1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Bf4 John admitted that he was experimenting in the opening. I don't think much of this line for White. 4... dxc4 5. e3 b5 6. Nf3 Bb7 7. Be2 Nf6 8. O-O Nbd7 9. Qc2 Be7 10. Rac1 O-O Black has caught up in development with his extra pawn in the bank. White must do something before Black can play ...a6 and ...c5. 11. Ne5 Nxe5 11... Nd5 is even better. 12. Bxe5 a6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Ne4 Be7 15. f4 f5 15... Qb6 is more flexible. 16. Nc5 Bxc5 17. dxc5 Qe7 17... Qd5 18. b4 cxb3 19. axb3 is not any better for Black. leaves the Black queen exposed. 18. b4 Rad8 (?) This natural move seems to throw away the win. Better would be any of the following moves. 18... cxb3 19. Qxb3 18... a5 18... e5 19. Rcd1 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Rd8 21. Qc3 Rxd1+ 22. Bxd1 Kf7 23. Bh5+ g6 24. Bf3 Qf6 25. Qd4! Qxd4 26. exd4 White has achieved a perfect blockade. The bad Black bishop cannot be rehabilitated. 26... Bc8 27. Kf2 27. Bxc6 c3 27... Bd7 28. Ke3 Kf6 29. Be2 h6 30. h4 g5 31. hxg5+ 31. g3 31... hxg5 32. g3 Kg6 33. a4 Kh6 34. a5 Be8 35. Bf3 1/2-1/2

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 The Semi-Slav. Joe and I seem to share a few defenses, for a few moves anyway. 4. e4 White breaks quickly in the center. 4.Nf3 is more commonly played.. This is the Marshall Gambit, a name which is often confused with the more popular Marshall Variation of the Ruy Lopez. 4... dxe4 4... Bb4 is rarer, but safe and solid. 5. Nxe4 Nd7 5... Bb4+ is the most critical move. White must gambit a pawn with 6.Bd2 Qxd4 7.Bxb4 Qxe4+ or retreat with 6. Nc3. 6. Bd2 Qxd4 is the main line. Joe likes to go his own way. 6. Nf3 Ngf6 7. Bd3 Nxe4 8. Bxe4 Nf6 9. Bc2 White has slightly improved the position of this bishop over d3, where it would have been on 7.Nxf6+ Nxf6 8.Bd3. 9... Bb4+ 9... c5!? 10. O-O cxd4 was seemed to hold better chances for equality in our postmortem. is the line that Joe came up with for future testing. 10. Bd2 Bd6 A surprise. If Black wanted the bishop here, why didn't it go there immediately. The White Bd2 is happy to have been helped toward a nice post on c3. 10... Qa5 11. a3 (11. O-O Bxd2 12. Nxd2) 11... Bxd2+ 12. Qxd2 Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 11. O-O h6 12. Bc3 b6 13. Re1 Bb7!? 14. Qd3 14. Qe2!? O-O 15. Rad1 14... Be7?! This is the start of real trouble for the Black king. It cannot stay much longer in the center, but doesn't want to face the "Horowitz bishops" aimed at the kingside. 14... Qc7!? 15. Ne5 (15. d5?! O-O-O) 15... O-O-O 15. Rad1 A bit routine. Perhaps better would be White has other ideas here. For example... 15. Ne5 15. a4 15... Qc7 16. Ne5 (!) By now I could see that Joe would like to castle queenside, so I decided to put every obstacle I could in his way. 16... Rf8?! 16... Bd6!? 17. Qe2 17. Qg3!? g6 18. Qh3 is more forcing. 17... O-O-O?? 17... Bd6 is much better, but still allows... 18. Nxf7 Rxf7 (18... Qxf7? 19. Bg6!! Qxg6 20. Qxe6+ Kd8 21. Qxd6+ Kc8 22. Re7) (18... 18... Kxf7 19. Qxe6#) 19. Bg6 O-O-O 20. Bxf7 Qxf7 21. Qxe6+ Qxe6 22. Rxe6 is good but not clearly winning for White. 18. Nxf7!! Rde8 18... Rxf7 19. Qxe6+ Rd7 20. Qxf7 Bd6 21. Bf5 19. Qxe6+ 19. Bg6 is even better. 19... c5 20. Qxe6+ Kb8 21. d5 19... Kb8 20. d5! keeping up the pressure. 20... Ka8 20... Bc5 21. Be5 21. Bxf6! Bxf6 22. Qxe8+ Rxe8 23. Rxe8+ Bc8 24. Nd6! Everything works for White in this position. Flashy, but also strong are... 24. Bf5 is the flashiest. 24... Qxf7 25. Rxc8+ Kb7 26. dxc6+ Ka6 27. Rd7 Qh5 (27... Qxc4 28. Bd3) 28. Ra8 Ka5 29. a3 24. dxc6 is even simpler. 24... Qxd6 24... Bd8 25. dxc6 25. Rxc8+ Black Resigned 1-0 because of 25... Kb7 26. dxc6+ 1-0

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 The Ruy Lopez. 3... a6 4. Ba4 b5 5. Bb3 Bc5 6. O-O 6. c3 6... d6 7. c3 Nf6 8. d4 Bb6 This aggressive placement of black pieces is often called the Archangelsk Variation after some place in Russia or Eastern Europe. Black gains maximum pressure on the white center in exchange for an annoying pin. 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 Qe7 11. Qd3 Black could now play for the kingside attack with ...g5, but it would not be clear where his own king would find safety. Instead he chooses the solid approach. 11... O-O 12. h3 12. Nbd2 is simpler and better. 12... exd4 13. Re1 ? but this move loses a pawn. 13. cxd4 ! holds due to sneaky Ruy Lopez trap #23: 13... Qxe4 14. Qxe4 Nxe4 15. Bd5 13... Ne5 14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. cxd4 Bxd4 16. Nc3 c6 Solidifying the plus pawn position. 17. Qf3 Be6 18. Bc2 Rad8 19. a3 g5 20. Bg3 g4 Excellent! How many players would risk opening their king after gaining a solid pawn up? The strong tactical justification comes from the harassment of the queen. 21. Qe2 21. hxg4 Bxg4 22. Qd3 Bxf2+ 21... Bc4 22. Qd2 Nh5 23. Kh2 Nxg3 24. Kxg3 It is gradually becoming clear that only one king has been endangered. 24. fxg3 Bg1+ 24... gxh3 25. Qxh6 25. gxh3 Qf6 25... Rd6 26. Qxh3 26. Qh5 Rg6+ 26... Qg5+ White Resigns. 27. Qg4 Bxf2+ ! A very snappy finish. White resigned here due to 28.Kf3 Rf6+. 0-1

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 Bob has mowed down many a New Britainer with this gambit. 3... dxc3 4. Bc4 Nc6 5. Nxc3 5. Nf3 5... Bb4 6. Nf3 d6 7. O-O Bxc3 8. bxc3 Nf6 8... Bg4 9. Qb3 9. Bg5 9. e5 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 dxe5 11. Qb3 Qe7 12. Ba3 c5 13. Bb5+ 9... O-O 9... h6 10. Rb1 Rb8 !? Passive looking but quiet solid. In contrast 10... b6 11. Bd5 10... Bg4 11. Rxb7 Na5 12. Rb4 c5 13. Ra4 Bd7 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Bd5 Bxa4 16. Qxa4 gives White more than enough for the exchange. 11. Qe2 (?) perhaps 11. Bd5 Bd7 12. Nd4 11... Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3!? 13. gxf3 13. Qxf3 Ne5 13... Qd7 13... Qe7 looks better since 14. f4 Qxe4 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Kh2 Kh8 16. Rg1 Rg8 The interplay of the rooks on the b and g-files is hard to figure. While the g-file looks more significant, both files figure prominently. Pressure on the b-file could help white take over the g-file. 17. Rg3 17. Rxg8+ Kxg8 (17... Rxg8 18. Rxb7) 18. f4 Kh8 19. Qh5 17... f5 17... Rg6 18. Bd5 17... Ne5 18. Qe3 18. Rxg8+ Kxg8 (18... Rxg8 19. Rxb7) 19. Qe3 Ne5 20. Qg5+ Kf8 (20... Kh8 21. Qf6+ Kg8 22. Rg1+ Kf8 23. Rg7) 21. Qh6+ Ke7 22. Qg5+ 18... Rg6 19. Bb5 Blocking the b-file now hurts white on the g-file. Better was 19. Bd5 19... fxe4 20. fxe4 Rbg8 21. Rxg6 21. Bxc6 21... Rxg6 22. Bxc6 Qxc6 23. Qd4+ Kg8 24. f4 24. a4 24... Qa6 24... f5 25. Re1 b5 26. Qd5+ 25. Qf2 Qd3 25... b6 26. Rxb7 Qxc3 26... Qxe4 27. Rxc7 27. Rxa7 The game is equal, but razor sharp because of the exposure of both kings to the major pieces. 27... Qc6 28. f5 (?) This increases the exposure of the Kh2. 28. a4 Qxe4 29. Rxc7 28... Rg5 29. Qf3 29. f6 h6 and Black need not worry about g7 as long as his rook controls the g-file. 29... h6 Black misses his first chance to win with 29... Qc2+ 30. Kh1 Qc1+ 31. Kh2 Qg1# 30. Qd3 30. h4 holds. 30... Qc1 Black does not miss his second chance. 31. Ra8+ Kh7 Bob always makes a chessic pun before resigning. 32. Rh8+ 32. Qd4 Qc2+ 33. Kh1 Qg2# 32... Kxh8 33. Qc3+ Qxc3 0-1

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nxe4 ! This powerful move gives Black the initiative. 5. Nxe4 5. Bxf7+ Kxf7 6. Nxe4 d5 is also good for Black, because his central control inhibits any attack on the king. 5... d5 6. Bxd5 Qxd5 7. d3 Bg4 I keep trying to convince Robert that this line is just horrible for White. 8. O-O Nd4 8... O-O-O is also very strong. 9. h3 f5 9. c4 Qd8 9... Qd7 rules out the check on a4, and 10. Nxe5 Bxd1 11. Nxd7 Be2 12. Nxf8 Bxf1 13. Kxf1 Rxf8 is winning for Black. 10. Qa4+ c6 10... b5 11. cxb5 Bxf3 12. gxf3 Qd7 is also good. 11. Nxe5 11. Nxd4 Qxd4 leaves White with the backward d-pawn. 11... Bf5 ? This turns the game around. White keeps the extra pawn, though not without some compensation for Black. 11... b5 Traps the Qa4!! 12. Nxc6 (12. Bg5 bxa4 13. Bxd8 Rxd8 14. Nxg4 f5) (12. Qa6 Bc8) 12... bxa4 13. Nxd8 Rxd8 leaves Black up a piece. 12. Re1 Be7 13. b4 13. Be3 O-O 14. Bxd4 Qxd4 15. Ng3 is a bit clearer. 13... O-O 14. c5 14. Ng3 14... Qc7 14... f6 15. Nc4 b5 16. cxb6 axb6 17. Qd1 Bxb4 puts Black back in charge. 15. Bf4 Qd8 16. Re3 a5 17. bxa5 Rxa5 18. Qc4 Bxe4 ? This mistake sets Black up for strong tactic. 18... Ne6 wins back the pawn. 19. Rxe4 Bxc5 20. Rae1 Ne6 21. Nxf7 ! and White gets the plus pawn back. 21... Rxf7 22. Rxe6 Qd5 23. Qxd5 cxd5 24. Re8+ Rf8 25. Rxf8+ Kxf8 26. Rc1 b6 26... Rxa2 doesn't work. 27. Rxc5 Ra1+ 28. Rc1 27. Rc2 Ra3 28. Rd2 Ra4 29. Bc7 Ra7 30. Be5 Re7 30... g6 31. Re2 31. d4 traps the Bc5 against the prospective pin on d6. 31... Bb4 (31... Ba3 32. Rd3 Bb4 33. Rb3) 32. Rb2 Bc3 33. Rb3 Bxd4 34. Bd6 31... Kf7 32. Kf1 d4 33. Re4 33. f4 Ra7 33... Ra7 34. Bxd4 Rxa2 35. Bxc5 bxc5 36. Rc4 Ra5 36... Rd2 loses to 37. Rc3 Ke6 38. Ke1 37. Ke2 Ke6 38. Ke3 Kd5 39. Rh4 h6 40. Rf4 40. Rh5+ Kd6 40... Ra7 41. h4 Re7+ 42. Kd2 42. Re4 Ra7 42... Ra7 43. g4 Rd7 44. Rf3 Kd4 45. Re3 Ra7 46. Re4+ Kd5 47. Ke3 Kd6 48. g5 48. h5 makes it harder for Black to trade pawns. 48... Ra1 49. Kf4 Ra2 50. f3 Ra3 51. Re8 48... hxg5 49. hxg5 Ra1 50. f4 g6 51. Kd2 Rf1 52. Ke2 Ra1 53. Re8 Ra6 54. Kf3 Kd5 55. Kg4 Kd4 active defense is the best chance. 56. Rd8+ Ke3 57. Rd5 57. f5 Ra4+ 57... Rc6 58. f5 58. Kg3 zugzwang! 58... Ke2 (58... Rc7 59. Rd6 Rg7 60. Kg4) 59. f5 gxf5 60. Kf4 58... gxf5+ 58... c4!! is very well timed and appears to draw 59. f6 cxd3 60. f7 Rc8 (60... Rc4+ 61. Kg3 Rc8) 61. Re5+ Kd4 62. Kf4 (62. Re8 d2 63. Rxc8 d1=Q+) 62... Rf8 ! but not(62... d2 63. Re7 Kc3 64. Rd7 Kc2 65. Ke5 d1=Q 66. Rxd1 Kxd1 67. Kf6) 63. Re7 d2 59. Kxf5 c4 60. dxc4 Rxc4 61. g6 This wins easily since the Black king is in no position to help stop White from queening. 61... Rf4+ 62. Ke6 Rg4 63. Kf7 63. Kf6 63... Ke4 64. Rd8 1-0

1. e4 Disaster on the d-file. 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O f6 6. d4 Bg4 7. dxe5 Qxd1 8. Rxd1 fxe5 9. Rd3 Bd6 10. Nc3 The normal deployment of this knight is Nd2-c4, but White makes a good case for this move. 10... Nf6 10... O-O-O 11. Bg5 O-O-O 11... O-O 12. Rad1 h6 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. a3 Rhg8 15. R1d2 Bh3 pseudo-aggression. 15... Bc5 16. Nh4 White defends while aiming towards the f5 square. 16... Be6 17. Rf3 Better than Fritz! 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 Rg5 17... Be7 18. Rxd8+ Kxd8 19. Nf5 Bxf5 19... h5 20. h3 Kd7 21. Ne2 Rd8 22. Neg3 20. Rxf5 Kd7 White has now gained the slight edge that he was playing for, but he goes terribly wrong in the next few moves. 21. Ne2 21. Kf1 21... Ke6 22. Rh5 22. Kf1 ?? Now its vital. 22... Rd8 23. f4 23. Nc3 Rd2 24. Kf1 Bc5 25. f4 Rxc2 26. f5+ Ke7 27. Rxh6 would have been bad enough, but 23... Bc5+ White resigned here since he must give up the N to avoid mate. 0-1 0-1

1. e4 Joe labeled this game "The Thriller in New Britain." It had great significance to the tournament since Mark needed a win to share first place. 1... c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Bd3 White avoids the normal 5. Nc3. This avoids a potential pin from the Bf8, but puts less pressure on d5. 5... Nc6 6. Be3 d5 (!) Now Black is equal and could easily get the initiative in the center. 7. Nd2 Be7 7... e5 8. Nxc6 bxc6 is also playable. 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. e5 Nd7 10. f4 Bc5 10... c5 would attempt to activate the center pawns. 11. Qf3 Qb6 12. Bxc5 Qxc5 (?) Better is 12... Nxc5 13. Qg3 White gains some initiative on the kingside. 13... O-O 14. Qh3 f5 15. Rf1 15. g4 Qd4 15... Rf7 16. g4 g6 17. gxf5 exf5 18. O-O-O Nf8 Joe referenced the Larsen quote "Black cannot be mated with a knight on f8." This game provides a critical test of that statement. 19. Rg1 Rb8 20. Rg3 Qb4 21. b3 Qxf4 21... Ne6 also wins the f-pawn, but brings the knight out from its defensive post. 22. Kb1 22. Re1 would hold the e-pawn. Mark says the first pawn was a blunder, but the second was a sacrifice. This sacrifice does not seem effective to me since White cannot make use of either the e-file or the long diagonal. He does gain some time.. 22... Qxe5 23. Nf3 Qf6 24. Qh6 Re7 24... c5 is stronger. If White plays Ng5 he would temporarily block the g-file. 25. Rdg1 Be6 25... c5 26. h4 c5 27. h5 Rg7 28. hxg6 hxg6 29. Ng5 29. Nh4 would keep more pressure on the g-file, still 29... Kf7 is hard to crack 29... c4 30. Rh1 Re7 30... cxd3 31. Qh8# 31. Nxe6 Rh7 This wins the queen, but... 31... Rxe6 wins a piece. The Bd3 has no retreat. 32. Bxf5 Qxf5 33. Qh8+ Kf7 32. Nxf8 Rxh6 33. Rxh6 Qe5 34. Rgxg6+ Kxf8 35. Bxf5 Qe1+ 35... Rb6 (Tortora) wins by eliminated the threats of the two rooks, after which White cannot save his hanging pieces: 36. Rxb6 axb6 37. Bh3 Qe1+ 38. Kb2 c3+ 39. Ka3 Qc1+ but not 35... Qxf5 36. Rf6+ 36. Kb2 c3+ 37. Ka3 Qe7+ This forces a pin that is amazingly ineffective. 37... Qc1+ 38. Ka4 Qf4+ finishes the mate. 38. Rd6 Kg8 38... Rb6 39. Rh8+ Kf7 40. Rh7+ wins for White 39. Rhg6+ Kf8 40. Rgf6+ Kg7 41. Rg6+ Kf8 42. Rge6 Qb7 42... Qh4 43. Rf6+ Kg7 44. Rg6+ Kf7 45. Rd7+ Kf8 is also equal. 43. Rf6+ Kg7 44. Rg6+ Kf8 45. Rdf6+ Ke8 White now has the draw for the asking. He makes one last try for victory. 46. Rg8+ Ke7 47. Rg7+ 47. Rxb8 Qxb8 48. Ra6 Qf8 49. Bd3 creates an unbreakable blockade (M Garcia). 47... Kxf6 48. Rxb7 Rxb7 49. Bd3 Ke5 50. b4 Kd4 51. Kb3 Black should win this endgame, but he needs to activate his rook before the White pawns advance too far. 51... Rc7 A terrible concept. Black reduces his rook to guardian of the c3 pawn just so his king can wander aimlessly about the black squares. This is the worst case of "executive privilege" I've seen since Nixon. 51... Rg7 52. a4 Rg1 53. a5 Rb1+ 54. Ka4 Rd1 55. Ba6 (55. Bf5 Kc4) 55... Ke3 56. b5 Ra1+ 57. Kb4 52. b5 Ke3 53. a4 Kd2 54. a5 Kc1 54... Rg7 55. Kb4 Rg4+ 56. Kc5 Ra4 57. a6 55. a6 55. b6 axb6 56. axb6 Rb7 57. Kxc3 Rxb6 58. Kd4 Rd6 59. c4 55. Kb4 Kb2 55... Kd2 56. Kb4 Ke3 57. Bf1 Kd2 58. Bd3 Ke3 59. b6 axb6 60. Kb5 Rf7 The rook break s out of its stupor just in time. Black is fortunate that the passed a-pawn cannot shelter his king from checks. 60... Kd4 61. Kxb6 Rf7 62. a7 Rf6+ also holds, but the a-pawn looks much scarier. 61. Kxb6 Rf6+ 62. Kb7 Rf7+ 63. Kc6 Kd2 64. Kb6 Mark concedes the draw rather than tempting fate with the hot d-pawn. 64. Kxd5 Rd7+ 65. Kc6 (65. Ke6 This and Ke5 are the only two king moves that prevent the sac on d3. 65... Rd4) (65. Ke4 Rxd3 66. cxd3 c2 67. a7 c1=Q 68. a8=Q Qh1+ (Bourque)) 65... Rxd3 66. cxd3 c2 67. a7 c1=Q+ 68. Kb7 (without a pawn on d3, this would be a draw.) 68... Qb2+ 69. Ka8 Qb6 70. d4 Qc7 71. d5 Qc8# 1/2-1/2

I would label this game with a play on my opponents name: Pain? Yeah!

1. d4 Normally a 1.e4 man, Pena instead attempts to follow a game of mine vs. a GM that was published in Chess Life. 1... d5 2. Bg5 f6 An attempt to complicate the game. 2... h6 3. Bh4 was the aforementioned game. Black could then play the solid. 3... c6 followed by ...Bf5, ...Nbd7, ...Ngf6 and ...e6 with equality. 3. Bf4 3. Bh4 Nh6 3... c5 4. c3 4. e3 is more common here. 4... Nc6 5. Nf3 5. dxc5 e5 6. Be3 d4 7. cxd4 exd4 5... Qb6!? 6. Qb3 Qxb3 7. axb3 cxd4 7... g5 8. Be3 g4 9. Nfd2 cxd4 would have been more like what I had in mind with this variation. 8. Nxd4! 8. cxd4? g5 8... Nxd4 8... e5 9. Nb5 9. cxd4 e6 10. Nc3 Bb4 11. Bd2 Bd7 12. e3 a6!? This move was criticized after the game, but is really quite reasonable attempt to shore up the queenside against the incursion of the Nc3. 12... Ne7 13. Nb5 Bxd2+ 14. Kxd2 12... Ke7 13. Nxd5+ 12... Nh6 13. Nb5 13. Bb5 13. Na4 Bxd2+ 14. Kxd2 Rc8 13... Rc8 but this natural looking move is the real mistake. 13... Bxb5 14. Nxb5 Bxd2+ 15. Kxd2 Rd8 would be an easier way to relieve the pressure. 14. Bxd7+ Kxd7 15. Na4 Bxd2+ 16. Kxd2 Rc6 17. Rhc1 17. Nc5+ Kc7 18. Rhc1 Kb8 19. Nd7+ Kc7 20. Rxc6+ Kxc6 21. Nc5 e5 22. Rc1 is a good alternative for White. 17... b6 18. Nc3 a5 18... b5 19. Ne2 (19. Ra5) 19... Rb6 19. b4 ! This strong move breaks into the Black position before he can develop. 19... a4 ? This attempt to keep a favorable pawn structure fails to solve the problem of development. 19... Ne7 20. bxa5 bxa5 21. Rxa5 Rb8 20. Rxa4 Ne7 21. Ra7+ Kd8 21... Kd6 22. Nb5# 22. Na4 Rxc1 23. Kxc1 Nc8 24. Rb7 24. Rxg7 wins another pawn without allowing Black to secure his position. 24... Re8 25. Nxb6 Nxb6 26. Rxb6 Kc7 27. Rb5 Kc6 28. Rc5+ Kd6 29. Kd2 e5 30. dxe5+ 30. b5 is better: 30... exd4 31. exd4 Re4 32. Kd3 Re1 33. b6 Re7 34. Rc7 30... fxe5 31. Kc2 g5 32. Kb3 g4 33. Rc2 This retreat is very strong. It secures the white kingside and prepares to advance the b-pawn. 33... h5 33... Rb8 would put up more resistance. 34. b5 d4 35. exd4 exd4 36. Kc4 Rc8+ 37. Kd3 Rb8 38. Rc6+ Kd5 38... Kd7 39. Rc5 Rf8 39. Rh6 Rf8 40. Rxh5+ Kd6 41. f3 41. b6 Rxf2 42. Rb5 41... gxf3 42. gxf3 Rxf3+ 43. Kxd4 Rb3 44. Rh6+ Kc7 45. b6+ ? This move could have cost the win. 45. Kc5 Rxb2 46. Rh7+ Wins easily as the White king gets in front of the b-pawn. 45... Kb7 46. Kc5 Rxb2 47. Rh7+ Kb8 A rather large group of "vultures" formed to watch this endgame. 48. b7 Rc2+ 49. Kd4 Re2 50. h4 Re1 51. h5 Re2 52. h6 Re6 Now Black must keep pressure on the a-pawn to prevent White from playing Rg7 and h7. 53. Kd5 Rb6 54. Ke5 Rb5+ 55. Kf6 Rb6+ 56. Ke5 56. Kg7 Rxb7+ 57. Kg8 Rb6 58. Rh8 Ka7 doesn't work. The king cannot protect the h-pawn and hide from lateral checks. 56... Rb5+ 57. Kd6 Rb6+ 58. Kc5 Rg6 59. Kd5 Rb6 60. Rh8+ Kxb7 61. Ke5 Rb1 ? Black must be able to check from the side to hold this endgame. 61... Rc6 ! (M Garcia) appears to hold. The rook could then check from the side on all ranks. 62. Rg8 ! this redeployment of the rook allows White to prepare a hiding place for his king, after which the pawn advances to victory. 62. Kf6 would give Black a chance to recover with 62... Rc1 62... Rh1 63. Rg7+ Kc6 64. Rg6+ Kd7 65. Kf6 Re1 66. h7 Re6+ 66... Rh1 67. Kg7 67. Kf5 1-0

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 The Kings Indian Defense 5. Bg5 O-O 6. Qd2 c5 7. d5 Qa5 8. Bd3 Na6 9. Rd1 Bd7 10. Nge2 Nc7 11. O-O e5 A surprise. With all of the attention focused on the queenside, Black suddenly breaks in the center. 12. dxe6 I thought it was necessary to open lines, but I missed the powerful 12. f4 exf4 13. Qxf4 When Black cannot answer the combined threats on f6 and d6. 12... Nxe6 12... fxe6 may be a bit better. 13. e5 dxe5 14. Bxg6 hxg6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Qxd7 Rad8 17. Qa4 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nd5 Qd8 15. Nxf6+ 15. f4 Nd4 15... Qxf6 16. Bb1 White is better, but Black has the better bishop and dark square play. 16. f4 Nd4 16... Bc6 17. f4!? To activate the Rf1, White risks weakening the e4 pawn. 17... Rad8 18. f5 gxf5 I thought this was risky during the game, but it turns out OK for Black. 19. exf5 19. Rxf5 May be better. I was hoping to activate my Bb1, but ended up activating his Bc6 more. 19... Qg7 (19... Qg6 20. Nf4) 20. Ng3 19. Ng3 Qd4+ 19... Ng5 19... Qg5 20. Qxg5+ Nxg5 21. Nc3 19... Nc7 20. Nf4 20. Ng3? The knight is drawn to Black's kingside, but this move loses control of the center. Much better would be 20. Nc3 20... d5! This strong break equalizes. 21. Nh5?! Better is 21. h4 Ne4 22. Nh5 Qxh4 23. Bxe4 dxe4 24. Qh6 21... Qh6 22. Qe2 Finally realizing that the game is equal. 22. h4 Qxh5 (22... Nh3+ is also good.) 23. hxg5 Qg4 is strong for Black. 22... f6 23. cxd5 Rxd5 23... Bxd5 24. Rxd5 (24. Nf4) 24... Rxd5 25. Qc4 Rfd8 26. Nf4 b5 24. Rxd5 Bxd5 25. Nf4 Bc6 25... Bf7 26. Qf2 26. a3 26. Qc4+ Kh8 27. Qxc5 Rg8 26. Ne6 Re8 26... Kh8 27. Ba2 Re8 28. Qg4 28. Qh5 Qxh5 29. Nxh5 Rd8 (29... Re2 30. Rd1) 28... b5 Threatening to close off the Ba2. 29. Bd5 Bxd5 30. Nxd5 Re4 30... Rg8 31. Kh1 31. Qg3 Watch how the white queen circumnavigates the board to get at the black king. 31... Re5 32. Rd1 Ne4 32... Qh5 33. Nc3 33. Qe1 an unpleasant retreat into the line of fire from the Re5. Still Black has no particularly effective discoveries. 33. Qf4 walks into 33... Rxd5 34. Qb8+ (34. Qxh6 Rxd1#) 34... Kg7 35. Qxa7+ Kg8 36. Qa8+ Kg7= 33. Qe3 is even worse 33... Rxd5 34. Qxe4 (34. Qxh6 Rxd1#) 34... Rxd1+ and Black wins. 33... Nd6 33... c4 34. Qa5 I was happy to find this active post for the queen. 34... Rxd5?! 34... Nxf5 leaves White with good compensation for the pawn. For example 35. Qd8+ Kg7 36. Qd7+ Kg6 37. g3 Qg5 38. Nf4+ Kh6 39. Qxb5 35. Qd8+! 35. Rxd5 Qc1+ 36. Kf2 Ne4+ 37. Kf3 Qf1+ 38. Kxe4 Qxg2+ 39. Ke3 Qxd5 35... Kg7 36. Qe7+ Kg8?? Losing a tempo and the game. Black should take the opportunity to secure the knight so his queen can clean up White's queenside. 36... Nf7! 37. Rxd5 Qc1+ 38. Kf2 Qxb2+ 39. Qe2 Qxa3 40. Rd7 37. Qe6+ Kf8 38. Rxd5 38. Qxd5 also wins but its more complicated. 38... Qe3+ 39. Kh1 Ne4 40. Qd8+ Kg7 41. Rd7+ Kh6 42. Qf8+ Kh5 43. Rxh7+ Kg4 44. Rg7+ Ng5 (44... Kxf5 45. Qc8+) 45. h3+ Kg3 46. Qd6+ 38... Qc1+ 39. Kf2 Qc2+ 39... Qxb2+ 40. Kg3 Qb3+ 41. Kh4 Qc4+ 42. g4 40. Kf3 40. Qe2 is simpler. 40... Ne4+ 41. Ke3 Qxe2+ 42. Kxe2 Ke7 43. Ke3 40... Qb3+ 41. Kg4 Qc4+ 42. Kh5 Nf7 42... Ne8 43. Rd8 43. Rd7 Black resigned here rather than playing out the hopeless ending. 1-0 43... Qxe6 44. fxe6 Ng5 45. e7+ Ke8 46. Rxa7 1-0