Nfd2 Rb8 {which looks equal to me.}) 16...
Bf5 17. Ndxe4 Qh4 18. c5 {Not the only possibility, but this was (I suspect)
played with White's next move in mind.} ({White could also try} 18. Ng3 $5 Bd3
19. Rxf8+ Rxf8 20. Qa5 $1 {, with a double attack, threatening both the
c7-pawn and Qa5-d5+, nabbing the bishop. Black has to play} Rf7 $1 {,
defending against both threats. After} 21. c5 d5 $1 22. Nxd5 Qd8 $1 23. Nc3 h5
$1 {anything could happen.}) ({The best move is} 18. Qc2 $1 {, self-pinning
the knight ot the queen, but this also stabilizes the position. Now b2-b3,
Rf1-f2, and Ra1-f1 are in the air. White is a bit better after} Ne7 19. Qe2 $1
Nxc6 ({or} 19... Bxe4 20. g3) 20. Ng3 Be6 21. Nd5 $1 Bxd5 22. cxd5 Ne7 23. e4
Ng6 24. Qc2 Nf4 25. Nf5 Qg5 26. Rf3 Rf7 27. Raf1 Raf8 28. Kh1 {.}) 18... d5 {
[#]} 19. Nd6 $3 {A stunning knight sacrifice, crashing through the position!}
Qxa4 ({Black must be careful. Here} 19... cxd6 20. Qxh4 Nxh4 21. cxd6 {is
lights out, as the pawns supported by the rooks and knight are too strong.})
20. Nxa4 Bd3 $6 ({Here} 20... cxd6 $2 {is met by the cute intermediate move}
21. Nb6 $1 {, and White should win after} dxc5 ({or} 21... Rab8 22. c7 Rb7 23.
cxd6 Rxb6 24. Rxf5) 22. Nxa8 Rxa8 23. Rxf5 {.}) ({The right move is} 20... Be6
$1 {, and again White has} 21. Nb6 $3 {, similar to the game. Here White is a
bit better after} Rab8 22. Nd7 Rxf1+ 23. Rxf1 Ra8 {.}) 21. Nb6 $3 {A
picturesque position, isn't it? The two white knights and the rook on f1 are
all hanging!} Bxf1 22. Nxa8 Rxa8 23. Rxf1 {[#] Now the position has calmed
down a lot, and it is much easier to show how White has the advantage. He is
up a pawn, and his opponent's king is cut off.} Rd8 $2 (23... d4 $5 24. exd4
exd4 25. Re1 d3 26. Nc4 {may give the best chances to hold.}) ({Naturally} 
23... cxd6 24. cxd6 {is unplayable for Black, but}) 24. b4 $3 {A very easy
move to miss, showing Maurizzi's full strength. White consolidates his extra
c6-pawn, and proceeds to make use of its full potential.} Ne7 25. Rf7 $1 Nxc6
26. Rxc7 Nxb4 {[#]} 27. Rb7 $6 ({Correct is} 27. Nf5 $1 d4 28. exd4 exd4 29. c6
$1 Kf8 30. a3 $1 {. This is a pretty move, kicking the knight away from its
attack on the c6-pawn. White wins after} d3 31. axb4 d2 32. Ne3 Re8 (32...
d1=Q+ 33. Nxd1 Rxd1+ 34. Kf2 {is an easy win}) 33. Nd1 $1 Re1+ 34. Kf2 Rxd1 35.
Ke2 Rb1 36. Kxd2 Rxb4 37. Kd3 {.}) 27... a5 28. a3 $2 {Losing all the
advantage. It was again more accurate to play} (28. Nf5 d4 29. exd4 exd4 30. a3
$1 {, hitting the b4-knight and pushing it to an uncomfortable position.})
28... Nd3 $2 {Returning the favor. Black had to cover the c7-square with} (
28... Na6 $1 29. Nf5 Nxc5 30. Rxg7+ Kh8 31. Ra7 Nb3 {when White's advantage is
manageable.}) 29. c6 $1 Nc5 ({Or} 29... Rxd6 30. Rb8+ Kf7 31. c7 Rc6 32. c8=Q
Rxc8 33. Rxc8 {and wins.}) 30. Rb6 $5 ({Here} 30. Ra7 Ne6 31. Nf7 {was
probably easiest.}) 30... Ne6 31. Nb5 Rc8 32. c7 $1 Nxc7 33. Rc6 {The black
knight is pinned, so he has to give up his rook.} Nxb5 34. Rxc8+ Kf7 35. a4 $1
{Putting the final nail in the coffin. The black knight is dominated by
White's rook.} Nd6 36. Rc5 Ke6 37. Rxa5 {Maurizzi showcased great
understanding of the position, and proved that he is a well-deserving champion.
} 1-0

[Event "World Girls Junior"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.10.02"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Yip, Carissa"]
[Black "Hryzlova, Sofiia"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C07"]
[WhiteElo "2372"]
[BlackElo "2215"]
[Annotator "Woodward"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteClock "0:52:45"]
[BlackClock "0:15:14"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3 cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd6 7. O-O Nf6 8.
Re1 $5 {An interesting sideline, played less than 1/20th as often as the
mainline beginning with} (8. Nb3) 8... Nc6 9. Nb3 Be7 {Not the most popular,
but it has been played by Duda and Kamsky, and it leads to unique positions.}
10. Nbxd4 Nxd4 11. Nxd4 O-O {[#]} 12. Bd3 $5 {Interesting, and rare. The point
is Black can't take the knight on d4 due to the discovery with Bd3xh7+. In the
meantime, White is freeing his knight to go to f3 without worrying about the
queens being traded.} ({More often seen is} 12. c3 Qc7 13. Bb3 {with a typical,
equal position.}) 12... a6 13. Nf3 Rd8 14. Ne5 Bd7 15. Qf3 $5 {This is a
decent practical choice, but I think there was a slightly better way for White
to proceed:} (15. b3 {, with the idea of Bc1-b2, Qd1-e2, and Ra1-d1 and a
pleasant position. A sample line is} Bc6 16. Bb2 Rac8 17. Qe2 {.}) 15... Bc6
16. Nxc6 bxc6 $6 ({It was important to recapture with} 16... Qxc6 $1 {. Taking
with the queen was correct because White must now trade queens to create a
weakness in the position, but simplifying the position gives Black more
chances to draw against a higher-rated opponent.}) 17. Bf4 Qd5 18. Qe2 $1 {
Avoiding the queen trade. White has the two bishops, so she can use it to
attack the opponent's king.} a5 19. Be5 Nd7 {[#]} 20. Bc7 $1 {A nice move,
levering the black rook off of the d-file before retreating. This creates a
small weakness in Black's camp.} Rdc8 21. Be4 $5 {Another intermediate move.
I'm not sure if it is objectively best, but it does force the black queen to
an awkward square.} ({White is also better after} 21. Bg3 {.}) 21... Qc5 22.
Bg3 Nf6 23. Bf3 Bd6 24. Bxd6 Qxd6 25. Rad1 Qc5 26. Qe5 $6 {This lets go of the
pawn, and the advantage. I don't know if it was an oversight or a sacrifice,
but best was to play} (26. c3 a4 27. a3 {and stabilize the position.}) 26...
Qxc2 27. Rc1 Qa4 28. a3 h6 29. h3 {Black is a pawn up, but it's starting to
get hard to find productive moves. What she would like to do at the proper
moment is to sacrifice back the pawn and gain enough counterplay to equalize.
Easier said than done, of course!} Nd5 {Now White plays a series of forcing
moves that lead to a winning advantage.} ({Black's clearest path to equality
was} 29... Ra6 $1 {with the positional threat of ...Ra6-b6 followed by Rc8-b8.}
) 30. Re4 Qb3 31. Rg4 $1 {Taking aim at the weak king.} g6 {[#]} 32. Be4 {
Now White is hitting the g6-pawn, forcing Black to make another decision.} ({
I suspect Carissa calculated the interesting candidate move} 32. Rxg6+ $5 {
, but it only leads to a draw after} fxg6 33. Qxe6+ Kg7 34. Be4 $1 Qxb2 35.
Qxg6+ Kf8 36. Qxh6+ Qg7 37. Qd6+ Ne7 (37... Qe7 38. Qh6+) 38. Rc5 {when White
has nothing more than a repetition.}) 32... Ne7 33. Rg3 Qb8 34. Qf6 Qd6 35.
Rcc3 $1 {Preparing to go Rc3-d3, or even Rc3-f3, targeting the f7-square.} Rc7
36. Rcd3 Nd5 $2 {[#] Black cracks under the pressure.} ({It was necessary to
sit and be patient with} 36... Qc5 37. Rc3 Qd6 {.}) 37. Rxd5 $3 {The beginning
of a winning combination.} cxd5 ({Naturally} 37... exd5 $4 {drops the queen.})
38. Bxg6 $1 {Ripping open Black's king cover. The bishop cannot be taken
because it is checkmate by force:} Rc1+ $2 (38... fxg6 $2 39. Rxg6+ Kh7 40.
Rxh6+ Kg8 41. Rh8#) ({The only try was} 38... Kf8 $1 {but after finding a few
only moves, White gets a clearly better position:} 39. Bxf7 Rxf7 40. Qh8+ Ke7
41. Qxa8 Qc5 42. Qb7+ $1 Kf8 43. Qb8+ $1 Ke7 44. Kh2 $1 {.}) ({If} 38... Qxg3
$2 39. fxg3 fxg6 40. Qxg6+ Rg7 41. Qxe6+ Kh7 42. Qxd5 {White picks up too many
pawns, and with them, the game.}) 39. Kh2 fxg6 40. Qxg6+ Kf8 41. Qxh6+ Ke7 42.
Qg7+ ({I think} 42. Qxc1 {was also good enough.}) 42... Ke8 43. Qg8+ Kd7 44.
Qxa8 {White is up two pawns, with a much safer king, so the game is pretty
much over.} Qc7 45. Qf8 Kc6 46. Qe8+ Kd6 47. Re3 Rc2 48. Qxe6+ Kc5+ 49. Re5 {
A beautiful showcase of attacking chess by the once and reigning U.S. Women's
Champion!} 1-0

[Event "Pan-American Youth"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.08.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Lyon, Juan"]
[Black "Shlyakhtenko, Robert"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[Annotator "Shlyakhtenko,Robert"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/5p2/p2R2p1/8/1q3P1P/2p5/PpP5/1K5R w - - 0 33"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2023.08.12"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[#]} 33. Rd3 {I lost my sense of danger here. The main risk for Black is that
all the kingside pawns are traded, and this is what exactly what happened in
the game. Instead, Black should try to exchange his c3- and b2- pawns for
White's kingside pawns.} a5 $6 (33... Qxf4 $1 {is correct.}) 34. Rf1 Qc5 $2 ({
The right move is} 34... f5 $1 {as prophylaxis against f4-f5. Black should not
worry about losing the c3-pawn -- in fact, Black should be happy if White
captures the c- and b- pawns, as that would only serve to expose the first
player's king.}) 35. f5 $1 {Now Black's position is very unpleasant -- perhaps
not even holdable.} Kg7 {This loses very simply, but even without this move I
do not see any way to save the position in the long-term.} 36. Rg3 Qe5 ({
The alternative} 36... Qb5 {is no better; for instance:} 37. Rgg1 Qe2 {
(preventing h4-h5)} 38. fxg6 fxg6 39. Rf5 $1) 37. Rg5 $1 Qf6 38. Rfg1 Kh6 39.
fxg6 fxg6 40. Rxa5 Qxh4 41. Rag5 {The rest is easy.} Kg7 ({After} 41... Qxg5
42. Rxg5 Kxg5 43. a4 {Black's king is just outside the square.}) 42. Rxg6+ Kf7
43. R6g3 Qh8 44. Re3 Qf6 45. a4 Qf4 46. Rxc3 Qxa4 47. Rf1+ Ke6 48. Re3+ Kd5 49.
Rd1+ Kc5 50. Rc3+ Kb6 51. Kxb2 Qf4 52. Rb1 Qa4 53. Kc1+ Ka5 54. Rcb3 Qa2 55.
Rb8 Qa3+ 56. R1b2 Qe3+ 57. Kb1 Qe1+ 58. Ka2 Qe4 59. R8b3 Qd5 60. Ka1 Qd1+ 61.
Rb1 Qd4+ 62. c3 Qd6 63. R3b2 1-0

[Event "Pan-American Youth"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.08.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Shlyakhtenko, Robert"]
[Black "Zhang, Roger"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E46"]
[Annotator "Shlyakhtenko,Robert"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/pp4pp/8/2pP1r2/5B2/P7/1P1R2KP/4r3 w - - 0 40"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2023.08.14"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{White's position is clearly lost, but my opponent was in severe time pressure.
With a G/90+30 time control, the clock became a weapon.} {[#]} 40. Bb8 Rf7 ({
I think} 40... Re4 $1 {was the simplest win. White cannot stop ...Re4-d4.}) 41.
Bxa7 c4 42. Bf2 Re4 ({Stronger was} 42... Rc1 $1 {. After} 43. d6 Rd7 44. Kf3
Kf7 $1 {the priority should be for Black to blockade the d7-pawn, preferably
with his weakest piece (the king). Play could continue} 45. Ke4 Ke6 46. Bg3 Rf7
{and the rest should not be overly difficult.}) 43. d6 Rd7 44. Kf3 {White wins
two tempi attacking Black's rook.} Re5 45. Bg3 Rc5 $2 {Allowing White to
activate his king.} ({Instead Black had to play} 45... Rf7+ $1 46. Kg2 Re8 {
to keep White's king at bay.}) 46. Ke4 c3 47. bxc3 Rxc3 48. Kd5 $1 {All of a
sudden, White is gaining dangerous counterplay. With little time, my opponent
was unable to prevent it:} Rxa3 $2 ({Now} 48... Kf7 {had to be played, though
by now there is no win.} 49. Rf2+ Ke8 50. Re2+ $1 Kf8 51. Ke6 {and White's
activity is sufficient for a draw.}) 49. Ke6 Rd8 50. d7 Ra6+ $2 ({The stronger
} 50... Re3+ 51. Kd6 Kf7 {complicates White's task. Black will sacrifice his
rook for the d7-pawn under much better circumstances than the game.}) 51. Ke7
Raa8 52. Bc7 Rxd7+ 53. Rxd7 {The game has turned around completely. In view of
the continued passivity of Black's pieces, the win is not difficult.} b5 54.
Be5 ({It turns out that} 54. Rd8+ {also eventually wins, but it requires
greater precision than the game continuation.}) 54... b4 55. Rb7 h6 56. Ke6
Ra6+ 57. Kf5 g6+ 58. Ke4 Rc6 59. Kd5 Ra6 60. Rxb4 h5 61. Rb8+ Kf7 62. Rb7+ Kg8
63. h4 Kf8 64. Bd6+ Kg8 65. Ke6 Rc6 66. Rd7 Rc4 67. Rd8+ Kh7 68. Be5 Rc6+ 69.
Kf7 {Mate is inevitable.} 1-0

[Event "Pan-American Youth"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.08.16"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Shlyakhtenko, Robert"]
[Black "Karthik, Advaith"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E24"]
[Annotator "Shlyakhtenko,Robert"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2023.08.14"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 d6 6. f3 Nc6 7. e4 h6 {
Black prevents Bc1-g5, but this move is not without drawbacks.} ({Only a few
days before, Carlsen had reached this position (by transposition) in the World
Cup. There he played} 7... e5 {against Keymer, but after} 8. Ne2 b6 9. Ng3 {
White's position was preferable because of the weak f5-square.}) 8. Bd3 e5 9.
Ne2 O-O 10. O-O {Eventually, White wants to play f3-f4. This pawn break has
the potential to energize each one of White's pieces, so Black must take
measures to prevent it. This defines the play for the next few moves.} Re8 11.
Qc2 ({White could have tried another plan, well-known in these positions, that
intends to exploit the hook created by the h6-pawn:} 11. Ra2 b6 12. h3 Ba6 13.
g4 $1 Na5 14. Ng3 $1 Bxc4 15. Rg2 {with a dangerous initiative.}) 11... Qe7 12.
Bd2 $5 {During the game, I was very happy with this move. It seems more
natural to develop the bishop to the e3-square, but then the e-file would be
blocked and it would be harder to get ready for f3-f4.} b6 13. Rae1 Na5 14. f4
Ba6 $2 {The first serious mistake: the f5-square is now undefended.} ({Two
other moves are better. First,} 14... c5 15. Ng3 Nc6 {was possible. After} 16.
fxe5 ({Not} 16. d5 $2 exf4 $1) 16... dxe5 17. d5 Na5 {Black is definitely
worse, but solid.}) (14... Nh5 {was a very good continuation. Its main purpose
is to prevent Ne2-g3; without this move, it is much harder for White to
develop his kingside initiative.}) 15. Ng3 Nd7 ({Bad is} 15... Bxc4 $2 {
in view of} 16. Nf5 Qf8 17. fxe5 dxe5 18. Nxh6+ $1 {.}) ({It was best to admit
the mistake and return with} 15... Bc8) 16. fxe5 dxe5 17. Nf5 Qf8 ({White wins
after} 17... Qxa3 18. Bxh6 $1 {.}) 18. d5 $2 {A crude move.} ({Here} 18. Rf3 {
does not work, since Black is just in time to defend with} Re6 19. Rg3 Rg6) ({
For this reason, the simple} 18. Re3 $1 {is correct: now} Re6 19. Rg3 Rg6 20.
Rxg6 fxg6 21. Nxh6+ $1 {wins the queen.}) 18... Nc5 19. Rf3 Nxd3 20. Qxd3 $1 {
Despite the mistake on move 18, White's position is still winning. There are
simply too many pieces attacking on the kingside.} Bc8 (20... Nxc4 21. Bc1 $1 {
leaves Black in a deadly pin.}) ({The critical move was} 20... Bxc4 {, where I
calculated} 21. Nxh6+ $1 ({The simple} 21. Qe3 {followed by Rf3-g3 is also
good.}) 21... Kh7 {(the critical move)} (21... gxh6 22. Rg3+ Kh8 23. Qf3 {
loses.}) 22. Qe3 gxh6 $1 23. Qf2 $1 {and White wins, since Rf3xf7+ and Rf3-f6
are both threatened.} (23. Rf6 $2 {would be a grave mistake because of} Qc5 $1)
) 21. Nxh6+ $1 {All the pieces are ready, so it's time to strike.} gxh6 22. Rf6
Qg7 23. Ref1 h5 24. Bh6 Qh7 {Capitulation, but there was nothing better.} 25.
Qe3 $1 Re7 26. Qg5+ Kh8 27. Bf8 1-0

[Event "Pan-American Youth"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.08.18"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Shlyakhtenko, Robert"]
[Black "Singh, Hersh"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E24"]
[Annotator "Shlyakhtenko,Robert"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1b2rk1/p3qp1n/1p1p4/n1pPp1p1/4P1P1/P1P1BPN1/2Q5/3RKB1R b K - 0 19"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2023.08.14"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[#]} 19... f6 {White's control of the h-file gives him a clear advantage.
Since Black has no counterplay, the only question is whether White's advantage
is enough to break through. The correct method in such positions is as follows.
First, White must maximize the pressure on the kingside (e.g., by tripling on
the h-file). Even if Black's position does not collapse immediately, his
forces will be completely tied to this weakness. This in turn makes it very
difficult for him to quickly transfer his pieces to other sectors of the board,
leaving him particularly vulnerable to an attack on the queenside. Ultimately,
by alternating threats on both sides of the board, White will gradually
destabilize Black's position with decisive effect.} 20. Rh6 Rf7 21. Qh2 a6 {
Creating a weakness on the b6-square, but it is difficult to do without this
move. Black needs all three heavy pieces on the seventh rank to defend the
h7-knight.} ({The alternative} 21... Bd7 {would allow} 22. Ba6 $1 {and the
a8-rook cannot come to Black's aid.}) 22. Be2 ({A more accurate execution of
the plan would begin with} 22. Qh1 $1 {, intending Rd2-h2.}) 22... Ra7 23. Kf2
Kf8 24. Qh5 {Preventing ...Kf8-e8 on account of Rh6xh7.} Rg7 25. Rh1 (25. a4 $5
{was also good.}) 25... Qf7 26. Qh3 {Obviously, the trade of queens is not in
White's interest.} Kg8 {So, White has tripled his heavy pieces on the h-file,
but Black's defensive line remains intact. The question arises -- has White
really improved his position there to the maximum?} ({On} 26... Ke8 $2 {
White wins with} 27. Nh5 Rg6 28. Rxh7 $1 {, but}) (26... b5 {was possible. In
this case White would gradually shift his attentions towards preparing a3-a4.})
27. Rh2 $1 {From the game Alekhine - Nimzowitsch, San Remo 1930, we know that
the queen is best placed behind the rooks. White prepares Qh3-f1-h1.} ({
The direct} 27. Rb1 $1 {is equally strong.}) 27... Rg6 28. Rh5 Rg7 29. Qf1 Kf8
30. Rh6 {Now Black faces a dilemma.} Ke7 {Black temporarily breaks the
connection between his heavy pieces, making this the perfect moment to open a
second front.} ({Here} 30... Kg8 {loses to a beautiful combination:} 31. Qh1 b5
32. Nh5 Rg6 33. Rxh7 $1 Qxh7 34. Ng3 $1 Qg7 35. Nf5 Bxf5 36. exf5 {and the
rook on g6 is trapped. Once I saw the move 34.Ng3, I realized White's position
was winning.}) 31. Qb1 b5 32. a4 $1 {Black's position collapses.} Rb7 ({
The immediate capture} 32... bxa4 {loses material to either 33.Qb6 or 33.Qb8.})
33. axb5 axb5 34. Qa2 Nc4 35. Qa8 Nb6 36. Qa6 ({Also decisive is} 36. Qxb7+ $5
Bxb7 37. Nf5+ {.}) 36... Rb8 37. Qxb5 Bd7 38. Qa5 $1 {A precise square for the
queen.} Nf8 ({With} 38... Nc8 {Black defends every entry square, except one --}
39. Qc7 $1 {.}) 39. Qa7 {Now there is no escape -- Black's defenses are
stretched too thin.} Ra8 40. Nf5+ Ke8 41. Nxd6+ Ke7 42. Qxb6 Qg8 43. Rh8 Ng6
44. Rxg8 Raxg8 45. Nf5+ Kf7 46. Nh6+ Ke8 47. Qb8+ 1-0

[Event "FIDE Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.10.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Donchenko, Alexander"]
[Black "Mishra, Abhimanyu"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2676"]
[BlackElo "2592"]
[Annotator "Mishra"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c3 {This move order aims to reach a London while
avoiding some of the forced lines. The cons of this move order (as opposed to
3.Bf4) is that in the 3...Bf5 lines, White will have to move his c-pawn again.}
Bf5 4. Qb3 Qc8 5. c4 dxc4 6. Qxc4 e6 7. Nc3 a6 8. Nh4 Bc2 $5 {Not giving up
the bishop pair! This might look a bit strange, but the bishop cannot be
attacked for now.} 9. Bf4 c6 10. e3 ({Here} 10. Rc1 {fails to} b5 $1 11. Nxb5
axb5 12. Qxc2 Bb4+ {and 13...Rxa2 next.}) 10... h6 {Still theory -- if online
blitz games count!} 11. Nf3 Nbd7 12. Rc1 Bg6 {While I suspect there isn't much
difference between this move and 12...Bh7, I thought it having the h7-square
available for the king might be useful down the line in case of a check on the
back rank.} 13. Be2 Be7 14. Qb3 O-O 15. O-O b5 {Gaining space on the queenside.
} ({After} 15... Nh5 16. Be5 {was my concern as I cannot comfortably capture
on e5. Now if} Nhf6 ({and not} 16... Nxe5 $2 17. dxe5 {as the knight is
stranded on h5}) 17. Bg3 {I didn't see why I should give him a free tempo with
the bishop.}) 16. a4 Qb7 17. h3 Rfc8 {Preparing for the position to inevitably
open up.} 18. Nd2 Nb6 {Played with some ideas of shifting one of the knights
to d5, or even capturing on a4 at the correct moment.} 19. Bh2 Ra7 {[#] By
defending the queen, I now "threaten" to capture on a4. This could be allowed,
for example, with 20.Rfe1.} 20. a5 $5 {An interesting decision, locking up the
queenside and hoping to take advantage of the weak c5-square.} ({Alternatives
include} 20. Rfe1 $5 bxa4 21. Nxa4 Nxa4 22. Qxa4 Qxb2 23. Nc4 {, when despite
being a pawn down, White should have some slight plus due to the weak black
pawns and the misplaced queen. After} Qb4 24. Qa1 $1 Qb7 {Black's position
remains quite defendable.}) ({The engine even suggests} 20. Ra1 $5 {,
preventing ...b5xa4 and maintaining the tension for now.}) 20... Nbd5 21. Bf3
Nxc3 $6 {This is a bit rushed. I was worried about white gaining access to the
c5-square after something like Nc3-e4, but it turns out that the a5-pawn is
very weak after the maneuver ...Qb7-d7-d8!} ({For example, Black has no
problems after} 21... Qd7 $1 22. Nce4 Nxe4 23. Nxe4 Qd8 24. Ra1 Bb4 {.}) 22.
bxc3 Qd7 {Planning to play ...c6-c5} 23. Rfd1 {[#]} c5 $5 {Already I was
planning the queen sacrifice, as I felt that my position would be easier to
play in the resulting imbalance.} ({The alternative was} 23... Qd8 {, but I
was worried about} 24. Qa2 c5 $6 ({Black should play something else - perhaps} 
24... Bh5 25. Bxh5 Nxh5 26. c4 {with a good position for White}) 25. dxc5 Bxc5
26. c4 b4 27. Nb3 Rd7 28. Qa4 {when we reach a position I don't want. White
has an amazing b3-knight, with threats of Nb3xc5 followed by Qa4xb4, as well
as the constant threat of Bf3-b7 to capture the a6-pawn.}) 24. dxc5 Bxc5 ({
Also interesting is} 24... Rxc5 25. Bb8 Rb7 {according to the engine! After}
26. Bxb7 Qxb7 {the light-squared bishop is worth as much as a rook!}) 25. Ne4
Nxe4 26. Rxd7 Rxd7 {[#]} 27. Be5 $6 {Donchenko starts to err.} ({Instead} 27.
Bxe4 $1 {had to be played in order to maintain a slight advantage. After} Bxe4
28. Rd1 Bd3 29. Rd2 Rcd8 {the engine gives a slight plus for White, but I feel
that breaking down Black's position is next to impossible.}) 27... Rd5 $1 {
Asking where the bishop is going.} 28. Bd4 Bxd4 29. exd4 Rxd4 {And there goes
a pawn!} 30. cxd4 Rxc1+ 31. Kh2 Nd2 $1 ({In this position the f2-pawn is next
to useless, making} 31... Nxf2 $2 {a mistake. White plays} 32. d5 exd5 33. Qxd5
{with Qd5-a8+ followed by Qa8xa6 next.}) 32. Qa3 Nf1+ 33. Kg1 Rb1 34. Qd6 {
Activating the queen. White should still make a draw here, but already he has
to play quite precisely.} Nd2+ 35. Kh2 Nf1+ {Repeating once to get closer to
move 40 and gain some time on the clock.} 36. Kg1 b4 {[#]} 37. d5 $2 {An error
in a tough position.} ({Instead} 37. Qxa6 $1 {had to be played. The lines just
narrowly hold for White:} b3 38. Qb7 b2 ({if} 38... Nd2+ 39. Kh2 Nxf3+ 40. gxf3
Kh7 41. a6 Bc2 42. Qxf7 Ra1 43. Qb7 Rxa6 44. Qb4 Ra2 45. Qc3 {Black cannot
promote the b-pawn}) 39. a6 Nd2+ ({or} 39... Ng3+ 40. Kh2 Rh1+ 41. Kxg3 b1=Q
42. Qxb1 Rxb1 43. a7 {with equality}) 40. Kh2 Nxf3+ 41. gxf3 Ra1 42. Qxb2 Rxa6
{and Black is still pressing but White should make a draw with best play.})
37... exd5 $2 {Returning the favor.} ({Correct was} 37... b3 $1 38. dxe6 Nd2+
$1 (38... fxe6 $2 39. Qxe6+ Kh7 40. Be4 $1 {wins for White, and was the reason
I dropped this line in the game}) 39. Kh2 Nxf3+ 40. gxf3 fxe6 41. Qxe6+ Kh7 {
and now ...b3-b2 followed by a rook check is impossible to stop!}) 38. Bxd5 $2
{The final mistake.} ({It's next to impossible to find in a classical game, but
} 38. g4 $3 {manages to miraculously save the position! After} Nd2+ 39. Kg2
Nxf3 40. Kxf3 b3 41. Qxa6 Be4+ 42. Kf4 {after} b2 ({, and after} 42... Ra1 43.
Qb7 Bc2 44. Ke5 $1 Rxa5 45. f4 Ra2 46. f5 {White generates enough counterplay
to hold!}) 43. Qb5 {Black does not have a way to vacate the b1-square and
promote.}) 38... Ne3+ 39. Kh2 Nxd5 40. Qxd5 b3 {[#]} 41. Kg3 $6 {This hastens
the end, but the alternatives don't help much either.} ({After} 41. Qb7 {(a)}
Bc2 $2 {throws away the win as} ({Instead Black should play (b)} 41... Kh7 $1 {
, which is prophylaxis against Qc8+.} 42. f3 ({or} 42. Qxa6 b2 43. Qb5 Rh1+ {
and wins}) 42... Bc2 {and now, in comparision to the 41...Bc2? line, this
works. After} 43. Qc6 Ra1 {followed by ...Ra1xa5 and ...Ra5-b5, the connected
passers will be unstoppable.}) 42. Qxa6 b2 $4 (42... Ra1 43. Qc4 Rxa5 44. Qc3 {
is still equal}) 43. Qc8+ {wins the bishop.}) 41... Rd1 $3 (41... Rd1 {The
b-pawn cannot be stopped after} 42. Qxd1 (42. Qxb3 Rd3+) (42. Qb7 {fails to}
Rd2 {preparing ...b3-b2.}) 42... b2) 0-1

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2024.01.07"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4... dxc4 5. Bg2 c6"]
[Black "Intro, 6.Qc2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E04"]
[Annotator "Thybo"]
[PlyCount "20"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The Catalan opening has gotten very popular, as it leads to interesting play
and often without much risk for white players. In this article, I will show
you a way to deal with the Catalan. I have used the line myself in many of my
own classical games.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 {This is
the ambitious move, and the one most Catalan players will try. The c4-pawn
will be recaptured later, or White can also play for compensation. The
alternative 5. Qa4 will be covered later.} c6 {[#] This is the move I suggest,
intending to support the c4-pawn with ...b7-b5. Now White has three main
replies: 6.Ne5, 6.a4, and 6.0-0.} {A fourth move,} 6. Qc2 {, has been played
in some games, but it seems a bit illogical to me. Black will still be able to
play ...b7-b5. To wit:} b5 7. O-O ({after} 7. a4 Bb7 8. O-O Nbd7 {I would
surely take Black and the extra pawn}) 7... Bb7 8. Rd1 Nbd7 9. b3 (9. Ne5 Nd5 {
is equal}) 9... cxb3 10. axb3 {and now} c5 $1 {is a nice way to open things
for the b7-bishop. The position is equal.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2024.01.07"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4... dxc4 5. Bg2 c6"]
[Black "6.Ne5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E04"]
[Annotator "Thybo"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 c6 6. Ne5 Bb4+ {This is an
important check, provoking White to make a concession.} ({Don't play} 6... b5
$2 7. Nxc6 Qb6 8. Na5 $1 {when Black is in trouble!}) 7. Bd2 ({We see one of
the points of Black's play after} 7. Nc3 Nd5 $1 {, when Black plays to keep
the pawn. The key move is (c)} 8. O-O $5 {, sacrificing even more material.
Play continues} ({(a)} 8. Qc2 $2 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Qxd4 $1 {and Black makes use of
the pin.}) ({After (b)} 8. Bd2 b5 (8... Nb6 $5) 9. O-O O-O $1 10. a4 a5 $1 {
Black is fine in this double-edged position. If} 11. axb5 {we insert} Bxc3 $1 {
and then recapture on b5.}) 8... Nxc3 9. bxc3 Bxc3 {[#] and now:} {(c3)} 10.
Nxc4 $1 ({Black is better after (c1)} 10. Rb1 Qxd4 $1 11. Qxd4 Bxd4 12. Nxc4
Bc5 {.}) ({If (c2)} 10. Ba3 Qxd4 11. Qxd4 ({not} 11. Nxc4 $2 Qxc4 12. Qd6 Bf6
$1 {and Black is winning}) 11... Bxd4 12. Nxc4 Bxa1 13. Rxa1 ({after} 13. Nd6+
Ke7 $1 14. Rxa1 Kf6 {Black can be happy with all the material advantage, but
must escape White's immediate threats}) 13... f6 14. Nd6+ Kd7 15. Rd1 Kc7 16.
Nf7 Re8 17. Bd6+ Kb6 {Black escapes and is fine.}) {(c3b)} 10... b5 $5 {
This untested move is best and safest, leading to positions where Black often
gives back their pawn advantage.} ({(c3a) If Black is up for an adventure,} 
10... Bxa1 $5 {is an option that I have played myself. The engines tell us
White is better, but I find the material imbalance interesting.} 11. Ba3 Bb2 $1
{[#]} {(c3a3)} 12. Nd6+ ({(c3a1)} 12. Bxb2 $6 b5 $1 $17 {leaves Black better.})
({(c3a2) More challenging is} 12. Nxb2 $5 b5 $8 13. Qb3 (13. Bc5 $6 Bb7) (13.
Nd3 a5 14. Bc5 Bb7) 13... a5 14. Bc5 Na6 $1 15. Bxc6+ Bd7 16. Bxa8 Qxa8 17. Nd3
f6 $1 {and with ...Ke8-f7 next, Black should be more or less fine.}) 12... Kd7
13. Nxf7 ({if} 13. Bc5 $5 Qf6 $1 14. Ne4 (14. Qb3 b6 15. Ne4 Qg6 {is equal})
14... Qg6 {is unclear, despite Black being a rook up. Next is ...b7-b6.}) 13...
Bxa3 14. Nxd8 Rxd8 15. Qd3 Bf8 16. Qxh7 ({not} 16. e4 $6 Kc7 17. d5 $2 cxd5 18.
exd5 Nc6 {with advantage to Black}) 16... Kc7 17. Qe4 $1 {White is better
according to engines, if he finds this move. However, I still find the
position terribly unclear with practical chances for both sides, and I tested
it in Delchev-Thybo (Niksik Mix, 2021), when the game was eventually drawn.} (
17. e4 $2 Rxd4)) 11. Bb2 $1 Bxb2 12. Nxb2 O-O {and now Black will continue
with 13...a5 and an equal position.}) 7... Be7 {[#] This position is one of
the reasons that I like this line. Black prepares to sacrifice an Exchange if
allowed, leading to dynamic play.} ({Here} 7... Qxd4 $2 {is premature. White
will get too much compensation after} 8. Bxb4 Qxe5 9. Na3 b5 10. Bd6 Qxb2 11.
O-O {.}) 8. e3 ({Other moves: (a)} 8. Na3 $6 Bxa3 9. bxa3 Qxd4 10. Ba5 Qxd1+
11. Rxd1 b6 12. Nxc6 Nd5 $1 {leaves Black ahead.}) ({(b) Against} 8. Be3 $6 {
(and 8.Bf4) Black can play} Nd5 {and simply take the bishop.}) ({(c)} 8. Bf4
Nd5 9. Nxc4 Nxf4 10. gxf4 O-O {and Black is okay after with ...Nb8-d7 next.}) (
{I would be happy to face (d)} 8. Bc3 {, as Black gets a lot of compensation
after} b5 9. Nxc6 Nxc6 10. Bxc6+ Bd7 11. Bxa8 Qxa8 {[#] White has two
reasonable moves.} {(d2)} 12. O-O ({(d1)} 12. f3 h5 $1 13. a3 (13. O-O {
transposes}) (13. Qd2 a5 $1 {is very unpleasant for White in practical terms.
If} 14. Bxa5 (14. a3 h4 15. g4 O-O {gives Black the initiative}) 14... Nd5 $1
15. e4 b4 $1 16. exd5 Qxa5 17. dxe6 Bxe6 {Black dominates the board.}) (13. h4
Qb8 $15) 13... h4 14. g4 (14. Rg1 a5 $1) 14... Nxg4 15. Rg1 (15. Bb4 Bf6 16.
Qd2 Rh5 $1 {is wild and fascinating; you may want to do a bit of work here!})
15... Nf6 16. Qd2 ({Black grabs the initiative after both} 16. Rxg7 Qb8 $1) ({
and} 16. d5 Bc5 17. Rxg7 Nxd5 18. Bd4 Ne3 $1 19. Bxe3 Bxe3 20. Qd6 Qc6) 16...
Qb8 17. e4 Nh5 {with a very interesting position. The black is heading for the
superb d3-square.}) 12... h5 $1 {[#]} 13. f3 ({If} 13. d5 $2 exd5 $1 {with a
good edge, and}) (13. h4 O-O $1 $15 {is better for Black}) 13... h4 14. Be1 $6
(14. g4 b4 15. Bd2 ({or} 15. Be1 Nd5 $36) 15... Qd5 {is unclear}) 14... hxg3
15. Bxg3 Nh5 $1 {Black's attack is dangerous, with the sneaky threat of ...
Nh5xg3 followed by ...e6-e5, sacrificing a pawn to get the queen to c6! For
example,} 16. Nc3 Nxg3 17. hxg3 e5 {with ...Qa8-c6 next.}) 8... b5 9. Nxc6 ({
(a)} 9. a4 {forces Black to move forward with} b4 10. Nxc4 ({here} 10. Nxc6 $2
Nxc6 11. Bxc6+ Bd7 12. Bxa8 Qxa8 {is already close to winning for Black}) 10...
Nbd7 $5 {when Black can sacrifice the c6-pawn for compensation. Play continues}
11. Bxc6 (11. b3 Ba6 $1) 11... Ba6 $1 {when Black gets good compensation in
all lines:} {(a4)} 12. b3 ({(a1)} 12. Bxa8 $4 Qxa8 {and Black is winning}) ({
(a2)} 12. Bb5 Bb7 13. O-O a6 14. Bxd7+ Nxd7 {and the strong b7-bishop ensures
a good game.}) ({(a3)} 12. Qb3 O-O 13. Bb5 Bb7 14. O-O {is unclear.}) 12... Rc8
13. Bf3 (13. Bb5 Bb7 $13 {is unclear}) 13... O-O {with a fine game.}) ({
Gelfand played (b)} 9. b3 {in 2019. We continue} cxb3 10. axb3 Bb7 11. Ba5 Qc8
12. O-O (12. Qf3 {is a fancy move from Erigaisi; after} a6 $5 {, with the idea
of ...Ra8-a7 and ...c6-c5, Black should be doing okay}) 12... c5 $1 {, giving
back the pawn to relieve the pressure. It's equal after} 13. Bxb7 Qxb7 14. dxc5
Ne4 {with ...Be7-f6 next.}) ({(c)} 9. O-O O-O $1 {and now} {(c2)} 10. a4 ({(c1)
} 10. b3 cxb3 11. axb3 ({after} 11. Qxb3 a5 $1 {it's more fun to play Black})
11... b4 $1 {is an important move. After} 12. Bxc6 (12. Nxc6 $6 Nxc6 13. Bxc6
Rb8 {leaves Black ahead}) 12... Nxc6 13. Nxc6 Qd7 $1 14. Bxb4 ({Black grabs
the initative after} 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Ra4 Rb8 16. Qe1 a5 $1 17. Rxa5 e5 $1)
14... Bxb4 15. Nxb4 Qb5 $1 {is an only move. Black has compensation after} 16.
Ra4 (16. Nd3 $6 Ba6 $1) (16. Na2 e5 $1) 16... Bd7 {.}) 10... b4 $1 {This
position can also arise from 9. a4 b4 10.0-0 0-0.} 11. Qc2 $1 (11. Nxc4 Ba6 $1)
{(c2a)} 11... Bb7 ({(c1a)} 11... a5 {is Leela's idea, with play continuing} 12.
Rd1 (12. Rc1 Ra7 13. Nxc4) 12... Bb7 (12... Ra7) 13. Nxc4 Nbd7 {with equality.}
) 12. Rc1 (12. Nxc4 Nbd7) 12... Qc7 13. Qxc4 a5 {is equal, with ideas of ...
c6-c5.}) 9... Nxc6 10. Bxc6+ Bd7 11. Bxa8 Qxa8 {[#] Black has sacrificed a
full exchange, but has clear compensation in better development, the bishop
pair and the weak light squares.} 12. f3 ({Alternatively, White can try} 12.
O-O e5 $1 13. f3 (13. dxe5 $2 Bh3 14. f3 Ng4 $1 {is a tiny bit better for Black
}) 13... e4 14. Nc3 O-O 15. fxe4 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 Qxe4 17. Qf3 (17. Rf4 Qg6 {
is equal}) 17... Qc2 $1 {[#] Black is fine here, but play is still very sharp
indeed! The idea is to keep the queens on and play against the white king. We
proceed:} 18. Bc3 (18. Qb7 Bh3 $1 19. Rf2 Qxb2 {is unclear}) 18... b4 19. Rf2 (
19. Rac1 Qa4 {Now the a2-pawn is loose as well. hits the loose a2-pawn}) 19...
Qd3 20. Be1 ({alternatives:} 20. Rd1 $2 Qg6 {with the idea of ...Bd7-g4!, and})
(20. Bxb4 Bxb4 21. Qb7 a5 $1 22. Qxd7 Qxe3 {White has no good reply to Be1
next move. when White has no good reply to ...Bb4-e1.}) 20... Be6 {is unclear.}
) 12... e5 $1 13. dxe5 ({Here} 13. O-O e4 {transposes to 12.0-0.}) 13... Ng4
14. O-O Nxe5 15. Bc3 $1 Nd3 $1 {[#] White has quite a few tries in this
exciting position, and we will look at most of them. Generally speaking,
castling is next for Black.} 16. Qe2 ({Other moves: (a)} 16. b3 $2 O-O {
is slightly better for Black.}) ({(b)} 16. Bxg7 $6 {is rather greedy. Black
will start a huge attack with} Rg8 17. Bd4 h5 {and the initiative in this
unclear position.}) ({(c)} 16. Nd2 O-O 17. Qe2 {transposes to 16.Qe2}) ({(d)} 
16. Bd4 O-O 17. a4 bxa4 18. Rxa4 Bxa4 19. Qxa4 Rc8 {is equal, as is}) ({(e)} 
16. a4 O-O $1 17. axb5 Bc5 $1 {.}) 16... O-O 17. Bd4 $1 ({The position is
unclear after} 17. Nd2 Bc5 $1 18. Nb3 {(forced)} Bd6 19. Nc1 (19. Nd4 $2 b4 $1
{damages White's coordination}) 19... Ne5 $1 {.}) 17... Qc6 $1 {The d4-bishop
is too strong, so Black should exchange it to get at White's weaknesses.} 18.
Nd2 ({After} 18. Nc3 Bf6 $1 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 {Black's strong d3-knight and the
weak white king ensures sufficient compensation.}) 18... Bf6 $1 19. Bxf6 Qxf6
20. b3 ({The position is equal after} 20. a4 Qxb2 21. axb5 Ne5 $1 {.}) 20...
Qb2 {This double-edged position is equal.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2024.01.07"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4... dxc4 5. Bg2 c6"]
[Black "6.0-0"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E04"]
[Annotator "Thybo"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 c6 6. O-O b5 7. a4 ({White can
try} 7. b3 cxb3 8. Qxb3 (8. axb3 Nbd7 {is equal}) {, but after} 8... a5 $1 9.
Ne5 (9. a4 b4) 9... Ra6 {Black can keep the pawn for now with a fancy rook
move.}) 7... Bb7 8. Ne5 $1 {The most critical continuation.} ({After} 8. b3 b4
$1 9. bxc4 c5 10. Bb2 (10. a5 a6 {is equal}) 10... Be7 {Black is for choice.})
8... a6 9. b3 cxb3 10. Qxb3 Be7 $1 {[#]} ({Black has faced some problems
recently after} 10... Qxd4 11. Bb2 {, so I recommend a simpler move.}) 11. axb5
axb5 12. Rxa8 Bxa8 13. Qa2 {Attacking the bishop.} Bb7 14. Qa7 Qc8 $1 15. Nc3 (
{If} 15. Nd2 Nfd7 $1 {alleviates most of the pressure.}) 15... O-O 16. Nxb5 Nd5
$1 {This cool move solves Black's problems.} 17. Bxd5 exd5 $1 {Black is fine
here.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2024.01.07"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4... dxc4 5. Bg2 c6"]
[Black "6.a4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E04"]
[Annotator "Thybo"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 c6 6. a4 c5 $5 {If you compare
this to the position that can happen after 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 c5, here White has
the extra move a2-a4. But this inclusion gives Black much better access to the
b4-square.} ({It's important not to play} 6... b5 $2 {when White grabs a big
advantage with} 7. Ne5 {.}) 7. O-O Nc6 {[#]} 8. dxc5 ({Here} 8. Na3 {is a
typical move in the Catalan, but Black is doing fine after} cxd4 9. Nxc4 Bc5 {.
}) ({Another idea is} 8. Ne5 $5 Nxd4 {when} 9. e3 {is the critical try.} ({
after} 9. Nd2 Be7 10. Ndxc4 O-O 11. e3 Nc6 {Black gives back the pawn with an
equal position.}) {After} 9... Nb3 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11. Ra3 Ke7 $1 {Black
defends the f7-pawn and remains a pawn up, but must play precisely.} 12. Nxc4
Nxc1 13. Rxc1 g6 $1 14. Na5 {Here Black is doing okay after} (14. Rb3 Bg7 {
is equal}) 14... Bg7 ({or} 14... Nd5 {.})) 8... Bxc5 {Andreikin is one of the
heroes of this line.} 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. Nbd2 (10. Na3 Nd5 {transposes.}) 10...
Nd5 $1 11. Nxc4 ({Black is fine after} 11. a5 Ke7 $1 {.}) 11... f6 $1 {[#]
Black takes control of the e5-square} 12. Ne1 $5 {With the idea of hitting the
black bishop with Ne1-d3.} ({If instead (a)} 12. Nfd2 b6 $1 13. Nb3 Ba6 14.
Nxc5 bxc5 {Black is completely fine due to the weak b4-square and their active
pieces. Also equal is}) ({(b)} 12. Bd2 Ke7 13. Rfc1 b6 {.}) 12... Nd4 {Quite a
concrete solution, but it is a good one!} ({Simpler, while still close to
equal, is} 12... Ndb4 $5 {.}) 13. Nd3 $1 (13. Be3 Nxe3 14. fxe3 Nb3 15. Nd3 $5
{is fairly complicated for both sides. After} (15. Rd1+ Ke7 16. Rd3 Nc1 17. Rd1
Nb3 {is a fun repetition!}) 15... Nxa1 16. Nxc5 Nc2 17. Rd1+ Ke7 18. Bxb7 Rb8
$1 19. Bxc8 Rhxc8 20. Rd7+ Kf8 21. Na6 Rxc4 22. Nxb8 Rxa4 {we end up in an
equal endgame.}) 13... b6 $1 {The bishop is coming to a6 in many lines.} ({
White has the initiative after} 13... Nxe2+ $6 14. Kh1 {.}) 14. Ne3 ({After (a)
} 14. Rd1 Ba6 {Black is fine in the upcoming complications.}) ({(b)} 14. a5
Nxe2+ 15. Kh1 Nxc1 16. Rfxc1 Rb8 $1 {is equal.}) ({(c)} 14. Be3 Nxe2+ $1 15.
Kh1 Ba6 $1 {is fine for Black.}) 14... Ba6 {The game remains complex, but
Black is not worse here.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.12.21"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4... dxc4 5. Qa4+"]
[Black "Catalan"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E03"]
[Annotator "Thybo"]
[PlyCount "26"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ {This move is sometimes played
to avoid the reams of theory we just saw, while regaining the c4-pawn without
delay.} Nbd7 6. Bg2 (6. Nc3 a6 {transposes to 7.Nc3.}) (6. Qxc4 a6 (6... b6 $5
{With the idea of Bb7 is perfectly playable as well. A good way to surprise
your opponent.}) 7. Bg2 (7. a4 $6 b5 $1 8. Qc6 (8. axb5 $4 axb5 {[%cal Ga8a1]
And the a1-rook is lost}) 8... Rb8 {[%cal Gc8b7] Bb7 is coming with a great
game.}) 7... b5 {also transposes.}) 6... a6 7. Qxc4 ({White can also try} 7.
Nc3 Rb8 8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qd3 (9. Qb3 Bb7 {with ...c7-c5 next}) 9... Bb7 10. O-O (
10. Bf4 Rc8 {followed by ...c7-c5}) 10... c5 {with equality.}) 7... b5 8. Qc6
$1 ({After the lesser} 8. Qc2 Bb7 {Black will push ...c7-c5 on the next move,
and is already slightly better.}) 8... Ra7 $5 {[#] With ...Bc8-b7 next.} ({Here
} 8... Rb8 {is the main move, but after} 9. Bf4 {a bit of care is required.})
9. Qc2 ({Alternatives: (a)} 9. Be3 Bb4+ {and, however White blocks the check,
Black plays ...Bc8-b7.}) ({(b)} 9. Bf4 Bb7 10. Qc2 Bb4+ 11. Nbd2 c5 {is equal.}
) ({(c)} 9. a4 Bb7 10. Qc2 bxa4 $5 11. Nc3 c5 {is also equal. White can
probably try} 12. Be3 cxd4 13. Bxd4 Bc5 {when Black castles next with a fine
game.}) ({(d)} 9. O-O Bb7 10. Qc2 Be7 {to the main line.}) 9... Bb7 10. O-O ({
If} 10. a4 bxa4 {and Black continues with ...Bf8-e7, ...0-0, and ...c7-c5.})
10... Be7 11. a4 (11. Nc3 {is met with} c5 (11... Qa8 $5 {is also interesting})
12. dxc5 Bxc5 {with equality.}) 11... bxa4 $5 {This move is usually seen as
antipositional, but it works here. Black will continue with ...0-0, ...Qd8-a8,
and then ...c7-c5 at some point. The position is equal.} ({I think} 11... b4 {
Is fine as well, although I find} 12. Be3 {slightly annoying.}) 12. Be3 ({
White finds no advantage with} 12. Nc3 O-O {or}) (12. Qxa4 O-O {.}) 12... Nd5
13. Bd2 c5 {Black will castle next and is totally fine.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.12.23"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5... c6 6. Nc3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E04"]
[Annotator "Thybo"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 c6 6. Nc3 {This position can
also arise from the g3-Slav.} b5 ({Of course} 6... Nbd7 {Is another good move,
but it leads to different kind of play after 7. a4.}) 7. Ne5 ({After} 7. O-O
Bb7 {White's best path is to transpose with} 8. Ne5 {.}) 7... a6 $1 8. O-O ({
Grabbing the pawn with} 8. Nxc6 {is met with} Qb6 $1 9. Ne5 (9. Nxb8 Rxb8 10.
e4 Bb7 11. O-O Bb4 {is fine for Black}) 9... Bb7 10. e4 Bb4 $1 11. O-O O-O $1 {
when the position is equal but very complicated. For example,} (11... Bxc3 $2
12. bxc3 Bxe4 $2 {grabs a poisoned pawn, i.e.,} 13. Bxe4 Nxe4 14. Qf3 {with a
winning advantage}) 12. a4 ({or} 12. d5 Nbd7) 12... Nbd7 13. Be3 Rfd8 {.}) ({If
} 8. a4 Bb7 9. O-O Be7 10. axb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Bxa8 12. Nxb5 cxb5 13. Bxa8 O-O
14. Bg2 ({after} 14. Bf3 h6 $5 {White has the bishops, but Black has the very
nice c4-pawn. Call it equal.} (14... Bd6 $5)) 14... Bd6 $5 {and here Black can
consider taking the e5-knight in some lines:} {(d)} 15. f4 ({(a)} 15. e4 $6
Bxe5 $1 16. dxe5 Qxd1 17. Rxd1 Nfd7 $36 {with the initiative, while}) ({(b)} 
15. Nf3 Nc6 {and}) ({(c)} 15. Bg5 $6 h6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 {are both equal.}) 15...
Nd5 {is unclear and complicated.}) 8... Bb7 {[#]} 9. b3 {This is clearly the
most critical line. White allows the passed pawn on c3 in exchange for squares
and development.} ({The sneaky} 9. Qc2 {by Gukesh and Sokolov in recent months.
It seems that the best Black can do is to accept the pawn, although it is
useful to come armed with a few more moves. If White is well prepared, Black
will not find it too easy. I analyze} Qxd4 10. Bf4 Be7 11. Ne4 (11. Rad1 Qb6 {
transposes}) 11... Nd5 12. Rad1 Qb6 $1 {It is very important to put the queen
on b6 and not a7.} 13. h4 c5 $1 {Opening the diagonal for the b7-bishop. White
must continue with active play, as otherwise he is just two pawns down.} (13...
f6 $2 14. Ng6 $1 {Looks very dangerous!}) 14. Ng5 Bxg5 {. This eliminates the
strong g5-knight.} 15. hxg5 (15. Bxg5 $2 f6 {wins a piece}) 15... Nxf4 {[#]}
16. gxf4 ({If} 16. Bxb7 Qxb7 17. gxf4 O-O 18. Kh2 f6 $1 {-- it is essential to
kick away this strong knight on e5 in many lines. After} 19. gxf6 gxf6 20. Rg1+
Kh8 21. Qe4 Ra7 22. Qe3 Qc7 23. Ng4 Nc6 {Black should be doing fine in a
complicated position.}) 16... Bxg2 17. Kxg2 f6 $1 18. gxf6 ({Black is fine
after} 18. Rh1 fxe5 19. Rxh7 Rxh7 20. Qg6+ Kf8 21. Qxh7 Qb7+ 22. f3 Nc6) 18...
gxf6 {and now there is a fairly forcing line that leads to a draw:} 19. Kh2 $1
fxe5 $1 20. Qe4 $1 Qc6 $1 21. Qxe5 Rg8 22. Rg1 Rxg1 23. Qh8+ (23. Rxg1 Nd7 24.
Rg8+ Ke7 25. Rg7+ Kd8 {is also a repetition}) 23... Ke7 24. Qxh7+ {and
Sokolov-Motylev (Zagreb, 2023) was soon drawn by repetition.}) 9... b4 10. Na4
({Here} 10. bxc4 $6 {is an interesting piece sacrifice! Black has to accept,
gaining a slight edge after} bxc3 11. Rb1 Ra7 $1 12. Be3 ({or} 12. d5 Bd6)
12... Bd6 13. d5 c5 {as in Li-Ankit, Graz 2014.}) ({If alternatively} 10. Ne4
Nxe4 ({not} 10... c3 $4 11. Ng5) 11. Bxe4 c3 12. a3 a5 13. axb4 Bxb4 $1 {
Black captures with the bishop and develops! After} 14. Qd3 f5 $1 {Black
castles next with a fine game.}) 10... c3 11. Nc4 {The most interesting move.}
({Other ideas:} 11. Qc2 Nbd7 12. Rd1 a5 13. a3 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Nd7 15. Be3 Qc7 {
and Black is fine here. One game went} 16. Rxd7 Qxd7 17. Nb6 Qc7 18. Nxa8 Bxa8
19. axb4 Bxb4 20. Bd4 c5 $1 {and Khalifman-Vallejo Pons (Moscow, 2015) was
soon drawn.}) (11. a3 a5 {transposes.}) 11... a5 $8 {This is a very important
move for Black, supporting the b4-pawn} 12. a3 ({Slightly weaker is} 12. Bf4
Nd5 13. Be5 Nd7 $1 {and now White has three options:} ({not} 13... f6 $2 14. e4
$18 {when Black is in a world of hurt!}) {(c)} 14. Nd6+ ({(a)} 14. e4 N5b6 {
is equal, while Black is a smidge better after}) ({(b)} 14. Bxg7 Bxg7 15. Nd6+
Ke7 16. Nxb7 Qc7 {. If}) 14... Bxd6 15. Bxd6 N7b6 16. Bc5 Nd7 {, chasing the
bishop!} ({or} 16... Nxa4 $5)) 12... Ba6 13. axb4 ({Dubov has tried} 13. Bf4 {
but Black is fine after} Bb5 $1 {.}) 13... axb4 14. Nc5 Bxc5 15. dxc5 O-O 16.
Bf4 Nd5 17. Bd6 (17. Qd4 Nd7 18. Bd6 Re8) 17... Nd7 $1 18. Re1 ({Other moves: 
(a)} 18. e4 $6 Nc7 $1 $17 {and}) ({(b)} 18. Bxf8 $6 Qxf8 $17 {give the
advantage to Black. And}) (18. Qd4 Re8 {is equal.}) 18... Re8 {[#] The
position is still very complicated, but Black is not worse -- the queenside
pawns can prove very useful. More analysis could be added, but here's a sketch
of what might happen.} 19. e4 Bxc4 $1 {Now that White has played e2-e4, this
is possible.} 20. bxc4 Ne7 21. Qb3 Rxa1 22. Rxa1 Nc8 $1 23. Qxb4 Nxd6 24. cxd6
Qb8 *

[Event "FIDE Grand Swiss Women"]
[Site "Douglas IOM"]
[Date "2023.10.29"]
[Round "5.15"]
[White "02-1 Hoang Thanh Trang"]
[Black "Medina, W."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2398"]
[BlackElo "2362"]
[Annotator "Hansen"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rqbr2k1/1p2bppp/p3p3/4P3/4B3/1N2Q1P1/PP3P1P/2RR2K1 w - - 0 22"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[EventDate "2023.10.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[#]} 22. Rxd8+ $1 ({White could reach a similar result with} 22. Bxh7+ Kxh7
23. Rxd8 Bxd8 24. Qd3+) 22... Bxd8 23. Bxh7+ $1 Kf8 ({Or} 23... Kxh7 24. Qd3+
g6 25. Qxd8 Qxe5 26. Rc4 {, and White is winning.}) 24. Qd4 ({Or even stronger
} 24. Qf4 Be7 25. h4 {and White is winning.}) 24... Be7 25. Be4 {White has a
winning position.} a5 26. a4 g5 27. Nd2 Ra6 28. Rc3 Bb4 29. Qd8+ {and Black
resigned.} 1-0

[Event "FIDE Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Douglas IOM"]
[Date "2023.10.27"]
[Round "3.43"]
[White "02-2 Bluebaum, M."]
[Black "Sanal, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E14"]
[WhiteElo "2668"]
[BlackElo "2603"]
[Annotator "Hansen"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2q1rk1/2p2p1p/pp1b1np1/3bN3/4p3/1P2P1N1/PBQ2PPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 17"]
[PlyCount "3"]
[EventDate "2023.10.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,35,19,17,17,5,14,-6,-6,6,9,6,2,8,15,10,19,19,29,29,29,11,16,8,12,1,0,
-5,23,16,18,7,15,-2,27,167,327,318] [#]} 17. Qc3 $1 h5 ({Black tries to stop
Ng4 from happening, but it doesn't end Black's troubles. The alternatives also
do not help, for instance,} 17... Ne8 18. Rad1 ({this is better than} 18. Nc6
Qf6 19. Qd2 Qe6 {when White is winning but Black is still fighting}) 18... f6
19. Rxd5 fxe5 20. Rxe5 {and White is winning.}) ({Also,} 17... Be7 18. Ng4 {or}
) (17... Bxe5 18. Qxe5 Kg7 19. Nh5+ $1 gxh5 20. Qg5+ Kh8 21. Bxf6+ {, and it
is game over.}) 18. Nd7 {and Black resigned.} 1-0

[Event "FIDE Grand Swiss Women"]
[Site "Douglas IOM"]
[Date "2023.11.02"]
[Round "8.17"]
[White "02-3 Danielian, E."]
[Black "Medina, W."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2416"]
[BlackElo "2362"]
[Annotator "Hansen"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3qr1k1/4ppbp/pp1p1npB/2r1n3/2P3PQ/1PN2P2/P4PBP/2RR2K1 b - - 0 17"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[EventDate "2023.10.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,50,19,17,17,-9,33,28,14,24,21,30,37,41,25,27,30,14,30,17,24,22,35,8,
41,20,39,41,86,38,48,-25,-18,-22,-32,-10,-32,0,-26,-30,-26,-32,-61,-81,-136,
-119,-124,-121,-107,-250,-218,-920,-993] [#]} 17... g5 $1 18. Qh3 ({White
cannot capture the pawn, e.g.,} 18. Qxg5 {loses the queen to} Nxf3+) ({and} 18.
Bxg5 {loses the bishop to} Ng6 {.}) 18... Ng6 {White has avoided losing
material, but the queen is completely parked, out of play.} 19. Bxg7 ({Or} 19.
Ne2 Re5 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Bf1 h5 {and Black is much better.}) 19... Kxg7 20.
Bf1 h5 {Threatening ...Nf4 followed by ...h5-h4.} 21. Bd3 {Makes room for the
queen for f1.} Nf4 22. Qf1 hxg4 23. fxg4 Nxg4 {White is obviously winning.} 24.
Nd5 Rh8 25. Bf5 Nxh2 {and White resigned.} 0-1

[Event "FIDE Grand Swiss Women"]
[Site "Douglas IOM"]
[Date "2023.10.26"]
[Round "2.24"]
[White "02-4 Fataliyeva, U."]
[Black "Nassr, Lina"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2393"]
[BlackElo "2066"]
[Annotator "Hansen"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3rrk2/1bp4p/pp4p1/5pPP/2n1pP2/2N4B/PPP2P2/2KR3R w - - 0 24"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[EventDate "2023.10.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,69,20,20,29,29,29,29,49,5,6,0,-7,-7,20,2,-13,-39,-28,-34,-23,-28,-14,
-23,1,-20,3,-30,-22,-16,-6,0,0,-3,8,-56,23,8,22,20,-1,-11,-6,-43,-27,-30,-14,4,
52,65,70,69,67,60,129,132,132,198,383,406,398,392,411,422,429,420,427,412,451,
428,443,392] [#]} 24. Rxd8 $1 Rxd8 25. hxg6 $1 hxg6 26. Bf1 $1 {Winning a
tempo and clearing the h-file.} Rd4 ({Or} 26... Nd6 27. Rh8+ Ke7 28. Rh7+ Ke8
29. Rxc7 {and White has a decisive advantage.}) 27. Rh7 Nd2 {The knight is a
long way from home and White is easily winning.} 28. Be2 Nf3 29. Rxc7 Bd5 30.
Bxf3 exf3 31. Rd7 Rxf4 32. Nxd5 Rg4 33. Kd2 Rxg5 34. Ke3 Rg1 35. Kxf3 {and
Black resigned.} 1-0

[Event "FIDE Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Douglas IOM"]
[Date "2023.10.27"]
[Round "3.34"]
[White "02-5 Lazavik, Denis"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, R."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2560"]
[BlackElo "2668"]
[Annotator "Hansen"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r5k1/3b1p2/q3pn1p/2rp4/3Q4/1P4P1/1R2PPBP/3R2K1 b - - 0 25"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[EventDate "2023.10.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,68,20,14,20,9,9,-15,-15,-1,2,0,25,14,14,-10,2,6,13,-7,22,-1,15,-10,-4,
-7,22,32,32,32,34,59,59,-6,24,23,23,47,31,27,27,27,28,99,96,96,92,86,88,77,63,
54,-17,-256,-240,-297,-311,-277,-192,-201,-208,-244,-160,-219,-228,-265,-273,
-286,-286,-349,-349] [#]} 25... Qa1 $3 {Black cannot protect both the rook and
knight, but instead has this strike that stops White from capturing either of
the pieces.} 26. Qd2 ({The queen is also untouchable:} 26. Rxa1 Rxa1+ 27. Bf1
e5 {, clearing the path for the bishop to go to h3; Black is winning.}) 26...
Qa3 27. Rbb1 Kg7 {Black is a piece up and easily winning. White could have
resigned here, but carried on a bit longer.} 28. g4 Rac8 29. g5 Ng8 30. Qd4+
Kf8 31. gxh6 Nxh6 32. Ra1 Qxb3 33. Qh8+ Ng8 34. Rd3 Rc3 {and White finally
resigned.} 0-1

[Event "FIDE Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Douglas IOM"]
[Date "2023.11.04"]
[Round "10.39"]
[White "02-6 Mishra, Abhimanyu"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B66"]
[WhiteElo "2592"]
[BlackElo "2653"]
[Annotator "Hansen"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2qk2r/4bp2/p4p2/2R4p/8/4Q3/PPP2PPP/2K1R3 w kq - 0 21"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[EventDate "2023.10.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[#]} 21. Qf3 $1 Kf8 22. Rd5 ({The game continuation went} 22. Rxh5 Rxh5 23.
Qxh5 Kg7 $2 ({Black should have played} 23... Ke8 24. Qh8+ Kd7 25. Rd1+ Bd6 26.
Qh3+ {when White has the better chances but Black is still alive.}) 24. Re3 Bd6
25. Qg4+ Kf8 26. Rh3 Ke7 27. Qe4+ Kd7 ({or} 27... Be5 28. f4 Qd4 29. Qb7+ Ke6
30. fxe5 Qg1+ 31. Kd2 Qf2+ 32. Kd3 Rd8+ 33. Kc3 Qc5+ 34. Kb3 {and White is
winning}) 28. Qb7+ Ke8 ({or} 28... Ke6 29. Re3+ {and wins}) 29. Rh8+ Bf8 30.
Rh7 Be7 31. Qc6+ {and Black resigned.}) 22... Qe8 23. Rxh5 Rxh5 24. Qxh5 Kg7
25. Re3 {and White is winning.} 1-0

[Event "FIDE Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Douglas IOM"]
[Date "2023.10.30"]
[Round "6.55"]
[White "02-7 Sanal, V."]
[Black "Greenfeld, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B60"]
[WhiteElo "2603"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[Annotator "Hansen"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r5k1/p2qr2p/b1ppNbp1/5pN1/8/1P5P/P1PQ1PP1/3RR1K1 w - - 0 23"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[EventDate "2023.10.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,57,25,20,49,49,99,52,69,33,30,36,53,53,89,53,42,47,50,29,47,44,41,48,
40,35,35,-19,-24,-26,31,-25,-20,-65,-32,-13,11,0,0,0,-5,-5,5,-33,-31,-33,14,64,
67,26,28,41,56,58,140,36,47,36,232,286] [#]} 23. Nc5 $3 dxc5 $2 ({A better
defensive try was} 23... Rxe1+ 24. Qxe1 Qe8 25. Qxe8+ Rxe8 26. Nxh7 Kxh7 27.
Nxa6 {and White has an extra pawn, and is clearly better.}) 24. Qxd7 Rxd7 25.
Rxd7 Bxg5 26. c4 {White has given up two minor pieces for a rook, but
particularly the bishop on a6 is hopelessly out of play and Black will have a
hard time getting the pieces coordinated.} Rb8 ({Or} 26... f4 27. a4 f3 28.
gxf3 Bf6 29. a5 g5 30. Rc7 {and Black is completley tied up and has no way of
meeting Re6.}) 27. f4 Bh4 ({Or} 27... Bf6 28. Re6 Bd4+ 29. Kf1 {and White is
winning.}) 28. Re6 Bb7 29. Kh2 {and Black resigned.} 1-0

[Event "FIDE Grand Swiss Women"]
[Site "Douglas IOM"]
[Date "2023.10.29"]
[Round "5.22"]
[White "02-8 Cramling, P."]
[Black "Lee, Alice"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A09"]
[WhiteElo "2446"]
[BlackElo "2388"]
[Annotator "Hansen"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "7r/2bnkp1p/4p1q1/2pn4/2N3p1/3PP3/1PBB1PQP/R5K1 w - - 0 22"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[EventDate "2023.10.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[#]} 22. Ra7 $1 {This simple threat completely destroys Black's defense.} Rc8
({Surprisingly, nothing seems to work for Black.} 22... Rd8 23. Rxc7 ({this is
even stronger than} 23. e4 Nf4 24. Bxf4 Bxf4 25. Ba4 {, even though this is
also winning for White}) 23... Nxc7 24. Qb7 Nd5 25. Ba5 Rb8 26. Qc6 {and White
wins.}) ({Or} 22... Bb8 23. Rb7 Rc8 24. Ba5 {and White is winning.}) 23. Ba5
Qg8 ({Black cannot capture the bishop:} 23... Bxa5 24. Ne5 Qg5 25. Rxd7+ Ke8
26. Rxd5 exd5 27. Qxd5 Qe7 28. Nc6 {and White wins.}) 24. Bxc7 Rxc7 25. Rxc7
Nxc7 26. Qc6 {The rooks have came off the board, but Black's problems have not
ended.} Kd8 ({Or} 26... Ne8 27. Ba4 Nef6 28. Qd6+ Kd8 29. Na5 {and Black will
not survive.}) 27. Ba4 Qe8 28. Qb7 Nd5 29. Nd6 {and Black resigned.} 1-0

[Event "FIDE Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Douglas IOM"]
[Date "2023.10.30"]
[Round "6.7"]
[White "02-9 Sevian, Samuel"]
[Black "Sindarov, Javokhir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A10"]
[WhiteElo "2698"]
[BlackElo "2658"]
[Annotator "Hansen"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1rbqr1k1/p4pbp/2p2np1/3P4/3B4/2N2P2/PP1Q2PP/2KR1B1R b - - 0 14"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[EventDate "2023.10.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,46,19,-11,46,24,28,9,17,13,13,19,37,29,29,29,53,48,81,-1,-6,-36,38,17,
17,-22,-10,-33,19,-4,122,30,140,68,200,123,194,-8,-15,-191,-123,-416,-508,-619,
-640,-715,-715,-814,-762] [#]} 14... c5 $1 15. Bxc5 ({Or} 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Bc4
Bf5 {and now} 17. Rhe1 $4 {runs into} Qxc3+ $3 18. Qxc3 Bh6+ {and it is
curtains for White.}) 15... Qa5 16. Bd6 Rb7 $1 ({The game continued less
accurately:} 16... Bf5 17. g4 $4 ({White should have played} 17. Bxb8 Rxb8 18.
Bc4 Qb4 19. Bb3 Rc8 20. Bc2 Rb8 {and Black is just slightly better}) 17... Rbc8
({or} 17... Nxg4 18. Bxb8 Rc8 19. Bd3 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Rxb8 21. Bxf5 Qa3+ 22. Kc2
Rb2+ 23. Kd3 Qa6+ {and Black is winning}) 18. gxf5 Nxd5 19. fxg6 hxg6 20. Bh3
Nxc3 21. Bxc8 Rxc8 22. Qd3 Qxa2 23. Bc7 Nxd1 {and White resigned.}) 17. Bc4 Bf5
{The threat is ...Rc8.} 18. Rhe1 Rc8 19. Bd3 ({Or} 19. Bb3 Rxb3 $1) 19... Bxd3
20. Qxd3 Nxd5 {and White can resign.} 0-1

[Event "Qatar Masters Open 2023"]
[Site "Doha QAT"]
[Date "2023.10.19"]
[Round "8.9"]
[White "Shimanov, Aleksandr"]
[Black "Oparin, Grigoriy"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A01"]
[WhiteElo "2566"]
[BlackElo "2681"]
[Annotator "Benjamin"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2022.10.11"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. c4 Nge7 4. e3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. a3 Be6 7. Bb5 Qg5 8.
Nf3 Qxg2 9. Rg1 Qh3 10. Rg3 Qh6 11. Nxe5 Qxh2 12. Qf3 Bd6 13. Rg2 Qh1+ 14. Ke2
Bxe5 15. Bxe5 h5 16. Rxg7 Bg4 17. Rxg4 Qxf3+ 18. Kxf3 hxg4+ 19. Kxg4 Rh1 20.
Kf3 a6 21. Bxc6+ bxc6 22. d3 Kd7 23. Nd2 Rxa1 24. Bxa1 c5 25. Ke2 Rg8 26. Nf3
Rb8 27. Nd2 Rb6 28. Ne4 Kc6 29. Nd2 Rb8 30. Nc4 Kd7 31. Nd2 Rg8 32. Nf3 Ke6 33.
Bb2 Ne7 34. Bc3 Nc6 35. Nd2 f5 36. Nf3 Rg6 37. e4 Rg8 38. Ke3 Rb8 39. Nd2 Ne5
40. f4 Ng6 41. b4 cxb4 42. Bxb4 Rh8 43. Nb3 Rh3+ 44. Kd4 Nxf4 45. Nc5+ Kf6 46.
exf5 Kxf5 47. Nxa6 Rxd3+ 48. Kc4 Rd7 49. Kb5 Ne6 50. Kc6 Rd1 {Right direction,
wrong square.} (50... Rd4 $1 51. a4 Rc4+ {White's king has to give ground.})
51. a4 Rc1+ 52. Nc5 Ke5 (52... Nd4+ 53. Kxc7 Rc4 {is another promising try
that meets a similar fate.} 54. a5 Rxb4 55. a6) 53. a5 {This is the flashiest
path, though White can also hold with} (53. Ba3 Nd4+ 54. Kb7 (54. Kd7 Rc3 55.
Bb4 Rc4 56. Ba3 Nc2 57. Bb2+ Kd5 58. Ne6 c5 59. Nc7+ Ke4 60. Kd6 Ne1 61. Ne6
Nd3 62. Ba3) 54... Rc3 55. Bb4 Rc4 56. Na6 (56. Ba3 Nc2 57. Bb2+ Kd5 58. Na6 c5
)) 53... Kd4 54. a6 (54. Ba3 Rc2 55. Bb2+ $11 (55. a6 Nxc5 56. a7 Na4+ 57. Kb7
Nb6 58. Bb4 $11)) 54... Nxc5 55. a7 Ne6+ (55... Na4+ 56. Kb7 Nb6 57. Ba5) 56.
Kb7 Nd8+ 57. Kc8 $1 {The king hides behind Black's pawns, though in fairness,
without this pawn the White king could go to other squares for a draw.} Ra1 58.
Kxc7 $1 Kc4 59. Be7 Ne6+ ({Oparin doesn't bother with} 59... Rxa7+ 60. Kxd8 Kd5
61. Bb4 {because rook v. bishop is an easy draw except for certain special
circumstances--like the king being chased to a8.}) 60. Kb7 Rb1+ 61. Kc8 Ra1 62.
Kb7 Nc7 63. Bd8 {White could take the knight but this leads to a fun finish.}
Na8 64. Kxa8 Rb1 65. Bb6 Rxb6 {stalemate} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates (Women)"]
[Site "Kazan"]
[Date "2019.06.01"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Black "Gunina, Valentina"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2506"]
[Annotator "Benjamin"]
[PlyCount "183"]
[EventDate "2019.05.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The next game I omitted from Chessboard Combat only because I forgot about it!
} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 c5 6. d5 exd5 7. cxd5 Bb7 8.
Bg2 Nxd5 9. O-O Be7 10. Rd1 Nc6 11. a3 Nc7 12. Nc3 O-O 13. Bf4 d6 14. e3 h6 15.
h4 Ne6 16. Bxd6 Bxd6 17. Ne4 Ncd4 18. exd4 Bxe4 19. Qxe4 Qf6 20. dxc5 Nxc5 21.
Qd4 Nb3 22. Qxf6 gxf6 23. Rab1 Rad8 24. Nh2 Bc5 25. Ng4 Kg7 26. Bd5 Nd4 27. Ne3
b5 28. Kg2 Rfe8 29. Rd3 Re5 30. Ba2 Nc6 31. Rxd8 Nxd8 32. Rd1 Ne6 33. Bxe6 fxe6
34. Rd7+ Kg6 35. Kf3 h5 36. Ng2 Kh6 37. Nf4 a5 38. Nd3 Rf5+ 39. Ke2 Bf8 40. Ke3
Bc5+ 41. Ke2 a4 42. f3 Bf8 43. Ke3 Kg6 44. Ke4 Kh6 45. Ke3 Kg6 46. Ke2 Kh6 47.
g4 hxg4 48. fxg4 Rd5 49. Rf7 Bg7 50. Nf4 Re5+ 51. Kf3 Re1 52. Rb7 Rf1+ 53. Ke3
Bf8 54. Rxb5 Bd6 55. Rh5+ Kg7 56. Nxe6+ Kg6 57. Nd4 Be5 58. Nf3 Bxb2 59. Ra5
Bxa3 60. Rxa4 Bc5+ 61. Ke4 Rf2 62. h5+ Kg7 63. Nh4 Kh6 64. Ra5 Re2+ 65. Kf3
Rf2+ 66. Kg3 Rc2 67. Nf5+ Kg5 68. h6 Rc3+ 69. Kg2 Kxg4 $4 {It looks safe
enough to plunge forward, but Black misses a diabolical trick. Instead passive
defense would have been sufficient.} (69... Kg6 70. Ra8 Kh7 71. Rd8 Be3 72.
Rd7+ Kh8 73. h7 Bg5 74. Ne7 Rc2+ $1) 70. h7 Rc2+ 71. Kf1 Rh2 (71... Rf2+ {
would lead to surprising tactics The natural} 72. Kg1 $3 {walks into a
discovered check but preserves the h-pawn's lust to expand.} (72. Ke1 Rh2 73.
Nh4 Bb4+ 74. Kd1 Rxh4) 72... Bb6 (72... Rxf5+ 73. Rxc5 Rxc5 74. h8=Q {does not
offer Black a fortress}) 73. Ra4+ $1 {This is the only way to win} (73. h8=Q
Rxf5+ 74. Kg2 Rf2+ {with a perpetual}) (73. Nh6+ Kg3 74. Rb5 (74. Ra3+ $2 Rf3+
75. Kh1 Rxa3 76. Nf5+ Kf2 77. h8=Q Ra1+ 78. Kh2 Bc7+ 79. Kh3 Rh1+ {black wins})
74... Rh2+ 75. Rxb6 Rxh6) (73. Nd4 Bxd4 74. Ra4 Kg3 $1 75. Rxd4 Rg2+ 76. Kf1
Rh2) 73... Kxf5 (73... Rf4+ 74. Kg2 (74. Nd4 Rxd4 75. h8=Q Rxa4+) (74. Rd4 $2
Rxd4 {actually wins for Black}) 74... Rxa4 75. Nh6+ Kf4 76. h8=Q $18) 74. h8=Q
Rf4+ (74... Ra2+ 75. Kf1 Rxa4 76. Qh5+) 75. Kg2 Rxa4 76. Qh5+ {and White
scoops up the rook with the next queen check.}) 72. Nh4 $3 {A beautiful
interference motif.} Kg3 (72... Rxh4 73. Ra4+) 73. h8=Q Rf2+ 74. Ke1 Bb4+ 75.
Kd1 Bxa5 76. Ng6 {Black really has no practical chances here, as White totally
dominates on the light squares.} Bd2 77. Qh4+ Kf3 78. Qxf6+ Kg2 79. Qc6+ Kg1
80. Nh4 Bf4 81. Qg6+ Kh2 82. Qg4 Bg3 83. Nf5 Rf1+ 84. Ke2 Rf2+ 85. Kd3 Rg2 86.
Qh5+ Kg1 87. Ne3 Ra2 88. Qg6 Kh2 89. Qh7+ Kg1 90. Qg8 Ra3+ 91. Ke2 Kh2 92. Kf3
1-0

[Event "Eastern Chess Congress 40/80 SD 30 30s"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.10.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Croyle, Michael"]
[Black "Holder, Thomas"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "1506"]
[BlackElo "1630"]
[Annotator "Benjamin"]
[PlyCount "156"]
[EventDate "2023.10.27"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e6 7. Be3 b5 8. a3 (
8. g4) 8... Nbd7 9. Qd2 Bb7 10. Bd3 (10. g4) 10... d5 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Nxd5
Bxd5 13. Ne2 (13. O-O) 13... Ne5 14. Nc3 Bxf3 (14... Nxd3+ 15. Qxd3 Bc6) 15.
Bxb5+ axb5 16. Qxd8+ Rxd8 17. gxf3 b4 18. axb4 Bxb4 19. Ke2 Bxc3 20. bxc3 O-O
21. Bd4 Nc6 22. Bc5 Rfe8 23. Rhd1 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 Rd8 25. Rxd8+ Nxd8 26. f4 (26.
Kd3 f6 27. Kc4 Kf7 28. Kb5) 26... f6 27. Kf3 Kf7 28. h4 Nc6 29. Bd6 Kg6 30. Kg4
h5+ 31. Kf3 Kf5 32. Bc5 e5 33. fxe5 Nxe5+ 34. Kg3 Ke4 35. Bf8 g6 36. Be7 Ng4 (
36... f5) 37. c4 Ke5 38. c5 Ke6 39. Bd6 {White had a chance for an immediate
draw with} (39. Bd8 Kd5 40. Kf4 Kxc5 41. Bxf6 Nxf6 42. Kg5 Ne4+ 43. Kxg6 Ng3
44. Kg5 Kd5 45. Kf4 Ne4 46. c4+ Kd4 47. c5 $11 {remember this variation!})
39... Ne5 (39... Ne3 $1) 40. Kf4 Nc4 41. Bf8 Na3 42. Ke4 Nxc2 43. c6 Ne1 44.
Kf4 {With the knight far away, this is the time to strike.} (44. Bg7 $1 f5+ 45.
Kf4) ({or even} 44. c7 Kd7 45. Bg7 Kxc7 46. Bxf6) 44... Ng2+ 45. Kg3 Ne3 46.
Bc5 (46. Kf4 Nf5 47. Ke4 Nxh4 48. c7 Kd7 49. Be7 Kxc7 (49... f5+ 50. Kf4 Ng2+
51. Kf3 Ne1+ 52. Ke2 Nc2 53. Kd3 {and the Black knight cannot escape!}) 50.
Bxf6 Nf5 51. Ke5 $11) 46... Nf5+ 47. Kh3 Ne7 $2 {Black needs the knight to do
more than it does where it is going to.} (47... Ng7 48. Kg3 (48. Bb6 $142 Kd6
49. Bd8 Ne8 50. c7 Kd7 51. Kg3 f5 52. c8=Q+ Kxc8 53. Ba5 Kd7 54. Kf4 Ke6 55.
Kg5 Kf7 56. Kf4 {still work to be done.}) 48... Ne8 49. Kf4 Kd5 50. Be7 Kxc6
51. Bxf6 Nxf6 52. Kg5 {but now with no c-pawn there is a problem-like win.}
Ne4+ 53. Kxg6 Ng3 54. Kg5 Kd5 55. Kf4 Ne4 56. Kf5 Kd4 57. Kf4 Kd3 58. Kf3 Nc5
59. Kf4 Ne6+ 60. Kf5 Ng7+ 61. Kg6 Ke4 62. Kxg7 Kf5) 48. c7 Nc8 49. Be3 (49. Kg3
Kd7 50. Bd4) 49... Kd7 50. Bd4 f5 51. Be5 (51. Kg3 $11 Kxc7 52. Kf4 Kd6 53. Kg5
Ne7 (53... Kd5 54. Bf2) 54. Kf6) 51... Ne7 52. Kg3 Nd5 53. Bb2 Kxc7 54. Bc1 Kd7
55. Bd2 Ke6 56. Kf3 Nf6 (56... Ke5 57. Bc1 f4) 57. Bc1 Ne4 58. Kf4 Nf2 59. Kf3
Nd3 60. Bh6 Kf6 61. Ke3 Nc5 62. Kf3 Ne6 63. Bc1 g5 64. hxg5+ Nxg5+ 65. Kg3 Ne6
66. Bb2+ (66. Kh4 Kg6 67. Kg3 $11) 66... Kg5 67. Bc1+ f4+ $19 68. Bxf4+ Nxf4
69. Kh2 Kg4 70. Kg1 Nd3 71. Kg2 h4 72. Kh2 Nf2 73. Kg2 Nd3 74. Kh2 Nf4 75. Kg1
Kg3 76. Kh1 Nd3 77. Kg1 Nf2 78. Kf1 h3 {White resigns} 0-1

[Event "Young Reshevsky"]
[Site "Polen"]
[Date "1917.02.25"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Reshevsky, Samuel Herman"]
[Black "Rubinstein, Akiba"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C50"]
[Annotator "Pandolfini"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "1917.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. h3 h6 7. d3 g5 8. Nd5 g4
9. Ng5 Nxd5 10. exd5 hxg5 11. dxc6 bxc6 12. hxg4 d5 13. Qe2 Qf6 14. Bb3 Qh6 15.
Qxe5+ Be6 16. Qxh8+ Qxh8 17. Bxg5 Kd7 18. c3 Rg8 19. Be3 Bxg4 20. Bd1 Bh3 21.
g3 Rxg3+ 22. fxg3 Bxe3+ 23. Rf2 Qg7 24. Bg4+ Qxg4 0-1

[Event "Polen"]
[Site "Polen"]
[Date "1917.02.25"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Problem 1"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Pandolfini"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5qk1/5p2/6n1/8/7Q/7R/6K1/8 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "1917.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 1-0

[Event "Polen"]
[Site "Polen"]
[Date "1917.02.25"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Problem 2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Pandolfini"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1k6/2q5/1N6/1n6/8/8/8/Q5K1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "1917.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 1-0

[Event "Polen"]
[Site "Polen"]
[Date "1917.02.25"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Problem 3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Pandolfini"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1kb4q/8/Bp6/8/3b4/B7/Q5K1/8 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "1917.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 1-0

[Event "Polen"]
[Site "Polen"]
[Date "1917.02.25"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Problem 4"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Pandolfini"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "q5kr/8/8/5Q2/8/6B1/8/6K1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "1917.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 1-0

[Event "Polen"]
[Site "Polen"]
[Date "1917.02.25"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Problem 5"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Pandolfini"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1kr4r/1pp5/8/3P4/1Q6/5P1q/5P2/R4RK1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "1917.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 1-0

[Event "Polen"]
[Site "Polen"]
[Date "1917.02.25"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Problem 6"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Pandolfini"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "q2rk3/3p1p2/8/4p3/8/4Q3/4R3/6K1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "1917.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 1-0

[Event "SWE-chJ op"]
[Site "Hallsberg"]
[Date "1985.01.05"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Thoren, P."]
[Black "Griffin, D."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B82"]
[Annotator "Griffin"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "1984.12.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Life Feb 2024"]
[SourceDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 {Influenced by Craig
Pritchett's book 'The Sicilian Scheveningen' (1977), this was my main weapon v.
1.e4.} 6. f4 Nc6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Qf3 {A fashionable line during the 1970s and
'80s.} e5 $5 ({Also possible is} 8... O-O 9. O-O-O Qc7 {, etc.} 10. g4 Nxd4 11.
Bxd4 e5 12. fxe5 dxe5 13. Qg3 Nxg4 $5 {, etc. which I had played v. Douglas
Bryson the year before.} 14. Nd5 Qd8) 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. f5 (10. fxe5 dxe5 11.
Bc4 O-O 12. h3 (12. O-O Ng4 $1 13. Rad1 Nxe3 $1) 12... Be6 $1 {was a topical
line in the '70s.}) 10... Qa5 11. O-O-O Rb8 12. Bc4 h5 $5 {Polugaevsky's idea.
Unfortunately for my opponent, I was fairly familiar with this line. In the
summer of 1984 it had featured in Psakhis-Pritchett, played in a small
international tournament in Scotland. I was operating the demonstration board
in that game!} ({The sharp} 12... d5 $5) ({and} 12... O-O {are the
alternatives.}) 13. Bb3 Ba6 14. g3 {A new move.} (14. Kb1 {
(Lukianov-Polugaevsky, 1983) is too slow.}) (14. h3 $1 {(Psakhis-Pritchett) is
the critical line. Black replies} h4 15. g4 hxg3 16. Qxg3 Rh7 17. h4 c5 {
, etc. With the move in the text White tries to keep a mobile pawn front, but
this takes time...}) 14... c5 15. h3 c4 16. Ba4+ Kf8 17. g4 {A critical moment.
White threatens to roll Black over with g4-g5. I managed to find a counter,
which hinges on Black's 19th move.} Qb4 18. g5 Qxb2+ 19. Kd2 {Diagram [#] 20.
gxf6 is threatened, as is 20.Rb1. But Black has} Bd8 $1 20. gxf6 Qxc3+ $1 ({
So that if (} 20... Qxc3+ {)} 21. Kxc3 Ba5# {.}) 21. Ke2 Bxf6 22. Rxd6 Qa5 $1 {
Defending and attacking at the same time.} 23. Bc6 Rb2 24. Rhd1 $2 {The losing
move.} ({The passive} 24. Rc1 {had to be played.}) 24... Rxc2+ 25. Kf1 c3+ 26.
Kg1 Be2 27. Rb1 $1 {White had seen this when playing 24.Rhd1. 25.Rb8+, mating,
is threatened. But Black has seen one move further.} Rb2 $1 28. Qxe2 Rxb1+ $1 (
{Of course, ot} 28... Rxe2 $4 29. Rb8+ Ke7 30. Rd7# {.}) 29. Rd1 Rxd1+ 30. Qxd1
Qc7 0-1

