Gens Una Sumus!
Newsletter #881
Aug 23, 2019
By Abel Talamantez
Table of Content
- GM Sam Shankland’s Live Commentary of TNM Highlighted Amazing Week at the Club!
- U.S. Open Champion Illia Nyzhnyk to visit Mechanics’ Institute Monday August 26 and Play in Monday Night Rapid!
- Tournament Director's Corner
- Participants of the Berkeley Norm Event Visit Mechanics
- Mechanics-Marshall Collaboration in the Works
- Tony's Teasers
- Wednesday Night Blitz starting up again
- Nick de Firmian's Column: Magnificent Magnus
- Brandwein Memorial TNM Games Round 3
GM Sam Shankland’s Live Commentary of TNM Highlighted Amazing Week at the Club!
GM Sam Shankland and Judit Sztaray provided some commentary of round 3 of the TNM
With our very own FM Paul Whitehead out on a well-deserved vacation, we needed to someone to fill the big shoes. Who other than our very own hometown hero and 2018 U.S. Champion GM Sam Shankland, who came on very short notice to deliver great commentary on the action on the first 10 boards.
The top board proved interesting for Shankland, as it showcased 2 of his students from the recently concluded U.S. Chess School held at Mechanics. In the end, FM Josiah Stearman provided a dominant performance in defeating NM Eric Yuhan Li.
On board 1, UC Berkeley freshman FM Josiah Stearman playing white defeated NM Eric Yuhan Li. On Board 2, recent University of Virginia graduate and new Bay Area resident NM Jeevan Karamsetty (white) also showed strong play in defeating Ethan Boldi.
On Board 2, Jeevan Karamsetty, playing in his first TNM, remains perfect after his win over Ethan Boldi. With top seed FM Kyron Griffith taking a bye in round 3, it looks like the stage has been set for 2 players showing very strong play to face each other next week.
Sriram Krishnakumar put on a technical clinic in his win over Winslow with the black pieces
Probably U.S. top 20 11-year old Sriram Krishnakumar, who defeated IM Elliott Winslow in impressive fashion, posted the most impressive win. I believe this is his first TNM and we hope he follows in the footsteps of Eric Li and Rui Yang Yan in Mechanics being a place to sharpen and hone the skills on Tuesday nights.
In the A/B section, Mansoor Mohammed continued his dominance of that section with a win over Adam Mercado. It was suggested by GM Shankland that we make a rule named the Mansoor Rule, which states that winners of the TNM must be promoted to the next higher section. While the USCF might have something to say about that, it may not be necessary, as he will be promoted by rating alone at the pace he is going.
In the under 1600 section, we saw a broadcast match MI members loved to watch as MI regulars Jerry Simpkins and John Chan played an action packed battle that was eventually won by Simpkins. It was the chess equivalent of Hagler-Hearns, two middleweights trading blows and in full on attack.
Jerry Simpkins and John Chan provided a board 10-fan favorite game that was enjoyable to watch.
It was a very fun evening. To watch the broadcast with GM Shankland’s commentary, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siQAhWP6VOA
To see current standings and results, please follow this link: https://www.milibrary.org/tuesday-night-marathon#standings
THIS Coming Monday:
U.S. Open Champion Illia Nyzhnyk to visit Mechanics’ Institute Monday August 26 and Play in Monday Night Rapid!
GM Nyzhnyk waits for his last round opponent at the 2019 U.S. Open
U.S. Open Champion and National Open Champion GM Illia Nyzhnyk will be visiting the Mechanics’ Institute this coming Monday August 26!
He will perform a simul in the afternoon, give a brief lecture prior to the rapid, and finish the evening off by going for the coveted title of Monday Night Rapid Champion. We will also take this special opportunity to provide a live broadcast of this rapid event with commentary, so it will make for a very special rapid evening. To register for the simul or the rapid, please follow this link:
https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/simul-lecture-gm-illia-nyzhnyk
https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/monday-night-rapid-aug
Tournament Director's Corner
I wanted to take this opportunity to address the issue of cell phones at the Mechanics Institute during tournament games. Although we have announced the rule prior to the round starts, I feel we need to elaborate exactly what the expectations are. When I started here, I could see that the rules regarding cell phone use were very liberally applied, as it was quite common for players to view texts, leave to take calls and have phones on at the table. As time has passed we have taken a firmer stand on enforcing the rule, and have on several occasions over the course of many tournaments, applied time penalties for those who had cell phones go off and have given warnings. We have seen the blatant use of phones during games go down, though it is a challenge to know of every single incident that occurs. We must rely on players to help us by both informing us of incidents of cell phones going off, and also of players taking a more active role in making sure they follow the rule of putting phones on silent, turning them off or turning them in to the TD.
Here is the USCF rule regarding cell phone use:
20N. Electronic communication devices. Players are not allowed to leave the playing venue without permission from the arbiter. The playing venue is defined as the playing area, rest rooms, refreshment and smoking area, adjacent hallways and other places as designated by the arbiter/TD. Without the permission of the arbiter/TD a player is forbidden to have a mobile phone or other electronic means of communication in the playing venue, unless they are completely switched off. TD TIP: “Permission of the director” allows for maximum flexibility. No specific penalty is prescribed. In the absence of announced rules for a specific event, the standard penalties apply (see 20N1). Organizers are free to announce whatever penalty is appropriate for their event. In practice, the device ringing or making some other sound may be the only practical way to detect a cell phone—but this rule is not aimed at penalizing the noise; it is aimed at penalizing the possession of a communications device.
20N1. Disturbing noise or disruption of games. Audible disruptive noises such as a cell phone ring tone, pager beep, alarms and other noises cause a disruption in the playing hall. These noises are often very loud and disturb the entire room. The following are guidelines for penalizing such disturbances: a. First offense standard penalty is to subtract 10 minutes or half the remaining time from a player’s clock, whichever is less. Variant: Depending on the importance of the event the standard penalty may be up to immediate loss of the game in progress. If a variant is used, it must be announced at the opening remarks for the event and posted prominently in the playing hall and at all entrances. b. Second (and subsequent) offense for the same player during the same event is loss of the game currently in progress. c. If the incident occurs in the playing hall, but after the offender’s game for the round is completed while other games are still in progress, then the above penalties apply to the subsequent round. In the case of a loss (e.g. second offense), that player is not paired for the next round. d. If the incident occurs after the game for the last round is complete while other games are still in progress, the offender is treated like a non-participating spectator and is ejected from the playing hall. Variant: Depending on the importance of the event and the disturbance created, the player may receive a ½ point total score penalty for prize distribution.
It is clear there is flexibility in assessing penalties for an infraction, but I think we have arrived at the time where all of us need to take a more active role in promoting a fair game and for protecting the integrity of the game, and this starts at the top. At the start of the event, I announced we are using USCF rules though it is FIDE rated. It is entirely possible to have both. We will announce before the start of every round that cell phones must be turned off and players are not allowed to have a cell phone on for the duration of their games. We will enforce the penalty of 10 minutes taken off their time or half the remaining time from their game, whichever is greater.
I know this may sound excessive and/or uncomfortable, but this is quite standard in tournaments. We also have to all be part of the solution in making sure our club represents the highest in quality, and part of this is enforcement of the rules meant to protect all players. We as TD’s have the first responsibility in being more vigilant, and we will do more in this regard. But it will help us a great deal for players to follow the rules and to reach out to us whenever there is a problem in the game. We love our chess community and bringing exciting new things to the club, and it is an honor and privilege for us to be a part of all the great things in chess happening in San Francisco.
Participants of the Berkeley Norm Event Visit Mechanics
The chess club had the honor of being paid a visit from several members of the Women’s IM norm event held at the Berkeley Chess School this past week.
Players from the tournament stopped by our broadcast booth to record an interview before sight seeing around San Francisco
Special congratulations go to Uyanga Byambaa. She was the sole norm recipient of the event, obtaining her first WIM norm with her final round draw. Some of the best female players in North America were there, including IM Lisandra Ordaz Valdes from Cuba, IM Carolina Lujan from Argentina, WIM Agnieszka Matras-Clement from Canada, Saikhanchimeg Tsogtsaikhan and Uyanga Byambaa representing Mongolia, WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia, and WGM Carla Heredia, who organized the event. They enjoyed the visit and we think we may have many of them back for a future big event.
To see the brief 12 minute broadcast, pleas follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfg7Ak-yMPs
Congrats to Elizabeth Shaughnessy from Berkeley Chess School for holding this event.
Mechanics- Marshall Collaboration in the Works
I am very excited to report that Judit and I had a phone call with Bryan Quick, who is the Executive Director of the Marshall Chess Club in New York. We are planning an exciting event for Tuesday night October 8th. It will be something new and exciting and something we will broadcast. Just the teaser for now, but stay tuned!
Yes, the TNM is off that week…
Tony's Teasers
Last newsletter's problem:
Taimanov vs. N.N. 1970 - White to win:
1.Bc4!! Qxc4 2.Rxg7+ Kxg7 3.Bxe5+ Rxe5 4.Qxc4
This week's problem:
The column this week should more appropriately called Abel’s Teasers since I will be filling in this week for the vacationing Tony.
Here is this weeks problem, Shifman, 1927. White to move and mate in 2:
Wednesday Night Blitz starting up again!
Mark you calendar..... The Wednesday Night Blitz RESUMES at Mechanics’ Institute Chess Club next Wednesday Night (August 28th).
Sign-up starts around 6:30pm with round 1 starting at 6:45pm with the weekly event ending by 8pm (This is NOT the first Wednesday of the month!!!).
Also mark your calendars. The first Wednesday of each month will start 1 hour earlier at 5:45pm (entry 5:30-5:45) instead of 6:45pm so that on the first Wednesdays of the month the Blitz can be the old double round format instead of the new single round format. See attached flyer. Please note the new rule pertaining to how clock malfunctions will be dealt with.
Before summer break, the results of the last Wednesday Night Blitz were:
12 players
1st – Anna Matlin – 11pts $42
2nd – Arthur Ismakov - 9pts $25.20
3rd – Jules Jelinek – 8pts $16.80
Look forward to seeing everyone next week!
Jules Jelinek
Wednesday Night Blitz Coordinator
Nick de Firmian's Column - Magnificent Magnus
Week 3 – endgames
When one hears of a game in which some player ground down the opponent in an endgame it brings to mind a strong player who maneuvers and waits for his(her) lower rated opponent to make a mistake or two. It hardly seems like a noble way to win a game, and certainly sounds boring to watch. You understand it would be unprofessional for them to let the half points escape in a tournament or a match by not pressing, yet you think it’s not your favorite game to watch. However these games can be truly fascinating when the aggressor pushes to the limit until there is nothing left. Bobby Fischer would always play that way and his games had a stamp of purity and deep logic to them. Many times he would win those so called “drawn” endgames. Of course Magnus has done the same.
What happens though when the opponent is at the very top? Is it possible to grind down a 2800 player or a World Champion? The logical answer would seem to be no, such opponents are immune from that fate. Yet here we give two examples where that happens. How is that possible? One reason is the new approach Magnus has brought to chess – that these endgames are just chess positions and more complex than one would think. The other reason is that Magnus is at a level all by himself.
(1) Carlsen,Magnus - Aronian,Levon
London, 2012
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Nd5 Nxd5 9.Bxd5 Rb8 10.0-0 Ne7 11.Nxe5 Nxd5 12.exd5 Re8 13.d4 Bf8 14.b3 Bb7 15.c4 d6 16.Nf3 Qf6 17.Be3 Bc8 18.Qd2 Qg6 19.Kh1 h6 20.Rac1 Be7 21.Ng1 Bg5 22.Bxg5 Qxg5 23.Rfd1 bxc4 24.bxc4 Qxd2 25.Rxd2 a5
We have reached an endgame where Black is a pawn down but he has both rooks on the open files and bishop vs. knight. Additionally White's c-pawns are doubled. Hard to make progress against a strong opponent. 26.h3 Rb4 27.Nf3 Bf5 28.c5 Kf8 29.Nh2! Reb8 30.Ng4 Rb1 31.Rxb1 Rxb1+ 32.Kh2 a4
Black wants to set the white a-pawn as a target. There are losing chances for White too. 33.Ne3 Bg6 34.Kg3 Rb4 35.Kf3 Ke7 36.Ke2 Kd7
37.f3 We inserted a diagram to highlight the extreme patience Magnus has. It's very difficult to make progress so small moves and long maneuvers are required. 37...Rb5 38.Nd1 Rb4 39.c6+ Kc8 40.Nc3 f6 41.Ke3 Rc4 42.Ne2 a3 43.h4 Rb4 44.g4! Rb1 45.h5 Bh7 46.f4
Now White threatens f5, Nf4 and Ne6 with a winning outpost for the knight. Note Black cannot play 46...Bg8 47. f5 Bxd5? 48, Nc3 with a fork. Also note that Magnus stays aware to the danger of the Black a-pawn. 46...f5 47.g5 Rh1 48.Ng3 Rh3 49.Kf3
Magnus maintains control by mixing in tactical themes. Here 49. ..Bg8 50. Kg2 Rh4 51. Nxf5! will get a fork on e7. 49...hxg5 50.fxg5 g6 51.Re2 Kd8 52.hxg6 Bxg6 53.Re6 Bf7
54.g6! All the subtlety is over. Now White presses forward with the pawns. 54...Bxe6 55. fxe6 Rh8 56. Nxf5 would win. 54...Bg8 55.g7 f4 56.Kxf4 Rh2 57.Nf5 Rxa2 58.Rf6 Re2 59.Rf8+ The position looks dangerous for both sides, but here Aronian resigned. He saw 59...Re8 60. Nxd6! cxd6 61. c7+ is not difficult for Magnus. 1-0
(2) Carlsen,Magnus - Anand,Vishy [D31]
World Championship , 2013
1.c4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 c6 4.e4 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Bb4+ 6.Nc3 c5 7.a3 Ba5 8.Nf3 Nf6 9.Be3 Nc6 10.Qd3 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Ng4 12.0-0-0 Nxe3 13.fxe3 Bc7 14.Nxc6 bxc6 15.Qxd8+ After an interesting opening the players have reached a level endgame. Most players in a World Championship match would be disappointed that their preparation didn't gain them anything. Magnus decides it's an endgame, so lets play. 15...Bxd8
16.Be2 Ke7 17.Bf3 Bd7 18.Ne4 Bb6 19.c5 f5! 20.cxb6 fxe4 21.b7! Rab8 22.Bxe4 Rxb7 23.Rhf1 Rb5 24.Rf4 g5 25.Rf3 h5 26.Rdf1
White has just a tiny edge due to the doubled rooks on the f-file. Nothing too much is happening. 26...Be8 27.Bc2 Rc5 28.Rf6 h4 29.e4 a5 30.Kd2 Rb5 31.b3 Bh5 32.Kc3 Rc5+ 33.Kb2 Rd8 34.R1f2 Rd4 35.Rh6 Bd1 36.Bb1!
Still the game is pretty level as Anand plays strong, active chess. Even so, Magnus keeps the game complicated with many posibilities. 36...Rb5 37.Kc3 c5?! More accurate was 37...e5, when White has to avoid some odd checkmates. Now Magnus has some edge to grind with. 38.Rb2! e5 39.Rg6 a4 40.Rxg5 Rxb3+ 41.Rxb3 Bxb3 42.Rxe5+ Kd6 43.Rh5 Rd1
White has an extra pawn, but all of Black's pieces are good. The question though is whether Black will draw or lose. 44.e5+! Kd5 45.Bh7 Rc1+?! [45...Ra1!] 46.Kb2 Rg1?! Now Anand needed to try the active 46...Re1! 47. Bg8+ Kd4 to stay in the game. His move is very natural, but is not enough against the Magnus press. 47.Bg8+ Kc6 48.Rh6+ Kd7 49.Bxb3 axb3 50.Kxb3 Rxg2 51.Rxh4 Ke6 52.a4! Kxe5 53.a5 Kd6
54.Rh7! The rook here will shepard the a-pawn to a7, when the rest is easy. Anand cannot defend against two rook pawns when one is so far advanced. 54...Kd5 55.a6 c4+ 56.Kc3 Ra2 57.a7 Kc5 58.h4 1-0
Brandwein Memorial TNM Games Round 3
Annotations by GM Nick de Firmian and IM Elliott Winslow
(1) Stearman,Josiah P (2427) - Li,Eric Yuhan (2282) [E20]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (3.1), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.g3 d5 5.Bg2 0-0 6.Nf3 dxc4 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Qa4 a6 [8...Nd5] 9.Ne5! Nxe5 10.dxe5 Bxc3 11.bxc3 b5 [11...Nd5 12.Qxc4 Bd7!?] 12.Qa5 Nd5 13.Rd1 Bd7 [13...f5!?] 14.Ba3?! [14.Bxd5 exd5 15.Rxd5 Qc8] 14...c6 15.Bb4 Rc8 16.Qxd8 Rfxd8 17.Ba5 Nc7 18.Rd6 Kf8 19.Rad1 Ke7
20.Rxc6!! Nd5 [20...Bxc6 21.Bb4+ Ke8 22.Bxc6+ is the end!] 21.Rxa6 Re8 22.Bxd5 exd5 23.Rxd5 Red8 24.Bxd8+ Rxd8 25.a3 1-0
(2) Karamsetty,Jeevan (2296) - Boldi,Ethan (2001) [C02]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (3.2), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.Bd3 [Korchnoi was fond of, on 6.Be2 , 6...Nge7 (Well, he played every which move order over his career, without any trend or explanation.)] 6...Qb6 [6...Rc8; 6...cxd4 7.cxd4 Qb6] 7.0-0 [7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.0-0 a5] 7...cxd4 8.cxd4 Rc8?! [For better or worse, Black should take the pawn. 8...Nxd4] 9.Be2?! [9.Nc3; 9.Nbd2] 9...f6?! Shankland notes that it makes more sense with the c-pawns still on the board 10.Nc3 fxe5 11.dxe5 a6 12.Be3 Qc7 13.Rc1 Qb8 14.Na4! Nxe5 15.Rxc8+ Bxc8 16.Nxe5 Qxe5 17.Nb6+- Qc7
18.Qd4! [18.Qc1 Qxc1 19.Rxc1 Bd7 20.Rc7] 18...Ne7 19.Rc1 Nc6 20.Bh5+ Kd8 21.Bg5+ Be7 22.Qxg7 Qxb6
23.Rxc6! Bxg5 24.Qxh8+ Ke7 25.Qg7+ Kd8 26.Qf8+ Kd7 27.Qe8# 1-0
(3) Shaw,Tenzing (2276) - Davila,Carlos (2079) [B00]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (3.3), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 a6 Tony Miles once used this to beat Anatoly Karpov. 2.d4 b5 3.a4 Bb7 4.Nd2 [4.Bd3] 4...b4 5.Ngf3 e6 6.Bd3 Nf6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Be7 9.Nfg5 [9.0-0] 9...h6 10.Qh5 g6 11.Qh3 Nc6 12.Nf3 d6 13.0-0 Qd7 14.Bd2 g5?! 15.Nexg5 dxe5 16.dxe5 Bf8 17.Ne4 0-0-0 18.Rfd1 Be7 19.c4 Nb6 20.Be3 Qe8 21.Nd6+! cxd6 22.Bxb6 Rd7 23.exd6 Bxd6+- 24.Be2 Rg8 25.c5 Bc7 26.Rxd7 Qxd7 27.Rd1 Qe7 28.g3?! [28.Qxh6] 28...Qf6 29.Qh5 Be5? [29...Rd8+/-] 30.b3 [30.Nxe5! Nxe5 31.f4 Nc6 32.Kf2] 30...Bc3
31.Qh4? [31.Rd6; 31.Kf1; 31.a5] 31...Qxh4+/= 32.Nxh4 Nd4! 33.Bc4 Kb8 34.c6 Nxc6 35.f4 Ne7 36.Rd7 Nd5= 37.Bc5?? [37.Bf2=] 37...Rc8!-+ 38.Bd6+ [38.Bf2 Rxc4! 39.bxc4 b3] 38...Ka8 39.Be2?! Bd4+ and mate in 40.Kg2 Nxf4+ 0-1
(4) Winslow,Elliott (2222) - Krishnakumar,Sriram (2056) [A06]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (3.4), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.b3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 Bd6 7.Bb2 0-0 8.0-0 b6 9.Ne5? [9.Nc3] 9...Bb7 10.f4? [10.Nd2 c5 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Ndc4] 10...c5 11.Nd2 cxd4 12.exd4 Ne4 13.Bxe4?! dxe4 14.Qe2 f5 15.Rac1 Rc8 16.Rc3 [16.Rfd1 /\Nf1-e3 16...Bxe5 17.fxe5 g5!?] 16...Qe7 17.g4 Nxe5 18.fxe5 Bb4 19.Rh3 Qg5 20.Bc1 Qg6 21.Rf4 Be7 22.Rg3 Qh6 23.Rf1 f4 24.Rc3 f3 25.Qe1 Bh4 26.Rf2 Qg6 27.h3 h5 28.Nf1 hxg4 29.hxg4 Qxg4+ 30.Kh2 Rf5 Well played by young Sriram! 0-1
(5) Baradaran,Arman (2224) - Rudyak,Felix (1900) [D07]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (3.5), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 dxc4 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.e3 e6 6.Bxc4 Nf6 7.Qa4 Bxf3 8.gxf3 a6 9.Be2 Be7 10.f4 0-0 11.Bf3 Nd5? 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Qb3 Bb4+ 14.Kf1 Qd6 15.a3 Ba5 16.Qxd5 Qe7 17.Qc5 Qd7 18.Bxc6 Qxc6 19.Qxc6 bxc6 20.b4 Bb6 21.Bd2 a5 22.Ke2 Rfe8 23.Kd3 axb4 24.axb4 Rad8 25.Rac1 Rd6 26.Rhg1 f5 27.Rg5 Red8 28.Ke2 g6 29.h4 Re8 30.Kf3 Kf7 31.h5 Ra8 32.hxg6+ hxg6 33.Rgg1 Ra2 34.Bc3 Rd8 35.Rh1 Rd5 36.Rh7+ Kf6 37.b5 cxb5 38.Bb4 c5 39.dxc5 Ba5 40.Bxa5 Rxa5 41.c6 b4 42.c7 Rac5 43.c8Q 1-0
(6) Tsodikova,Natalya (2196) - Ostrovsky,Sergey (2032) [B31]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (3.6), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bg7 6.h3 Qb6?! 7.Nc3 Qc7 8.Be3 b6 9.Qd2 e5 10.a4 [10.a3 (/\b4) 10...a5 11.0-0 & b2-b4] 10...a5 11.0-0 h6 12.Nh2 Be6 13.f4 Ne7 14.Nf3 exf4 15.Bxf4 Qd7 16.Ne2 g5 17.Be5 f6 18.Bc3 0-0?! 19.Ng3 f5 20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.Qc3+ [21.Nxg5 hxg5 22.Qxg5+] 21...Kg6? 22.Ne5+ 1-0
(7) Jia,Derek (2040) - Ivanov,Aleksandr (2192) [E54]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (3.7), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.c3?! cxd4 5.cxd4 dxe4 6.Nxe4 Bb4+ 7.Nc3 Nc6 Not the best IQP position for White. 8.Nf3 Nf6 9.Bd3 0-0 10.0-0 b6 11.Bg5 Be7 12.Rc1 Bb7 13.Bb1 Nb4 14.Ne5 Rc8 15.Bxf6?! Unprovoked. 15...Bxf6 16.Qh5 g6 17.Qg4 Bg7 18.Rcd1 Nd5 19.Ne2 Qd6 20.Nf3 Rfd8
An ideal position for Black. 21.Rfe1 Nf6 22.Qh3 Qb4 23.Ng5 Qxb2 24.Nxf7 A desperate try. 24...Kxf7 25.Nf4 Bd5 26.Nxe6 Re8 27.Ng5+ Kg8 28.Bd3 Rxe1+ 29.Rxe1 Rc1 0-1
(8) Lin,Michael (2161) - Argo,Guy (1859) [A04]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (3.8), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.Nf3 f5 2.d3 d6 3.e4 e5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bg5 Be7 6.exf5 Bxf5 7.d4 e4 8.Nh4 Bg4 9.Be2 Bxe2 10.Qxe2 0-0 11.Nf5 Re8 12.Nxe7+ Qxe7 13.Nd5 Qf7 14.Nxf6+ gxf6 15.Bf4 Nc6 16.c3 Kh8 17.0-0 Qg6 18.Rae1 f5 19.f3 Re7 20.d5
20...Rae8!? 21.fxe4 Rxe4 22.Qf2 Ne7?! 23.Rxe4 fxe4 24.Bg3 [24.Qxa7] 24...Kg8 25.c4 b6 26.Bh4! e3 27.Qxe3 Nf5 28.Qg5 Nxh4 29.Qxh4 Re2 30.Qh3 Rxb2?! Black was in big trouble anyway. 31.Qc8+ Kg7 32.Qf8# 1-0
(9) Wong,Russell (2200) - Jensen,Christian (1881) [B72]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (3.11), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.Be2 0-0 [7...Nc6 8.h4!? One of Russell's quick attack schemes. 8...d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Bf3 Qa5+ 12.c3 Ne5 13.Be2 h5 14.Nb3 Qc7 15.Bd4 Bf6 16.Nc5 Qc6 17.Qd3 a6 18.0-0-0 b5 19.f4 Ng4 1-0 Wong,R (2200)-Jensen,C (1776) Fall TNM San Francisco Nov 2016] 8.Qd2 Sedate play! [8.g4!? Another maddog attack! 8...d5 was Wong-Jensen, Bedjanian TNM Dec 2018, Black veered off not too long after equalizing 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Bf3 Qe5 (11...Qa5+! 12.c3 Nc6!) 12.Qe2 Rd8 13.c3 Nd7 14.0-0-0 Qa5 15.Nb3 Qc7 16.h3 Rb8 17.Bxa7 Ra8 18.Qe3 Be5 19.Kb1 Bf4 20.Bb6 Nxb6 21.Rxd8+ Kg7 22.Rxc8 Rxc8 23.Qe4 1-0.] 8...Nc6 9.0-0-0 d5?! [9...Ng4!? 10.Bxg4 Bxg4 11.f3 Bd7 is actually heavily analyzed, in G.Jones' Dragon book(s) for example. Black does okay.] 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Qxd5 Qc7 14.Qxa8 Bf5 15.Qxf8+ Kxf8 This sequence is the same as in the main line of the Yugoslav Attack vs. the Dragon, with 7.f3 instead of 7.Be2 (and the rest the same). Here White is better developed and his bishop doesn't hang on e3, so just 16.Rd2 is leaning in favor of White -- according to Jones. 16...h5 17.Rhd1 Kg8 18.g3 Qc6 19.Kb1 a5 20.Rc1 a4 21.Bd3 [21.a3!+/-] 21...a3 22.Bxf5
22...Bxb2? [22...gxf5 is roughly even.] 23.Bd7! Qb7 24.Ba4 Bc3+ [24...Bxc1+ 25.Kxc1 Qb2+ 26.Kd1 Qxa2 27.Bb3 Qb1+ 28.Ke2 a2 29.Rd8+ Kh7 30.Bd4 gets there just in time.] 25.Bb3 Bxd2 26.Bxd2 Qg2 27.Be3 Qxh2 28.c4 Qg2 29.c5 Qe4+ 30.Rc2 Qc6 31.Bc1 Kg7 32.Bxa3 g5 33.Re2 e6 34.Re5 Kf6 35.Bb2 Kg6 36.Bc1 g4 37.Rg5+ Kf6 38.Rxh5 Qe4+ 39.Bc2 Qb7+ 1-0
(10) Walder,Michael (2011) - Krasnov,Steven (1820) [B07]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (3.12), 20.08.2019
1.e4 d6 2.d4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.Be3 Nf6 5.Qd2 Ng4 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 Nd7 8.0-0-0 c5 9.Nf3 a6 10.h3 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Ngf6 12.Bc4 b5 13.Bd5 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Nf6 15.Nxf6+ exf6 16.Nc6 Qc7 17.Qxd6 Qxd6 18.Rxd6 Be6 19.f4 0-0 20.f5 g5 21.fxe6 gxh4 22.e7 Rfe8 23.Rd8 f5 24.Rxa8 Rxa8 25.Nd8 1-0
(11) Lehman,Clarence (1900) - Kuczek,Kevin (1987) [C65]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (3.13), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.Qe2 Bc5 5.c3 Qe7 6.0-0 0-0 7.h3 d6 8.b4 Bb6 9.Ba4 Nh5 10.d4 exd4 11.Bxc6
11...Ng3? Too fancy! [11...bxc6 12.Nxd4 (12.cxd4 a5) 12...Qh4-/+] 12.Qc4? Taking away the bishop's retreat [12.Qd3! Nxf1 13.Bd5 Ne3 14.fxe3 dxe3 15.Bxe3+/-] 12...Nxf1 13.Bg5 Qe6?! [13...Ne3! 14.fxe3 Qe6 15.Bd5 Qg6] 14.Bd5 Qg6
15.Kxf1?? [15.Qxf1! Save the bishop! 15...dxc3 16.Nxc3 c6 17.Bb3 h6 18.Bf4 Bxh3 19.Rd1+/=] 15...c6-+ 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Qxc6 Be6 18.Be7 Rfc8 19.Qxd6 dxc3 20.Na3 c2 21.Rc1 Qxe4 22.Nd2 Qf5 23.Qg3 Bd4 24.Bc5 Bxc5 25.bxc5 Rxc5 26.Nb3 Bxb3 27.Qxb3 Rac8 28.g4 Qf4 29.Rxc2 Rxc2 30.Nxc2 Qc4+ 0-1
(12) Melville,Cailen (1905) - Hakobyan,Sos (1799) [A60]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (3.14), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.d4 e6 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 b5!? 6.e4!? Qe7?! [6...Nxe4 is the "principled" move 7.Qe2 Qe7 8.Bg2 Nd6 (8...f5!?) ] 7.Bg2!? It's not at all clear what White's best is. [7.f3!? builds an imposing center, while Black must scramble to put his position back together.] 7...Nxe4 [7...d6 8.Qe2 b4 9.f4 Ba6 10.Qe3 g5!? 11.Ne2 Nbd7 12.e5 gxf4 13.gxf4 Rg8 14.Qh3 0-0-0 15.e6 fxe6 16.dxe6 Nb6 17.f5 Ng4 18.Nd2 Qf6 19.Be4 d5 20.Rg1 dxe4 21.Rxg4 Qxf5 22.Rg3 Qxh3 23.Rxh3 Re8 24.Nb3 Rxe6 25.Be3 Nc4 26.Bxc5 Nxb2 27.Bxf8 Rxf8 28.Rxh7 Nd3+ 29.Kd1 e3 30.Nbd4 Rf1+ 31.Kc2 Rxa1 32.Nxe6 Rxa2+ 33.Kb3 Ra3+ 34.Kc2 Ra2+ 35.Kb3 Rxe2 36.Nd4 Rb2+ 37.Ka4 Nc5+ 38.Ka5 e2 39.Re7 Bc4 40.Nc6 Nb7+ 41.Ka4 Bd5 42.Nxb4 Be4 43.Rxe4 Nc5+ 0-1 (43) Ushenina,A (2484) -Carlsson,P (2501) Wijk aan Zee 2008] 8.Be3 Nd6 9.Nf3 Nc4 10.0-0!? Nxe3 11.fxe3 d6! 12.e4 Nd7?
Naively thinking e5 could be held. [12...g6!? 13.e5 Bg7! 14.exd6 Qe3+ 15.Kh1 0-0! is still an even and interesting game.] 13.e5!+- White crashes through on the e-file and/or the long diagonal! 13...Bb7?! 14.e6?! [14.Nc3! Nxe5 15.Nxe5 dxe5 16.Nxb5 Qd7 17.Qa4 White calmly can keep Black's king in the center, with not-so-long term disaster in store.] 14...fxe6 15.dxe6 [15.Nc3!?] 15...Nf6 Black is ready to castle -- queenside! 16.Ng5? [16.Nc3!+/-] 16...Bxg2 17.Kxg2 Qb7+-/+ 18.Kg1?
[18.Qf3] 18...Qd5? [18...Be7! Did someone overlook that 19.Nf7 0-0! is legal?] 19.Qe2! Qd4+ [19...Qxg5?? 20.-- (20.Rxf6 is an advantage;; 20.Qxb5+! is a wipeout. 20...Ke7 21.Qb7+ Kxe6 22.Nc3!) ] 20.Kg2 Qd5+
21.Kh3? [21.Rf3] 21...Qc4? [21...Be7 22.Nf7 (22.Qxb5+? Kf8 23.Nf3 g5!-+) 22...0-0=/+ 23.Nc3 Qc4 24.Qxc4 bxc4 25.Rad1=] 22.Qf3!+/- d5?!+- [22...Qd5] 23.Nc3?= [23.Nf7!; 23.Na3; 23.Nd2] 23...h5?+- [23...b4!=] 24.Kg2 [24.Nf7!?] 24...b4 25.Nd1 [25.e7!+/- Bxe7 (25...bxc3 26.exf8Q+ Rxf8 27.Qf5+-) 26.Qf5! bxc3 27.Rae1!! d4 28.Qg6+ Kd8 29.Rxe7!!] 25...Qg4!+/- 26.Qb3 [26.Qd3! Qxg5 27.Qa6] 26...Be7!= 27.Qa4+ Kf8 28.Qc6 Re8 29.h4 Rh6? [29...g6!] 30.Rb1? [30.a3+-] 30...Rg6?? [30...Qe2+ 31.Rf2 Qd3=] 31.Nh7+ Kg8 32.Nxf6+ Bxf6 33.Qxe8+ Kh7 34.Rf3 Qe4 35.Rc1 Bxh4 36.Kf2 Qd4+ 37.Kf1 Qd2 38.e7 Bxe7 39.Qxe7 Qxc1 40.Qe2 Qg5 41.Ne3 Re6 42.Qd3+ Rg6 43.Qxd5 Qxd5 44.Nxd5 Rd6 45.Rd3 Ra6 46.a3 c4 47.Re3 c3 48.bxc3 bxa3 49.Re1 a2 50.Ra1 Ra3 51.Ke2 Kg6 52.Kd3 Kf5 53.Ne3+ Ke6 54.Kc4 Ra6 55.Nd5 g5? 1-0
(13) Mercado,Adam (1699) - Mohammed,Mansoor (1885) [C56]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.9), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.e5 d5 6.Bb5 Ne4 7.Nxd4 Bc5 8.0-0 0-0 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.f3 Ng5 11.f4 Ne4 12.Be3 f6 13.Nd2 Bg4!?
14.Qxg4 Nxd2 15.Nf5? [15.Rfe1; 15.Qe6+] 15...Bxe3+ 16.Nxe3 fxe5 [16...Nxf1!] 17.Rf2 Ne4 18.Rf3 Qf6 19.fxe5 Qxe5 20.Nf5 Nd6 21.Nh4 Rxf3 22.Nxf3 Qe3+ 23.Kh1 Ne4 24.Qh4 Rf8 25.Re1 Qb6 26.b3 Nf2+ 0-1
(14) Porlares,Teodoro (1766) - Rakonitz,David (1639) [A46]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.16), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 h6 4.Bh4 Be7 5.Nbd2 b6 6.e3 Bb7 7.Bd3 d5 8.Ne5 0-0 9.f4 Nbd7 10.Qf3 c5 11.c3 cxd4 12.exd4 Ne8 13.Bf2 Nd6 14.g4 Bh4 15.0-0-0 Bxf2 16.Qxf2 b5 17.g5 hxg5 18.fxg5 Nxe5 19.dxe5 Nc4 20.Qh4 g6 21.Nxc4 bxc4 22.Bxc4 Qc7 23.Bb3 d4 24.Qxd4? [24.Rd3!!+- Playing for mate!] 24...Rfd8 25.Qf4 Bxh1 26.Rxh1 Rab8 27.h4 Rb5 28.Re1 Rc5 29.Qg3 Rb8? [29...Qd7! is quite equal.] 30.h5! Rb6
31.hxg6 fxg6 32.Qd3 Kg7 33.Bc2 Kg8 34.Qxg6+ Qg7 35.Qe8+ Qf8 36.Bh7+ Kg7 37.Qg6+ Kh8 38.Qc2 Qf4+ 39.Kb1 Rxe5 40.Rh1 Qf3 41.Qh2 [41.Qc1!+-] 41...Re2 [41...Rxb2+!!=] 42.Be4+ 1-0
(15) Clemens,Kristian (1944) - Perlov,Alexander (1770) [E92]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.17), 20.08.2019
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.d4 0-0 5.e4 d6 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 a5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bg3 Nh5 11.h4 g4 12.Nd2 Nxg3 13.fxg3 f5 14.0-0 h5 15.exf5 Bxf5 16.Rxf5 Rxf5 17.Nde4 Nd7 18.Bd3 Qf8 19.Qe2 Bh6 20.Rd1 b6 21.Bc2 Qf7 22.Qd3 Rf8 23.Nb5 Nc5 24.Nxc5 bxc5 25.Qxf5 Be3+ 26.Kh2 Qxf5 27.Bxf5 Rxf5 28.Nxc7 Kf7 29.Nb5 Ke7 30.Re1 Bf2 31.Re2 Rf6 32.a4 Kd7 33.Nc3 Bd4 34.Ne4 Rf1 35.Nd2 Ra1 36.Ne4 Ke7 37.Ng5 Rxa4 38.b3 Ra1 39.Ne6 Rb1 40.Ra2 Rxb3 41.Rxa5 Bf2 42.Ra7+ Kf6 43.Ra1 Bxg3+ 44.Kg1 Bxh4 45.Rf1+ Ke7 46.Ng7 Bg5 47.Nxh5 Rc3 48.Ra1 Rc1+ 49.Rxc1 Bxc1 50.Ng3 Kd7 51.Nf5 Kc7 1/2-1/2
(16) Heidari,Ako (1856) - Cortinas,Martin A (1697) [A25]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.18), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Nd5 Be7 6.Nf3 0-0 7.0-0 d6 8.d3 Re8 9.Rb1 a5 10.b3 Nxd5 11.cxd5 Nb4 12.Ne1 Nxa2 13.Bd2 Nb4 14.Bxb4 axb4 15.Qd2 Bg4 16.f3 Bd7 17.Qxb4 Qb8 18.Nc2 Ra2 19.Qc4 Qa7+ 20.Kh1 Qc5 21.Rfc1 Bb5 22.Qxc5 dxc5 23.Bf1 Bg5 24.e3 f5 25.Kg1 Rea8 26.Kf2 Rd8 27.h4 Bf6 28.e4 c6 29.Ra1 Rxa1 30.Nxa1 cxd5 31.Rxc5 Bc6 32.exf5 Ra8 33.Rc1 Ra2+ 34.Nc2 e4?! Black plays aggressively but loses track of the pawn count. 35.dxe4 Bb2?! 36.Rd1 Ba3 37.Bd3! dxe4 38.fxe4 Bc5+ 39.Kf3 Rb2 40.Kf4 h5 41.e5 Rxb3 42.Bc4+ 1-0
(17) Robeal,Rafik (1800) - Chambers,Don (1367) [A29]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.19), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.Nf3 Nc6 2.c4 e5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 Bc5 5.d3 d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Bg2 Nxc3 8.bxc3 e4? 9.dxe4 Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 0-0 11.e3 Bg4 12.h3 Bxf3+ 13.Bxf3 Ne5 14.Be2 Rad8+ 15.Kc2 Black's pawn sacrifice just didn't work. 15...a6 16.a4 c6 17.f4 Nd7 18.e5 b5 19.axb5 cxb5 20.Rxa6 Ra8 21.Bxb5 Rxa6 22.Bxa6 Ra8 23.Rd1 Nb6 24.Bb5 Rc8 25.Kb3 h6 26.Rd3 Rb8 27.c4 Na8 28.Ba3 Ba7 29.Bd6 Rd8 30.c5 Nc7 31.Bxc7 Rxd3+ 32.Bxd3 Bxc5 33.e4 Kf8 34.Bd6+ Bxd6 35.exd6 Ke8 36.Bb5+ 1-0
(18) Tuck,Drew (1490) - Drane,Robert (1800) [B03]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.20), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 exd6 6.Nc3 Be7 7.Qf3 Nc6 8.Be3 0-0 9.0-0-0 Bf6 10.c5 Nd7 11.Nd5 g6 12.Nxf6+ Qxf6 13.h4 dxc5 14.dxc5 Nce5 15.Qg3 h5 16.Be2 Kh7 17.Nh3 Qe7 18.Qf4 f6?! 19.Qh6+ Kg8 20.Rhg1?! [20.f4+-] 20...Rf7 21.g4?? hxg4 22.Bxg4 Rh7! 23.Qf4 Nxc5 24.Bxc8 Ncd3+ 0-1
(19) Maser,Thomas F (1902) - Barreyro,Romeo (1657) [B28]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.21), 20.08.2019
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 Qb6 6.Nb3 e6 7.Be3 Qc7 8.Be2 Bb4 9.0-0 Bxc3 10.bxc3 Nge7 11.f4 0-0 12.Qe1 d5 13.e5 Nf5 14.Bc5 Rd8 15.Qf2 Re8 16.g4 Nfe7 17.Bb6 Qb8 18.Nc5 d4 19.cxd4 Nd5 20.Na4 Nxb6 21.Nxb6 Ra7 22.f5 exf5 23.gxf5 Qc7 24.Nc4 b5 25.Nd6 Rd8 26.Bh5 Rxd6 27.exd6 Qxd6 28.d5 Nd4 29.Qxd4 Rc7 30.Rae1 Kf8 31.Qe4 Bd7 32.f6 g6 33.Bg4 Rc4 34.Qe7+ Qxe7 35.fxe7+ Kg7 36.Bxd7 1-0
(20) Kaplan,Glenn (1651) - Makhanov,Gaziz (1867) [A25]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.22), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 Nc6 4.Bg2 Bc5 5.d3 a6 6.Nf3 d6 7.0-0 h6 8.a3 Be6 9.b4 Ba7 10.Rb1 Rb8 11.b5 axb5 12.Nxb5 Bb6 13.h3 e4 14.Nd2 e3 15.fxe3 Bxe3+ 16.Kh2 Bb6 17.Bb2 Ne5 18.Bxe5 dxe5 19.Ne4 Nxe4 20.Bxe4 Qd7 21.Bg2 e4 22.dxe4 Qxd1 23.Rfxd1 Bxc4 24.Rdc1 Bxb5 25.Rxb5 Be3 26.Rc3 Bd4 27.Rc4 c6 28.Rxc6 Somehow, Black won. 0-1
(21) Casares Jr,Nick (1600) - Mckellar,Daniel (1854) [B39]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.23), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7 5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Ng4 8.Be2? [8.Qxg4 Nxd4 9.Qd1] 8...Nxe3 9.fxe3 0-0 10.0-0 Nxd4!? 11.exd4 Qb6 12.Kh1 Qxd4 13.Qc2 d6 14.Rad1 Qb6 15.Nd5 Qd8 16.b4 Be6 17.Nf4 Bd7 18.c5 Rc8 19.Qd3 Be5 20.Nd5 Bc6 21.Bg4 e6 22.Rxf7 From bad to worse 22...Rxf7 23.Bxe6 Kg7 24.Bxf7 Kxf7 25.Rf1+ Kg7 26.Qh3 Bxd5 27.exd5 dxc5 28.bxc5 Qe8 29.d6 Rxc5 30.Re1 Bxd6 31.Qh4 Rc4 32.Qf2 Re4 33.Rf1 Rf4 34.Qb2+ Qe5 35.Qxb7+ Bc7 36.Rd1 Rf1+ 0-1
(22) Huberts,Alexander (1767) - Carron,Joel (1573) [B38]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.24), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Be2 d6 9.0-0 Bd7 10.f3 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Be6 12.Qd2 Nd7 13.Rad1 Bxd4+ 14.Qxd4 Qb6 15.f4 Qxd4+ 16.Rxd4 f5?! Running into trouble on the e-file and the long diagonal. 17.Bf3 Rac8 18.b3 a6 19.Re1 Nc5?! 20.exf5 Bxf5 21.Rxe7 Rfe8 22.Nd5 Kf8 23.Rxh7 Nd3 24.h3 Re1+ 25.Kh2 Nf2 26.Nf6 g5 27.Rh8+ Kg7 28.Rxc8 Bxc8 29.fxg5 Kg6 30.h4 Ra1 31.Rd2 Nh1 32.g3 1-0
(23) Khamkar,Susheel (1470) - Malykin,Erika (1762) [A25]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.25), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.g3 Be7 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.a3 Nd4 6.e3 Ne6 7.Nge2 c6 8.b4 Rb8 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bb2 d6 11.d4 exd4 12.Nxd4 Ne8 13.Ne4 Nxd4 14.Qxd4 Bf6 15.Nxf6+ Qxf6 16.Qxa7! Qxb2 17.Qxb8 Nf6 18.Qxd6 Be6 19.c5 Ng4 20.Qf4 h5 21.h3 Ne5 22.Be4 Ng6 23.Qg5 Bxh3 24.Rfb1 Qe2 25.Re1 Qb2 26.Qxh5 Be6 27.Kg2 Qb3 28.Rh1 f5 29.Qxg6 fxe4
30.Rh7 Rxf2+ 31.Kg1 [31.Kh1!] 31...Rf7 32.Re1 Bf5 33.Rxg7+ Rxg7 34.Qxf5 Rxg3+ 35.Kh2 Rg7 36.Qxe4?? [36.Qc8+[]+/-] 36...Qb2+ 37.Kh1 Rh7+ 38.Kg1 Qh2+ 39.Kf1 Rf7+ 40.Qf4 Rxf4+ 41.exf4 Qxf4+ 42.Ke2 Qc4+ 43.Kf2 Qa2+ 44.Re2 Qxa3 45.Re8+ Kf7 46.Re3 Qb2+ 47.Kg3 Qxb4 48.Rf3+ Kg6 0-1
(24) Acharya,Venkatagi (1706) - Harris,Clarence (1464) [C92]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.26), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.c3 Na5 11.Bc2 c5 12.Nbd2 Nc6 13.Nf1 Nh5?! 14.Nxe5 dxe5 15.Qxh5 Bc8 16.Ne3 g6 17.Qe2 Bg5 18.Bb3 h5 19.Nd5 Bxc1 20.Raxc1 Qg5 21.Qf3 Kg7 22.Nc7 f5 23.exf5 Bxf5 24.Qxc6 Rad8 25.Ne6+ Bxe6 26.Qxe6 Rde8 27.Qxa6 Rf3 28.Qb7+ Kh6 29.Qxf3 1-0
(25) Cohee,James (1654) - Mays,Jerry (1700) [B07]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.27), 20.08.2019
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Bd3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c3 c6 7.h3 Nbd7 8.Be3 e5 9.Nbd2 Nh5 10.dxe5 Nxe5 11.Nxe5 dxe5 12.Qc2 Nf4 13.Bc4 Qg5 14.Bxf4 exf4 15.Nf3 Qh5 16.Be2 Qc5 17.Rad1 Be6 18.a3 Qb6 19.Nd4 Bxd4 20.Rxd4 Qc5 21.Rfd1 Qg5 22.Qd3 b5 23.Rd6 Bb3 24.Rd2 Bc4 25.Qf3 Bxe2 26.Qxe2 Rad8 27.Rxd8 Rxd8 28.Rxd8+ Qxd8 29.f3 Qb6+ 30.Kf1 Qd8 31.Ke1 a5 32.Qd2 Qxd2+ 33.Kxd2 f5 34.Kd3 c5 35.b4 cxb4 36.cxb4 axb4 37.axb4 Kf7 38.exf5 g5 39.Kd4 Kf6 40.Ke4 h5 41.h4 1-0
(26) Tamondong,Cesar (1617) - Chalissery,Jossy (1668) [A53]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.28), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.d4 d6 2.c4 Nd7 3.Nc3 e5 4.d5 Ngf6 5.e4 Be7 6.f3 c6 7.Bd3 Nc5 8.Bc2 0-0 9.Nge2 Ne8 10.0-0 f5 11.Be3 Na6 12.exf5 Bxf5 13.a3 [13.Bxf5 Rxf5 14.f4 Qd7 15.Ng3 Rf8 16.dxc6 bxc6 (16...Qxc6 17.Nd5) 17.fxe5] 13...Bxc2 14.Qxc2 Nf6 15.b4 cxd5 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.cxd5 Nc7 18.Qd3 [18.Rac1] 18...Qd7 19.a4 [19.Rfc1] 19...b6 20.Ra2 [20.Rac1] 20...Rac8 21.b5 Ne8 22.Rc2 Rxc2 23.Qxc2 Nf6 24.Qd3 Rc8 25.Rd1 Qe8 26.Ng3 Qf7 27.Ne4 Nxe4 28.Qxe4 [28.fxe4] 28...g6 29.Rc1 Rxc1+ 30.Bxc1 Bf8 31.Qc4 Qf5 32.Qe4 Kf7 33.Qc4 [33.Qxf5+ gxf5 34.g3] 33...Be7 34.f4 Qg4 35.Qf1 e4 36.Be3 Qc8 37.Qe2 [37.Qc1 Qxc1+ 38.Bxc1] 37...Bf6 38.g4 Qc3 39.Bxb6? Too ambitious. 39...axb6 40.Qxe4 Qd4+ 41.Qxd4 Bxd4+ 42.Kf1 Kf6 43.Ke2 Bc5 44.h4 h6 [44...h5 is an easy win.] 45.Kf3 Bd4?! 46.Ke4! Bc5 47.g5+ [47.Kf3] 47...hxg5 48.hxg5+ Kf7 49.f5 gxf5+ 50.Kxf5 Bd4 51.Ke4 Bg1 52.Kf5 Bd4 53.Ke4 1/2-1/2
(27) Newey,Richard Her (1666) - Hack,Richard (1601) [C58]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (3.29), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.Qe2 Bd6 8.Nc3 0-0 9.Bxd7 Qxd7 10.0-0 c6 11.dxc6 Nxc6 12.d3 Nd4 13.Qd2?! Rac8 14.Nge4 Nxe4 15.dxe4
15...b5?! [15...Bb4! with the idea of capturing twice would give Black a nice advantage.] 16.a3 a5 17.Qd3 b4 18.axb4 axb4 19.Nd5 Rc6?! Take the c-pawn! 20.c3 Nb3 21.Ra2 Nxc1 22.Rxc1 bxc3 23.bxc3 Rfc8 24.g3 Qe6 25.Rac2 Bc5 26.Kg2 Qh6 27.Rd1 Kf8 28.Qf3 Qg6 29.Rcd2 Bb6 30.c4 Bc5 31.Qd3 Bd4 32.Rc2 Qe6 33.f3 g6 34.f4 Kg7 35.Rf1 Qd7 36.f5 f6 37.fxg6 hxg6 38.Qf3 Rf8 39.g4 Qd8 40.Qg3 Qc8 41.Rfc1 Qe6 42.h3 Rh8 43.Rb1 Rd8 44.Rb7+ Rd7 45.Rb8 Rf7 46.Qh4 Rf8 47.Rxf8 Kxf8 48.Qh8+ Qg8 49.Qxg8+ Kxg8 50.Ne7+ 1-0
(28) Simpkins,Jerry (1426) - Chan,John (1515) [C00]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.10), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 e6 2.f4 c6 3.Nf3 a6 4.c3 Be7 5.d4 d6 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.e5 d5 8.0-0 g6 9.Nbd2 c5 10.Re1 c4 11.Bc2 Nh6 12.Nf1 b5 13.Ng3 a5 14.b3 Nb6 15.Ng5 b4 16.cxb4 Bxb4 17.Rf1 c3 18.a3 Be7 19.Qf3 Ba6 20.Bd3 Bxd3 21.Qxd3 Nf5 22.Nxf5 gxf5 23.Qxc3 h6 24.Qc6+ Nd7
25.Nxe6!? fxe6 26.Qxe6 Nf8 27.Qxf5 Qb6 28.Qd3 Nd7 29.Be3 Rc8 30.f5 Bg5 31.f6 Rf8 32.Bxg5 hxg5 33.Qg6+ Kd8 34.Qg7 Qe6 35.f7 Qg4 36.Rae1? [36.Qg6+-] 36...Rc2!-+ 37.Rf2 Rxf2 38.Kxf2 Qxd4+ 39.Re3 Qd2+ 40.Kf3 Qd1+?! [40...g4+!] 41.Kg3
41...Qh5?? [41...d4! keeps it in Black's court.] 42.e6! Now White is winning again. 42...Qh4+ 43.Kf3 Qf4+ 44.Ke2 Qg4+ 45.Kf2 Qf4+ 46.Ke2 Qg4+ 47.Kf1 Qf4+ 48.Ke2 Qg4+ 49.Kd2 Qf4 50.e7+ Kc7 51.exf8Q Nxf8 52.Qxf8 Qd4+ 53.Ke2 Qb2+ 54.Kf1 Qc1+ 55.Re1 Qf4+ 56.Kg1 A great battle! 1-0
(29) Ansari,Jahaan (1459) - Allen,Tom Carter (1400) [E14]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.31), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 b6 4.e3 d5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Nc3 Bb4?? 7.Qa4+ Bd7 8.Qxb4 Nc6 9.Qb3 Ne7 10.Ne5 0-0 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.h3 a6 13.Bd3 Rfb8 14.Qc2 c5 15.b3 Rc8 16.Bb2 Rc6 17.0-0 Rac8 18.Bxa6 1-0
(30) Albury,Sterling C (1117) - Tabatabai,Ashkon (1074) [D70]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.32), 20.08.2019
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 g6 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nb6 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.Bxd7+ N8xd7 8.0-0 Bg7 9.e5 0-0 10.Re1 Nd5 11.e6 fxe6 12.Ng5 e5 13.Ne6 Qc8 14.dxe5 Rf5 15.Qxd5 Bxe5 16.Nd4+ Rf7 17.Rxe5 Nxe5 18.Qxe5 Qd7 19.Nc3 b6 20.Bg5 c5 21.Ne6 Qd3 22.Ne4 Qc2 23.Bd2 Rf5 24.Qg7# 1-0
(31) Martin,Michael J (1574) - Dubensky,Walter B (1078) [C48]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.33), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bc5 5.0-0 Ng4 6.Bxc6 bxc6 7.d4 exd4 8.Nxd4 Bxd4 9.Qxd4 0-0 10.h3 Nf6 11.Bg5 d6 12.Rad1 c5 13.e5?? cxd4 14.Rxd4 h6 15.exf6 hxg5 16.fxg7 Kxg7 17.Ne2 Ba6 18.c4 c5 19.Rg4 f5 20.Rg3 Bxc4 21.Nf4 g4 22.b3 Bf7 23.hxg4 Qh4 24.gxf5+ Kf6 25.Ng6 Bxg6 26.Rxg6+ Kxf5 27.Rxd6 Rh8 28.f3 Qh2+ 29.Kf2 Qxd6 0-1
(32) Baer,Michael A (1430) - Olson,David (1407) [C66]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.34), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Bb5 Bd7 6.0-0 Nf6 7.Nc3 Be7 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.Be2 0-0 10.b3 Re8 11.Bb2 Rb8 12.Re1 Bf8 13.Bf3 a5 14.a4 Qc8 15.Re3 Ng4 16.Bxg4 Bxg4 17.f3 Bf5 18.Re1 Bg6 19.Qd2 Qe6 Nice opening play by both players. 20.Rac1 h5 21.Nd1 d5 22.Nf2 Qd7 23.Bc3 Bb4 24.Bxb4 axb4 25.a5 d4? Black needs the counterplay against e4 to keep the bishop alive. 26.a6 c5 27.Ra1 Ra8 28.Qd3 White has a very powerful passed pawn. 28...Ra7 29.Qc4 Qc6 30.Nd3 Qd6 31.Qxc5 Rxa6 32.Qxd6 Rxd6 33.Nxb4 f6 34.Ra6 Ree6 35.Rxd6 Rxd6 36.Rd1 c6 37.Ra1 c5 38.Ra6 Rd7 39.Nd5 Wrong track. The knight wants to be attacking c5. 39...Bf7 40.Nb6 Rd8 41.Ra5 d3! Mass liquidation. 42.cxd3 Rxd3 43.Rxc5 Rxb3 44.Nd5 Rb2?! [44...Bxd5= should draw.] 45.h4 Be6 46.Nf4 Bd7 47.Nxh5 There won't be any more chances after this second pawn is gone. 47...Kh7 48.Nf4 Kg8 49.Kh2 Kf7 50.Kg3 Rb7 51.Nd5 Rb2 52.Ne3 Re2 53.Nf5 Kg6 54.Rc7 Rd2 55.Ne7+ Kh7 56.Nd5 Bb5 57.Re7 Kh6 58.Nf4 Rc2 59.Rb7 Ba6 60.Rb8 Kh7 61.Ra8 Bb5 62.Ra5 Bc6 63.Ne6 Black lost on time 1-0
(33) Reyes,Victor Hugo (1497) - Bryan,Robert R (390) [D00]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.35), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.d4 d5 2.e3 e6 3.Bd3 c6 4.f4 b6 5.Nf3 Be7 6.0-0 Nf6 7.Nbd2 0-0 8.Ne5 a6 9.Rf3 Nbd7? 10.Rh3 [10.Nxc6] 10...g6 11.Ndf3 Nh5 12.Rxh5 gxh5 13.Nxd7 Bxd7 14.Ne5 Bc8 [14...f5] 15.Qxh5 Bd6 16.Qxh7# 1-0
(34) Rushton,Peter Jam (1237) - Chen,Bryant Alan (1468) [C55]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.36), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Bc5 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.Ng5 0-0 6.d3 d6 7.h3 a5 8.Bd2 Nd4 9.Nb5 Nxb5 10.Bxb5 c6 11.d4 Bxd4 12.c3 Bxf2+ 13.Kxf2 cxb5 14.Rf1 h6 15.Nxf7 Rxf7 16.Qe2 Nxe4+ 17.Kg1 Rxf1+ 18.Qxf1 Nxd2 19.Qxb5 b6 20.Qd5+ Kh8 21.Qxa8 Qd7 22.Qd5 e4 23.Qxd2 d5 24.Qe3 Qe6 25.b3 Ba6 26.a3 g5 27.g4 Kg7 28.Re1 Bd3
29.b4! [29.Qxd3?? exd3 30.Rxe6 d2] 29...Qc6 30.bxa5 bxa5 31.Qa7+ Kf6 32.Qxa5 Ke5 33.Kf2 Qf6+ 34.Kg1 Qf3 35.Qc7+ Ke6 36.Qh2 Bc4 37.Rb1 Qe3+ 38.Qf2 Qxf2+ 39.Kxf2 Ke5 40.Ke3 Kf6 41.Rb6+ Kg7 42.a4 Bf1 43.a5 Bxh3 44.a6 Bxg4 45.a7 h5 46.a8Q 1-0
(35) Ahrens,Richard WI (1206) - Radaelli,Lucas (1444) [B30]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.37), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.Bc4 g6 5.0-0 Bg7 6.Ng5 e6 7.d3 Nge7 8.Qf3 0-0 9.Qh3 h5 10.Bf4??
10...e5! 11.Qf3 exf4 12.Qxf4 Ne5 13.Nd5 Nxc4 14.dxc4 Nxd5 15.exd5 Bxb2 16.Rab1 Be5 17.Qd2 b6 18.f4 Bd4+ 19.Kh1 Bf5 20.Rb3 Qd7 21.Nf3 Bg7 22.Re3 Rae8 23.c3 Rxe3 24.Qxe3 Re8 25.Qd2 Qa4 26.Re1 Rxe1+ 27.Qxe1 Qd7 28.h4 Bd3 29.Qd2 Bxc4 30.a3 Qe7 31.g3 Qe2 32.Qxe2 Bxe2 33.Nd2 Bxc3 34.Ne4 Bf3+ 35.Kg1 Bxe4 36.Kf2 Bxd5 37.Ke2 Bb2 38.a4 Bb3 39.Kd2 Bxa4 40.Kd3 Bb3 41.Kd2 a5 0-1
(36) Hilliard,Michael (1429) - Robertson,Wade (1249) [A80]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.38), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 g6 4.Bd3 Bg7 5.h4 d6 6.h5! 0-0 7.hxg6 hxg6 8.Bh6 e5?
This meet with a nice refutation. 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Bc4+ Kh7 11.Bg5+ Bh6 12.Qxd8 Rxd8 13.Bxf6! wins **two** pieces. 13...Rd6 14.Bg5 Be6 15.Bxe6 Rxe6 16.Bxh6 Nc6 17.Bg5+ Kg7 18.Nd2 Nb4 19.0-0-0 Rc6 20.c3 Nd3+ 21.Kc2 Nxf2 22.Ngf3 e4 23.Nd4 Rd6 24.Nc4 Rd5 25.Ne6+ Kf7 26.Nd8+ Ke8 27.Rxd5 Nxh1 28.Bh4 Kf8 29.Rd1 g5 30.Ne6+ Kf7 31.Nxg5+ Kg6 32.Rxh1 Rh8 33.Ne5+ Kf6 34.Ngf7+ Ke6 35.Nxh8 Kxe5 36.Bg3+ Kd5 37.Bxc7 a5 38.Bf4 b5 39.Ng6 Kc4 40.Rd1 b4 41.Rd4+ Kb5 42.c4+ Ka4 43.c5 [43.Rd5 b3+ 44.axb3+ Kb4 45.Rb5#] 43...Kb5 44.Rd5 Kc4 45.Rxf5 a4 46.c6 b3+ 47.axb3+ Kb4 48.bxa4 Kxa4 49.c7 Kb4 50.c8Q Ka4 51.Qc4# 1-0
(37) Cole,Tony (1400) - Capdeville,Barry (1226) [C42]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.39), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bc4 d5 4.exd5 Nxd5 5.Nxe5 Be6 6.d3 Be7 7.Qe2 0-0 8.Be3 Nd7 9.Nf3 Re8 10.Nbd2 Nf8 11.0-0-0 Bf6 12.Ne4 Nxe3 13.fxe3 Bxc4 14.dxc4 Qe7 15.Nxf6+ Qxf6 16.h4 Qe6 17.Rhe1 c5 18.Ng5 Qe7 19.Rd3 Rad8 20.e4 Ng6 21.g3 Rxd3 22.cxd3 Ne5 23.b3 Nc6 24.Qh5 h6 25.Nf3
White got too cavalier with his pawn moves. 25...Qf6 [25...Nb4! would get the pawn back with a good attack.] 26.e5 Qd8 27.Qf5 Ne7 28.Qe4 Nc6 29.Kb2 Re6 30.Qd5 Qe7 31.g4 g6 32.a3 b6 33.Re2 f6? 34.exf6 Qxf6+
35.d4? [35.Kc2] 35...Nd8? [35...Nxd4! and Black is okay. 36.Nxd4?? Qxd4+ 37.Qxd4 Rxe2+] 36.g5 Qe7 37.gxh6 Kh8 38.Rxe6 Nxe6 39.Qe5+ Kg8 40.h7+ Kxh7 41.Ng5+ 1-0
(38) Cowgill,Jackie (1169) - Roberts,Joseph (1369) [C62]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.40), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7 4.0-0 d6 5.d4 Bd7 6.dxe5 Nxe5 7.Bxd7+ Nxd7 8.Nc3 g6 9.Nd5 c6 10.Nxe7 Bxe7 11.Rb1 0-0 12.c4 c5 13.b3 Re8 14.Bb2 Nf6 15.Qd3 Bf8 16.Rfe1 Bg7 17.h3 Qc7 18.e5 dxe5 19.Bxe5 Qa5 20.a4 Rad8 21.Qc2 Nd7 22.Bxg7 Kxg7 23.Rxe8 Rxe8 24.Qb2+ f6 25.Rd1 Qc7 26.Qa1 Re2 27.Re1 Rxe1+ 28.Qxe1 Ne5 29.Nxe5 Qxe5 30.Qa5
The game was balanced but now it's a fascinating queen ending. 30...a6 31.Qd8 Kh6 32.Qc8 Qe1+ 33.Kh2 Qb4 34.Qf8+ Kg5 35.h4+ Kf5 36.Qc8+ Ke5 37.Qc7+ Kd4 38.Qd6+? [Just take the h- and g-pawns and make a queen! 38.Qxh7] 38...Kc3 39.Qxf6+ Kxb3 40.Qf7 Qxc4 41.Qxb7+ Kxa4 42.Qxh7 Qe6 43.h5 Qe5+ 44.Kg1 Qxh5 45.Qd7+ Ka3 46.Qd3+ Kb2 47.Qxa6 Kc2 48.Qa2+ Kc3 49.Qa3+ Kd4 50.Qe3+ Kc4 51.Qc1+ Kd4 52.Qb2+ Kc4 53.Qa2+ Kb5 54.Qb3+ Kc6 55.f4 [55.Qe6+=] 55...Qd5 56.Qxd5+ Kxd5
57.Kf1?? [57.g4! Ke4 58.f5 gxf5 59.gxf5 Kxf5 60.Kf1! draws by distant opposition (60.Kf2?? Kf4!) ] 57...Ke4 58.g3 Kf3 59.Ke1 Kxg3 60.Kd2 Kxf4 0-1
(39) Acharya,Aravind (1084) - Sachs-Weintraub,J. (1447) [B51]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.42), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.Bxc6+ bxc6 5.Nc3 Ba6 6.d3 g6 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Be3 Bg7 9.h3 0-0 10.Qd2 e6 11.Bh6 Rb8 12.Rab1 c4 13.d4 d5 14.e5 Nd7 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Rfe1 c5 17.a3 cxd4 18.Nxd4 Bb7 19.b4 a6 20.b5 axb5 21.Rxb5 Qc7 22.Qg5 h6 23.Qe7 Rfe8
24.Qh4 [24.Nxe6+ Much easier: 24...Kg8 25.Qxe8+] 24...Nxe5 25.Qf4 f6 26.Kh1 Qe7 27.Rb6 g5 28.Qg3 Qf7 29.f4 Nd7 30.Rbxe6 Nc5 31.Nf5+ Kh7 32.Re7 Rxe7 33.Rxe7 Qxe7 34.Nxe7 Re8 35.Nexd5 Ne4 36.Nxe4 Bxd5 37.Nxf6+ 1-0
(40) Frank,Robert H (1358) - Starr,Albert Mart (1575) [A81]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.43), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.Nf3 d5 5.0-0 Be7 6.Nbd2 0-0 7.Ne5 Nbd7 8.Ndf3 Rb8 9.Bd2 c5 10.c3 Qc7 11.Nxd7 Bxd7 12.Ne5 Be8 13.Bf4 Bd6 14.Qd2 Nh5 15.Bf3 Nxf4 16.Qxf4 [16.gxf4!?] 16...h6 17.h4 Rf6 18.h5 Kh8 19.b4 cxb4 20.cxb4 Qb6 21.a3 Rc8 22.Rac1 Qd8 23.Kh2 Kh7 24.g4?! fxg4 25.Qxg4
25...Bxe5+! 26.dxe5 Rf5 27.Qd4 Rxc1 28.Rxc1 b6 29.Bg4 Qh4+ 30.Kg2 Qg5 31.Rh1 Rf4 32.Qd3+ Kh8 33.Kf1 [33.f3 Bxh5! 34.Rxh5 Rxg4+ 35.fxg4 Qxg4+ wins two pawns] 33...Rxg4 34.Qf3 Qc1# 0-1
(41) Badgett Jr,James (1084) - Anderson,David (793) [C41]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.45), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 d6 4.a3 f5 5.d5 fxe4 6.dxc6 exf3 7.Qxf3 Rb8 8.Bd3 Nf6 9.h3 Be7 10.Be3 d5 11.cxb7 Bxb7 12.Qf5 e4 13.Bb5+ c6 14.Ba4 Scoresheet (1) loses coherence. 0-1
(42) Serra,Owen (829) - Nicol,George R [B20]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.46), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 c5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.e5 Ng8 4.Nf3 e6 5.0-0 g6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Qxd4 Nc6 8.Qd2 Bg7 9.Qg5 Qxg5 10.Bxg5 Nxe5 11.Nxe5 Bxe5 12.Nc3 f6 13.Be3 Ne7 14.Bh6 Nf5 15.Bd2 Nd4 16.Bd3 Kf7 17.Bh6 b6 18.Be4 d5 19.Bd3 [19.Nxd5 exd5 20.Bxd5+ Be6] 19...f5 [19...g5!? 20.h4 gxh4] 20.Bg5 h6 21.Bh4 g5 22.Bg3 f4 23.Bxf4 Bxf4 24.f3 Bb7 25.Rfe1 Nf5 26.g3 Bd2 27.Re2 Be3+ 28.Kg2 Bc5 29.f4 Ne3+ 30.Rxe3 Bxe3 31.f5 e5 32.Nb5 Kf6 33.Nd6 Bc6 34.b4 g4 35.b5
Black has played a fantastic game but now tragedy strikes! 35...d4+?? 36.bxc6 Rhd8 37.Ne4+ Kf7 38.Bc4+ Kf8 39.Be6! d3 40.cxd3 Rxd3 41.c7 Rc3?? 42.Nxc3 1-0
(43) Bielec,John - Sullivan,George (873) [D36]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (3.47), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 Be6 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Qc2 Nbd7 9.Nge2 Re8 10.0-0 Nf8 11.f3!? c6 12.e4 [More popular and reticent is 12.Rad1 since e3-e4 can't be stopped anyway.] 12...dxe4 13.fxe4 Rc8 [13...Ng4 is the main answer, maybe White should have played h3 before e4! 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Qd2 Rad8 16.h3 Nf6 17.e5 N6d7 18.Ne4 c5 19.Nd6 cxd4 20.Nxe8 Nxe5 21.Nxg7 Kxg7 22.Nf4 Nfg6 23.Nh5+ Kh8 24.Nf6 Qf8 25.b3 Qg7 26.Nh5 Qg8 27.Rae1 Bd5 28.Qg5 Rd6 29.Rxe5 Nxe5 30.Qxe5+ f6 31.Qg3 1-0 (31) Cerveny,M (2351)-Lederman, L (2238) Pardubice 2019] 14.Rac1 Nxe4?? [14...c5 hitting the center makes more sense: 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.e5 cxd4 17.exf6 dxc3 18.Nxc3 Qd4+ 19.Kh1 gxf6] 15.Bxe7 Rxe7 16.Bxe4 Bc4 17.Bd3 Be6 18.Bf5 Qd6 19.Bxe6 Nxe6 20.Rcd1 a6 21.Ne4 Qd5 22.Nc5 Nf8 23.Nc3 Qg5 24.Qd2 Qg4 25.Rf4 Qg5 26.Re4 Qxd2 27.Rxd2 Ne6 28.Rde2 Rcc7 29.Nxe6 fxe6 30.Rxe6 Kf7 31.Rxe7+ Rxe7 32.Rxe7+ Kxe7 33.Kf2 Kd6 34.Ke3 b5 35.b4 Kc7 36.Ne4 Kb6 37.a3 a5 38.Ng5 h6 39.Ne6 g6 40.h4 h5 41.Nf4 g5 42.hxg5 c5 43.dxc5+ Kc6 44.g6 axb4 45.axb4 Good technique by White. 1-0
(44) Ahmed,Enile - Gulbis,Andrejs Ju (842) [D38]
MI Brandwein TNM: Extra Rated San Francisco (3.44), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 Bb4 5.Bg5 0-0 6.e3 Nc6 7.Be2 Re8 8.Qc2 b6 9.a3 Ba5?? 10.b4 1-0
(45) Boldi,Nicholas (1598) - Goldammer,Christi (2030) [C24]
MI Brandwein TNM: Extra Rated San Francisco (3.30), 20.08.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]
1.e4 d6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Bc4 Be7 5.h3 c6 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.Be3 a5 9.a3 Be6 10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.0-0 Nbd7 12.Ng5 Re8 13.Nxe6 Qb8 14.Qf3 b4 15.axb4 Nf8 16.Nxf8 Rxf8 17.Qd1 Qxb4 18.Na4 Qb7 19.c3 d5 20.exd5 cxd5 21.d4 e4 22.Re1 Ra6 23.Qe2 (moves missing; score unreadable) -- 1/2, 36. 1/2-1/2
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