[Event "Cherry Blossom"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2024.05.24"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Stremavicius, Titas"]
[Black "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "A08"]
[WhiteElo "2533"]
[BlackElo "2280"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "155"]
[GameId "2049576553300180"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This is the second game where I lost a drawn rook endgame. However, it was not a rook endgame at first. I got outplayed in the opening, then I made a comeback and eventually, I lost. The game is filled with inaccuracies and blunders due to intense time pressure but it was quite interesting and instructive. Lastly, this was my second time playing Titas. The first time was in 2021 and I lost quite badly. Despite losing the second game, I felt like it was a good indication of how I improved (since I had decent chances to make a draw). Our third encounter occurred in November 2024 where I played much better and got a draw as Black, and eventually, my second IM norm.} 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c5 4. O-O g6 5. c4 Bg7 6. Qa4+ Bd7 7. Qb3 dxc4 8. Qxc4 Qb6 9. Ne5 Be6 10. Qa4+ Nfd7 11. Nc4 Bxc4 12. Qxc4 Nc6 13. Nc3 a6 14. d3 O-O 15. Rb1 Rac8 16. Be3 $14 Qd8 17. Qa4 e6 18. Rfc1 Qe7 19. Qa3 Rfe8 20. Ne4 Nd4 21. Bxd4 Bxd4 22. e3 Bg7 23. d4 Bf8 24. dxc5 Nxc5 25. Nxc5 Rxc5 26. Qxc5 Qxc5 27. Rxc5 Bxc5 28. Bxb7 a5 $8 {[#]White's up a pawn in  & opposite  ending. At 37 ply and above, SF18 rates this 0.00. Leela gives a more human evaluation +0.2. But those evals depend on perfect and near perfect play from... both sides.} 29. Rc1 Bb4 30. Rc7 Rd8 31. Bf3 Kg7 32. Kf1 Rb8 33. Ra7 Kf6 34. Be2 Bd2 35. b3 Bb4 36. Bd3 Re8 37. a3 Bxa3 38. Rxa5 Bd6 39. Ra6 Rd8 40. Ke2 Ke7 41. f4 Rd7 42. g4 h5 43. gxh5 gxh5 44. Ra5 f5 45. Ra6 Bc5 46. Bc4 Rd6 47. Ra8 Bb4 48. Kf3 Rd2 49. h3 Bc3 50. Rc8 Bf6 51. b4 Kd7 52. Ra8 {[#]} Bd8 $2 {Blunders the e-pawn.} (52... Rd6 {looks fatally passive, but it's better than the game line, and it seems to hold:} 53. Ra7+ Ke8 $8 (53... Kd8 $2 54. b5 $18 {and a6 will help the b-pawn advance.}) 54. b5 Bd8 $8 {with what looks like a fortress; even if White gets his  to b4 how to make any progress from there?}) ({Computer's opt for this line, which has a very unusual motif:} 52... Bh4 $11 {this creates a mate threat -- which is easily dealt with -- but blocking the pawn means Black can't put it on a safe square with ...h4, so White can now win it. But the tricky point is that White can win the h5 at the cost of trapping his !} 53. Be2 (53. Ra2 {stops the mate, but} Rxa2 54. Bxa2 {is an opposite  fortress.} Be1 $11 (54... Bd8 $11)) 53... Ke7 54. Rh8 Kf7 55. Rxh5 Bf6 $3 {the point! The  has no escape.} 56. Rh7+ Bg7 {if necessary, White "activate" the trapped  and get a draw with xg7.}) 53. Ra7+ $8 $18 Kc6 (53... Bc7 54. Bxe6+ $18) 54. Bxe6 Bb6 55. Re7 $1 {[#] Will defend e3.} Kb5 (55... Kd6 56. Rd7+ $18) 56. Bxf5 Kxb4 57. Bg6 h4 58. f5 Bc5 59. f6 Rd6 60. Re4+ Kc3 61. Rf4 Kd2 62. e4 Bd4 63. f7 $5 $18 (63. e5 Bxe5 64. f7 $18) 63... Rxg6 64. e5 (64. f8=Q $4 Rg3#) 64... Bc5 {[#]Critical Position What, if anything, could be wrong with promoting?} 65. f8=Q $2 ({White has several wins, including e4. I think} 65. Rxh4 $18 {is simplest.} Kd3 $5 (65... Rg1 66. Ke4 $1) 66. Rh8 Kd4 67. Kf4 $8 $18 {saving e5 and supporting the pawn with f5. Once again, "random deatails" matter: the loose g6 gives White one more tempo, if it was on a3 the position would be drawn with ...d5!}) 65... Rg3+ $8 66. Ke4 Bxf8 $4 (66... Re3+ $8 $11 67. Kd5 Bxf8 68. Rxf8 Rxh3 69. Rf4 Rd3+ $8 70. Ke4 $5 (70. Rd4 $4 h3 $8 $19) 70... Re3+ $8 $11) 67. Rf2+ $8 $18 {Both s need the 3rd rank -- White as a bridge to support the e-pawn, and Black to unblock her h-pawn and return to cover the f8 promotion square -- and this ckeck forces the black  away so that White gets to use it.} Ke1 (67... Kc3 68. Rxf8 Rxh3 69. Rf3+ $18) 68. Rxf8 Rxh3 {[#]} 69. Rf3 $8 (69. e6 $2 Ke2 $11) 69... Rh2 {That's the extra tempo: White's  is ready to build the bridge on e3, while Black has to move her  but not to a square that helps stop the white pawn or a square which clears the way for the h-pawn.} 70. Kf4 $2 {And that gives the tempo back!} (70. Re3+ $8 $18 Kf1 (70... Kd2 {is similar, with d3-d8 instead of f3-f8.}) 71. e6 $8 Rg2 72. e7 Rg8 73. Rf3+ $8 Kg2 74. Rf8 $8 $18) 70... h3 $8 $11 71. Re3+ Kf1 72. Kg4 {[#]} Kg2 $4 (72... Rg2+ $8 73. Kxh3 (73. Kf5 h2 74. Rh3 Kg1 $11) (73. Rg3 $4 Kf2 $1 $19) 73... Rg8 $8 {White's  is cut off, but it still comes down to one tempo.   [if White's  and  were on the c-file (or further away) the black  would not be able to attack the  before White was ready to promote, forcing Black to block the pawn with the  and free the white , winning.]} 74. Rg3 {A good try.} (74. e6 Kf2 $8 75. Re5 Kf3 $8 $11 {the mate threat and the extra tempo off the e5 make it easy to see this is a draw.}) 74... Re8 $8 75. Rg5 Kf2 76. Kg4 Ke3 $8 $11 77. Kf5 Kd4 $8 78. Kf6 Kd5 $8 79. e6+ Kd6 80. Re5 Rf8+ $8 $11) 73. e6 ({or} 73. Re2+ Kg1 74. Rxh2 Kxh2 75. e6 Kg2 76. e7 h2 77. e8=Q h1=Q 78. Qe2+ Kg1 79. Kg3 $18 {which is something you expect to see in endgame textbooks, not OTB games.}) 73... Rh1 74. e7 h2 75. Rg3+ (75. e8=Q {feels simpler to me, but both win.}) 75... Kf2 76. e8=Q Rg1 77. Qe3+ Kf1 78. Qc1+ 1-0

[Event "Sevilla"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2024.01.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Szpar, Milosz"]
[Black "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2491"]
[BlackElo "2222"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[GameId "2135836137668740"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This is round 3 of the Sevilla Open, my first game against a higher-rated opponent.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ {The Moscow Variation, a popular way to avoid the Open Sicilian. I had not prepared for it.} Nd7 {[#] This line is more fighting and less drawish, which is why I had studied it. I generally play for a win, but it is better to be more flexible and knowledgeable of more than one or two lines to avoid preparation or to surprise your opponent. My opponent capitalized on this by eventually achieving a favorable position from the opening.} 4. O-O a6 5. Be2 $5 {This is the third most played move in this position. However, I do not consider it particularly popular or well-known. I was already out of my preparation, as I had mainly focused on 3.d4 with the intention of playing the Najdorf.} Ngf6 6. d3 g6 $5 {Although this is not a mistake, it gives White a lasting structural advantage that is difficult to counter. It is somewhat unusual, as ...g6 is typically played after White "wastes" a tempo on d3, since d4 is the ultimate goal.} (6... e6 {is best.}) 7. c4 Bg7 8. Nc3 O-O 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 {[#] White achieves his ideal setup. I strongly believe he chose a sideline specifically to reach this position against a Maroczy structure, knowing that I do not play the Benoni or the Dragon, leaving me with little experience here. As a result, I felt very uncomfortable and was dissatisfied with how the opening unfolded.} Nc5 11. f3 Qb6 12. Kh1 Bd7 {[#]} 13. Rb1 {Protecting the b2-pawn so that White can develop the dark-squared bishop.} (13. b3 {was best as it protects the b-pawn, allows White to play e3 next and prevents a4.}) 13... Na4 $1 {White has significantly more space to develop his pieces. Therefore, it benefits Black to trade off as many pieces as possible.} 14. Nxa4 Bxa4 {[#]} 15. b3 (15. Qxa4 Qxd4 {is not a mistake objectively. However, positionally speaking, White's knight on d4 was much more active than Black's light-squared bishop, which is why White should avoid trading the two pieces.}) 15... Bc6 16. Be3 Qc7 17. Qd2 Rfc8 18. b4 Qd8 {[#]} 19. Rfc1 (19. Nxc6 bxc6 (19... Rxc6 20. a4 {is even better for White.}) 20. a4 $1 $16 {White is better, as b5 is imminent. Opening the position favours White due to the strong and active bishop pair, while Black's pieces remain passive.}) 19... Be8 20. Bf1 Rab8 21. Nb3 Ba4 22. Nd4 Be8 {[#] Why am I repeating? Firstly, my position is worse. Secondly, I am extremely uncomfortable with the structure, and my opponent is aware of it. Thirdly, he is significantly higher rated than me. Therefore, I had no objections to a draw.} 23. Qf2 $6 {Avoiding the repetition. From the start, White applied significant positional pressure, but his last few maneuvers were too slow, despite being natural and reasonable.} (23. Nb3 Ba4 24. c5 {was best and gave White very decent chances due to the pressure on the queenside.}) 23... b5 {[#] Finally, I am able to create some counter-play, gain some space and disrupt White's pawn structure.} 24. cxb5 (24. c5 {was the best way to maintain some decent pressure on Black's position. Black must play some kind of waiting move as ...dxc5 is unfavorable.} Qc7 (24... dxc5 25. bxc5 {allows White to create a passed pawn that controls significant space and cannot be easily captured, as the isolated pawn is more of a strength than a weakness in this position. An isolated pawn often becomes a strength rather than a weakness once it reaches the fifth rank.}) 25. cxd6 Qxd6 26. Rd1 Qc7 $14) 24... axb5 25. Rxc8 Qxc8 (25... Rxc8 26. Nxb5 $18) 26. Rc1 Qa6 {The most active square for the queen as it is protecting the b5-pawn and attacking White's a2-pawn.} 27. Qc2 Bd7 {[#] Although the position is now equal, I still lack space, and my pieces are not optimally placed, especially with many tied down to defending the b5-pawn. Therefore, repositioning the bishop to a more active square is a good move.} 28. Qd2 Ne8 {A multi-purpose move: first, it defends c7, preventing White from invading with c7. Second, it opens the a1-h8 diagonal for my strong dark-squared bishop. Third, it creates the possibility of developing the knight to d6 if ...d5 is achieved.} 29. Rc2 {This move has two ideas. First, it allows White to double on the c-file with c1 if desired. Second, it prepares the sneaky idea of a4!, putting significant pressure on the b5-pawn. If Black captures with the queen, as the b-pawn is pinned by White’s light-squared bishop, a2! follows, trapping the queen.} Qa8 {Removing the queen from the f1-a6 diagonal and threatening to open up the position in Black's favour!} 30. Bf2 {[#]} Bf6 {This move protects the e7-pawn, which could become vulnerable in some lines, frees the g7-square for the king or knight if needed, and places the dark-squared bishop on a more active square.} (30... d5 $1 {was possible without losing any material as} 31. exd5 Qxd5 32. Rc5 {was well-met by} Qd6 $1 {retaining the pin on White's knight, preventing all ideas of capturing on b5.} 33. Bg3 {leads to a drawn endgame} Qxd4 34. Qxd4 Bxd4 $11 {both d5 and xb8 are possible for White.}) 31. Qc1 d5 $1 {Black is now the one applying pressure on White's position.} 32. exd5 Qxd5 33. Nb3 Nd6 {[#] Activating the knight in the center of the board where it controls the most squares and removing the threat of d2 as Black's dark-squared bishop will not be caught in the cross-hairs.} 34. Bg3 Ra8 {Activating the rook on a semi-open file, as the b5-pawn no longer needs protection, while also unpinning the knight.} 35. Rd2 Qh5 $1 {[#] Black can now try to put some pressure on White's king.} 36. Nc5 (36. Bxd6 $2 exd6 {would be a positional mistake as the bishop was elemental in keeping White's king safe. Moreover, it gives up control of the dark squares as Black's bishop would start taking over.} 37. Rxd6 $4 Be5 $19 {White's rook is hanging and Black is threatening mate with ...xh2#. White cannot defend against both threats.}) 36... Be8 {Black's bishop is much stronger than it was in the opening. The position is now open, where bishops thrive. Placing it on c6 would expose it to discovery attacks due to White's queen on c1. Although e8 appears passive and defensive, it is the best move, especially since Black can later reactivate the bishop by gaining better control of c6.} 37. Qd1 $6 {Somehow, this move that seems to add pressure to the d-file and remove all possible threats of ...g5 is an inaccuracy!} (37. Bxd6 exd6 38. Ne4 {would have maitained equality.}) 37... Qh6 $1 {The start of a nice positional manoeuvre.} 38. Re2 Nf5 39. Bf2 Bc6 {Black's last few moves were very active and contributed to the improvement of the position.} 40. Kg1 Qf4 $1 {One of the ideas behind ...h6! Although Black's queen is well-placed on the h-file, it cannot create enough pressure to force White into further weaknesses. Therefore, it must be reactivated to an even more active square.} 41. Nd3 $2 Qd6 $1 $17 {[#] The queen is now centralized. Instead of exerting pressure solely on the h-file, it now attacks both the b4- and h2-pawns while pinning White's knight. This is its optimal placement, and recognizing that it no longer belonged on the h-file was an important realization. During the game, my moves felt natural. I aimed to play faster to avoid severe time pressure while also putting clock pressure on my opponent. Interestingly, while preparing, I noticed he was strong in blitz (mostly online), yet during the game, I saw that the clock was visibly stressing him. This led me to believe he might struggle under time pressure.   I used to think that a good chess player should take their time, calculate carefully, and prioritize strong moves over managing the clock. Playing quickly seemed to reflect impatience and a lack of skill, despite many games being decided by time rather than the position. However, I have recently come to appreciate the benefits of playing faster when possible and now recognize that fast-playing opponents should not be underestimated.   Regarding the position itself, my opponent and I analyzed it after the game and on our way back to our accommodation, and he expressed genuine appreciation for my queen maneuver. (Receiving compliments on my play from higher-rated players will always be nice!)} 42. Qb1 $2 {White should have tried to reactivate his pieces to a better squares with either c2, d2 or c5.} Nd4 43. Re3 Bd5 44. Nc1 Be5 {[#] With little time left, my opponent panicked and chose the most natural move.} 45. Rxe5 $2 (45. h3 {would have weakened his king greatly and although Black is still winning, it is far from over as some precision is required to seal the deal and I was still under time-pressure.}) 45... Qxe5 46. Nd3 Qf6 47. Qb2 Nxf3+ 48. gxf3 (48. Kh1 Qxb2 49. Nxb2 Rxa2 $19) 48... Qxf3 {Black resigned as Black's attack was too strong while ...h1 was either going to lead to mate or the loss of White's queen.} 0-1

[Event "Sevilla"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2024.01.20"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Black "Litner, Igor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "D36"]
[WhiteElo "2222"]
[BlackElo "1977"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[GameId "2135836627189933"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{After two consecutive losses against strong, higher-rated opponents, I was in a must-win situation to secure my first IM norm, as 6.5/9 was required based on my opponents' average ratings. After such a strong tournament run, missing the norm would have been disappointing. Fortunately, I had good chances, as I was paired against a lower-rated opponent with White, though the game was far from easy.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. e3 Be7 7. Bd3 h6 8. Bh4 O-O 9. Qc2 {[#] A common position in the Queen’s Gambit Declined. I am always prepared to face the QGD, but I did not have the luxury of thorough preparation, as my opponent had few games in the database. Additionally, this was the tournament’s only morning round, being the final one, and I was exhausted and not well rested.} Ne8 $5 {An idea that has gained popularity in recent years.} 10. Bxe7 (10. Bg3 Nd6 11. Nge2 Re8 12. O-O Bf8 {This is the type of setup Black aims for. It is solid, scores reasonably well, and provides winning chances if White makes a mistake.}) 10... Qxe7 {[#]} 11. Nxd5 $6 {The idea is to win a pawn, as the c8-bishop is hanging after Black captures on d5. However, this move is positionally terrible, as Black gains multiple tempos on my queen, providing ample compensation. Additionally, Black’s position becomes much easier to play. Given that I needed a win, this was a poor strategic choice—extremely risky and misguided. In hindsight, I was very fortunate not to lose and be punished for such an impractical decision.} (11. Nge2 Nd6 12. O-O Nd7 13. b4 {This would have been a much better choice, providing a small advantage but, more importantly, a solid position where I could gradually outplay my opponent, given the rating difference.}) 11... cxd5 12. Qxc8 Nc6 $1 {[#]} 13. Qf5 $8 {Removing the queen and putting pressure on d5.} (13. Qxa8 $4 Qb4+ $1 14. Kf1 Nf6 $1 15. Qxf8+ $8 Kxf8 $19 {Although material is balanced in terms of points, Black is completely winning. White's pieces are undeveloped, lack coordination, and the king is highly vulnerable.}) (13. Qg4 $6 Qb4+ 14. Kf1 Ne5 $1 15. Qd1 Nxd3 16. Qxd3 Qxb2 $17 {Black is doing very well and has an easy game.}) 13... g6 $6 (13... Nf6 {Simple development was best. To emphasize how much compensation Black posseses, White best move according to the engine is} 14. Kf1 $5 {removing the threat of b4+ without compromising White's queenside.}) 14. Qxd5 $14 Rd8 {[#]} 15. Qb3 (15. Qc4 {was better as it prevents Black from winning a tempo with xd4.} Rxd4 16. Qc3 $14 {White is happy here as f3 followed by castle is next and White is a pawn up.}) 15... Nxd4 16. Qc3 Nf6 {[#]} 17. Rd1 $2 (17. Ne2 {was best. However, it led to a completely drawn endgame—something I desperately wanted to avoid, as I did not believe in my winning chances there.} Nxe2 18. Bxe2 Ne4 19. Qa3 Qxa3 20. bxa3 $11) 17... Ne4 $1 18. Bxe4 (18. Qa3 Nc5 $1 {Black's pieces are too active, while White's king remains in the center, far from castling to safety.}) (18. Qc4 b5 19. Qc1 Rc8 20. Qb1 Qb4+ 21. Kf1 Nd2+ $19) 18... Qxe4 19. f3 {[#]} Nc2+ $2 (19... Qc2 $1 20. Qxc2 (20. Rd2 Qb1+ 21. Kf2 Nb5 22. Qc2 Rxd2+ 23. Qxd2 Rc8 $1 {is the crushing move I missed while I was evaluating e4 followed by c2.}) (20. exd4 Rfe8+ 21. Kf1 Qxd1+ $19) 20... Nxc2+ 21. Ke2 Rxd1 22. Kxd1 Nxe3+ $19) 20. Kf2 $1 {Leaving the rook on d1 unprotected, but Black cannot capture it since the queen is hanging on e4.} (20. Ke2 $2 Qf5 $19 {the knight belongs to e2 while the king should be placed on f2 to accelerate the manual castling process.}) 20... Qa4 {[#]} 21. Rxd8 (21. Ne2 $2 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Nxe3 $1 $19 {thus, White must first exchange the rooks.}) 21... Rxd8 22. Ne2 Nb4 {[#]} 23. Nd4 {Blocking the d-file and placing my knight on a nice outpost.} Nxa2 $6 {Is too greedy as it lets me activate and develop my pieces on tempo!} (23... Nc6 $11 {was best.}) 24. Qc7 {[#]} Rd5 $4 {Black is now losing as it allows White to play...} ({Black should have played} 24... Qd7 $14 {as it protects the rook, attacks the queen and removes itself from the a-file. White remains slightly better, as the queen is active, the rook will soon enter the game, the knight has a strong central outpost, and the king is relatively safe. Meanwhile, Black's knight is badly misplaced on a2, and White can easily exploit this.}) 25. Ra1 $1 {A powerful pin that is extremely hard to get out of.} b6 (25... Qa5 26. Qc8+ Rd8 27. Qc4 Qd2+ 28. Qe2 Qxe2+ 29. Kxe2 Nb4 30. Rxa7 $18 {is enough for White to convert this into a win.}) (25... Qa6 26. b4 $1 {preparing c2 by opening up the second rank AND preventing Black from supporting the knight with a5.}) (25... Ra5 26. Qxb7 $18 {Black is still stuck with his pieces and White can eventually convert the material advantage into a win.}) 26. Qc8+ Kh7 27. b3 Qa3 28. Qc2 Ra5 {[#] Although material remains balanced, White is completely winning, as Black's pieces are paralyzed and cannot be untangled.} 29. f4 {Expanding on the kingside while also freeing the f3-square for the king if needed to escape perpetual checks. White has complete control and can play almost any move.} h5 30. Kf3 Kh6 31. h3 {[#]} f5 ({If Black waits patiently with} 31... Kh7 {White can play} 32. b4 $1 Ra4 {with the rook no longer on the fifth rank to help defend Black's king, White can strike with} (32... Qxb4 33. Rxa2 $18) 33. Qc7 Kg8 34. Qd8+ Kg7 (34... Kh7 35. Qe7 $18) 35. Ne6+ fxe6 36. Rd1 {followed by mate in a few moves.}) 32. h4 Kg7 33. Qc7+ Kf6 34. Qd8+ {[#]} Kf7 (34... Qe7 35. Qxe7+ Kxe7 36. Nc6+ $1) 35. Qd7+ Kf6 36. Qe6+ Kg7 37. Qe8 Qd6 38. Ne6+ Kf6 39. Ng5 Nb4 (39... Qe7 40. Qh8+ Qg7 41. Qc8 Qe7 42. Rd1 $18) (39... Qc7 40. Qf8+ Qf7 41. Qxf7#) 40. Qf7# {After this thrilling game filled with tactics, inaccuracies, and blunders, I finished with 6.5/9, tied for 13th place—just one point behind the winners—securing my first IM norm.} 1-0

[Event "Southwest Class Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2024.02.18"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Black "Yoo, Christopher"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "E24"]
[WhiteElo "2283"]
[BlackElo "2595"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "306"]
[GameId "2075309547216652"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This was round 7 of the Southwest Class Championship, organized by the Continental Chess Association. Players are required to bring their own chess sets and clocks, with games using delay rather than increment. Pairings are released only shortly before the round. The tournament typically attracts a strong field and offers excellent prizes.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 Bb4 6. e3 h6 {[#]} 7. Bxf6 {With limited time to prepare, I did not anticipate my opponent playing this line. However, my opponent likely did not expect me to capture on f6, as it is played far less often than the main line with h4.} (7. Bh4 {is far more popular.} g5 8. Bg3 Ne4 9. Nge2 h5 {White can now paly h4 or h3. The position is very messy and dynamic and White is slightly better.}) 7... Qxf6 8. a3 $5 {A lesser-known sideline that allows Black to equalize fairly easily but gives White a straightforward plan with f3 and e4.} Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 O-O 10. Ne2 $1 {[#] The best move, though not by much. I had never played this line over the board, but I had it in my files as an alternative to the forcing and well-known mainline (d3). The idea is simple: maneuver the knight to g3, followed by d3, while avoiding Black's ...f5. Given White’s pawn structure on dark squares, the light-squared bishop will become a dominant piece once it reaches d3, as it is unrestrained by the pawns. Black, therefore, aims to exchange the light-squared bishops.} (10. Bd3 $6 Bf5 $1 $11) 10... Re8 11. Ng3 {Here, Black has many options.} g6 $5 {The idea is to control h5, preventing ...h5 while preparing to expand on the kingside with ...h5.} (11... Nd7 12. Bd3 Qd6 $11 {would have been a fine way to continue Black's development.}) 12. Bd3 h5 $6 {[#]} 13. h3 {I wanted to avoid ...h4 followed by ...h3, which would weaken my pawn structure.} (13. Qf3 Qd6 {threatening ...g4!, trapping the queen.} (13... Qxf3 14. gxf3 h4 (14... c5 15. Kd2 $14 {is good for White due to the strong control over the center.}) 15. Ne2 Nc6 16. Nf4 Ne7 17. Rg1 {with a good game for White.}) 14. Ne2 {preparing to meet g4 with f4!} Nd7 15. Qf4 Qxf4 16. Nxf4 Nb6 17. a4 $14 {was the best way to proceed, objectively.}) 13... h4 14. Ne2 Qg5 15. g4 $1 {[#]} Qf6 (15... hxg3 $6 16. Nxg3 $14 {with some attack on the weakened Black king.}) (15... Nd7 16. O-O Nf6 17. f4 Qh6 18. g5 Qh5 19. gxf6 Rxe3 $11 {was Black's best continuation, as the counterplay provides sufficient compensation for the sacrificed knight. However, it is highly unnatural for a human to find.}) 16. O-O $1 {White's king is completely safe!} Nd7 17. Nf4 Nb6 {[#]} 18. Qb3 (18. Qd2 $14 {defending e3, followed by a quick f3 and e4, was the best approach.}) 18... Bd7 {The position was unusual, and neither of us was familiar with the correct plans. As a result, we made several inaccuracies while trying to activate our pieces to better squares.} 19. Rae1 Bc6 20. Qc2 Re7 $6 {[#] With the idea of doubling on the e-file is actually an inaccuracy!  editor - one better idea is to prepare to trade the stunted c6 for the more active d3 by going ...a6 and ...b5.} 21. Ng2 Rae8 22. f3 Qd6 23. e4 {[#]} Qg3 $2 {Black is already losing as White's center is too strong!} (23... dxe4 24. fxe4 Qxa3 $16 {was the best way to put up some resistance, although White is much better.}) 24. e5 Qxh3 $2 25. Qf2 $1 {[#] The queen is by far the most dominant piece, as Black's other pieces lack activity and control. Therefore, f2 is a strong move—it not only targets the h4-pawn but also restricts Black's queen and forces an exchange with f4 next!} Qg3 26. Qxg3 hxg3 27. f4 (27. Nf4 {followed by g2 was slightly more accurate objectively and, more importantly, less messy.}) 27... Na4 28. Rc1 Nb2 {[#]} 29. Be2 $2 {Is too slow, as it allows Black to counterattack with ...f6!} (29. Rf3 $1 Nxd3 30. Rxd3 $18 {White's pawns and active pieces are completely dominating the position.}) 29... Nc4 $6 (29... f6 $1 30. Rf3 g5 $1 $11) 30. Rf3 f6 31. Rxg3 $6 (31. Bd3 $1 {was a strong move, as it targets the g6-pawn while also controlling e4 in anticipation of Black's maneuver ...d2-e4!}) 31... g5 $4 {[#]} 32. Rh3 $4 {I believe I failed to find the best moves here due to extreme time pressure. My opponent played very quickly throughout the game, and if I recall correctly, I was very low on time while my opponent still had over an hour.} (32. Bxc4 $8 $18 dxc4 33. exf6 Re6 (33... Re2 34. fxg5 {is completely winning for White.}) 34. fxg5 Bxg2 35. Kxg2 Re2+ 36. Kf1 Kf7 37. Rb1 b6 38. Rh3 $18) 32... gxf4 33. Bxc4 dxc4 34. exf6 Bxg2 35. Kxg2 Re2+ 36. Kf1 Kf7 37. g5 Kg6 {[#]} 38. Rf3 $2 (38. Rb1 b6 39. Rf3 $11) 38... R2e4 39. Rb1 b6 $2 (39... Kxg5 $8 40. Rxb7 Kg4 $19) 40. Rb5 Kh5 $4 {[#] Critical Position} 41. Re5 $2 (41. Rh3+ $8 $18 Kg4 {Threatens the  and mate in 2.} (41... Kg6 42. Rh6+ Kf7 43. Rh7+ Kg6 (43... Ke6 44. Re5+ $18) 44. Rg7+ Kh5 45. Re5 $18 {White's pawns are too powerful.}) 42. Re5 $3 {a beautiful move that I missed. The idea is that White sacrifices a rook in order to promote one of the passed pawns.} R4xe5 (42... Kxh3 {White can take either  and will promote.}) (42... R8xe5 43. dxe5 Kxh3 44. g6 {White promotes.}) 43. dxe5 Kxg5 (43... Kxh3 44. f7 $18 {White promotes.}) 44. f7 Rf8 45. e6 Kf6 46. Rh6+ Ke7 (46... Kg7 47. e7 $18) 47. Kf2 $18) 41... R4xe5 42. dxe5 Kxg5 43. f7 Rf8 {[#]} 44. e6 (44. Rxf4 $4 {does not work} Kxf4 45. e6 Ke5 46. e7 Rxf7+ $19) 44... Kf6 45. Rxf4+ Kxe6 46. Rxc4 Rxf7+ 47. Ke2 {[#] The endgame is drawn although Black can certainly try to win.} Kd5 48. Rd4+ Kc5 49. Kd3 Rf2 50. Rc4+ Kd6 51. Ra4 a5 52. Rh4 Ke5 53. Rh5+ Rf5 54. Rh6 Kd5 55. Rh4 Rf2 56. Rh5+ Kc6 57. Rh4 Rg2 58. a4 Rb2 59. Rh6+ Kb7 60. Kc4 Rb1 61. Rh7 Rd1 62. Rg7 Kc6 63. Rg6+ Rd6 64. Rg7 Rh6 65. Rg4 Kb7 66. Rg7 Rc6+ 67. Kb3 Rc5 68. Rh7 Rc6 69. Rg7 Ka6 70. Rh7 Rc5 71. Rg7 b5 72. axb5+ Rxb5+ {[#] Theoretically, without White's c3-pawn, the endgame would still be drawn as a and c pawn in a rook endgame are not enough to win against someone who knows the theoretical defense.} 73. Ka4 c6 74. Rg8 Rc5 75. Ra8+ Kb6 76. Rb8+ Kc7 77. Ra8 Kb6 78. Rb8+ Ka7 79. Rh8 Rg5 80. Rf8 Kb6 81. Rh8 Rg4+ 82. Kb3 Kb5 83. Rb8+ Kc5 84. Ra8 Kb6 85. Rb8+ Ka7 86. Rc8 Kb7 87. Rh8 Re4 88. Rg8 Kb6 89. Rb8+ Kc7 90. Ra8 Re5 91. Rh8 Rb5+ 92. Ka4 Rf5 93. Ra8 Kb6 94. Kb3 Rf1 95. Rg8 Kc5 96. Rh8 Rb1+ 97. Ka2 Re1 98. Kb3 Re4 99. Ra8 Kb5 100. Rb8+ Ka6 101. Ra8+ Kb6 102. Rb8+ Ka7 103. Rh8 Rf4 104. Rg8 Kb7 105. Rh8 Rf1 106. Rg8 Kb6 107. Rb8+ Kc5 108. Rh8 Rb1+ 109. Ka2 Rc1 110. Kb3 Rg1 111. Rh5+ Kb6 112. Rh8 Rg4 113. Rb8+ Ka7 114. Rh8 a4+ 115. Ka3 Rc4 116. Rh5 Kb6 117. Rg5 Re4 118. Rh5 c5 119. Rh8 Kb5 120. Ra8 Re1 121. Kb2 Rh1 122. Kc2 Rh2+ 123. Kd3 Rh3+ 124. Kc2 Rh2+ 125. Kc1 Rg2 126. Ra7 Ra2 127. Kb1 Rh2 128. Kc1 Rh6 129. Kb2 Rg6 130. Ra8 Rg7 131. Kc2 Rh7 132. Kb2 Rh4 133. Kc2 Rh2+ 134. Kc1 Kc4 135. Rxa4+ Kb3 136. Rg4 c4 (136... Kxc3 137. Rg3+ Kc4 138. Rg4+ $11) 137. Rg8 Rh3 {[#] Critical Position g2, c8, or something else?} 138. Rg2 $4 {The only mistake I made in the rook endgame. Many moves would have maintained equality (g7, b8+, e2...), but g2 is too passive. Black is winning now.} ({editor - Even} 138. Rc8 {draws, so long as White knows} Kxc3 139. Kb1 $8 $11 {the "short-side" defence.}) 138... Rh1+ $8 $19 (138... Kxc3 $4 {does not achieve anything as White's king and rook will prevent Black from making any progress; e.g.} 139. Rc2+ Kd3 140. Rd2+ $11) (138... Rxc3+ 139. Kb1 Rh3 140. Rb2+ Kc3 141. Rg2 $11) 139. Kd2 Kb2 $8 {Controlling the promotion square, allowing Black to play ...c1 and eventually capture the c3-pawn under winning conditions.} 140. Rg3 Rc1 141. Rg8 Rxc3 142. Rb8+ Rb3 143. Rc8 Rd3+ 144. Ke2 Kb3 145. Rb8+ Kc2 146. Ra8 Rd7 147. Rb8 c3 148. Rb6 Kc1 149. Rb5 c2 150. Rb8 Re7+ 151. Kf3 Re5 152. Kf4 Re1 153. Kf3 Kd2 {Naturally, I was disappointed with the result and frustrated with myself. I had winning chances early on and later had the knowledge and understanding to hold the rook endgame to a draw. As mentioned earlier, the game was played with delay rather than increment. I strongly believe that I would not have lost this endgame with increment.   Overall, I believe a strong chess player should be able to perform well regardless of the time control. However, this game made me realize that I do not need to participate in tournaments with suboptimal time controls and playing conditions. Since then, I have avoided tournaments using delay, and I am quite happy with my decision.} 0-1

[Event "Canadian Zonal (w)"]
[Site "Toronto"]
[Date "2024.04.01"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Black "Pham, Bich Ngoc"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "A57"]
[WhiteElo "2267"]
[BlackElo "2206"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[GameId "2131543500027486"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This was Round 8 of the Canadian Zonal. I was leading the tournament with a score of 6/7, while two players trailed closely with 5.5/7, and Penny had 5/7. The stakes were high, as this game was crucial for retaining my title, qualifying for the Olympiad, and securing a spot in the Women's World Cup.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 {[#] Penny chose a dynamic opening, as expected. Given the tournament standings, my preparation before the round had heavily focused on reviewing these types of lines (such as the Benko, Dutch, and possibly the King's Indian Defense), anticipating her need to play for a win.} 4. cxb5 a6 5. e3 {[#] This was a line I had in my files for quite some time but had never had the opportunity to play over the board, which caught my opponent by surprise. The idea behind 5.e3 is to delay resolving the queenside structure. The plan usually involves playing c3, a4, and eventually e4. The kingside knight can go to f3 or e2, depending on Black's development. In the current position, Black's queenside remains undeveloped, which highlights the advantage of delaying the exchange of a/b pawns, even at the cost of a tempo (e2-e3 followed by e3-e4).} g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. a4 O-O 8. e4 e6 {[#]} 9. dxe6 $5 {Although this is a decent move, it is an inaccuracy as:} (9. e5 $1 {is much stronger. Unfortunately, due to a lack of experience in the line, I forgot what the best continuation was and did not play it.} Nxd5 (9... Ne8 10. Nf3 Bb7 11. Bc4 {White is up a pawn, while Black's pieces are undeveloped and lack space.}) 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. Qxd5 Ra7 12. Nf3 $16 {threatening to take on c5 with a good game for White.}) 9... fxe6 {last book move} 10. e5 Nh5 11. Nf3 Bb7 12. Be2 axb5 13. Nxb5 Nc6 14. Nd6 Ba6 $6 {[#]} (14... Qb6 {followed by ...f4 was best.}) 15. Bg5 {After considerable thought, I chose this move, as it appeared to be a natural continuation, developing with tempo. However, I failed to foresee that it would lead to a relatively forced sequence, resulting in the loss of my extra pawn and a slightly inferior position. From that point onward, I felt uncomfortable, as I struggled to find optimal placement for my pieces while maintaining any realistic winning chances.} (15. Bxa6 $142 Rxa6 16. Nc4 {would have allowed me to solidify the center and achieve a better position, with an extra pawn, well-placed pieces, and straightforward development.}) 15... Qa5+ 16. Bd2 Qc7 17. Bxa6 Rxa6 18. Qe2 Qa7 19. Nc4 (19. b3 $4 Nxe5 $19) 19... Rxa4 20. Rc1 Nf4 21. Bxf4 Rxf4 22. O-O Qb8 {[#] Putting pressure on the b2-pawn and threatening ...b5 resulting in a very uncomfortable pin.} 23. g3 {Removing the rook from the 4th-rank.} Rf8 (23... Nd4 24. Nxd4 Rxd4 {was possible but not dangerous for White.}) 24. Qe3 Rb4 25. Rc3 Nd4 26. Nfd2 (26. Nxd4 $4 cxd4 27. Qxd4 d5 $1 {winning the knight as the e-pawn is pinned.}) 26... Qa8 27. f4 Rfb8 28. Re1 Qd5 29. Qe4 {[#] Forcing a queen exchange as my king is weak. Also, removing the queens simpifies the position and makes it easier to play under time pressure.} Nb3 30. Nxb3 Rxb3 31. Rxb3 (31. Qc2 Rxc3 32. Qxc3 Rb4 33. b3 {was the easiest way to equalize for White.}) 31... Rxb3 32. Qxd5 exd5 33. Ne3 d4 34. Nc4 {[#]} Rb4 (34... Kf7 35. Rb1 Ke6 36. Nd2 Rd3 37. Nc4 Bf8 38. Kf2 Kd5 39. Nb6+ Kc6 40. Nc4 Kb5 41. Ke2 $17 {was something I calculated and feared as my pieces are uncoordinated and inactive, while Black's king and rook are very active.}) 35. Rc1 Bf8 36. Kf2 Rb3 {[#] Throughout the game, I felt uncomfortable with my position and under pressure, particularly as I believed my opponent was tactically sharper during this game. However, after Black's recent inaccuracies, I felt I had regained control and was confident I would not lose after successfully centralizing my king.} 37. Ke2 Kf7 38. Kd2 Ke6 39. Kc2 Rf3 40. Rd1 Kd5 41. Nb6+ Kc6 42. Nc4 Kb5 {Penny does not repeat.} 43. Rd3 $1 Rf2+ 44. Rd2 Rxd2+ 45. Nxd2 c4 46. b3 $1 c3 47. Nf3 {[#] From this point on, I was the only one with winning chances as Penny has to be very careful.} Bc5 (47... Kc5 $4 48. Kd3 $18) 48. Ng5 h6 49. Nf3 Kc6 50. Kd3 Kd5 51. Nh4 g5 52. Nf5 gxf4 53. gxf4 {[#]} c2 $1 {Not the only move possible, but definitely the simplest and most effective.} 54. Kxc2 Ke4 55. Nxh6 d3+ 56. Kd1 Kxf4 57. Nf7 Bb4 58. h3 Kf5 59. h4 Kg4 60. Ng5 Kxh4 61. Ne4 Kh5 62. Nf2 d2 63. Ne4 Kg6 {[#]} 64. Nf6 (64. Nxd2 $11 {but since I was not risking anything, I tried to keep some chances alive.}) 64... Kf5 65. Nxd7 Ke6 66. Nb8 Bc3 67. Na6 Kxe5 68. Nc5 Kd4 69. Na4 Bb4 70. Kc2 Ke3 {The game could have continued a bit longer, but the position was clearly drawn, and I did not believe either of us would make a losing mistake. We agreed to a draw despite my desire to win to maintain my lead and her attempts to create chances of her own. As a result, there was a three-way tie going into the final round between Yunshan Li, Svitlana Demchenko, and myself. We all won our last round, but I emerged as the national champion due to better tiebreaks.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Open de Porticcio, Corsica"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2024.06.30"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Lagarde, Maxime"]
[Black "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2604"]
[BlackElo "2290"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "174"]
[GameId "2062379963914380"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This was Round 3 of the Porticcio Open and the second round of the day. Given the limited time for preparation, I opted to play my main opening. Since I was fine with a draw, I did not feel the need to prepare extensively or worry about repetitions in the opening.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 a6 6. Bf1 d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. d4 Nf6 9. Be3 Be7 {[#] The c5-pawn cannot be won, as it runs into ...g4.} 10. c4 O-O 11. Nc3 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Ne5 13. h3 Bd7 {[#] Until now, the game has adhered to the mainline of the Rossolimo with 5...e6. Although the move 6... e5 followed by ...d7 has been played on a few occasions, it is not the most widely played continuation.} 14. c5 Qc8 $2 {Is inaccurate because it now becomes challenging to develop my pieces due to their poor coordination and the restricted space in my position.} (14... Rc8 15. b4 a5 16. a3 b6 17. Ba6 Ra8 18. Qe2 bxc5 19. bxc5 Qc7 $14 {was the best continuation.}) 15. Rc1 Rd8 16. b4 Nc6 17. Qb3 Nxd4 18. Bxd4 Bc6 19. Be5 Nd5 20. Ne4 Qd7 21. Bc4 f6 {[#]} 22. Bd6 (22. Bg3 {followed by d6 would have been slightly better, but it would have required more patience.}) 22... Bxd6 23. cxd6 (23. Nxd6 b5 24. Be2 a5 25. Rcd1 $16 {was better.}) {[#]} 23... b6 $2 (23... Kh8 24. Nc5 Qxd6 25. Rxe6 Qf4 $14 {was a better continuation.}) 24. Bxd5 (24. Qg3 Kh8 25. a3 $16 {was better.}) 24... Bxd5 25. Qg3 Qf7 26. Rc7 Qg6 27. Qxg6 hxg6 28. Nc3 Rxd6 29. Nxd5 exd5 30. Ree7 {[#]} Rad8 ({I considered this continuation:} 30... d4 31. Rxg7+ Kh8 32. Rh7+ Kg8 33. Rcg7+ Kf8 34. Rd7 Rxd7 35. Rxd7 {I failed to assess the position accurately:} a5 36. b5 Rc8 $11) 31. Rxg7+ Kh8 32. Kf1 $2 (32. Rxg6 d4 33. Rc4 Re8 34. Kf1 $18) 32... d4 33. Rxg6 d3 34. Rc4 Kh7 35. Rg3 Rd4 36. Rxd4 Rxd4 37. Ke1 d2+ 38. Kd1 Rxb4 39. Rb3 Rf4 40. f3 b5 41. Ra3 Rb4 {[#]} 42. g4 (42. Rxa6 $2 Rb1+ 43. Kxd2 Rb2+ 44. Ke3 Rxg2 $11) 42... Rb1+ $4 (42... Rd4 43. Rxa6 Kg7 $11 {even though Black is down a pawn and the remaining pawns are vulnerable to attack or potential capture by White's active pieces, the position is surprisingly balanced. Why? Because White lacks the ability to generate meaningful play, while Black can eventually neutralize the situation with moves like ...b4 followed by ...g6-g5, or even ...d3 or ...f4 to capture White's threatening pawns on the kingside.}) 43. Kxd2 Rh1 44. Rxa6 Kg7 45. Ke3 $8 Rxh3 {[#]Critical Position} 46. Ke4 $4 (46. Kf4 $8 {Puts Black in a hopeless position. White is ahead by a pawn, with much more active pieces. The f6 pawn will likely be captured soon.}) ({editor -} 46. Rb6 $2 Rh2 $8 47. a3 Ra2 48. Ra6 b4 $1 $11) 46... f5+ $3 {allowing Black to equalize objectively speaking by forcing either} 47. gxf5 ({or} 47. Kxf5 Rxf3+ $11) {The move f5+ was, in my opinion, the move of the game. I believe it showcases my understanding of rook endgames quite well. At this point, I did not have much time left, so I was trying to play as quickly as possible. The brilliance of f5 lies in the fact that it forces the kingside into one of two options: either two doubled f-pawns or a lone g-pawn. Both options are easily drawn if there are no other pawns. Of course, with the queenside pawns still on the board, reaching a draw becomes much more difficult, which is why there were blunders on both sides along the way. A fun fact: after the game, one of my friends, who was spectating, told me that another GM, who was sitting next to me while still playing his own game, had been observing the position. Based on his facial expression, it seemed he thought I would lose. However, when he saw me play f5+, his expression and posture changed, indicating that he realized it would not be so easy for White. I thought it was amusing and was happy to hear this little story. Of course, I did not see any of it myself, as I was fully focused on my own board.} 47... Rh2 48. a3 {[#]} Kf7 $4 {The Black rook is misplaced on h2. It should be positioned on the queenside to counter White's activity effectively.} (48... Ra2 {by positioning the rook on one of those three key squares, Black can hinder White's progress, either by threatening ...b4 to exchange the queenside pawns or by checking the white king.} 49. Ra7+ Kf6 50. Kf4 b4 $11) 49. f6 $2 (49. Ra5 $8 Rb2 50. Ke5 Re2+ 51. Kd4 Re8 52. Kc5 Re5+ 53. Kb6 Rxf5 54. Rxb5 $18) 49... Rh4+ 50. f4 Rh5 51. Kd4 Rf5 52. Ke3 Rc5 53. Ke4 Rh5 54. Ra5 Rc5 55. Kd4 Rc4+ 56. Kd5 {[#]} Rc3 ({both} 56... Kxf6 57. Rxb5 Ra4 58. Rb3 Rxf4 $11) ({and} 56... Rxf4 57. Rxb5 Rxf6 58. a4 Ke8 59. a5 Kd7 $11 {lead to a theoretical draw.}) 57. Ra6 Rc4 58. Ke5 Rc5+ 59. Ke4 Rc4+ 60. Kf5 Rc5+ 61. Kg4 Rd5 62. Ra5 Rd3 63. Kg5 Rd5+ 64. f5 {[#]Critical Position Active ...d3 or passive ...d7?} Rd3 $4 ({editor -} 64... Rd7 $8 $11 65. Rxb5 Ra7 $8 66. Rb3 (66. Rc5 Rxa3 67. Rc7+ Kf8 68. f7 (68. Kg6 Rg3+ $8 $11) 68... Ra6 69. f6 Rxf6 $11) 66... Ra4 $8 67. Rb7+ (67. Re3 Ra6 68. Re7+ Kf8 $8 69. Kg6 Rxa3 70. Rb7 Rg3+ $8 $11) 67... Kf8 $8 68. f7 Rxa3 69. Kg6 (69. f6 Rg3+ $11 {nowhere to hide.}) 69... Ra6+ 70. f6 Rxf6+ $1 $11) 65. Ra7+ Kf8 66. f7 Rd6 {[#]} 67. Rb7 ({After the game, we analyzed a bit, and my friend (an IM) and I "explained" to him that he should have played} 67. Ra5 {to force my rook to b6, which would have allowed him to win. The rook would be blocked by the b-pawn and unable to deliver back-rank checks to secure a draw; e.g.} Rb6 68. f6 Kxf7 69. Ra7+ Kf8 70. Kg6 $18) ({In fact, my friend and I were wrong. After} 67. Ra5 {...b6 would lose, but Black doesn't have to defend b5.} Kxf7 68. Rxb5 Ra6 $8 69. Rb7+ Kf8 {It's a theoretical draw, but actually getting that draw from here is far from trivial -- see my loss to Christopher Yoo earlier! Black still has to be very careful and will have a lot of work to do.}) 67... Ra6 {[#]Critical Position This one could be a study!} 68. Rxb5 $2 (68. a4 $3 $18 {A difficult move to find but also incredibly astonishing!!} bxa4 (68... Rxa4 69. Kg6 {followed by mate.}) 69. f6 a3 70. Kg6 Ra8 71. Rb1 a2 72. Rh1 a1=Q 73. Rh8# {White wins by one tempo!}) ({editor -} 68. Rc7 {also wins, but less spectacularly} Rxa3 69. Kg6 Rg3+ (69... Ra6+ 70. f6 Rxf6+ {is a standard drawing trick, but} 71. Kxf6 {there's no stalemate with Black's b-pawn free to move.}) (69... Ra8 70. f6 Rb8 71. Rc1 $18 {and h8# is coming.}) 70. Kf6 $18 {saved by the umbrella on f5... AND because of the b5: if the black pawn was on b4 then ...c3 would draw!}) 68... Rxa3 69. Rb8+ Kxf7 70. Rb7+ Kf8 71. Kg6 {[#]} Rf3 $1 {Black attains a position that, in theory, can be drawn using the Kling and Horwitz defense.} 72. Kf6 Kg8 $8 {Black should always move towards the short side in this situation.} (72... Ke8 $4 73. Rb8+ Kd7 74. Rf8 $18) 73. Rb8+ Kh7 74. Ke6 Kg7 75. Rb7+ Kf8 76. Rb5 Rf1 {Black can easily secure a draw by keeping the rook behind White's pawn.} 77. Kf6 Kg8 78. Rb2 Rf3 79. Rg2+ Kf8 80. Kg6 Ke7 81. Rg5 Kf8 82. Rh5 Kg8 83. Rh1 Ra3 84. Rb1 {[#]} Rg3+ $8 85. Kf6 Rf3 86. Rb8+ Kh7 87. Ke6 Kg7 {After a lengthy struggle and a highly complex rook endgame, the game concluded in a draw.   Interestingly, draw offers are not allowed in Corsica. The rule is designed to encourage fighting chess and discourage quick draws. A draw can only be claimed through three-fold repetition or the fifty-move rule. However, my opponent did not repeat the position three times, and we simply agreed to a draw. I believe, out of respect for my opponent, the organizers allowed it, as we had been playing for quite a long time by that point.   Overall, this game meant a lot to me. It was my first time drawing against a 2600+ player. Recently, I had lost three drawn rook endgames to players rated 2400, 2500, and 2600, despite studying these endgames and having a solid understanding of them. However, putting that knowledge into practice is another matter, which is why I am so happy to have managed to survive a losing rook endgame against such a strong opponent.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "45th World Chess Olympiad"]
[Site "Budapest"]
[Date "2024.09.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Vanduyfhuys, Daria"]
[Black "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2112"]
[BlackElo "2318"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[GameId "2090673966461200"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This was round 6 of the World Chess Olympiad, where we were paired against Belgium. Based on ratings, we were favorites to win the match. In general, it is difficult to know in advance who you will face for certain, as board pairings are only released at 10 AM for a 3 PM game, leaving limited time for preparation. However, board ones often play each other, especially in the women’s section, where there is often a significant strength gap between board 1 and other players. In this case, Belgium’s boards 2 and 3 were performing very well, while their board 1 was struggling with 0/5. Given this, my team and I expected I would likely face their board 2. Still, I had to split my preparation to be ready for both possibilities.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 {[#] The Ragozin.  In my opinion, and that of many others, this opening is extremely solid. I generally avoid playing this way against lower-rated opponents, as White can steer the game into very drawish positions, with some lines even leading to forced repetitions. To highlight its solidity, I have played it six times in classical games, scoring +2 =4 -0 against decent opposition — a strong statistical result.   Regarding this game, my initial preparation was focused on a more aggressive approach. However, before the game, I started doubting whether I had prepared it thoroughly enough and felt it was too risky. As a result, I made a last-minute decision to play the Ragozin, as it is a straightforward system. I also mentally accepted that a draw was a likely outcome, depending on my opponent’s choice of line—though some variations do offer plenty of life and activity.} 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 (6. Bh4 dxc4 {Black can attempt to hold onto the c4-pawn long-term and potentially convert it into a win.}) 6... Qxf6 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1 {[#]} dxc4 (8... Nc6 $5 {, combined with the idea of ...dxc4 with ...e5, was also an option. During the game, I did not feel prepared to go for it, though it likely would have created more winning chances and avoided the possibility of an early draw by repetition.}) 9. Bxc4 c5 10. O-O cxd4 11. Nxd4 (11. Ne4 {would keep the position alive.} Qe7 {or f5}) 11... Bd7 {Preparing ...c6.} 12. Qb3 Nc6 $1 {Although we are still following the theory, ...c6 is a nice move as it develops an important piece, connects the rooks and surprisingly does so without losing any material!} 13. Nxc6 Bxc3 {[#]} ({An important intermezzo as} 13... Bxc6 $4 {loses a piece to} 14. Qxb4) 14. Qxc3 {This move makes sense, as White will capture on f6 next, weakening Black’s kingside pawn structure. Black cannot prevent this with ...xc3 due to the e7+ intermezzo. Looking back, I do not think my opponent was familiar with the theory, as she chose xc3. Had she known it, she likely would have opted for the repetition.} (14. Rxc3 Bxc6 {and forced a repetition with} 15. Bb5 Bd5 16. Bc4 Bc6 17. Bb5 $11 {Black has no choice but to accept the draw, as other moves offer minimal winning chances or lead to worse positions. When I decided to play a safer line like the Ragozin, I accepted that a quick draw was a realistic outcome. I made peace with this decision for the good of the team and to avoid the risk of losing rating by being careless or underestimating my opponent.}) ({editor -} 14. Qxb7 Bxc6 {is another of the semi-forced Ragozin draws; e.g.} 15. Qxc6 Bxb2 16. Rc2 Rac8 17. Qa4 Rc7 18. Bd3 Rxc2 19. Bxc2 Rc8 20. Rd1 Qc3 21. Bb3 Qc5 {1/2 So,W (2770)-Carlsen,M (2855) Bilbao Masters 9th 2016 (10)}) 14... Bxc6 15. Qxf6 gxf6 {[#] Since I had already come to terms with a quick draw, I was overjoyed to reach this position, even though it was completely equal.} 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17. f3 Kf8 ({Although it makes no difference in regard to the evaluation} 17... f5 {was more precise as it prevents White's central expansion with e4. Black is in no hurry to activate the king.}) {Thus, White should have taken advantage of this decision and played e4.} 18. Kf2 Ke7 19. Bb3 a5 20. Rxd8 Rxd8 21. Rd1 {[#]} Rc8 {It is easier to generate winning chances with more pieces on the board.} 22. Rd4 Bb5 23. a3 Rc1 24. Rd1 Rc5 25. Rd4 Bc6 {Relocating my bishop and liberating the b5-square for my rook.} 26. Rd2 {[#] Up to this point, I had been gradually improving my pieces and position over the last few moves. The position remained equal and relatively easy to play, allowing me to keep an eye on my teammates' games. I do not recall the exact timing or order of events, but Oksana won, Penny drew, and Yunshan lost, meaning my result would decide the match outcome—the pressure was on. In this moment, I started thinking more deeply, as pushing pawns is a long-term commitment that cannot be undone.} a4 {Taking more space on the queenside and fixing White's pawns.} 27. Bc2 f5 {And now taking more space on the kingside and creating a path for my king via f6.} 28. Ke2 Kf6 29. Kd1 Rc4 {With the idea of maybe playing f4.} 30. Bd3 Rh4 31. h3 f4 {[#] This was the only plan I found to create some play.} 32. Ke2 {exf4 was also a possibility.} (32. e4 $2 Rh5 $15 {weakens the kingside and limits White's light-squared bishop for no good reason.}) 32... Ke5 33. Rc2 fxe3 34. Kxe3 f5 35. Rc5+ Kd6 36. Ra5 Rh5 {The idea is to regroup my rook to the g-file and at the same time I am threatening ...f4+ winning the .} 37. Ra8 Rg5 38. Kf2 {This move is positionally inaccurate, as it concedes control of the f4-square.} (38. g4 fxg4 39. hxg4 $11 {was best to maintain equality.}) 38... f4 $1 {[#] Black is very satisfied with this outcome, as White's kingside pawns are weak, being fixed on light squares. Additionally, both sides should aim to place their pawns on dark squares to avoid restricting the light-squared bishop and to gain more control over the board.} 39. Rf8 $2 (39. Rd8+ {needed to be played to either misplace the king, misplace the bishop or cut off the rook from reaching the c/d-files. This would prevent Black from infiltrating the first or second rank, significantly activating the rook.}) 39... Rd5 $8 {[#]} 40. Rd8+ {At this critical moment, I had just under 8 minutes to decide where to move my king before reaching the 40-move mark and gaining an additional 30 minutes on the clock.} (40. Ke2 Bb5 $8 41. Bxb5 Rxb5 42. Rd8+ (42. Rxf4 Rxb2+ $19) 42... Kc5 $1 43. Rd2 Kc4 $17 {Black's rook and king are too active while White is still struggling with a weak pawn structure.}) 40... Ke5 $2 (40... Kc5 $1 41. Rxd5+ exd5 $1 {Analysis Diagram [#] Planning ...d4 or ...b5 was the way to go. I failed to evaluate it as winning.} 42. Ke1 (42. g3 fxg3+ 43. Kxg3 Kd4 44. Bc2 Ke3 $19) 42... Bb5 43. Bf5 (43. Bc2 d4 44. Kd2 Bf1 $19) 43... Kd4 44. Kd2 Bf1 45. Ke1 Bd3 $19) 41. Rxd5+ Kxd5 42. h4 Kd4 43. Bc2 e5 44. Ke2 e4 45. fxe4 Bxe4 {[#]} 46. Bxa4 (46. Bxe4 $4 Kxe4 47. h5 (47. Kf2 h5 48. Ke2 b6 49. Kd2 f3 $19 {and wins the h-pawn.}) 47... b6 48. Kf2 Kf5 $19) 46... Bxg2 47. Bb5 {The position is completely equal. White can shuffle without too much thought or even try to trade the b-pawn.} Bd5 48. Kf2 Be4 49. Be2 b6 50. Bb5 Ke5 51. Bd7 Bd3 52. Kf3 Bc2 53. Kf2 Bd1 54. Ke1 Bb3 55. Kf2 Bc4 56. Kf3 Bd5+ 57. Kf2 Ke4 58. Bb5 f3 59. Bf1 Kd4 60. Bb5 Bb7 61. Bf1 Bc6 62. Ba6 b5 $1 {Critical Position Active or Passive? Liquidate/solidify the queenside with b3 & a4 (putting the  on c4 if ...b3), or something more passive?   [#]   The position is still equal but now White has to be more precise. After several hours of continuous pressure, my opponent finally cracked, making a decisive mistake that settled the game. With six minutes on the clock, she quickly played} 63. b3 $4 {Attempting to trade Black's b-pawn for White's a/b pawns.} (63. Bc8 Kd3 64. Bf5+ Kd2 {and with the  at a safe distance White can safely liquidate the queenside:} 65. b3 Kc3 66. a4 bxa4 67. bxa4 Bxa4 68. Kxf3 $11) 63... Kc3 $1 64. a4 b4 $8 65. Bc8 ({I think my opponent missed this when calculating 63. b3:} 65. Bc4 $2 {is the only way to protect the b3-pawn, but it fails to} Bxa4 $8 66. bxa4 Kxc4 $19) 65... Kxb3 66. a5 Ka4 {Black has to run after the a-pawn to put a stop to it.} 67. a6 Ka5 {[#]} 68. Ke3 (68. Bb7 Kb6 $1 {neutralizes all threats, as the Black bishop is protected and the king remains close enough to stop the a8-pawn if White attempts to push it.} 69. Bxc6 (69. a7 Kxb7) 69... Kxc6 $19) 68... Kb6 69. Kd2 Bb5 70. Ke3 Bxa6 71. Be6 Be2 {White resigned, as Black's task is now straightforward. This game meant a lot to me. First, I am not the type of player who trades queens early. I prefer keeping pieces on the board to maximize winning chances. Second, I have little experience in such positions, as I usually avoid them, believing they are too drawish. That is why I am especially proud of how I kept generating chances, fighting throughout, and ultimately securing the win. I believe one of the key differences between good players and stronger ones is their ability to create winning chances even in equal or slightly worse positions. This game reinforced that my hard work was paying off, that I was improving, and that I could maintain or even increase my rating—I had recently reached 2300 and was working to keep it. During the game, I kept reminding myself, Magnus would win this—so what would he do? Somehow, that mindset worked! Lastly, this game had a huge impact on my tournament at the Olympiad. My win was critical for securing the match victory, and it also set me up in the best possible mood before the rest day. I believe that break helped me relax and led to strong play and a great performance for the remainder of the tournament.} 0-1

[Event "45th World Chess Olympiad"]
[Site "Budapest"]
[Date "2024.09.18"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Black "Stefanova, Antoaneta"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2318"]
[BlackElo "2416"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[GameId "2091568094667925"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This is Round 7 of the Women's World Chess Olympiad. We are facing Bulgaria, the 10th seed. Canada is lower rated on all boards. Therefore, as White, I felt the need to push for a win to give the team a chance to draw or perhaps even win the match.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 {[#]} 6. Bxf6 (6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5 9. Be2 $11 {was also a possible continuation as White has a lot of compensation for the pawn.}) 6... Qxf6 7. e3 g6 8. Be2 {The idea was to step away from well-known theoretical lines, surprise my opponent a bit and get a game.} (8. Bd3 {is the most played move and is probably what she expected.}) 8... Bg7 9. e4 Qd8 (9... dxe4 10. Nxe4 Qf4 11. Qc2 c5 12. dxc5 O-O 13. O-O a5 14. Rfd1 $11 {Black has enough compensation for the pawn, and might continue with ...d7, ...c6 and ...a6/c6.}) 10. e5 O-O 11. O-O {[#]} Nd7 (11... dxc4 {Black should counterattack in the center before White has the opportunity to consolidate, thereby preventing White from maintaining a strong central presence and, by extension, the space advantage.} 12. Bxc4 c5 13. dxc5 Nd7 14. Qe2 Nxc5 15. Rad1 Qe7 {Black does not have any problems.}) 12. Qc2 ({The same applies for White. Consolidating the center with a move like} 12. Re1 {was best.} dxc4 13. Bxc4 b5 14. Bf1 c5 15. dxc5 $11) 12... dxc4 13. Bxc4 c5 {[#] Had White's pawn on e5 been better protected, it could have been considered a strength. However, Black's counterattack in the center occurred before White was fully prepared to respond. As a result, the e5-pawn has become a weakness that requires constant defense, allowing Black to seize the initiative.} 14. Rad1 cxd4 15. Nxd4 $2 {I was unwilling to spend the remainder of the game under pressure, defending the weak e5-pawn. Therefore, I opted for a riskier approach, fully aware that the engine might not approve of it.} (15. Rxd4 $15 {White is not losing, but will have to work hard to preserve the weak e5-pawn.}) {[#] After thinking for 30 minutes! my opponent surprisingly opted for} 15... Qc7 $2 (15... Nxe5 16. Nxe6 Qh4 17. Nxf8 Qxc4 18. Nxg6 fxg6 19. Rd8+ Kh7 $17 {is a continuation that I saw. I was uncertain about the evaluation, as my rook on d8 would be quite active, while Black's king would remain relatively weak. However, I was not particularly pleased with the idea of giving up two minor pieces in exchange for a rook.}) 16. Ncb5 Qxe5 17. Rfe1 Qc5 18. Nxe6 $1 fxe6 19. Rxd7 Kh8 (19... Bxd7 20. Bxe6+ $18 {winning the queen.}) 20. Rc7 Qb6 {[#] Critical Position} 21. Re3 $4 {Looking back, this was a terrible mistake for several reasons. First, d1 was completely winning. Second, I only spent five minutes on this move when I should have taken more time, especially since I had over thirty minutes more on the clock than my opponent. Third, in the following moves, I kept looking for ways to make d3 work, which made d1 even more obvious in hindsight.} (21. Rd1 $1 {White is threatening to play d6 or xg6 now that the rook is no longer hanging on e1 after Black plays xf2+. For example:} a6 22. Qxg6 Qxf2+ 23. Kh1 Qf6 24. Qxf6 Bxf6 25. Nd6 $18 {White has complete control over the position and will soon gain a material advantage by taking the pawns on b7 and e6.}) 21... e5 22. Bd3 $2 (22. Qc3 {would have maintained the edge, but by this point, I believe I was psychologically unsettled, knowing that I had missed my opportunity.}) 22... Be6 23. Qc5 $6 Qxc5 24. Rxc5 {[#]} Rac8 $2 (24... Rad8 $17 {Black's pieces have a lot of potential, which is why avoiding trades is favorable.}) 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. h4 {Grabs space on the kingside, limits Black's pawns and prevents any backrank checkmates.} Bf6 27. Bxg6 Bxh4 28. Nc3 {[#] Repositions the knight and prevents Black from infiltrating the 1st rank. xe5 is now a threat.} Rc5 29. f4 Kg7 30. Bd3 Bf6 31. f5 Bf7 32. Rg3+ Kf8 33. Be4 $2 {Is an inaccuracy as it allows Black to generate decent play on the queenside with ...b5.} (33. Ne4 Rc1+ 34. Kh2 Bd8 35. Rh3 $11) 33... b5 $1 34. a3 a5 35. Rd3 {Anticipating ...b4 and preparing d5.} b4 36. axb4 axb4 37. Nd5 Bg5 38. b3 Rc1+ 39. Kf2 Bh4+ 40. g3 Rc2+ 41. Ke1 Bh5 {[#]} 42. gxh4 (42. Re3 {preventing e2+ was best.} Rc1+ 43. Kf2 Bg5 44. Re1 $11) 42... Re2+ 43. Kf1 Rxe4 44. Re3 $2 {Is a mistake as Black's bishop can easily capture the b3-pawn, while the Black king will reach the f5-pawn quickly.} (44. Kf2 Rxh4 45. Re3 $11 {White will soon capture Black's e5-pawn and regain material equality.}) 44... Rxe3 45. Nxe3 Bf7 {[#]} 46. Nc2 $2 (46. Ng4 Bxb3 47. Nxe5 Bc2 48. Ke1 Bxf5 49. Kd2 {[#]  Analysis Diagram The position is completely equal since Black will not be able to protect the b-pawn, while the remaining h-pawn is not sufficient to win. For example:} Kg7 50. Nc6 b3 51. Kc3 Be6 52. Nd4 Bd5 53. Nxb3 Bxb3 54. Kxb3 Kg6 55. Kc3 Kh5 56. Kd3 Kxh4 57. Ke2 Kg3 58. Kf1 $11) 46... Bxb3 47. Nxb4 Kf7 48. Kf2 Kf6 49. Ke3 Kxf5 50. Nc6 Bd5 51. Nb4 Be4 52. Na6 Ba8 53. Nc5 {[#] In order to win, Black needs to capture White's h-pawn while avoiding any repetitions or Zugzwangs.} e4 $2 (53... Kg4 54. Nd3 e4 $19 {followed by ...xh4. White can win the e-pawn, but cannot get to f1 to stop promotion.}) 54. h5 Bc6 {[#]} 55. Kd4 $4 (55. Nb3 Kg5 56. Nd4 Bb7 57. Nb5 $1 (57. Ne6+ $4 Kxh5 58. Nc5 Bc6 59. Kf4 Kh4 $19) 57... Kxh5 58. Nd6 Bd5 59. Kf4 $3 Kg6 (59... Kh4 60. Nf5+ Kh5 61. Ng3+ $11) 60. Nxe4) 55... Kf4 56. Ne6+ {[#]} Kg4 $4 {With seconds on the clock, it is understandable why Black did not wish to allow White to promote a queen.} (56... Kf3 $1 57. Ng5+ hxg5 58. h6 e3 59. h7 e2 60. h8=Q e1=Q 61. Qf6+ Kg4 62. Qxc6 Qf2+ $1 {White cannot avoid the queen trade.} 63. Ke5 (63. Kc4 Qc2+ $19) (63. Kc3 Qf3+ $19) (63. Kd3 Qf3+ $19) 63... Qf5+ 64. Kd4 (64. Kd6 Qf6+) 64... Qf4+ $19 {and wherever the  moves, Black forces off the queens with a check and promotes the g-pawn.}) 57. Ke3 Kxh5 58. Kf4 Kh4 59. Nd4 {[#] Black cannot make any progress.} Bd7 (59... Bb7 60. Nf5+ Kh5 61. Nd6 Bc6 62. Nf5 $11) (59... Ba8 60. Nf5+ Kh5 61. Ng3+ Kh4 (61... Kg6 62. Nxe4 $11) 62. Nf5+ {with a draw by repetition.}) 60. Kxe4 $11 {Now all White has to do is sacrifice the knight in exchange for the h-pawn.} Kg4 61. Ke3 h5 62. Kf2 Kh3 63. Ne2 h4 64. Nf4+ Kg4 65. Ng6 Bf5 66. Nxh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sevilla"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2025.01.18"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Black "Marin, Mihail"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2319"]
[BlackElo "2431"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[GameId "2135571499819041"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Qa4+ {[#] This game features a sideline in the Grünfeld Defense that is not widely known, allowing me to step away from the mainline theory and get a game.  The move a4+ slightly disrupts Black's queenside development. Black has four common replies: d7, c6, d7, and d7; but each one is a concession:  - ...d7: the knight is more active on c6;  - ...c6: the c-pawn belongs on c5 to counterattack the center; - ...d7: blocks the queenside minors; - ...d7: is less active than its usual g4 or b7.  So, while a4+ may initially seem like a loss of tempo, White often regains it in other ways, leaving Black's coordination slightly compromised.} Nd7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Be2 c5 10. Qa3 {[#] The point of a4+ is to force Black to exchange the c- and d-pawns before the knight can move away from d7 to a more active square. Once the pawns are traded, White's queen gains activity by exerting pressure along the a3-f8 diagonal, creating additional challenges for Black's development.} cxd4 11. cxd4 Nb6 {A decent alternative to ...f6, which is best. This was my first time reaching this position.} 12. Bg5 f6 13. Bd2 {[#] The idea behind retreating the bishop to d2 instead of e3, where it could provide additional protection to the d4-pawn, is based on anticipating Black's next move: ...f5. My reply to f5 will be ...e5, which relinquishes control of the d5-square. This allows Black's knight to occupy d5 and target my bishop on e3. Additionally, the bishop on e3 would be vulnerable to a future f-pawn push, making d2 a safer and more practical square for the bishop.} f5 14. Bb4 $2 (14. Qb3+ Kh8 15. e5 $14 {was the way to go.}) {[#] Critical Position} 14... Re8 $2 (14... fxe4 $8 15. Bxe7 Qd5 $8 $19 {blocking the a2-g8 diagonal with the queen was the critical detail I missed, and Black is now winning!  If I play xf8, Black can respond with xf8, attacking my queen while my knight on f3 remains hanging. The reason d5 is such a game-changer is that it blocks the a2-g8 diagonal, preventing me from playing the intermediate move b3+, which would have saved my queen and allowed me to protect my knight next. With the knight now hanging, moving it would leave the d4-pawn vulnerable, as well as expose the a1-h8 diagonal, further weakening White's position.} (15... Qc7 $2 16. Bxf8 Bxf8 17. Qb3+ {I had calculated something like this and evaluated it as winning for me.}) (15... Qe8 {preventing xf8 due to ...exf3!} 16. Ne5 $14)) 15. Qb3+ {Forcing ...e6 to provoke exf5 gxf5, which weakens the Black king and his pawn structure.} e6 (15... Kh8 $2 16. Ng5 $18) 16. exf5 gxf5 17. O-O {My king is safe and my pieces are active.} Bd7 18. Ne5 {[#] Limiting Black's key dark-squared bishop, opening the third rank for my queen, and making it more difficult for Black to play ...c6, thereby preventing access to the strong a8-h1 diagonal.} Ba4 $2 ({As unpleasant as it is to play,} 18... Bxe5 $5 {was the only move that avoided reaching a considerably worse position.} 19. dxe5 Bc6 20. Rad1 $14) 19. Qg3 $1 {[#]} Nd5 (19... Qxd4 20. Bc3 {White's active pieces are too strong. Here are some examples on how to carry out the attack:} Qc5 21. Rac1 Qe7 22. Bb2 $1 Nd5 23. Bh5 Rf8 (23... Rec8 24. Bf7+ Kh8 (24... Kf8 25. h4 $18 {with a winning attack.}) 25. Ng6+ hxg6 26. Qh3+ $18) 24. Ba3 Nb4 25. Bxb4 Qxb4 26. Rc7 $18) 20. Bd2 Rc8 $2 {It may seem like a regular move, but it allows me to achieve a dream position where all my pieces contribute to the attack.} (20... Qb6 21. Bh5 Qxd4 {is still bad, but offered more resistance.}) 21. Rac1 Bc6 22. Bh6 {[#]} Qe7 (22... Re7 23. Bg5 $18) (22... Qc7 23. Bh5 Rf8 24. Bf3 $18 {Black's pieces are too inactive and under attack, while the Black king is still very weak.}) (22... Rc7 23. Bh5 Rf8 24. Nxc6 bxc6 25. Rxc6 $18) 23. Rfe1 $1 {[#] Bringing the last piece into the action by adding pressure on e6!} Kf8 {All other lines inevitably lose some material.} (23... Kh8 24. Bh5 Rf8 (24... Bxh6 25. Nf7+ $18) 25. Nxc6 Rxc6 26. Rxc6 bxc6 27. Rxe6 $1 $18) (23... Rc7 24. Bh5 Rf8 25. Nxc6 bxc6 26. Bxg7 Qxg7 27. Rxe6 $18) (23... Nf6 24. Nxc6 bxc6 25. Bc4 {xe6+ or xe6 cannot be stopped.}) 24. Bg5 Bf6 25. Bd2 Bxe5 26. Qxe5 Qg7 27. Bh5 $1 {[#]} Nf6 {Threatening ...xh5 and ...xg2#.} (27... Re7 28. Bh6 $3 Qxh6 29. Qh8#) (27... Qxe5 28. Rxe5 Re7 29. Bg5 {wins the e6 pawn as the rook cannot keep protecting it.}) 28. Rxc6 bxc6 (28... Nxh5 29. Rxe6 $18) (28... Rxc6 29. Bb4+ Kg8 30. Bxe8 Nxe8 31. Qb8 Qd7 32. d5 $18) 29. Bxe8 Rxe8 30. Qd6+ Kf7 31. Qxc6 {[#]} Nd5 32. Qa4 Re7 33. Bc1 {Reactivating the bishop on the a3-f8 diagonal.} Nb6 34. Qb4 Rd7 35. Ba3 $1 {[#]} Nd5 (35... Rxd4 36. Qe7+ $18) (35... Qxd4 36. Qf8+ Kg6 37. Rxe6+ {followed by checkmate soonafter.}) 36. Qb8 {Maintains the pressure on the back rank and the a7 pawn, restricting the Black rook. Additionally, it introduces the potential threat of c8.} Nf6 37. Qc8 Qg8 38. Qc5 {[#]} Nd5 $2 (38... Ne4 {was better, but still objectively losing.}) 39. Rxe6 $1 Qg4 (39... Kxe6 40. Qc6+ Kf7 41. Qxd7+ $18) 40. f3 {[#] Blocking the queen's access to d1 and making the f2-square available for my king.} Qf4 41. Re5 Nf6 42. Qc4+ (42. Rxf5 Qe3+ 43. Kf1 {is still winning, but messier and unecessary.}) 42... Kg6 43. Re6 {[#]} Rb7 (43... Rxd4 44. Rxf6+ Kg5 (44... Kxf6 45. Bb2 Qe3+ 46. Kf1 $18 {with no more checks for Black.}) 45. h4+ Qxh4 46. Qe2 Kxf6 47. Qe7+) (43... Qxd4+ 44. Qxd4 Rxd4 45. Rxf6+ Kxf6 46. Bb2 {with a winning endgame for White.}) 44. Qd3 Rd7 45. g3 {As the d4-pawn still cannot be taken for the same reasons as before.} Qc7 46. Kg2 {Making my king safer.} Rd5 47. Qa6 {The knight cannot be protected as e7 is coming. My opponent could have resigned but instead, he lost on time.   Overall, I am extremely happy with my play, as I calculated quite accurately (except for missing d5 earlier). Positions arising from the Grünfeld or the King's Indian Defense are typically better for White but can be very tricky to navigate. Staying sharp and consistent in such positions is challenging, which makes me even more pleased with how accurately I played.   Lastly, Mihail Marin is a legend in the chess world, known for his deep understanding of strategic play, his highly regarded chess books, and his extensive annotations of top-level games for ChessBase, many of which are available in the Mega Database. As a former 2600+ player, his expertise and accomplishments are highly respected, making this win all the more satisfying!} 1-0

[Event "Slovak Extraliga"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2025.02.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Juhasz, Agoston"]
[Black "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2425"]
[BlackElo "2333"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[GameId "2161887213478062"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[EventType "team"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 {I have recently started playing 1...e5 as Black and have achieved good results against higher-rated opponents.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 $5 {[#] The Cozio Defense!  It is the sixth most popular move in this position and is generally not very well known. Some of my games were already in the database, so my opponent could have anticipated that I would play this.} 4. Nc3 Ng6 5. h4 {This was a line I had never encountered before, so I had no experience in this variation. However, I had studied it previously since it was included in my file.} Nd4 6. h5 (6. Bc4 {was also possible.} h5 7. Ng5 d5 {From this moment forward, the position becomes very complex for both sides and is filled with tactical possibilities. With precise play, White maintains a slight advantage.}) 6... Nf4 {[#]} 7. Nxd4 (7. Nxe5 Nxg2+ 8. Kf1 Nh4 9. d3 Nxb5 10. Nxb5 d6 11. Nf3 Nxf3 12. Qxf3 Be6 $11 {with a comfortable position for Black.}) 7... exd4 8. Qf3 Bd6 9. Ne2 Nxe2 10. Bxe2 h6 {[#]} 11. d3 (11. Bc4 O-O 12. d3 Bb4+ 13. Kd1 a5 $11 {was also a possible continuation.}) 11... a5 12. a3 $146 {Prevents ...b4+.} (12. Qg4 Bb4+ 13. Kd1 Qf6 {Black does not have any problems.}) 12... a4 $1 {Expanding on the queenside while preserving the option of playing a6.} (12... O-O 13. g4 $14) 13. Qg4 Be5 14. f4 Bf6 {[#]} 15. Qf3 (15. e5 $6 d6 16. Qg3 dxe5 17. fxe5 Bg5 {White's attack is neutralized, and the trade of dark-squared bishops is welcomed. Additionally, the e5-pawn may become a weakness in the long run.}) 15... O-O $6 {This is dangerous and not at all in the spirit of the position. White gains significant attacking chances.} (15... d6 {followed by ...a6-b6 would have maintained equality.}) 16. Bd2 Ra6 $1 {[#] Activates the rook, initiates some counterplay on the queenside and keeps an eye on the kingside!} 17. g4 {Not a mistake, but definitely felt like an inaccuracy due to the loss of tempos.} (17. O-O-O {followed by g4 was more precise.}) 17... Bh4+ 18. Kf1 (18. Kd1 Be7 19. Qg2 $14 {White's attacking chances remain present, while the king is better positioned away from the action, on the queenside.}) 18... Rb6 19. Rb1 Be7 20. Kg2 d5 $11 {[#]} 21. Ba5 $2 (21. e5 $11 {keeps the position closed, which is safer for White's king.}) 21... Rb5 (21... Rc6 22. Rbc1 dxe4 23. dxe4 g5 $1 $17 {This maneuver would have enabled me to open up the position where it is White who is in danger!}) 22. Be1 c5 (22... c6 $17 {was better and offered more stability.}) (22... Bxa3 $4 {fails to} 23. bxa3 Rxb1 24. Bh4 $18) 23. Bd2 f6 {[#] Preventing g5 and stopping White's attack once and for all.} 24. exd5 f5 {Now that the e-pawn is no longer controlling the f5-square this move is now possible. The idea is to open the position on the kingside to activate my bishops and my rook on f8.} 25. gxf5 (25. g5 hxg5 26. fxg5 Bxg5 27. Bxg5 Qxg5+ 28. Kf2 $11) 25... Bxf5 26. b3 {[#]} Qb8 $2 (26... axb3 27. a4 Rb4 $1 28. cxb3 ({editor - that exchange on b4 isn't cheap:} 28. Bxb4 $2 bxc2 $19 29. Rbc1 cxb4 30. Rxc2 Bd6 $19 {Despite being a full exchange up, White would be lost: her  and f4-pawn are weak, and her  is trash and if she tries to trade it with, say} 31. Qg3 {hoping for g4, Black has} Bxf4 $3 $19) 28... Bd6 $15 {Black is slightly better due to the strong bishops, White's broken pawn structure and vulnerable king.}) 27. bxa4 $1 Rxb1 28. Rxb1 Bd6 29. Qg3 (29. a5 $14 {White's queenside activity is very strong and offers a lot of potential.}) 29... Bd7 30. Rf1 Rf5 {[#] Threatening ...g5, winning the queen.} (30... Bxa4 {was best.}) 31. Qh4 ({We both saw this:} 31. Bg4 $1 Rg5 $1 32. fxg5 Bxg3 33. Bxd7 hxg5 34. Bxg5 Qd6 35. Be6+ $16 {We were both low on time, which is why I believe my opponent did not pursue it, despite it appearing very dominating and easy for White to play.}) 31... Rxd5 32. Bf3 Rf5 33. Be4 Rf6 34. a5 Qc7 35. Kh1 Bc6 36. f5 c4 37. Bb4 Bxb4 38. axb4 cxd3 39. cxd3 Qf7 {[#]} 40. Kg1 (40. Bxc6 bxc6 $16) 40... Bxe4 41. Qxe4 ({editor -} 41. dxe4 $5 {is also equal and complex.}) 41... Qxh5 42. Qxb7 Qg5+ 43. Qg2 Qe3+ 44. Kh1 Qxd3 45. Rg1 Rf7 46. f6 {[#]} g5 (46... Qf5 {was a much easier path to a draw.}) 47. Rf1 Qb5 $2 (47... Qc4 {was the only move possible to maintain a 0.00 position according to the engine.}) 48. Qa8+ Rf8 49. Qf3 {[#]} Qxb4 $4 (49... d3 50. Qe4 Kh8 51. Qd4 $1 $16) 50. a6 $4 (50. Qe4 {is completely winning for White.} Kh8 (50... Rf7 51. Qg6+ Kf8 52. Rc1 $18) 51. Qg6 Qb7+ 52. Kg1 {Analysis Diagram [#]} Qh7 53. Qg7+ $3 {the brilliant move I missed.} Qxg7 54. fxg7+ Kxg7 55. Rxf8 Kxf8 56. a6 $18) 50... Qc3 $4 51. Qf5 Rf7 52. Qe6 $4 (52. a7 Qc6+ 53. Kg1 $18) 52... Qd3 $6 (52... Qe3 {was more precise, but I only saw it after the move I played.}) 53. Kg2 Qe3 $11 {[#]Critical Position What happens if e1?} 54. Qd5 (54. Re1 $1 {would have been a great attempt to try to win, as it is very tricky for Black to defend the position, particularly under time pressure.} Qxe6 $8 55. Rxe6 Rf8 $1 ({editor -} 55... Ra7 $4 56. Re8+ Kf7 57. Re7+ $18) 56. Re7 d3 $8 $11 {Without this resource, Black is just completely lost.  Analysis Diagram [#] editor - Here's how it might end, illustrating some of the tricks MJ referred to:} 57. Rg7+ (57. a7 $4 {now loses} d2 $8 $19 58. Rg7+ Kh8 59. Rd7 Ra8 $8 60. f7 Kg7 $8 $19 {everything else loses, but now ...xa7 wins.}) 57... Kh8 58. Rd7 Ra8 $1 59. Rxd3 (59. a7 $4 d2 $8 $19 {trades the a- and d- pawns, but Black will win the f-pawn and the game.}) 59... Kg8 $8 $11 (59... Rxa6 $4 60. Rd8+ Kh7 61. f7 $18) 60. Rd6 h5 $11) 54... Qe2+ 55. Rf2 Qg4+ (55... Qxa6 {was also possible. The position is equal and a draw would have been the most likely outcome. However, this was a team tournament, and after such a chaotic game, I did not want to risk losing. I later learned that a draw was all we needed to narrowly win the match, 4.5 - 3.5.}) 56. Kh2 Qh4+ 57. Kg2 Qg4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Stockholm GM RR"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2025.05.06"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Black "Galperin, Platon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "E71"]
[WhiteElo "2305"]
[BlackElo "2494"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "14165414"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[GameId "2281270692021548"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This is round 8 of a double GM round-robin in Sweden. I lost the first game with Black; now I get a chance to avenge myself.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 {[#] A nice line that I often play against the King's Indian. In my opinion, it is very practical and easy to play for an advantage while staying away from mainline theory.} O-O 6. Be3 Na6 7. Bd3 c6 8. Qd2 e5 9. d5 Nc5 10. Bc2 cxd5 11. cxd5 Nfd7 $6 {[#] A more active move like ...d7 or ...a5 to prevent b4 is much better.} 12. b4 Na6 13. a3 Nb6 14. Bd3 f5 {[#] Right in the spirit of the KID.} 15. f3 $5 (15. Bg5 Bf6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. Nf3 $14 {is a much more stable alternative, as it does not weaken my kingside.}) 15... Bd7 (15... Bf6 {heading to h4 would improve Black's DSB.}) 16. Nge2 Rc8 17. O-O f4 18. Bf2 g5 $6 (18... Bf6 19. Nb5 Bxb5 20. Bxb5 Nc7 21. Bd3 Bh4 $14 {White has more space and better piece harmony.}) 19. Nb5 {[#]} Rf6 {If I recall correctly, my opponent offered me a draw here, which I obviously declined. My pieces are active and well-coordinated, I have more space, and my king is safe.} (19... Bxb5 20. Bxb5 h5 21. g4 $1 $16 {Black's attack on the kingside is stopped. I am better for many reasons, including the pawn structure, space advantage, the bishop pair, and piece activity.} hxg4 (21... fxg3 22. Nxg3 $18 {trading h5 for f3 is equal material, but White gets e2-g4 and the black  is doomed - editor.}) 22. hxg4 $16) 20. Nxa7 Ra8 21. Bxa6 $5 (21. Nc6 bxc6 22. dxc6 Bxc6 23. b5 Bxb5 24. Bxb5 $18 {was more precise.}) 21... Rxa7 (21... bxa6 22. Nc6 $18) 22. Bd3 h5 23. Rfc1 g4 $5 {[#] Fully committing to the attack. Although the engine does not agree with this move, it is, in my opinion, a practical option as Black's pieces are very badly misplaced, and so if Black does nothing, I would have an easy game and could afford to take my time to make small improvements and eventually obtain a decisive advantage.} 24. Bh4 Nc8 (24... gxh3 25. Nc3 $18 {White does not have to be afraid, as Black's pieces cannot easily join the attack.} (25. gxh3 $4 Rg6+ $1 $19)) 25. Kh1 {I am in no hurry to capture the rook and help Black activate his pieces. Instead, I removed my king from the g-file, which could be opened at any moment.} Ne7 26. Bxf6 Bxf6 27. Qc2 {[#]} b5 {Covering the c7-square and perhaps helping the Black rook get back into the game.} (27... gxh3 28. gxh3 Bxh3 29. Ng1 Bd7 30. Qc7 $18) 28. Nc3 {As Black just created a new weakness that is easy to attack, I redirected my focus to the b5-pawn. It is important to note that Black cannot make any progress on the kingside without weakening his own king.} Qb8 29. Qe2 Rb7 {[#]} 30. a4 (30. Bxb5 $5 {was possible} Bxb5 31. Nxb5 Rxb5 32. fxg4 $18 {My position is so dominant that I can sacrifice a piece for two pawns and still be completely winning.}) 30... bxa4 31. b5 {I created a passed pawn, took more space, restricted Black's pieces, and am about to take on a4, opening the a-file for my rooks.} Ng6 32. Rxa4 gxh3 33. gxh3 {[#]} Bh4 (33... Bxh3 34. Qa2 $18 {White has a great position and Black has no attack.}) 34. Qa2 Qc7 35. Qg2 Kh7 36. Ne2 {Preventing Black from blocking the g-file with ...g3 and gaining a tempo on the queen.} Qd8 37. Rca1 Qb6 38. Ra8 {Controlling some squares around the king and preventing Black from playing the defensive move ...e8. I am threatening g1 next.} Bf2 {[#]} 39. Nxf4 $3 exf4 (39... Nxf4 40. Qg8+ Kh6 41. Qh8+ Kg5 42. Rg8+ Ng6 43. f4+ {followed by mate eventually; e.g.} exf4 44. Rxg6+ Kxg6 45. e5+ $18) 40. e5 $1 {Opening the diagonal for my bishop.} Bg3 41. e6 Bxb5 42. Bxg6+ Kxg6 43. Qc2+ Kg5 44. Rg8+ Kh4 45. Qf5 Be8 46. Rg4+ $1 {[#] With either xg4 or xf4 mate. Black resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Women's World Cup"]
[Site "Batumi, Georgia"]
[Date "2025.07.07"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Borda Rodas, Anapaola S"]
[Black "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "B59"]
[WhiteElo "2247"]
[BlackElo "2350"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[GameId "2281270692021550"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This is round 1, game 2 of the Women's World Cup. Every round, a player is eliminated under this knockout format. Unfortunately, I lost the first game with White. As a result, I had to win on demand to get to playoffs and get a chance at qualifying for round 2.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 $1 {[#] This is the Classical Sicilian. I prepared a lot for this game and based on my research, I strongly believed that my opponent did not have a lot of experience in this line. In addition, it was the first time I played it over the board and so I most likely surprised my opponent.} 6. Be2 {The third most popular continuation and most likely a good and simpler choice considering she probably was not ready for this line and did not know how to react properly.} e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Qd3 $5 {[#] A common idea in some Sicilan positions. In this context, it is an inaccuracy as White should focus on finishing her development. Normally, Black could equalize immediately with ...d5! Unfortunately, I am playing for a win and liquidating all the pieces in the opening would be a terrible idea.} O-O (8... d5 9. Nxd5 (9. exd5 Nb4 10. Qd1 O-O {Black has a very small edge.}) 9... Nxd5 10. exd5 Nb4 $11) 9. Nd5 $6 Nxd5 {I am very happy to trade the knights to provoke a change in pawn structure.} 10. exd5 Nb8 11. Bd2 {[#]} f5 {Expanding on the kingside.} (11... a5 12. a4 b6 13. O-O Ba6 14. c4 Nd7 $15 {was best.}) 12. Na5 $2 b6 13. Nc4 Bb7 $5 (13... Nd7 14. O-O a5 15. a4 Nc5 $17 {I should not try to capture the pawn, just stay flexible.}) 14. O-O-O Nd7 {[#]} 15. Kb1 (15. f4 exf4 $15 (15... e4 $2 16. Qa3 Bxd5 17. Bb4 $14)) 15... Qc7 {Threatening to pin the knight with ...a6 followed by placing a rook on c8.} 16. Na3 Nc5 17. Qc4 {[#] Threatening to win my knight with b4.} Qd7 (17... a6 18. b4 b5 19. Qc3 Rfb8 $1 20. bxc5 b4 $1 21. Qe3 bxa3 $19 {White's king is too weak.}) 18. Rhe1 a6 19. f4 $2 (19. Be3 $15 {White needs to reinforce the pawn on d5, activate the bishop to a better square and perhaps trade it for my strong knight on c5.}) 19... b5 20. Qb4 Bxd5 21. Be3 Qc6 22. g4 Be4 23. Ka1 Rab8 {[#] To protect the pawn and prepare ...a5 followed by ...b4.} 24. gxf5 Bxf5 25. Qd2 Be6 26. c4 b4 27. Nc2 a5 28. Bxc5 Qxc5 29. fxe5 dxe5 30. Ne3 {[#]} Bg5 $6 {I played it too fast and missed} (30... Bh4 $19 {followed by ...g5 was just game over, and White can't stop it with} 31. Rg1 {since} Bf2 $19 {is even worse.}) 31. Qd6 $1 Qxd6 32. Rxd6 {[#]} Bxe3 $4 (32... Bf7 33. Nd5 e4 $19 {another resource I misevaluated.}) 33. Rxe6 Bd4 34. c5 $8 a4 $2 (34... Bxc5 35. Rxe5 Bd6 36. Rxa5 Bxh2 $15) 35. Kb1 $2 {[#]Critical Position Which pawn to push?} (35. Bc4 Rbc8 36. c6 $11 {even though White is down a pawn, the position is equal because White's pieces are very active and the c6-pawn is very strong.}) 35... a3 $2 (35... b3 $1 36. a3 Rbc8 37. c6 (37. Bc4 Rxc5 $8 38. Rc6+ Rxc4 39. Rxc4 Rf2 $19 {editor -}) 37... Rf2 $19) 36. b3 $4 (36. Bc4 $11) 36... Rbc8 $4 (36... Bxc5 37. Rxe5 Bd4 $19 {Black is up a pawn and White's king is too weak.}) 37. c6 g6 38. Bc4 Kh8 39. Kc2 Rc7 40. Kd3 Bc3 41. Re2 Rd8+ {[#]} 42. Ke4 (42. Kc2 $11 {My material advantage is not strong enough to convert it into a win due to White's strong activity. As such, White does not need to activate her king as it becomes vulnerable to attacks.}) 42... Rd4+ 43. Kxe5 $4 Rxc4+ 44. Kd5 Rd4+ 45. Kc5 {[#] Critical Position The king's activity and the strong c6 passed pawn seem good enough for a draw if not a win. However, White missed...} Rdd7 $3 {The only winning move. The idea is to keep the c7-square under control and protect the rook on c7 without losing a tempo. It also prevents any rook trades by covering the 7th rank.} (45... Rf4 46. Re8+ Kg7 47. R2e7+ Rxe7 48. Rxe7+ Kf6 49. c7 Kxe7 50. c8=Q $11 {this was Black's second best line. According to the engine, it is equal, but of course any result is still possible.}) 46. Rd6 Rf7 47. Re8+ Kg7 48. Rdd8 Kh6 49. Rc8 Bd2 50. Rxc7 Rxc7 51. Kb6 Bf4 52. Re4 g5 {[#]} 53. h3 (53. Rxf4 $2 Rxc6+ 54. Kxc6 gxf4 $19 {and the f-pawn will promote.}) 53... Rf7 54. Rxb4 Kh5 55. Rc4 Kh4 56. b4 Kxh3 57. Rc3+ Kh4 58. Rxa3 g4 59. Rc3 g3 {White cannot prevent the g-pawn from promoting. My opponent resigned and I scored 2-0 in playoffs to qualify for round 2 against GM Vaishali Rameshbabu.} 0-1

[Event "Quebec Invitational"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2025.08.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Migot, Tangi"]
[Black "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "C00"]
[WhiteElo "2344"]
[BlackElo "2331"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "150"]
[GameId "2281270692009258"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This is round 2 of the Quebec Invitational, a tournament with 10 players.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d3 {This move surprised me. I expected him to go for either the Open Sicilian or the Rossolimo. Despite this surprise, I do not believe my opponent was well prepared. I am not sure what he expected me to play exactly, but I think he opted for this sideline just to avoid my preparation.} e6 4. g3 d5 5. Qe2 Nf6 6. Bg2 {[#] Here Black can develop normally with ...e7, castle, and start an attack on the queenside. However, I was in a fighting mood that day and thought} b6 {following by long-side castle would lead to a more double-edged game.} 7. O-O h6 $6 {[#] Too slow. I need to finish my development with ...b7 as soon as possible, especially considering I am already behind.} 8. Re1 {Slow.} (8. exd5 $142 Nxd5 9. c4 Nde7 10. b4 $1 Bb7 (10... cxb4 $2 11. d4 $1 $18) 11. b5 Nd4 12. Nxd4 Bxg2 13. Kxg2 Qxd4 14. Bb2 $16 {My opponent's pieces are more active and can be easily developed, his king is safe, and he has more space on the queenside. On the other hand, it will take many more moves for me to finish my development.}) 8... Bb7 9. a3 Be7 10. Nbd2 Qc7 11. c3 O-O-O $6 {[#]} 12. e5 (12. b4 g5 13. bxc5 Bxc5 14. Nb3 $16 {objectively White is better, but practically speaking, we are playing for three results.}) 12... Nd7 13. b4 g5 14. b5 {This is only a slight inaccuracy according to the engine; however, I think it is strategically much better to leave the pawn on b4 and maintain the tension.} Na5 15. h3 h5 (15... f5 $1 {enables me to improve my pieces.} 16. exf6 Bxf6 17. Bb2 Rde8 {editor - a super-tense position, with continuations like} 18. d4 e5 19. c4 $13) 16. Rb1 Rdg8 {[#]} 17. a4 $6 {is too slow. White needs to address Black's attack on the kingside.} (17. Nh2 {defends against my immediate threat of ...g4 and maintains a slight edge for White.}) 17... g4 18. hxg4 Rxg4 19. d4 Rg7 {To prepare ...h4 without having to worry about xh4, attacking my rook on g4.} 20. Nf1 h4 21. Bf4 Nf8 22. N1h2 {[#]} Nc4 {Is not a bad move but allows White to close the kingside with g4.} (22... hxg3 $142 23. fxg3 (23. Bxg3 Qd8 $19 {heading to g8.}) 23... Kb8 $17) 23. g4 $5 Ng6 24. Bc1 h3 25. Bh1 (25. Bf1 $15 {was a more active square for the bishop.}) 25... Kb8 26. g5 Nh4 27. Kf1 Qd8 {Loses the initiative to White's next.} (27... Nxf3 28. Nxf3 h2 {is the best way to maintain the attack.}) 28. Nxh4 Rxh4 29. f4 $1 {[#] Despite this awkward-looking structure, White's king is finally safe.} cxd4 30. cxd4 Ba3 31. Qf2 Qh8 {Not the right idea. Instead, ...gh7 was much better as it reactivates the rook and supports the h4 without removing the queen from a centralized position.} 32. Bxa3 Nxa3 33. Rb3 Nc4 34. Rc3 Rg8 35. Rd1 Rc8 36. Rdc1 $11 {[#]} a6 {Weakening White's queenside pawns without compromising my king safety.} 37. Qg3 Qh5 38. Ke1 Rh8 {[#]} 39. Qf3 ({editor - Here, and elsewhere, both sides have to consider exchange sacs on c4, which would turn the game from mostly maneuvering to sharp tactics:} 39. Rxc4 $5 dxc4 40. Bxb7 Kxb7 41. Rxc4 $8 {Threatening c3.} (41. bxa6+ $2 Kxa6 42. Rxc4 Qg6 $19) 41... Qg6 $132 ({Fighting for the c-file with} 41... Rc8 $4 {loses to the "steeplechase"} 42. bxa6+ Kb8 43. a7+ $18) 42. Qf3+ Kb8 $8 43. bxa6 Qb1+ 44. Kd2 Qb2+ 45. Kd3 (45. Ke3 $4 Qb3+ 46. Kf2 Rxf4 $8 $19) {Black has at least a draw with} 45... Qb3+ ({or can play on with} 45... Qg2 $5 46. Qe4 $1 $13) 46. Rc3 Qb1+ 47. Rc2 $1 Qb3+ $8 $11) 39... Qxf3 40. Rxf3 Bc8 {In order to reactivate the bishop to d7.} 41. Rc2 axb5 42. axb5 Bd7 {[#] White cannot protect the pawn on b5.} 43. Kf2 Bxb5 44. Kg3 Ba4 45. Rc1 R4h5 46. Rd3 (46. Ng4 {White needs to gain the exchange right away.} b5 47. Nh6 $11 {traps the rook on h5.}) 46... b5 47. Ng4 h2 48. Nh6 {[#]} b4 ({editor - SF18 claims that unnaturally self-pinning the  with} 48... Kc7 {is much better, but its reasons depend on "only moves" at the end of some tricky lines:} 49. Nxf7 Rh3+ 50. Kf2 (50. Kg2 Rxd3 51. Nxh8 Rxd4 52. Kg3 (52. g6 Rxf4 $8 $19) 52... Kd7 53. g6 Ne3 $8 $19 {hopping to f5.}) 50... Rxd3 51. Nxh8 Rxd4 52. g6 Rxf4+ $8 53. Kg3 Rf8 $8 $19) 49. Rb1 b3 50. Rdxb3+ Bxb3 51. Rxb3+ Kc7 {[#]} 52. Rc3 $2 {This move is just a waste of time, and it allows me to activate my king.} (52. Kg4 R5xh6 53. gxh6 Rxh6 54. Rh3 $15 {White is holding on.}) 52... Kb6 53. Kg4 R5xh6 54. gxh6 Rxh6 {[#]} 55. f5 ({editor - The game gets decided by the one tempo lost at move 52. Compared with the note at move 52 -- where the black king is on c7 -- here White loses after:} 55. Rh3 Rxh3 $8 56. Kxh3 Nd2 $1 {frees c4 and prevents f3-h5} 57. Kxh2 Kb5 $8 $19 {wins d4 while keeping the  shut down.} (57... Nb3 $2 58. Bf3 Nxd4 59. Bh5 $11)) 55... Nd2 56. Rc2 Ne4 57. fxe6 fxe6 {[#]} 58. Kf4 Kb5 59. Kf3 Kb4 60. Kg2 Nc3 61. Rf2 Ne4 62. Rc2 Kb3 63. Rc8 Rh4 64. Re8 Ng5 {[#]} 65. Kg3 ({editor -} 65. Rg8 Rg4+ 66. Kf2 Nh3+ $19) 65... Rxd4 66. Kxh2 Rg4 67. Bg2 Kc3 68. Ra8 d4 {[#]} 69. Kg1 Nf3+ 70. Kf2 Nxe5 71. Bh3 Re4 72. Rc8+ Kd2 73. Rd8 Nd3+ 74. Kf1 e5 75. Ra8 Re1+ {After White's last mistake, the conversion was relatively easy as White's bishop was too weak.} 0-1

[Event "Quebec Invitational"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2025.08.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Black "Lesiege, Alexandre"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "E71"]
[WhiteElo "2331"]
[BlackElo "2478"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[GameId "2281270692021549"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This is round 3 of the Quebec Invitational.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 {[#] I did not expect the King's Indian at all and after some consideration, I opted for my usual line as I think it is very solid and safe even if your opponent is expecting it and is prepared for it.} Nbd7 6. Bd3 e5 7. d5 Nc5 8. Bc2 a5 {[#] Here White has different possible setups with either e3 or g5, as well as f3 or ge2.} 9. Nge2 O-O 10. Bg5 {I believe I opted for this one because I had not played it recently and perhaps to get my opponent out of his preparation.} c6 11. O-O h6 (11... Bd7 12. dxc6 Bxc6 13. f3 Ne6 14. Bh4 Qc7 $14 {was best.}) 12. Be3 cxd5 13. cxd5 Bd7 14. a4 {[#] Taking space on the queenside and shutting down any ...b5 counterplay for the moment.} Rc8 (14... Rb8 {followed by ...b5 was still Black's best plan.}) 15. Qd2 h5 16. Kh1 Qb6 17. Nc1 {With the idea to playing d3 and trading Black's strong and active knight on c5.} Qb4 18. f3 h4 19. Nd3 Nxd3 20. Bxd3 Nh5 {[#]} 21. Ne2 $6 {I should not be afraid of Black's counterplay and should instead keep the queens on the board.} (21. Rfc1 {activating the rook to an open file and simultaneously addressing the threat of ...g3+.} f5 22. Kh2 fxe4 23. Nxe4 $16) 21... Qxd2 22. Bxd2 b6 23. Be3 {[#]} Rc5 $6 {I was very shocked by this move. I thought there were simpler means of tackling the position, but I imagine my opponent opted for this, since he saw there was great potential for counterplay. Indeed, his exchange sacrifice is not all bad, although it does shift the evaluation of the position in my favour.} (23... Rb8 {is too passive and allows White to control the c-file.} 24. Rfc1 f5 25. Nc3 $16) ({editor - here, or on the previous move, Black could have tried the KID-standard ...f5. It looks awful to give up b6 and d6, but Black gets enough activity; e.g.} 23... f5 $142 24. Bxb6 Rb8 25. Bc7 (25. Bxa5 Rxb2 {threatening ...xe2.}) 25... fxe4 26. fxe4 Rxf1+ 27. Rxf1 Rxb2 28. Bxd6 Bxa4 $11 ({or} 28... Rxe2 $13 {would create the kind of unbalanced position where Black might hope to outplay White.})) 24. Bxc5 bxc5 25. Bb5 {[#] Black cannot take my bishop because it would open the file for my rook on a1 and seriously weaken the a5-pawn. In addition, it would allow me to create a passed b-pawn. As a result, my move activates my bishop to a better square while forcing Black to retreat to a worse square.} Bc8 (25... Bxb5 26. axb5 $18) 26. Ra3 {There is only one file open for my rook. As a result, I am heading to the b-file!} Bh6 27. Rd1 {Removing all possibilities for Black to reactivate his dark-squared bishop -- and block the b-file -- via d2.} f5 28. exf5 $6 {I should not have exchanged the pawns and allowed Black to activate his pieces. A move like c4 or b3 was the way to go. [#]  Critical Position As every-Russian-schoolboy knows...} gxf5 {editor - Not this time, Ivan! With a lot more pieces on this would definitely be the capture to make: controlling e4 and opening the g-file are both good for Black in the KID. But here Black doesn't have the pieces for an attack, and since ...xh3 is never in the cards his LSB has no good squares.} (28... Bxf5 $142 $11 {Black has excellent control on the kingside dark squares, and the f5 makes grabbing the b-file with b3 problematic.}) 29. Rb3 Bg5 30. Bc4 {Opens up the file for the rook, with good squares on b5, b6 and b8.} Bd7 31. Rb6 Bxa4 32. b3 Be8 33. Rxd6 e4 34. Re6 {[#] Opening the f-file by trading the pawns is unnecessary and ill-advised as it would give Black some counterplay and weaken my king.} Bf7 35. Re5 Ng7 36. d6 Bxc4 37. bxc4 Be3 38. fxe4 f4 39. Re7 Rd8 40. Rd5 Kf8 41. Ra7 Ne6 42. Nc3 {[#] Controlling the b1-square and removing all mating threats and possible perpetuals.} Nd4 43. Rh5 Kg8 44. e5 Rb8 45. d7 Rd8 46. Ne4 Ne2 ({editor -} 46... Rb8 {threatens mate, but} 47. Nf6+ {mates first.}) 47. e6 Kg7 48. Rb7 {I remove all forms of counterplay by preventing Black from activating his rook via the b-file. I am threatening to play e7, and Black cannot stop it.} 1-0

[Event "Women's Grand Swiss"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2025.09.15"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Black "Salimova, Nurgyul"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2348"]
[BlackElo "2386"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "193"]
[GameId "2281270692013355"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This is the last round of the prestigeous Women's Grand Swiss held in Samarkand.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Nb6 8. Ne5 a5 {[#]} 9. g3 ({Here, the most popular move is} 9. f3 {which I had played recently. I opted against it because my opponent surprised me by playing the Slav, and I had not prepared for it. In addition, the position can get quite complicated, and entering this without proper understanding or being able to recall the theory is quite dangerous. For example, the game could have continued like this} Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. e4 Bg6 12. Be2 Qb6 13. f4 e5 {White is slightly better, but needs to know a lot more, as it is a very double-edged position, while White's king is very vulnerable in the center.}) 9... e6 10. Bg2 Bb4 11. O-O O-O 12. e3 h6 13. Qe2 Bh7 14. Rd1 {[#] Up to this point, the position had already been played a few hundred times. I have control of the center and am about to finish my development. On the other hand, Black's pieces are relatively well placed, and there are no weaknesses worth mentioning in terms of the structure.} Qe7 (14... Nbd7 {or ...fd7 was more accurate.}) 15. e4 Rfd8 16. Bf4 Rac8 17. h4 {Taking space on the kingside and discouraging any potential g5 ideas.} Nfd7 18. Nd3 {I have more space, and generally, I would like to avoid trading pieces.} Bd6 {[#]} 19. Be3 {I saw Black's follow-up; however, I completely misevaluated the position.} (19. e5 {taking space in the center was the best approach. I did not feel confident pushing my e-pawn because I was afraid of activating Black's light-squared bishop.} Bc7 (19... Bb4 20. Nxb4 Qxb4 21. Bd2 Qxb2 $13 {is critical - editor.}) 20. Ne4 $14) 19... Nc4 20. Bc1 e5 21. d5 Ncb6 22. dxc6 bxc6 23. b3 Nf8 24. Be3 Nbd7 {[#] According to the engine, the position is very balanced. However, practically speaking, it is much easier to play for Black, as White's weaknesses are very easy to attack.} 25. Qc2 (25. Nb1 {followed by d2 was the simplest and most solid continuation. Unfortunately, I did not think of it.}) 25... Ne6 26. Nb2 Bc5 27. Nc4 Nd4 28. Qa2 (28. Qb2 $15) 28... Nf6 29. f3 {[#]} Nh5 (29... Nd5 $1 30. exd5 cxd5 {if I move my knight from c4, Black has many tactical wins that involve moving the knight away from d4.} 31. Nxd5 (31. Nxa5 Nxf3+ $19) 31... Rxd5 $19) 30. Kh2 Kh8 (30... f5 $1 {easy to say, but Black should not be afraid of discovered checks.} 31. b4 axb4 32. Nd6+ b3 33. Nxc8 Rxc8 34. Qf2 f4 $19 {Black is completely dominating.}) 31. Qf2 Bb4 32. Na2 {[#]} Nxb3 (32... Bd6 {kept Black's edge.} 33. Nxd6 Qxd6 34. Bh3 Rb8 $15) 33. Rab1 {and I am back in the game.} Rxd1 34. Rxd1 Nf6 $2 {[#] Wrong direction. Either ...c5 to solidify the queenside or ...f5 to attack my king would maintain a balanced position.} 35. Nxb4 axb4 36. Qb2 Nd4 37. Nxe5 (37. Bxd4 exd4 38. Qxd4 $16) 37... Ne6 $2 (37... c5 38. Bxd4 (38. Nc4 $14) 38... cxd4 39. Rxd4 Bxe4 $1 $11) 38. Bxh6 $6 {[#] Tempting, but inaccurate. Pushing the a-pawn or reactivating my light-squared bishop via h3 would have been more useful.} c5 (38... gxh6 $4 39. Rd7 $8 $18 {was the point.} Nxd7 (39... Qe8 40. Rxf7 $18) 40. Ng6+ Kg8 41. Qh8#) 39. Bg5 $2 (39. Be3 c4 40. Bh3 c3 41. Qa2 c2 42. Rc1 Rc3 43. Bxe6 b3 44. Qb2 Rxe3 45. Nxf7+ Kg8 46. Bxb3 $18 {Although it seems quite dangerous, allowing Black to push her pawns was best.}) 39... Nd4 (39... c4 $5 40. Rd7 $1 c3 41. Qa2 Qxd7 $1 42. Nxd7 Nxg5 43. Ne5 $8 (43. hxg5 $2 Nxd7 $19) 43... c2 44. hxg5 {heading to d3} c1=Q $8 $11 45. Nxf7+ Kg8 46. Nh6+ Kh8 47. Nf7+ $11) 40. Nd3 {[#]} Qe6 41. Nxc5 Nxf3+ 42. Bxf3 Rxc5 43. Rd8+ Ng8 44. Be3 (44. Qxb4 Rc4 45. Qb5 $14) 44... Rc4 45. Bd4 {[#]} Bxe4 $8 {Capturing a pawn and taking care of mating threats. Under time pressure, I missed this resource. Had I seen it earlier, I probably would have opted for 44. xb4.} 46. Bxe4 Qxe4 47. Bxg7+ $8 Kh7 48. Rd2 $8 Qg6 49. Qb3 Re4 50. Bd4 Nh6 51. Qd5 Ng4+ 52. Kh3 Ne3 53. Bxe3 Rxe3 54. Rg2 b3 55. Qb7 Qe6+ 56. Kh2 Re2 {[#]} 57. Qb5 $4 (57. a5 $11) 57... Rxg2+ 58. Kxg2 Qe4+ $8 59. Kh3 Qc2 $2 (59... Qh1+ $142 $8 {luring the king to g4, making it more vulnerable to checks.} 60. Kg4 Qb1 61. Qb7 Kg7 {Black's king is safe from perpetual checks, enabling Black to promote the b-pawn quickly.}) 60. Qh5+ Kg8 {[#]Critical Position} 61. Qg4+ $2 {This loses because now the Black king can escape to f8 without fearing any perpetual checks.} (61. Qg5+ $8 Qg6 (61... Kf8 62. Qd8+ $11) 62. Qb5 (62. Qd8+ $4 Kh7 $19) 62... Qc2 63. Qg5+ $11) 61... Kf8 {Although I am completely lost, I learned from a coach that, generally, diagonal checks are superior in queen endgames, as they are harder to block, which is the rule I mostly applied for the rest of the game.} 62. Qb4+ Ke8 63. Qb5+ Ke7 64. Qb7+ Ke6 65. Qb6+ Ke5 66. Qb5+ Kd4 67. Qb6+ Kd3 68. Qb5+ Qc4 69. Qf5+ Kd2 70. Qf2+ Kc1 71. Qe1+ Kc2 72. Qf2+ Kb1 73. a5 {[#]} b2 74. a6 Qe6+ 75. Kh2 Qxa6 76. Qxf7 Qe2+ 77. Kh3 Kc1 78. Qf4+ Kc2 79. Qa4+ Kc1 80. Qf4+ Qd2 81. Qf1+ Kc2 82. Qc4+ Qc3 83. Qe2+ Kb3 84. Qd1+ Ka3 85. h5 Qc8+ 86. Kh4 Qf5 87. Qd6+ Kb3 88. Qd1+ {[#]Critical Position ...c3 or ...c2?} Kc3 $4 (88... Qc2 $1 $19 {eventually, the king can hide from all checks (otherwise, Black can trade queens).} 89. Qf3+ Kc4 90. Qf7+ Kd4 91. Qd7+ Ke3 92. Qa7+ Ke2 93. Qa6+ Kf2 94. Qa7+ Kg2 95. Qb7+ Kh2 {safe at last!}) ({editor -} 88... Ka3 89. Qd6+ Kb3 90. Qd1+ {repeats}) 89. Qe1+ $8 {Black cannot escape the checks.} Kc4 90. Qe2+ $8 Kc3 91. Qe1+ $8 Kc2 92. Qe2+ Kb3 93. Qe3+ $8 Ka2 94. Qa7+ $8 Kb3 95. Qe3+ Kb4 96. Qd2+ Kb3 97. Qe3+ {I claimed a threefold repetition.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Canadian Zonal (w)"]
[Site "Montreal"]
[Date "2026.04.06"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Demchenko, Svitlana"]
[Black "Ouellet, Maili-Jade"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Maili-Jade Ouellet"]
[ECO "C30"]
[WhiteElo "2156"]
[BlackElo "2291"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[GameId "2298904140454617"]
[EventDate "2026.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This was round 7 of the 2026 Canadian Women's Zonal. Yunshan Li and I are leading the tournament with 6.5/7. We drew each other in round 5. Meanwhile, Svitlana suffered an early loss to a weaker player and is trailing us by half a point. As a result, I had a feeling she would play e4 to push for a win. I, on the other hand, was hoping to win, but did not want to take too many risks as a loss would hurt my chances of winning the tournament greatly.} 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 {As far as I know, she has never played this, although she does have a tendency to play the Italian, which is similar.} Nf6 3. d3 Bc5 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. f4 {[#]  The Vienna!? Here, I realized I had already forgotten -- or messed up -- my preparation; so I started thinking about which plan was best. I never had such a position and so I considered my options carefully. There are a lot of possibilities:} d6 {The most stable and rational option in my opinion.} (5... Bxg1 6. Rxg1 d6 7. f5 $14 {felt very dangerous for me while she would have relatively easy moves.}) (5... exf4 6. Bxf4 O-O 7. Nf3 d6 8. d4 $11 {is a line I dismissed quickly as it looks very pleasant for White. I thought I would suffer and perhaps lose eventually, even if the evaluation is balanced.}) (5... h5 $5 {is not something I considered seriously as it does not help me develop. However, it is very interesting and I would definitely play it had I known it was possible.} 6. h3 (6. Nf3 Ng4 7. Rf1 Nxh2 8. Rh1 Nxf3+ 9. Qxf3 d5 10. Nxd5 Nd4 11. Qg3 Bg4 $11) 6... d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. Nxd5 Be6 9. Qf3 Nd4 10. Qe4 Nxc2+ 11. Kd2 Nxa1 12. Nf3 $13) 6. Nf3 Na5 {White has options, but Black is fine.} 7. Bb3 (7. Bd5 c6) (7. Na4 Nxc4 8. Nxc5 dxc5 9. fxe5 (9. dxc4 $2 Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1 Be6 $1 $19) 9... Ng4 10. Bg5 f6 11. exf6 gxf6 12. Bh4 Nb6 $15) (7. fxe5 dxe5 8. Bd5 (8. Nxe5 $6 Qd4 9. Bxf7+ Kd8 10. Rf1 Qxe5 11. Bf4 Qe7 $15) (8. Bxf7+ $2 Kxf7 9. Nxe5+ Kg8 $19) 8... O-O 9. Bg5 (9. Nxe5 $2 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 f5 $19 {White's king is too weak and exposed in the center.}) 9... c6 10. Bb3 h6 {Black is very comfortable.}) 7... Nxb3 8. axb3 a6 9. Qe2 Bg4 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Qxe3 {[#]} Qe7 (11... exf4 12. Qxf4 O-O 13. O-O Qe7 {was more precise.}) 12. O-O (12. fxe5 dxe5 13. Qg5 Bxf3 14. gxf3 g6 (14... O-O-O $6 15. Qxg7 Rdg8 16. Qh6 Rg6 17. Qh3+ Kb8 18. O-O-O $16 {White is up a pawn and Black does not have much to show for it.}) 15. Ra5 Nd7 16. Qxe7+ Kxe7 17. Nd5+ Kd6 18. Ne3 $14 {White has a lot of pressure and better piece coordination.}) 12... exf4 13. Qxf4 O-O 14. Rae1 Bxf3 15. Rxf3 Rae8 16. Ref1 c6 17. Rh3 {[#]} Nd7 ({The more active} 17... d5 {would equalize easily, but I did not realize that after} 18. Qh4 h6 {was solid enough to hold off White's attack without weakening my king too badly.} 19. Rg3 Kh8 20. exd5 Nxd5 $11) 18. Nd1 $1 g6 (18... Qe5 19. Qh4 h6 20. Ne3 Re6 $14) 19. Ne3 f6 20. Qg3 Qe5 {[#]} 21. Qh4 (21. Qg4 Nc5 22. Qh4 Re7 $16) 21... Re7 22. Rg3 {Threatening f5.} Rg7 23. c3 {[#] Preventing ...xb2 and introducing the possiblity of chasing the queen with d4.} Kh8 (23... h5 {was the best way to defend as it restricts White's rooks and prevents White from playing h6 followed by h4-h5.}) 24. Qh6 Qe7 25. h4 {[#]} Ne5 $4 (25... Nc5 $1 {My position is fine after this simple move I missed.} 26. h5 Rfg8 $8 27. Rxg6 Rxg6 28. hxg6 Rxg6 29. Nf5 Rxh6 30. Nxe7 Nxd3 31. Nf5 Rg6 32. Rd1 Nc5 33. Nxd6 Nxb3 $11) 26. d4 Nd7 {[#]} 27. Rf4 (27. h5 $142 $1 Rfg8 28. hxg6 Rxg6 29. Nf5 $1 Qe6 (29... Rxh6 30. Rxg8+ Kxg8 31. Nxe7+ Kf7 32. Nf5 $18 {White's knight is completely dominating the position.}) 30. Qxh7+ $3 Kxh7 31. Rh3+ Rh6 32. Rxh6#) 27... Rfg8 28. Rfg4 Nf8 29. h5 Qf7 30. b4 (30. hxg6 Rxg6 31. Rxg6 Rxg6 32. Rxg6 Nxg6 33. Nf5 Qd7 34. Qh2 $18 {Black doesn't get mated, but the d-pawn drops and White is winning.}) 30... Ne6 {[#] editor - White now trades so much that her kingside pressure disappears. Maybe she was worried that ...g5 would trap her ? Or maybe she didn't see that there was one last straw she could add to the camel's back...} 31. hxg6 $6 (31. Nc4 $18 {I cannot protect both g6 and d6.} d5 {saves the d-pawn, but} 32. Nd6 $1 {and White crashes through on g6.}) 31... Rxg6 32. Rxg6 (32. Qh5 $18 {maintains the pressure.}) 32... Rxg6 33. Rxg6 Qxg6 34. Qxg6 hxg6 35. Nc4 d5 36. exd5 cxd5 {[#]} 37. Nb6 (37. Nd6 $142 Kg7 (37... b5 $2 38. Ne8 f5 39. Kf2 $18 {Black has too many weaknesses and White's king is much more active.}) 38. Nxb7 $16) 37... Nc7 $11 38. b3 Kg7 39. Kf2 (39. c4 Kf7 40. Kf2 $11 (40. cxd5 $2 Ke7 $19)) 39... Kf7 40. Ke3 Ke6 41. Na4 Kd6 {[#]} 42. g3 (42. c4 {doesn't threaten anything,} f5 (42... b5 43. c5+ Ke6 44. Nb6 $11) 43. Kf4 (43. g3 Kc6 44. Nc3 g5 $11) 43... Ne6+ {White's king is not getting in.}) 42... Kc6 43. Nc5 b6 44. Nd3 a5 45. bxa5 bxa5 46. Nf4 g5 47. Nh5 Ne8 48. g4 Kd6 {[#]} 49. c4 $6 {Although the evaluation does not change after her move, it is in my opinion, quite a risky and counter-intuitive approach as it allows me to have a passed pawn. I suspect she did not realize that I would be able to trade my f-pawn against her g-pawn, allowing me to create another passed pawn. This is dangerous for her as my two passed pawns (a and g) are far from each other which makes it more difficult for her to stop as both the knight and the king do not have a far reach.} dxc4 50. bxc4 Ke6 51. Ng3 Nd6 {[#]} 52. Kd3 (52. c5 Nb5 53. Kd3 a4 54. Kc4 a3 55. Kb3 Nxd4+ 56. Kxa3 Kd5 $11) (52. d5+ $5 Ke5 53. Kd3 $8 (53. c5 $2 Nc4+ $8 $19) 53... a4 (53... Kf4 $4 54. c5 $3 $18) 54. c5 Kxd5 $11) 52... f5 $1 {Although the evaluation does not change, in my opinion, it was a very practical decision to make under time pressure as I finally create some winning chances of my own for the first time in this game.} 53. gxf5+ Nxf5 54. Ne4 g4 {[#]} 55. Nd2 $4 (55. Kc3 $8 $11 {saves the game: White can trade her  for the g-pawn and her  will win the a-pawn.}) 55... a4 $2 (55... g3 $142 $8 $19 {I opted for ...a4 first under time pressure as I wanted to prevent White from playing f3, but} 56. Nf3 {doesn't save the game:} g2 57. Kc3 Kd6 $19 {editor - deflection tactics on e4 leave the f3 insecure, but pushing either of her pawns leaves the other one weak. White would like to sit, but if White oscilates the , Black can go ...g6 and ...a4 to bring the  to b4.}) 56. Kc3 $2 (56. Nf1 $8 $11 {again, ready to trade  for g-pawn. Her  was already close enough to stop the a-pawn.}) 56... a3 $8 $19 57. Kb3 Nxd4+ 58. Kxa3 g3 $8 59. Ne4 g2 60. Ng5+ Kf5 61. Nh3 Kg4 62. Ng1 Kg3 63. c5 Kh2 {[#]} 64. c6 (64. Ne2 Nxe2 65. c6 Nd4 66. c7 Nb5+ $19) 64... Kxg1 65. c7 Nb5+ 0-1

[Event "2021 North American Open"]
[Site "Las Vegas"]
[Date "2021.12.26"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Ivanov, Mike"]
[Black "Xu, Eddie"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Mike Ivanov"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2360"]
[BlackElo "1960"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[GameId "422369495716"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Chess players often associate cities with tournaments, and I still associate Las Vegas to bitter memories of an overpriced hotel, atrocious results, and catching COVID on the flight back.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {[#] This begins what turned out to be my worst tournament ever, at least in terms of rating loss. A part of it was focusing too much on openings and not enough on calculation. A part of it was playing underrated American juniors who all gained 200-300 points in the months after this tournament. And a part of it was making impractical opening choices, such as the one in the game. Such was the post-COVID rollercoaster. I was trying to switch to more reputable openings from my Scotch, but play them uniquely. Too uniquely as it turns out.} Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. b4 {[#] I had bought a Chessable course on this Dubov Italian, and was itching to use it.  Note to self: never play risky openings with exposed kings against lower-rated players! They sometimes forget they're supposed to lose...} Bb6 7. e5 d5 ({This game (dubbed "Dubov's Immortal") inspired me so much that it caused me to waste 3 months learning the relevant lines in the Dubov Italian, just to lose to a 1900 player on the first try. Darn it Dubov, why couldn't you just win normally!} 7... Ne4 8. Bd5 Nxc3 9. Nxc3 dxc3 10. Bg5 Ne7 11. O-O h6 12. Bh4 O-O 13. Re1 Qe8 14. Bb3 a5 {Dubov Immortal Diagram [#]} 15. Bf6 $3 a4 16. Bc4 $1 Ng6 17. Qd3 (17. Qc2 $142 {so a later ...xc4 does not come with tempo.}) 17... d5 $8 18. exd6 Be6 $8 19. Qxg6 $1 fxg6 20. Rxe6 $8 Qf7 21. Bxc3 $16 Kh8 (21... Bxf2+ $142 $3 $16) 22. Re4 Qf5 23. Re7 Rg8 24. Bxg8 Rxg8 25. dxc7 Qc2 26. Be5 $8 Bxf2+ 27. Kh1 Bb6 28. h3 Kh7 29. Re1 a3 30. Kh2 g5 31. Nd4 Qc4 32. Nf5 Qxb4 33. Rc1 $1 Kg6 34. Rxg7+ Kxf5 35. Rxg8 Bxc7 36. Bxc7 Qb2 37. Rc5+ Ke4 38. Rd8 {1-0 Daniil Dubov (2702)-Sergey Karjakin (2752) Russian Championship Superfinal Moscow RUS 2020 (11)}) 8. exf6 dxc4 9. Qe2+ {This is an important check, as it takes away ...e7, which would have spoiled our fun in case of fxg7.} (9. fxg7 $2 Qe7+ 10. Kf1 Rg8 $19) 9... Be6 10. b5 {[#]} Na5 (10... Nb4 $1 {This was an interesting try by Anand in 2017, leading to a masterpiece. I was prepared for this, and somehow thought everyone else would go here too.} 11. fxg7 Rg8 12. cxb4 Qf6 13. O-O Qxg7 14. g3 O-O-O 15. a4 d3 {Anand Analysis Diagram [#]  "Once I steeled myself to play ...xg3, it was hard to resist the thought of executing the move. 15...f6! was probably objectively better." - Anand} 16. Qb2 Qxg3+ 17. hxg3 Rxg3+ 18. Kh2 Rxf3 19. Bg5 $2 (19. Qg7 $142 $1 Rh3+ 20. Kg2 Bd4 21. Qg5 h6 22. Qxd8+ Kxd8 23. Ra3 $44 {Anand}) 19... Bd4 $8 $19 20. Qd2 Rg8 $1 21. Ra3 h6 22. Rg1 (22. Bf4 Rh3#) 22... Rh3+ 23. Kg2 Rxg5+ 24. Kf1 Rxg1+ 25. Kxg1 Bd5 {#2. Skvortsov,O-Anand,V (2786) Zuerich Chess Challenge, m 6th, 2017.}) 11. fxg7 Rg8 12. cxd4 {[#] Now we can take stock of our position. White is up a pawn but not for long, since g7 is falling. Black has easy development apart from his knight on a5, which is struggling. White's king isn't safe anywhere, although this wasn't clear to me at the time. Black's king will be doing just fine after ...0-0-0. I should point out that the old version of chess engine Leela which I used was much more mellow, and regularly evaluated these positions as equal or slightly better. Current Leela is under no such illusions, giving this -.22 after ...f6.} (12. Nxd4 Bxd4 (12... Rxg7 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. O-O Qd5 15. g3 O-O-O $13) 13. cxd4 Qf6 14. Bb2 Qxg7 15. g3 O-O-O $15) 12... Qd7 $11 {After seeing how many ways Black has to equalize here and get the initiative, I quickly realized how stupid this whole line was.} (12... Qf6 $11 {also equalizes.} 13. Bg5 (13. Bb2 Qxg7 14. g3 O-O-O 15. d5 Qg4 16. dxe6 Rge8 $8 $36 {is still horrifying.}) ({editor - My 2026 version of leela goes for this:} 13. d5 $1 Qxg7 $1 (13... Qxa1 14. dxe6 $11 f5 (14... Rxg7 15. O-O Qxb1 16. Bh6 $13) 15. O-O $1 Qxg7 $8 $11) 14. dxe6 O-O-O 15. e7 Rde8 16. Bb2 Qxg2 17. Rf1 Bc5 $8 $13 {which shows this line is playable -- for a computer -- but still might be a stupid choice for any human who isn't confident of their ability to outcacluate their opponent.}) 13... Qxg7 $8 14. Nbd2 $13 h6 15. Bh4 Bxd4 (15... Qxg2 $4 16. O-O-O $18) 16. Rd1 $8 Qxg2 $13 17. Rf1 ({editor -} 17. Ne4 $1 c3 $1 $13 {transposes, since} (17... Qxh1+ $2 18. Kd2 $18)) 17... Bh8 (17... c3 18. Ne4 $1 $13) 18. Ne4 c3 19. Bf6 $13) 13. Nc3 (13. Bg5 $4 Bxd4 $19) (13. Bb2 $2 O-O-O $19) (13. Bf4 O-O-O 14. Nc3 Bf5 15. O-O Bd3 16. Qe5 Bxf1 17. Kxf1 f6 $1 18. Qxf6 Qxg7 19. Qxg7 Rxg7 $15 {Not inspiring.}) (13. d5 Qxd5 14. Nc3 Qd3 $15) (13. O-O O-O-O 14. Nc3 Rxg7 15. Bf4 Bg4 16. Rfe1 Qf5 {Black is always in the driver's seat.}) 13... O-O-O {[#]} 14. Bb2 $2 {Perhaps the losing mistake. It may look reasonable, but doesn't let White complete development safely.} (14. Bh6 Bg4 15. O-O-O (15. Ne5 $2 Bxe2 16. Nxd7 Bxd4 $8 $19 {the e7 stays trapped after other exchanges.}) 15... Qd6 $15 {King safety is still more important than that g7 pawn.}) (14. Be3 Rxg7 15. Ne5 Qd6 16. O-O Bh3 $17) (14. Qe5 Bg4 $1 (14... Rde8 15. O-O Bg4 16. Qg3 (16. Qf6 $13) 16... Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Bxd4 18. Ba3 $1 $16) 15. Be3 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Rde8 17. Qd5 $15) (14. Bg5 $142 $1 {This was in my file, alas it was forgotten at the board. White finds dynamic equality.} Rde8 15. O-O-O $1 {Analysis Diagram [#]} ({Sadly, being greedy doesn't work:} 15. Bf6 $2 Bg4 16. Ne5 Qxd4 $19) 15... Rxg7 (15... Bh3 $4 16. Ne5 $8 $18) (15... Bf5 16. Qb2 (16. Qd2 $5) 16... Rxg7 17. Rhe1 Rgg8 $1 (17... Reg8 18. Re7 $14) 18. Qa3 $13 {With a safe king, White can can actually play for something, claiming that Black's a5 and b6 gives him an edge. Even this is roughly equal.}) 16. Rhe1 Rgg8 17. Qd2 {Surprisingly, our king is safer on c1 than g1, and our pieces finally look respectable. g5 could have made the difference.}) 14... Rxg7 15. O-O-O {I remembered that the king is supposed to castle long, just forgot that the bishop belongs on g5. Here, every tempo plays a gigantic role.} (15. g3 Re8 $19) 15... Rxg2 {[#] To give credit to Eddie, he played with confidence, not falling behind on time despite the opening surprise, and taking everything I gave him. Bluffing works a lot better in poker :(} 16. Rd2 Bf5 (16... f6 $142 $1 $17) 17. Ne5 Qe6 {[#]} 18. Na4 $2 {Another whammy of a move. The only good thing about it, is that we defend d4. But the position is too urgent for such timid measures.} (18. Qf3 Bxd4 19. Qxg2 Qxe5 20. Qg3 Bd3 21. Qxe5 Bxe5 22. Nd1 c3 23. Bxc3 Nc4 24. Rxd3 Rxd3 25. Bxe5 Nxe5 26. Re1 Rd5 {The smoke has cleared, but white's pawns are still struggling.}) (18. d5 $8 {White's best chance, but still not enough. It's also hard to consciously open up the bishop on b6.} Qe8 (18... Qh6 $2 19. Nxf7 $18) 19. Qf3 Qxe5 $1 {The key in all these lines for Black is to sac the exchange, and dominate with the vicious bishop pair.} 20. Qxg2 Bd3 $17) 18... c3 $5 (18... f6 $1 {is even stronger} 19. Nf3 Qxe2 20. Rxe2 Bg4 21. Nxb6+ axb6 22. Re3 c6 $19 {editor - Black is up only a pawn, but White's minors are trash.}) 19. Bxc3 f6 20. d5 {Not much else for White unfortunately. My king is not enjoying this opening of events.} Rxd5 {[#]} 21. Rhd1 (21. Rxd5 Qxd5 22. Nf3 Qe4 (22... Rxf2 $2 23. Nxb6+ axb6 24. Qxf2 $11) 23. Qxe4 Bxe4 {Maybe a better try, but still hopelessly miserable.}) 21... Rxd2 22. Qxd2 Rg8 (22... Be3 $3 {would win style points!} 23. Qxe3 Qxa2 24. Rd3 (24. Nd3 Nb3#) 24... Rg1+ 25. Be1 Nb3+ 26. Kd1 fxe5 {Black can sit back and marvel at their position.}) 23. Nxb6+ axb6 {[#] We're 'only' a pawn down, but that bishop on f5 is worth several pawns' advantage.} 24. Nd3 (24. Nf3 Qe4 $19) (24. Bxa5 Qxe5 25. Bc3 Qxb5 $19 26. Qb2 Qc5 {I stopped calculating here, since all that remains is a handshake.}) 24... Rd8 {There's no way out of the pin.} 25. Re1 Qc4 26. Kb2 Rxd3 27. Re8+ Kd7 28. Qe1 Be6 {With no more tricks to hope for, I resigned.   With suffering comes wisdom and this game was a cold shower that showed just how much I still had to learn. I went on to lose two more games, as well as 58 FIDE points. Yet the lessons learned here were necessary.} 0-1

[Event "Cracovia A"]
[Site "Krakow"]
[Date "2023.01.03"]
[Round "8.16"]
[White "Jaskolka, Tomasz"]
[Black "Ivanov, Mike"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Mike Ivanov"]
[ECO "C08"]
[WhiteElo "2188"]
[BlackElo "2319"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[GameId "455435906234"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{I'd like to show this game to demonstrate the lows of every chess player's life.  This tournament was taking place in Krakow, Poland, which would be a lovely vacation if it wasn't such a horrible tourney for me. After barely drawing three lower-rated players in a row, New Year's eve was ruined by a 8:30 AM game against the Austrian prodigy Lukas Dotzer, who is now a very strong IM but was then just 2100. Round 7 was another write-off, losing a much better position against a lower-rated player, which brings us to this game.} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 {[#] The most precise move-order, discouraging black from the ...xd5 variation which is considered very solid for Black these days.} Nf6 (4... Nc6 {is also possible, but narrows Black's options.} 5. exd5 Qxd5 (5... exd5 6. Bb5 {These lines are holdable but very passive for Black.} Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. O-O Nge7 9. Nb3 Bd6 {a la Karpov vs Korchnoi, 1974 Candidates.}) 6. Bc4 Qd7 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Qe2 {A worse version of the Chistyakov French.}) 5. exd5 exd5 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 {[#] I had limited knowledge of this line, but he seemed uncertain too. I feel that the Tarrasch is great because of the variety of playable lines, which Black can experiment with. The problem is: White's always slightly better.} 8. O-O Be7 (8... Bd6 9. Re1+ {Would be problematic.}) 9. dxc5 Nxc5 10. Nb3 (10. Re1 O-O 11. Nf1 {can also be annoying, even if Black has remedies.}) 10... Nce4 {[#] I did spend some time at home analyzing GM Sambuev's treatment of this line for Black, where these knights rotate to ever stronger squares.} 11. Nfd4 (11. Nbd4 Bc5 12. Nf5 g6 13. Ng7+) 11... Qd7 12. Bf4 (12. f3 {This is the main line, which leaves white with a tiny symbolic advantage.} Nd6 13. Nc5 {Analysis Diagram [#]} Qc7 (13... Qc8 14. Nd3 O-O 15. Be3 (15. b3 Bd8 16. Bb2 Bb6 17. Kh1 Re8 18. Qd2 Nf5 19. Nxf5 Qxf5 $11 {0-1 (56) Qin,Z (2316)-Sambuev,B (2750) Ottawa Canada Day op 2011 (3)}) 15... Re8 16. Bf2 Bd8 (16... Nf5 17. Qd2 Bd6 18. Rfe1 Nxd4 19. Bxd4 Qf5 20. Rxe8+ Nxe8 {As more pieces get traded, the outpost on d4 and weakness on d5 become more pronounced.}) 17. Re1 Bb6 18. Rxe8+ Qxe8 19. Qd2 Rc8 20. Qb4 Qd7 21. c3 Nc4 22. Re1 $14 {Typical slightly more pleasant position in the Open Tarrasch.}) 14. Nd3 O-O 15. b3 $14 (15. Bg5 {is also interesting.} Rfe8 16. c3 Qd7 17. Re1 h6 18. Bh4 Nf5 19. Bf2 Nxd4 20. Bxd4 Bd6 21. Qd2 $14) 15... Rfe8 16. Be3 Rac8 17. Re1 Bf8 18. Qd2 h6 19. Kh1 a6 20. a4 Qd7 21. Bf4 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 Nde8 (22... Nf5 $4 23. Ne5 $18) 23. Qf2 Bd6 24. Bc1 {White's s connect everything so well!} Nc7 25. g4 Ne6 26. Nf5 Bf8 27. Re2 d4 28. Bb2 Rd8 {1-0 (59) Xiong,J (2660)-Vorontsov,P (2463) Dallas UT Fall op 2016 (3)}) 12... O-O 13. Qf3 {[#] At this point it became clear that my opponent was improvising, which means I could become more ambitious.} Rfe8 (13... a5 $5) 14. h3 Rac8 15. Rfd1 a6 (15... Bd8 16. a4 a5 17. c3 (17. Nb5 Rxc2) 17... Bb6 $11) 16. Rd3 b5 17. Be5 $6 {[#] White picks a strange trade, wasting time while allowing me to finish the ideal setup.} Bd8 18. Bxf6 Nxf6 19. Rad1 Bb6 20. c3 Ne4 $11 {[#] The white knights are now superfluous, while our pressure on f2 counteracts their pressure on d5.} 21. Nc1 {Trying to fix the knight, but I can start to take over now.} Re5 (21... a5 22. a3 b4 23. cxb4 axb4 24. axb4 Qa4 25. Nce2 Qxb4 {editor - White has blockaded the the iso on d5, but that's the only thing his pieces are doing.}) 22. Re3 Rce8 23. Nd3 {Tomasz was clearly displeased at this point, acquiescing to an e-file isolani after not finding anything better.} Ng5 24. Qf4 Rxe3 25. fxe3 {[#]} h6 (25... Ne6 26. Qg4 {wasn't convincing.}) 26. Nb4 a5 27. Nbc2 {The knights are stuck on the merry-go-round, while we're taking over the dark squares.} Bc7 28. Qf5 Qd6 29. Nf3 (29. Qf4 Qc5 30. Qf5 b4 $15) 29... Nxf3+ 30. Qxf3 {[#]} {I was starting to get frustrated that there was no immediate win.} Re5 (30... Qh2+ 31. Kf2 Re6 32. Qxd5 Rg6 33. Qa8+ Kh7 34. Qe4 $11) (30... Re4 $1 31. Kf1 (31. Qxe4 $4 Qh2+ $19) 31... Qe5 $15) 31. Nd4 Qd7 32. Kf2 Bb6 33. Ke2 b4 {[#] Black got everything they could dream of from the opening, and I was hoping to transform the positional edge into something tangible. Unfortunately, time-trouble reared its ugly head. We got 30 added minutes on move 40.} 34. Qf4 Qe7 {Slowly building up the pressure on the dark squares. This usually leads to blunders by the defender, which did indeed come.} 35. Rd3 (35. Nf5 Rxf5 $5 36. Qxf5 Qxe3+ 37. Kf1 Qg1+ 38. Ke2 Qxg2+ 39. Kd3 g6 40. Qe5 $1 {(stops ...e4+ then e3+)} Qxh3+ 41. Kc2 Qg2+ 42. Kc1 (42. Rd2 Qe4+ 43. Qxe4 dxe4 $17) 42... Qf2 {should be good for Black, but still far from clear.}) 35... Qe8 36. cxb4 $4 {[#]} axb4 $4 {"There is no remorse like the remorse of chess"  ~H.G.Wells.  I still had a minute and a half here, but I was so scared of using any more time, that the recapture was done automatically without thought. It was only when my hand touched the pawn, that I realized ...e4 just wins a piece for nothing at all.} 37. Kd2 Re4 38. Qg3 Qd8 39. Qf3 {[#]} g6 {Trying not to do anything committal before time control. With more time, I'd probably take on d4...} (39... Bxd4 40. Rxd4 (40. exd4 Qa5 $19) 40... Qa5 $1 41. Rxe4 (41. Kc2 Rxd4 42. exd4 Qxa2 $17) 41... b3+ 42. Ke2 dxe4 43. Qxe4 bxa2 $19) 40. Nc2 Qg5 {We reach time control and finally take a breather. The situation is still good, but the regret of missing 36...e4 gnawed at me. Tilt happens in classical chess too...} 41. Kc1 Qe5 {[#] Trying to make "pretty" moves and pressure weaknesses, but White's position is surprisingly resilient.} 42. a3 $6 {This should only help open up the king. White should just bunker down instead.} (42. Qf2 h5 43. Qd2 Qf5 44. Qe2 (44. Rxd5 $2 Qf1+ 45. Qd1 Qxg2 $19) 44... Bc5 45. Rd2 Qe6 46. Qd3 (46. Rd3 $4 d4 $1 $19) 46... Bxe3 47. Nxe3 Rxe3 48. Qxd5 Re1+ 49. Kc2 Qa6 {In a heavy-piece endgame, the difference in king safety should tell.}) 42... bxa3 43. Rxa3 Kg7 44. Kb1 Bd8 45. Rd3 Bf6 46. Nd4 h5 47. Kc2 {[#]} h4 $2 {Another case of playing on auto-pilot. Sometimes it's better not to realize you've erred during the game, as this can actually take a toll on your remaining moves. Right after I let go of the pawn, I realized how strong ...g5 was.} (47... Bg5 $1 $19 {The pin to d2 conveniently stops the  from covering e3; Black wins the e3 and White's position falls apart.  So many missed chances!}) 48. Kb1 {Here, I couldn't find anything direct so I continued to "massage" the position, hoping that attacking e3 and b2 from different angles will eventually crack White.} Qe8 49. Qf2 Re7 50. Ra3 {[#]} Rb7 $2 {A complete failure in calculation. These positions with open kings require tactical acuity, and I was way too positional here.} (50... Bxd4 $1 {For some reason, I had a mental block on taking this knight, thinking that since he can't move anyways, we should never trade him. A little concrete calculation proves this to be nonsense. Always question your assumptions!} 51. exd4 Re1+ {the most human and easiest to find.} (51... Re2 52. Qf3 Qe4+ {This is the most precise, yet it's far from obvious that black wants a rook endgame. The margin of error is also smaller.} 53. Qxe4 dxe4 54. b4 Rxg2 55. b5 Rg3 $1 $19) 52. Ka2 Qe4 53. Qd2 Qb1+ 54. Kb3 Rd1 55. Qf4 Qd3+ 56. Ka2 Qc4+ 57. Rb3 Rxd4 $19) 51. Ka2 Qe4 52. Qd2 Rc7 {Dreaming of ...e7 where the rook might be guarding too much.} 53. Rc3 Ra7+ 54. Ra3 Re7 {[#] At this point I started to get frustrated that putting pieces on good squares wasn't enough to win this, and White wasn't blundering anything obvious.} 55. Rd3 Re8 56. Ra3 {[#]} Bg5 $2 {Wrong pressure point. Here, my earlier idea of ...e7 actually does something.} (56... Be7 57. Ra7 (57. Rb3 $4 Ra8+ $19) (57. Ra4 Bg5 $19) 57... Bc5 58. Ra5 Bxd4 59. exd4 Qe2 {Analysis Diagram [#] Unbeknownst to me, all the rook endgames are winning since our deep freeze on the kingside is strong.} 60. Qxe2 Rxe2 61. Rxd5 Rxg2 62. Rc5 Rg3 63. b4 Rxh3 64. b5 Rd3 65. b6 Rxd4 66. Ka3 h3 67. b7 h2 68. b8=Q Rd3+ $8 69. Ka2 h1=Q 70. Qe5+ Kh7 {The white king ran out of bricks. Not a forced line, but shows the difficulties White faces.}) 57. Qc3 {I should go back with ...f6 but the stubborn part in me, paired with time trouble and frustration from all the earlier missed chances, leads into a death spiral.} Kh6 {Playing with fire.} 58. Qc6 {[#]} Re7 $6 (58... Bxe3 $4 59. Rxe3 Qxe3 60. Nf5+ $18 {Nasty stuff.}) (58... Kg7 $1 {would be correct, but beyond a tilted player.}) 59. Ra8 Bxe3 {This proved too tempting, since otherwise, why did I go for ...h6?} 60. Qf6 $1 {[#] This was a cold shower, especially since I had a bit more than a minute left. The irony is that even this is better for black, but my panicked mind was too negative to come up with the required resources.} Re8 {Capitulation, as I thought everything was losing.} ({With a bit more time and resilience} 60... Ra7+ $1 {would be a game-changer.} 61. Rxa7 Bxd4 62. Qxf7 Bxa7 63. Qxa7 Qxg2 {Objectively drawish, but practically, Black is pressing.}) (60... Kh5 $5 {Even this saves the game. But it requires an escape-artist.} 61. Rh8+ (61. Nf5 $1 Qc4+ (61... gxf5 $2 62. Rh8+ {and mate.}) 62. Kb1 Qf1+ 63. Ka2 Qc4+ 64. Kb1 Qf1+ $11) 61... Bh6 62. Rxh6+ Kxh6 63. Qh8+ Kg5 64. Nf3+ $8 Kf5 65. Nd4+ $8 Kf4 (65... Kg5 66. Nf3+ $11) 66. Qxh4+ $8 Ke3 67. Qe1+ Kf4 $8 {or mate in 1} 68. Qh4+ $11) 61. Rxe8 ({Even this is winning:} 61. Nf5+ Qxf5 62. Qxh4+) 61... Qxe8 62. Nf5+ {The shock of seeing mate in every line, coupled with the adrenaline from time trouble, made me slam the table in rage. A rating loss like this would mean another half-year of training, saving up for Europe, and going back to roll the dice again.  I went outside on that cold, Polish night, found an empty street, and screamed curses at the sky, since there was no one to be angry at except myself. I got everything I wanted positionally, then my opponent gifted a million chances to convert this tactically, but I snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.   After calming down, I realized that I would have to work on tactical conversion, as relying on intuition to stick my pieces on good squares wasn't going to cut it.} 1-0

[Event "Maia Chess Open 2023"]
[Site "Porto"]
[Date "2023.09.02"]
[Round "9.8"]
[White "Ivanov, Mike"]
[Black "Nijboer, Friso"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Mike Ivanov"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2339"]
[BlackElo "2463"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[GameId "2268537441444102"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[EventCountry "POR"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This was the last round of the 2023 Maia Open, a great tournament in Porto, Portugal. I was also having a great tournament, drawing 3 GMs and staying undefeated till this point. A win would most likely get me another IM norm, while a draw would get some prize money.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 {It may not seem like it, but this is my way of playing for the win. Friso is an experienced GM who's a fan of sharp chess. My job was to find a move order he would find uncomfortable, where I could attack without too much risk.} Nc6 3. Nge2 {3.g3 allows ...g6 which I was hoping to steer him away from. This move order still threatens d4, which players at his high level ssume will be played.} e6 (3... e5 4. Nd5 $14) 4. g3 Nf6 5. Bg2 {[#]} d6 (5... d5 {Fischer-Spassky 1992 had a bunch of games along these lines, so I would be comfortable with these structures.} 6. exd5 exd5 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bg4 9. Nde2 Bb4 10. h3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Bf5 12. Rb1 {is slightly more pleasant for White.}) 6. O-O Bd7 7. f4 {Angling for a Closed Sicilian now. Black's plan here is less obvious than in the fianchetto setups.} Qb6 ({Perhaps} 7... h5 $5 {should be played, restraining further g4s and hoping for h4, ...hxg at the right point. With no central breaks, White also finds it hard to make progress.}) 8. d3 Be7 (8... h5 $5) 9. h3 {...g4 has to be stopped.} h5 10. Be3 {[#]} {I could see he was uncomfortable here, not quite knowing what structure to go for. The opening can be considered a success, but conversion is key...} e5 (10... d5 $1 11. e5 (11. exd5 exd5 $8 $15 12. Nxd5 $2 Nxd5 13. Bxd5 Bxh3 $19) 11... d4 12. exf6 Bxf6 13. Bf2 dxc3 14. bxc3 Qa5 $11) 11. Rb1 {Trying to make use of the awkward black queen. In general, e5, c5, and b6 don't go well together.} Nd4 {[#]Critical Position Should White go b4, h2, or something else?} 12. Qd2 {Playing too much on zombie mode. White should have smelled a rat.} ({editor -} 12. Kh2 $2 {gives Black a chance to grab the initiative with} h4 13. g4 Bxg4 $1 $15) (12. b4 $1 {It's a real shame not finding this chance, presented on a silver platter.} cxb4 (12... O-O 13. Kh2 {Black can't really do much!} Rac8 14. bxc5 Qxc5 15. Rxb7 Rc7 16. Rxc7 Qxc7 17. Qd2 $16) 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Bf2 $8 $16 {is what I missed, maybe because the geometry is unusual. Black's pawns will fall one by one and White is already much better.}) 12... a5 13. Nd1 Bc6 {[#]} 14. Nc1 {Typical Closed Sicilian theme, but here it provokes a crisis and lets Black get the activity he wants. The simpler c3! would have kept the initiative on our side.} (14. c3 $142 Nxe2+ 15. Qxe2 Qc7 (15... O-O 16. c4 {The battle between d5/d4 outposts is clearly in our favour, white is much better.}) 16. fxe5 dxe5 17. c4 O-O {Now Black has a lot of weak pawns and squares to protect.} 18. Nc3 Rad8 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. cxd5 b6 21. Rbc1 g6 22. d4 $1 $16) 14... h4 {Black has to go forward, otherwise white's pawn armada will simply squeeze them off the board.} (14... O-O 15. c3 Ne6 16. f5 Nc7 17. c4 $16) 15. g4 exf4 16. Rxf4 (16. Bxf4 {slightly more precise. The e3 square is needed for the knight.}) {[#]} 16... d5 {Now the play becomes both sharp and principled. Both sides ore obliged into uncompromising moves.} (16... O-O 17. g5 Nd7 18. Rxh4 Ne5 {We both underestimated this for black}) 17. Rxf6 $1 {Has to be done, otherwise our pieces are too late to the fight.} gxf6 (17... Bxf6 $5 18. exd5 Ba4 19. b3 Bd7 20. c3 Nb5 21. a4 Nd6 22. Nf2 $11 {I'd prefer White, but both sides have equal chances.}) 18. exd5 Bd7 19. c3 {[#]} f5 $5 {This guy clearly likes to have fun. Perhaps the concept isn't fully sound (only Caissa knows), but my king is worried for the first time this game.} (19... Nb5 20. a4 Nd6 21. b4 axb4 22. cxb4 Rxa4 23. Nb3 Rxb4 24. Bxc5 Rxb3 25. Bxb6 Rxb1 26. Bc5 {Another imbalanced equality that could have happened.}) 20. cxd4 {We have to take up the challenge, for good or ill.} cxd4 21. Bf2 fxg4 {[#]} 22. Nb3 $2 {I should have smelled that the white king needs another defender, and the white knight doesn't belong here.} (22. Ne2 Rg8 23. Bxd4 Qg6 24. Nf4 Qh6 25. Be3 gxh3 26. Nxh3 Qf6 27. Ndf2 {The smoke has cleared and white has two knights for a rook. Our king isn't the safest, but we shouldn't get mated at least.}) 22... Qg6 23. Bxd4 (23. Kh1 {Prophylaxis helps here!} gxh3 24. Bf3 Bg4 {Black has to keep producing threats.} 25. Qf4 Bxf3+ 26. Qxf3 Rg8 27. Qxh3 {With dynamic equality.} Qg5 28. Nxd4 Qxd5+ 29. Qf3 $8 (29. Nf3 $4 Rg3 $19) 29... Qxf3+ 30. Nxf3) 23... Rg8 24. Kh1 gxh3 25. Be4 Bf5 26. Nc3 {I've restored some coordination, but the kingside is still precarious.} Qg3 {Threatening ...f3 after the bishops are traded. [#] Critical Position Time for an only defensive move!} 27. Qe2 $2 {My calculation wasn't up to the task this game. I spent quite some time here, but everything looked scary... or maybe that was just my fear of Friso!} (27. Qh2 $2 Bxe4+ 28. Nxe4 Qf3+ {#1}) (27. Rg1 $2 Bxe4+ 28. Nxe4 Qf3+ 29. Kh2 Rxg1 $8 30. Bxg1 f5 $8 $19 31. d6 fxe4 32. dxe7 Qg3+ 33. Kh1 exd3 34. Qf2 Qxf2 35. Bxf2 Rc8 {and this endgame should be winning; too many scary black pawns.}) (27. Rf1 $2 Bxe4+ $8 28. Nxe4 Qg2+ $8 $19) (27. Qf2 $8 {Covering all key squares, and going into much more acceptable endgames.} Bxe4+ 28. dxe4 Qg2+ 29. Qxg2 hxg2+ 30. Kh2 a4 31. Nd2 Bg5 32. Nc4 $1 (32. Nf3 Bf4+ 33. Kg1 h3 {White is struggling}) 32... Bf4+ 33. Kh3 $1 {The king must walk a tightrope, but he can survive.} Rg3+ 34. Kxh4 Ra6 35. d6 $8 {Somehow White is hanging on!  Would I have found it?  Probably not...}) 27... Bg4 28. Qe3 f5 $1 {This is the problem. Not sure what I hallucinated, now White is doomed.} 29. Rg1 Qxe3 30. Bxe3 fxe4 31. dxe4 Bf3+ 32. Kh2 Rxg1 33. Bxg1 Bg2 34. Bd4 {[#]} Bg5 (34... O-O-O {With the rook coming to f8-f1-h1, White can resign with a clear conscience.} 35. Nc5 Rf8 36. Nd3 Rf1 37. Nf2 Bd6+ 38. e5 Bxe5+ 39. Bxe5 Rxf2 $19) 35. Be5 Kf7 {I'm always a hair's length away from mate, while the knights aren't as pretty as they seem. If only those e4/d5 pawns were a little further...} 36. Nd4 Bc1 37. Nf5 Bxb2 38. a4 b6 $6 {[#] Here you can see the effect of time trouble as Friso had to make three moves to reach time control. Sadly, even fourth-rate moves are good enough to win here.} 39. Bd4 {Hoping for something like ...xc3, xc3 xe4?, d6+!  Hope springs eternal.} Rd8 40. Nb5 Bxd4 {Despite having seconds left to reach move 40, Friso manages to not blunder into any knight tricks, after which the pawns are doomed. If White could hold both pawns, it would be another story.} 41. Nfxd4 Bxe4 42. d6 Bd3 43. Kxh3 Bxb5 44. Nxb5 Ke6 45. Kxh4 {[#] My chess friends like to make fun of me for playing severely down on material. Nonetheless, I think a strong player should have boundless optimism about saving pretty much any position. If you play something like this a hundred times, one time a miracle will happen.  Just not this time :(} Rxd6 46. Kg4 Rd1 47. Kf3 Ra1 48. Nd4+ Kd5 49. Nb5 Kc5 $1 ({Never too late to mess up!} 49... Rxa4 $4 50. Nc3+ $11 Kc4 51. Nxa4 b5 52. Ke3 $8 Kb4 (52... bxa4 53. Kd2 Kb3 54. Kc1 Ka2 55. Kc2 $11 {traps the black , which blocks the pawns.}) 53. Nb6 $8 Kc3 54. Nd5+ $8 Kc4 55. Nc7 b4 56. Kd2 Kb3 57. Kc1 Ka2 58. Nb5 b3 59. Nc3+ Ka1 60. Na4 $11 {And so, all good things come to an end, including my hopes for this tournament. It hurt, especially since it's hard to come back down to earth after a streak of good results. No money, no norm, but at least a feeling that the game quality was good, and many ideas were tested. As a silver lining, Friso was kind enough to buy me a drink after and analyze the game together, where we found some of the ways I could survive Black's attack.   This type of loss was instrumental to figuring out what was still needed: better calculation in critical moments, not fearing ghosts, and keeping the initiative going!}) 0-1

[Event "6th San Cristobal Open A"]
[Site "Tenerife"]
[Date "2024.08.24"]
[Round "1.19"]
[White "Ivanov, Mike"]
[Black "Diaz Reyes, Kyllian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Mike Ivanov"]
[ECO "A08"]
[WhiteElo "2364"]
[BlackElo "2012"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[GameId "2263746691160922"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{I had arrived to the tournament the day before the first round, and realized to my dismay that the Airbnb I was staying at was an hour by tram from the playing hall. One wrong letter in the address made all the difference...I decided to turn this into a positive by spending every commuting minute on calculation and openings. The calculation part worked wonders, while the first round opening wasn't as inspiring... ... Before the round started, there was confusion about the pairings, and I first shook hands with the wrong kid. Thankfully, the right one came along before I could start showing my opening prep.} 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c5 4. O-O Nc6 5. d4 {[#] Hoping for a reversed Gruenfeld. The f3+g3 repertoire usually works well against kids, who don't get as much practice here as they do against e4/d4.} Bf5 {I knew this, along with ...g4, was not supposed to be good.... yet I couldn't remember why for the life of me, and had to spend half an hour on figuring out why.} 6. c4 e6 7. cxd5 {[#]} Nxd5 (7... exd5 {These positions are all pleasant for white, as the bishop on f5 doesn't belong there in the isolated pawn structures.} 8. Bg5 Be7 (8... c4 9. b3 $14) 9. dxc5 Bxc5 (9... O-O 10. e3 Bxc5 11. Nc3 Be7 12. Nd4 Nxd4 13. Qxd4 Be6 {The bishop realizes where his home should have been.} 14. Rfd1 $16) 10. Bxf6 gxf6 {Super ugly for black.} (10... Qxf6 11. Qxd5 {Pawn up for very little in return.})) 8. Nc3 {Not a precise punishment. Now black gets a playable position.} (8. Ne5 $1 {Very often in the Reti, e5 going for these double e-pawns is incredibly strong. Including here.} Nxe5 9. dxe5 Bxb1 10. Rxb1 Qd7 $14) 8... Nxc3 9. bxc3 Be4 $1 {Practically equalizing.} 10. Qb3 {[#] Trying to pose some problems, now that my dragon bishop has been neutralized.} cxd4 (10... Na5 $5 11. Qb5+ Bc6 12. Qd3 Be7 13. e4 O-O {Black should be fine, despite the a5 knight.}) 11. Nxd4 (11. Qxb7 $5 {For some reason, I didn't take this seriously. The queen is feeling just fine, and black's light-squares are becoming suspect.} Rb8 12. Qa6 dxc3 13. Qc4 Bd5 14. Qxc3 Be7 15. Bf4 Bf6 16. Qc5 Bxa1 17. Bxb8 Bf6 18. Bf4 {Where white is slightly more pleasant but a drawish endgame should come soon.}) 11... Bxg2 12. Kxg2 {[#]} Qd5+ {Inaccurate. Now both sides have an isolani, but white is more ready to use the weaknesses.} (12... Qc7 13. Nb5 Qc8 14. Ba3 $14) (12... Nxd4 13. cxd4 Qd5+ 14. Qxd5 exd5 15. Bf4 $14) (12... Qb6 {Probably the best way to trade queens. The endgame is harmless.} 13. Qa4 (13. Qxb6 axb6 14. Nb5 O-O-O) 13... Qa5 (13... Bc5 14. Nb3 Be7 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Nd4 Qa5 17. Qxa5 Nxa5 18. Nb5 O-O 19. Bxa7 Nc4 $14) 14. Qxa5 (14. Qc4 Qc5 15. Qb3 Qb6 {Would be a funny repetition.}) 14... Nxa5 15. Nb5 Rd8 $1 16. Nxa7 Bc5 17. Nb5 Ke7 {This endgame will be very hard to win, considering black's activity.}) 13. Qxd5 exd5 14. Rb1 (14. Be3 $1) 14... O-O-O {I assumed this must be good for White, but it's a fleeting edge. If black can get d6, d7, and a5-c4 in, they will have consolidated.} 15. Be3 {[#]} Na5 $2 (15... a6 $4 16. Nxc6 bxc6 17. Rb6 $16) (15... Rd7 {After this, I couldn't see any concrete way to use my development, and thought I may have to start squeezing black's weaknesses after Nxc6. Thankfully my opponent had other ambitions.} 16. Nxc6 bxc6 17. Rb3 (17. c4 d4 18. Bf4 Bd6 19. Bxd6 Rxd6 20. Rb3 Re8 {This is a little too close to a drawn rook endgame for my liking.}) 17... Rb7 (17... Bd6 {I expected this to happen, where I'm enjoying the b-file but black is one rook trade away from objectively holding a draw.}) 18. Rxb7 Kxb7 19. Rb1+ Ka8) 16. Nb5 {I'm not really sure what my opponent missed, perhaps he was just too entranced by that c4 outpost.} a6 $2 {Mistakes rarely come alone. Perhaps Kyllian was counting on a7+ when things aren't so clear.} 17. Bb6 $1 {The only way to get a cleanly winning endgame.} (17. Na7+ Kb8 18. Bb6 Rd6 19. Bxa5 Kxa7 $14 {with healthier pawns than in the game.}) 17... axb5 {[#]} 18. Bxa5 (18. Bxd8 Kxd8 19. Rxb5 b6 20. Rxb6 Kc7 21. Ra6 {should also be winning, but why complicate when life is already good?}) 18... Re8 19. e3 b4 20. cxb4 ({The computer has no biases towards taking free pawns; it goes:} 20. Rfd1 {Now Black's king is really precarious.} bxc3 21. Bxc3 Rd8 22. Rdc1 $18) 20... Bd6 21. Rfd1 Kd7 22. Rxd5 b6 {[#]} 23. Rbd1 (23. Bxb6 Kc6 24. Rbd1 Bxb4 25. Bd8 {Is an interesting way to attack too. The game was just simpler.}) 23... bxa5 24. Rxd6+ {Black's biggest problem isn't the plethora of missing pawns, but the contrast in rook activity plus king safety.} Ke7 25. Rd7+ Ke6 {Black resigned. Sometimes, lengthy thinks in such positions are a good encouragement for your opponent to get it over with, time permitting.   In the first round, you're still trying to feel the strength of your opponents and get into rhythm. This game showed that I was in good shape and didn't need to rely solely on opening advantages.} 1-0

[Event "6th San Cristobal Open A"]
[Site "Tenerife"]
[Date "2024.08.25"]
[Round "2.19"]
[White "Kumar, Sanjit S"]
[Black "Ivanov, Mike"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Mike Ivanov"]
[ECO "A50"]
[WhiteElo "1908"]
[BlackElo "2364"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[GameId "2263746692410214"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Going into round 2, you realize that the direction of your tournament rests on this game. A win will lead to playing up and fighting on the top boards, while a loss or a draw means you're stuck playing talented masters who are lower rated while you're not in your best form.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 Nc6 {[#]  Knights' Tango When playing kids, one of the last advantages I can still claim is knowing more sidelines which they haven't learned to refute yet! The resulting strange structures may also confuse them. The Knights' Tango is good when playing for the win, as it's provocative and often leads to closed centers.} 3. Nc3 e5 4. d5 Ne7 5. e4 {Once upon a time, IM Justin Sarkar played 5. h4 against me and won, although not without adventures.} (5. h4 Nf5 6. Qd3 Nh6 7. Bg5 $14 {Sarkar - Ivanov, 2015.}) 5... Ng6 {This position is possible with colours reversed, where the h-push would also be a line.} 6. h4 h5 7. Bg5 {[#] To be honest, I was already out of book here and improvising, although the idea of g5-e2-g3-xh5 is standard.} Bc5 {I was lucky that this works, as ...e7 seemed really passive to me.} (7... Be7 8. g3 d6 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. Be2 Nf8 11. Bxh5 $16) 8. g3 (8. Be2 d6 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 {the attack on f2 saves the the black h-pawn.}) 8... d6 9. Bh3 Bxh3 10. Rxh3 $6 {The rook will be misplaced here.} (10. Nxh3 Nf8 11. O-O N8h7 12. Bd2 Bd4 13. Qe2 O-O $14) 10... Nf8 {The knight needs to find greener pastures.} 11. Qd2 N8d7 {[#] editor - No wonder kids get confused playing against the Tango: Black has played five of his eleven moves with this one  --- b8-c6-e7-g6-f8-d7 -- just to land on a square it could have reached in one move (!) -- and is somehow on the slightly better side of equality (!??!). The answer, I suppose, is that Black has caught up in development and White's extra space is not an advantage with two pairs of minors gone. If this was one of Morphy's 1.e4 e5 open games, then Black would already have been mated.} 12. O-O-O a6 {The position has stabilized for black and now I can use the c4 pawn as a hook for my attack.} 13. Kb1 b5 {[#]} 14. cxb5 $6 {Wrong treatment of the structure. Just like in the Saemisch King's Indian, White should allow Black to take on c4.} (14. f3 bxc4 15. Qe2 Nb6 16. Rh2 Rb8 17. Rg2 $15 {Black is dictating terms but there's no clear road to victory.}) 14... axb5 15. f3 (15. Nxb5 Qb8 16. Nc3 Qa7 17. Be3 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Qxa2+ 19. Kc2 Rb8 20. Rb1 Qa4+ 21. Kd3 Rb3+ 22. Nc3 Bd4 23. Rc1 Nc5+ 24. Ke2 Qc4+ 25. Kd1 O-O 26. Nge2 Nd3 {I won't pretend to have seen this over the board, but it shows the dangers White has to contend with if he's greedy.}) 15... Qb8 $6 {Inaccuracy which I was kicking myself over during the game. After 15...b4 Black creates threats a lot sooner, and White can't set up a barricade.} (15... b4 16. Nce2 Ra6 17. Nc1 Qa8 18. Nge2 b3 $1 19. axb3 O-O 20. Rhh1 Rb8 $17) 16. b3 {[#]} Qb6 (16... b4 $5 17. Na4 Rxa4 $1 18. bxa4 b3 {I underestimated this during the game.} 19. Ne2 O-O 20. Ka1 bxa2 $17 21. Qxa2 $2 Qb4 {Black is already winning since the white pieces are too awkward to stop the onslaught of threats.}) 17. Nge2 O-O {It's finally time to castle, since the danger is gone and we need the second rook.} 18. Qd3 Ra5 {Starting to pile up. White's problem is that they're tied to passive defence with no real breakthrough on the kingside, hence no counterplay.} 19. Rh2 Rfa8 20. Rg2 Qa6 21. Nc1 Bd4 {[#] Making way for the knights to enter the party.} 22. Be3 $2 (22. Rc2 Nc5 23. Qe2 Nfd7 24. b4 $13 {This becomes a mess, but that's the best White can hope for at this point.}) 22... Nc5 {This knight is important first and foremost to take away the a4 square from their knight. With the blockade gone, their castle crumbles.} 23. Qd2 Bxe3 24. Qxe3 b4 25. Na4 Nxa4 26. bxa4 Rxa4 27. g4 {Too little, too late.} hxg4 28. fxg4 {[#]} b3 {Some moves have to be played by hand, and this is one of them. As Tal once told Kasparov, "Garri, first sacrifice, then think".} 29. Qxb3 (29. axb3 Ra1+ 30. Kc2 Ra2+ 31. Nxa2 Qxa2+ 32. Kc3 Qxg2 $19) (29. Nxb3 Rxa2 30. Rxa2 Qxa2+ 31. Kc1 Rb8 $19) 29... Nxe4 {The last attacker comes in to finish the show.} 30. g5 Ra3 {White resigned.   Overall a fairly clean game, with some attacking inaccuracies like ...b8. The hardest part was defusing h4 in the opening, as these positions can get bad really fast. With this win, I was ready to try more serious openings against more serious players.} 0-1

[Event "6th San Cristobal Open A"]
[Site "Tenerife"]
[Date "2024.08.25"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Ivanov, Mike"]
[Black "Ambartsumova, Karina"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Mike Ivanov"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2364"]
[BlackElo "2404"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[GameId "2263746690853719"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Going into this game, I was approaching the 2400 mark, and my thoughts were already skewed by results and possible outcomes. This is clearly seen in the last part of the game, where nerves played a decisive role.} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 {[#] One perk of a 1.f3 repertoire is the flexibilty with early move orders, making Benoni and Gruenfeld players uncomfortable. I usually play 2.g3 but this way I got to avoid symmetrical lines since Karina didn't play the symmetrical English.} e6 {Before playing ...e6, Karina stared at me as if to say, you're not supposed to do that! She clearly wasn't expecting this line to happen.} 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Na3 $5 {[#] Another little surprise, counting on Black not knowing the line well. In a way it was a sort of bluff, as I'm hoping that Black believes me that taking the knight on a3 is scary for her. Karina spent over 15 minutes here, trying to decide what to do with this knight. Chess principles probably told her that taking was critical, but she seemed scared of my prep, as I was playing this for the first time. So she tried to play solidly, but this turned out to be simply passive.} (5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 c5 {is What most people study and what I wanted to avoid.}) 5... c5 (5... Bxa3 6. bxa3 O-O 7. Bb2 Nbd7 8. Qc2 c5 9. O-O (9. Qxc4 $6 b5 $1 $15) 9... Qc7 10. Rab1 (10. a4 b6 $11) 10... Rb8 11. Qxc4 b5 12. Qc2 Bb7 $11) 6. Nxc4 Nc6 7. b3 Be7 8. Bb2 O-O 9. O-O {[#]} (9. d4 $5) 9... Bd7 $6 {This is already an inaccurate move order, as Black doesn't get to develop properly. Not that the position is easy to play anyways, as Black will have to walk through hoops while developing.} (9... Qc7 10. d4 Rd8 {A much better try for black.}) 10. d4 ({My first thought was} 10. Nfe5 {, but if Black gets control over d4, even the bishop pair shouldn't scare her much.} Qc7 11. Nxd7 Nxd7 12. Rc1 Rfd8 {Black is solid, with good chances of taking over the center entirely.}) 10... b5 $6 {Black lashes out, but only ends up with more weaknesses. In passive positions, drastic attempts at activity shouldn't work.} 11. Nce5 Rc8 {[#]} 12. Nxd7 {I get tempted by the bishop pair, which I wanted to take even on the last move. This gets an easy advantage to press, but dxc5 is more ambitious:} (12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Rc1 Bb6 14. Qd6 $16) 12... Qxd7 (12... Nxd7 13. d5 exd5 14. Qxd5 {With a slight but steady edge.}) 13. Rc1 Rfd8 {[#]Once, GM Grischuk talked about terrorizing his opponents with draws. I get to terrorize Black with slighly better positions without much chance of losing.} 14. dxc5 {I happily go into the ensuing endgame: the b5 is weak, the bishop pair is about to come out, and Black has tactical problems with the back rank.} Qxd1 {Massive exchanges only help White here, but Black can't really avoid them.} (14... Bxc5 15. Qxd7 Nxd7 16. Rfd1 Be7 (16... Bb6 17. Ne1 $14) 17. Ne1 Nb6 18. Rxd8+ Nxd8 19. Rxc8 Nxc8 {Black seems to be hanging on by the hair of her chinny chin chin.}) 15. Rfxd1 Rxd1+ 16. Rxd1 Bxc5 17. Rc1 {The real problem for Black: too many pieces on the c-file to untangle, and the b-pawn might become collateral damage.} Nd7 {[#]Critical Position} 18. Nd4 {A natural move but it lets Black get away with "just" a missing pawn.  Something is rotten on the c-file, and White has a huge advantage after e1!} (18. Ne1 $142 $1 {is surprisingly strong. Black cannot unravel her pieces properly, with White clearing the bowling pins on the c-file while preparing to eat the weakened pawns.} Ne7 ({editor -} 18... b4 {stops White playing b4, but} 19. Bxc6 Rxc6 20. Nd3 {and d4 wins at least an exchange.}) 19. Nd3 Bd6 20. Rxc8+ Nxc8 21. Bc6 {editor - if the b5 pawn was back on b6 this would be only , now White goes up a pawn and keeps the B-pair, winning.} Nb8 22. Bxb5 a6 23. Bc4 Nb6 24. Be5 Nxc4 25. bxc4 Bxe5 26. Nxe5 f6 27. Nd3 $19 {With a technically winning endgame. The white king will come to a4/a5, and the black knight will be kicked out of guard-posts with trade threats.}) 18... Nxd4 (18... Ne7 19. Nxb5 $18) (18... Bxd4 19. Bxd4 Ndb8 20. Be5 $18) 19. Bxd4 b4 $1 {[#] For some reason, I missed this from afar. Thankfully, black's weakened back-rank nets us a pawn by force.} 20. Bb7 Rb8 (20... Rc7 21. Ba6 {The threat of b5 terrorizes black into giving up the a-pawn.}) 21. Bxc5 Rxb7 22. Bd6 h5 {[#]} 23. Rc4 {We want to provoke a5 first, so we can eat it later.} (23. Rc8+ Kh7 24. Rc7 Rxc7 25. Bxc7 Nf6 26. Bd6 Nd5 27. e4 Nc3 28. Bxb4 Nxe4 {This would also be pleasant, but didn't seem convincing from afar.}) 23... Nb6 (23... a5 24. Rc8+ Kh7 25. Rc7 $1 $18) 24. Rxb4 Rd7 25. Bc5 (25. Bb8 {was also interesting.} Rd1+ (25... Rb7 26. Bf4) 26. Kg2 Nd5 27. Ra4 Nc3 28. Rxa7) 25... Nd5 {[#] We reached a completely winning endgame. The black knight doesn't have stability, our bishop is strong, and the outside passer should decide. But these 2400s are stubborn and resourceful!} 26. Rd4 (26. Rb8+ Kh7 27. Ra8 Nb6 28. Bxb6 axb6 29. Rb8 Rd6 30. h4 $18 {Analysis Diagram [#] From far away I thought black still had chances to hold, but this is illusory. Black ends up in zugzwang sooner or later.} f6 31. Kg2 Kg6 32. Kf3 Rc6 33. Rb7 Kh6 34. Ke4 Kg6 35. a4 Rd6 36. e3 {No rush.} Kh6 37. b4 Kg6 38. b5 Kh6 39. Rc7 Rd8 40. Rc6 Ra8 41. Rxb6 ({editor - The game line illustrates Black's helplessness. White could go up two pawns with} 41. Rxe6 Rxa4+ 42. Kf3 {and xb6.}) 41... Rxa4+ 42. Kd3 e5 43. Rc6 Ra2 44. f3 {Analysis Diagram  [#] The white king is more active than usual for such endgames, and black's counterplay is miles away. The c6 rook does a good job of protecting the passer from the side. editor - True, but in this precis position c2 heading for b2 looks cleaner.} Kg6 45. b6 Rb2 46. Kc4 Kf7 47. Kc5 $18) 26... Rc7 27. Rc4 f5 28. Bd4 {The bishop wants to clamp down on the dark squares.} Rd7 29. e3 Ne7 30. h4 {Fixing the pawn structure, with an inkling of g2-f3-f4-e5 in the future.} Kf7 31. Kf1 g6 32. Ra4 {[#] A step in the wrong direction. White needs to keep the bishop on d4, the knight restrained, and the queenside pawns flexible. When satisfied, ensure the status quo remains.} Nc6 33. Ke2 $2 {One mistake deserves another. In some dream world, I was hoping that black trades the knight and we get a winning rook endgame. Yet this permits black to break their shackles and achieve piece activity.} (33. f4 {Maintains a stable hold over the position.} Nxd4 (33... Ke7 34. Bc5+ Kf7 35. Ra6 Rc7 36. b4 $18 {Black is completely paralyzed.}) (33... a5 34. Bc3 Rd1+ 35. Ke2 Rg1 36. Bxa5 Rxg3 37. Bc3 Rh3 38. b4 $18 {The white pawns are simply faster,}) 34. exd4 Rc7 35. Rc4 $18) 33... e5 34. Bc3 Ke6 35. Rc4 Kd5 36. f3 Rb7 37. e4+ Kd6 38. Ke3 a5 {[#]} 39. f4 {White consolidated a bit, and wants to break through black's wall to get to g6 someday.} exf4+ 40. Kxf4 fxe4 41. Rxe4 Rf7+ $5 {[#] Even though this move is losing objectively, it forces White to decide between two unclear moves in time pressure.} 42. Ke3 $2 {Around here, I had 3 minutes left. White is in risk-management mode, but should still play principled chess with g5. Now it becomes harder to break through.} (42. Kg5 Rf3 43. Be1 Ne5 {I calculated this far, but vastly overestimated Black's chances. The knight is annoying on e5 but not eternal.} 44. Kh6 $1 Ke6 (44... Kd5 45. Ra4) 45. Bxa5 Kf5 46. Rf4+ Rxf4 47. gxf4 Ng4+ 48. Kg7 {and white wins.}) 42... Rf5 43. Rf4 Rc5 44. Bb2 (44. Kd3 {is better to stop potential rook invasions and ...b4s} Rd5+ 45. Ke4 Rc5 46. Rf6+ Ke7 47. Rf3 Rb5 48. Kd3 Rc5 49. Rf4 Rb5 50. Kc4 {over time, white will squeeze black away from the 5th rank.}) 44... Kd5 {[#] Critical Position What should White do about ...c2?} 45. Ba3 $4 {a really awful move coming from a place of panic, throwing away any remaining advantage. Of course, it was based on fearing ...c2, and ...c3+ didn't even cross my mind. Such blunders are typical for time pressure, which doesn't make it feel any better.} (45. Rc4 Rxc4 (45... Rb5 46. Bc3 $18) 46. bxc4+ Kxc4 47. Kf4 $8 {This is apparently winning, but when you're feeling chances slip away before your eyes, your confidence is shot, and pessimism clouds simple evaluations.}) ({editor - White can actually ignore ...c2, but to know that you'd have to see all the way to the end of this line:} 45. Rf6 Rc2 46. Rf2 Rxf2 47. Kxf2 Nb4 {threatening ...d3+ and a2.} 48. Bc3 $8 Nxa2 49. Bxa5 $8 Nc1 50. b4 $8 $18) 45... Rc3+ (45... Rc2 46. Rc4 $2 (46. Rf6 $1 Rxa2 47. Bf8 $18 {not at all easy to judge that this is still winning.}) 46... Rxa2 $1 47. Rc5+ Kd6 48. Rxa5+ Ke6 $8 49. Rc5 Kd6 50. Rxh5+ Rxa3 51. Rb5 {Is only a fancy draw.}) 46. Kf2 Rc2+ 47. Ke3 Rxa2 48. Ra4 {[#] Realizing what a mess I made, it was fortunate that a4 keeps everything together.} Ra1 (48... Rg2 49. Kf4) 49. Kf4 Rb1 {And here Karina offered a draw which I accepted.} ({The game could have continued} 49... Rb1 50. Kg5 Rxb3 51. Kxg6 Rxg3+ 52. Kxh5 {, where black can sac the knight for my last pawn if needed.  . Both players left with feelings of disgust from this game: her for allowing this lost endgame to begin with, and me for not finding the plethora of winning chances in the endgame. On the bright side, I felt in control for the entire game against a higher-rated opponent, which gave me the confidence to play for the win in the next rounds.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "6th San Cristobal Open A"]
[Site "Tenerife"]
[Date "2024.08.26"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Grieve, Harry"]
[Black "Ivanov, Mike"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Mike Ivanov"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2479"]
[BlackElo "2364"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[GameId "2263746690558804"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Going into this game, I noticed that my opponent played mainlines in 1.e4 without fail, going for principled variations where he was usually well prepared. This suited his agressive style of play, but also helped me in this game as I knew exactly what was going to happen till move 10.} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 {Considering I needed 20 points around here, some risk was called for. So time to whip out the Winawer!} 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Nc6 7. Qg4 g6 {My French of choice for the last 3 years. Played by Carlsen, Rapport, and other strong GMs, it takes away the poisoned pawn Winawer dynamics where White can rely on their passed h-pawn. Any advantage is positional due to White's dark-square domination, while Black's king is usually safe.} 8. h4 {[#]} Bd7 $5 {The sum of 6 months of work on this line. Instead of going for 8...h6 which is the mainline, we pull a conceptual switch allowing white to get h5 in.} ({I believe this is supposed to be the critical line:} 8... h6 9. h5 g5 10. f4 f5 11. Qg3 Qa5 12. Bd2 g4 13. dxc5 {, and although Carlsen made it work several times against Anand and Giri, I was less enthusiastic about my chances here with Harry.}) (8... Qa5 {I played this a week before the game with Harry, and I was hoping he would be expecting this, which isn't as good.} 9. Bd2 Qa4 10. Nf3 Bd7 11. Qf4 h6 12. dxc5 Qxc2 13. Nd4 Nxd4 14. cxd4 Qe4+ 15. Qxe4 dxe4 16. Rb1 Bc6 17. Bb5 Bxb5 18. Rxb5 O-O-O $11 {½-½ (58) Fizer,M (2262)-Ivanov,M (2364) Olomouc, Czech Republic, 2024.}) 9. h5 Qa5 $146 10. Bd2 O-O-O {[#]} 11. hxg6 $6 {Arguably a mistake already. It makes more sense to keep the tension, and the pawn might be better off on h6 for white. Now my rooks gladly get into the game.} ({White should consider somthing else:} 11. a4 $5 {or}) (11. Nf3 Rf8 12. Bd3 Nge7 13. h6 c4 14. Be2 f6 $14 {Leads to interesting play which I hope other French lovers will get to try out.}) 11... fxg6 12. a4 Rf8 {[#] In my notes, I had this position with pawns on h5 and f7. This could only be a better version, so I was already in punishment mode!} 13. f4 $6 {Rarely is f4 a good move in the Winawer. Too many weak light squares, and too many lagging pieces!} Nge7 (13... cxd4 14. cxd4 Qb6 15. c3 Qb2 16. Rd1 (16. Qd1 $1) 16... Na5 {For a long time I seriously considered going for this, being greedy and going for his a-pawn. But then I wisely decided that pawns mattered a lot less than initiative at this point.}) 14. dxc5 g5 $1 {[#] White has blemished his position with too many pawn moves, so it's my job to blow it open while their army's sleeping!} 15. Qxg5 ({Allowing black to take the center seems blasphemous, but it may be their best chance:} 15. fxg5 Nxe5 16. Qb4 Qc7 (16... Qxb4 17. cxb4 $14) 17. O-O-O {Weirdly enough, white is fine. It seems like knights are worse at punishing lack of development than bishops in such positions.}) 15... Rhg8 16. Qh5 ({I was expecting} 16. Qh6 {, which also looks fun.} Nf5 17. Qxh7 (17. Qh3 Ng3 18. Rh2 Rxf4 19. Bxf4 Qxc3+ $19) 17... Ng3 18. Rh3 Nxf1 19. Kxf1 Nxe5 20. Re1 Nc4 $17) {[#]} 16... Rxf4 $1 {Exclam for consistency. Black has no time to dilly-dally.} 17. Bxf4 Qxc3+ 18. Kf2 Qxa1 19. Bd3 {[#]} Qxa4 {Here I slowly realized that the winning plan was not just to attack the king. We want to steal all the weak pawns, while trying to cancel out their bishops, get our knights stable, and keep them passive thanks to their king.} (19... Qd4+ 20. Be3 Qxe5 21. Qxe5 Nxe5 {Even good versions of Winawer endgames are not that good, and I wasn't confident about my ability to win this.}) 20. Ne2 Qb4 21. Bxh7 Qxc5+ 22. Kf3 {Sad, but in losing positions all moves are losing.} (22. Kf1 Rf8 23. Qh6 Rf7 $17) 22... Rf8 23. Qg5 {[#]} Nf5 (23... d4 $1 {is also very strong, as ...d5 is coming, e5 is weak, and the light squares are accented}) (23... Nd4+ $2 24. Nxd4 Qxd4 25. g3 {Thankfully I didn't go for this, after realizing that trading is in their favour.}) 24. Bxf5 Rxf5 25. Qg7 {[#] Up to here my play was natural and easy, I knew that I must be close to winning. Here however, ghosts creeped at the corners of my variations, especially as time trouble approached. In my life, I have messed up enough of these "no-brainers" to know this would take utmost precision.} Qxc2 {Maybe the move I'm most proud of, even if it's just taking a free pawn. We ignore all their ghosts on the back rank, and focus on preparing our attack with ...e4. c1 is impossible at the moment, and our d4 pawn is putting on its running shoes.} 26. Rh8+ (26. Rh7 Nxe5+ 27. Kg3 Qxe2 28. Rh8+ Kc7 {It's important to remember that the white rook can't be on h7 and h8 at the same time, otherwise I would be in big trouble!}) 26... Kc7 27. g3 Qe4+ 28. Kf2 {[#]} Nxe5 {Another move that took some nerves to dish out, especially since it took most of my remaining time. After analyzing with engines for a long time, I learned that in sharp positions with both sides attacking, captures are usually critical even if scary.} (28... Nd4 29. Nxd4 Qxd4+ 30. Kg2 $13 {the computer assures us it's winning, but that's not obvious OTB.}) (28... d4 {This is what I wanted to play but to my horror, the lines weren't holding up. So I had to make ...xe5 work, or else...} 29. Rh7 Qd5 (29... Nxe5 30. Qxd7+) 30. g4 $1 d3 {In for a penny, in for a pound.} 31. gxf5 dxe2 32. fxe6 e1=Q+ 33. Kxe1 Qe4+ 34. Kd1 Qf3+ 35. Ke1 (35. Kc2 Nb4+ $1 36. Kd2 $8 Qxf4+ 37. Ke1 $8 $11) 35... Qe4+ 36. Kf2 Qxf4+ 37. Kg2 Qe4+ 38. Kg3 Qe3+ 39. Kh2 Qxe5+ 40. Qxe5+ Nxe5 41. exd7 Nxd7 {White may suffer, but should be a draw. How much of this did I see? Only that g4 looked scary.}) 29. Rf8 Rh5 {You can see the effect of fear and nerves at this point, as I was just looking for moves that don't lose.} 30. Rh8 Rf5 {Always repeat when you can!} 31. Rf8 Rxf8 {[#] Finally I convinced myself that the pin wasn't fatal, and avoiding the rook trade was the only way forward.} 32. Qxf8 Kc6 $1 33. Bxe5 {I felt this was a mistake, since it kills the tension and allows me to calm down and regroup. Of course, everything else also loses.} (33. Kf1 Qf3+ 34. Ke1 Qh1+ 35. Kd2 Nc4+ 36. Kc3 Qf3+ 37. Kc2 Qxe2+ $19) 33... Qxe5 34. Qb4 Qd6 35. Nd4+ Kc7 36. Qc3+ Kb8 {[#] The king finds refuge and the rest is pretty trivial technique. Nonetheless, we were both physically shaking till the end.} 37. g4 {Here, my job is to find the most forcing win possible. All kinds of miracles can still happen, most of which I'd like to avoid.} Qh2+ (37... Qf4+ 38. Nf3 Qxg4 39. Qe5+ Kc8 {This wins, but not how you want to convert!} 40. Qh8+ Kc7 41. Qe5+ Kb6 42. Qd6+ Bc6 43. Qd8+ Ka6 $19) 38. Kf1 Qf4+ 39. Nf3 d4 40. Qa3 Bc6 41. Kf2 Qxf3+ {Time to liquidate.} 42. Qxf3 Bxf3 43. Kxf3 Kc7 {White resigns.  Overall, this is one of the better efforts from this tournament, and I'm happy that all stages went well. In the opening, I was able to use months of preparation, in the middlegame, I chose the right plan with ...g5 and combining initiative with pawn grabbing. And in the endgame, I didn't chicken out from critical variations even when they looked scary. A year before, this game would have gone much differently.  editor - readers who are interested in learning the French repertorie that helped him to his IM title -- including this surprsing and sound ...g6 line in the Winawer -- can find it in Mike's "Ferocious French" course on chessflow.org: https://www.chessflow.org/store} 0-1

[Event "6th San Cristobal Open A"]
[Site "Tenerife"]
[Date "2024.08.27"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Ivanov, Mike"]
[Black "Stefansson, Vignir Vatnar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Mike Ivanov"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2364"]
[BlackElo "2526"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[GameId "2263746692135779"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Coming into this game, I finally got to the territory where a win would let me cross 2400 and get me to IM. I was tempted to go all out, but knew that Vignir was playing well and was still the heavy favourite in this game. In the past, I made the mistake of playing for the win in such cases out of hubris and arrogance. Two painful years corrected this habit.} 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nc6 {He hadn't played this line before, hence I didn't have anything special, just general preparation from the previous year.} 3. d4 Bf5 4. c4 e6 5. Bg2 Nb4 {[#] We get something similar to a Reverse Jobava London. In that opening, pushing c5 isn't supposed to be good theoretically, as b5 a6 would be in White's favour. Here however, White has more ambitious options than defending with a3.} 6. O-O Nc2 {[#] After the game, he told me that he hadn't expected the rook sac line, and looked at it the night before by accident. I wish I had more such accidents!} 7. Nh4 {I knew that this and cxd5 were the two branches here, and h4 felt more solid to me. It was already strange playing this variation against a strong GM, but I didn't have anything else for the occasion. Besides, sometimes you can confuse stronger players with complications.} (7. cxd5 Nxa1 8. dxe6 Bxe6 (8... Bxb1 9. exf7+ Kxf7 10. Ne5+ {I couldn't remember how this went during this game, which influenced the decision to go for the "quieter" 7. h4}) 9. Nc3 c6 10. Ng5 Be7 11. Nxe6 fxe6 12. e4 Bb4 13. Be3 Nf6 14. Qe2 O-O 15. Rxa1 {1/2 Ivanov,M (2366)-Dorrance,A (2301) Summerside Maritime op 2025 (5) Ironically, both games were super sharp and both ended in draws.}) 7... Nxa1 8. Nxf5 exf5 9. Nc3 Qd7 10. cxd5 ({Arguably more precise is} 10. Nxd5 $5 c6 11. Nc3 Bb4 12. Qd3 Rd8 13. Bg5 Ne7 14. Bxe7 Bxe7 15. e3 O-O 16. Rxa1 $44) 10... Bb4 11. Qd3 {[#]} h6 {He played this without looking at the board, eyeing the ceiling where his memory could clearly make out this position from the night before. So far we're following known waters, but he blitzed it out, while I wasted way too much time triple-checking that this was all playable.} (11... Nf6 $6 12. Bg5 Be7 {Where white still keeps some momentum}) (11... Ne7 {is also playable, with a slight advantage to Black.}) 12. Bd2 Ne7 13. Rxa1 {[#]} Bxc3 {Perhaps he messed up the move order, or perhaps he started thinking for himself at the wrong time. Now white gets another chance to seize the initiative.} (13... O-O $1 {Would be great for black.} 14. a3 Bxc3 15. bxc3 Nxd5 16. c4 Nf6 17. Bxb7 Rab8 18. Bf3 Rfe8 $15) 14. bxc3 Nxd5 {[#] Since he played this quickly, I believed him that c4 was bad for some reason. Of course, it should be played for better or worse.} 15. e4 {A bit of wishful thinking since there was a childish part of me hoping for ...fxe4.} (15. c4 Nf6 (15... Ne7 16. Bxb7 Rb8 17. Bg2 O-O 18. d5 Rfe8 19. Bc3 $16) 16. Bb4 $1 {Now black is really in trouble.} (16. Bxb7 Rb8 17. Bg2 O-O {was what I didn't like, even if it's actually equal.}) 16... O-O-O 17. Rb1 c6 18. Bc5 $16 b6 19. Bxb6 $1 axb6 20. Rxb6 {Annihilation time.}) 15... Ne7 (15... fxe4 $2 16. Qxe4+ Ne7 17. Re1 $8 Kf8 18. Qxb7 $18) (15... Nb6 16. exf5 O-O 17. f6 $16) 16. exf5 ({editor - I'd be tempted by} 16. e5 {but even with the s it's hard to hold the center; e.g.} Rd8 $5 17. Bxb7 c5 18. Ba6 O-O 19. Be3 Nc6 $5 (19... f4 $5)) 16... Qxf5 17. Qe2 Qe6 {[#] Looking at this from afar, I thought the endgame might be tenable with the bishop pair. Yet the longer I looked, the more I realized how much suffering awaited. So I changed course, thankfully.} 18. Qb5+ (18. Qxe6 fxe6 19. Bxb7 Rb8 20. Be4 Rb2 21. Be3 Nd5 22. Bg6+ Kd7 $19 {With the b-file under their control, no bishop pair is stopping Black here.}) 18... c6 19. Qxb7 {Now, the play takes a forcing character, and I have no choice but to find the critical line. Black can't deviate either, as his own king is under assult.} O-O 20. Re1 Qxa2 21. Bxh6 {[#]} gxh6 (21... Rae8 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Rxe7 Qa1+ 24. Bf1 Qxc3 25. Qxa7 Rxe7 (25... Qf3 $5 {may be a way to play for Black to play for the win, but White is holding objectively.}) 26. Qxe7 Qxd4 27. Qg5+ Kh7 28. Qf5+ Kg8 29. Bc4 $3 $11 {Superb way to hold the black rook down. Let's pretend I found it :)} Qxc4 30. Qg5+ $11 Kh7 31. Qh5+ Kg7 32. Qg5+ $11) 22. Qxe7 Rae8 {With the king open, and the pawns weak, Vignir has to go for trades.} 23. Qxe8 Rxe8 24. Rxe8+ Kg7 25. Bxc6 Qa1+ 26. Kg2 Qxc3 27. d5 {And here I offered a draw, thinking that it's finally a respectable time to do so. I was still nervous since the time situation wasn't great, Vignir was ahead by 30-60 minutes from the opening onward. The night before the first round, I had a chance to dine with the Icelandic delegation to Tenerife, and we got along well. Perhaps this influenced Vignir's decision to accept the draw here, and not torture me for another 100 moves like I would have done against someone lower-rated. Either way, I was grateful to come out of this crazy line alive.} ({[#] After} 27. d5 {play might have continued with...} Qb4 {Tougher attempt, stopping white from the blockade on the 4th rank. Yet even here, we have enough resources.} (27... a5 28. Re4 f5 29. Rf4 {With a fortress.}) 28. Kf3 f5 29. Kg2 a5 30. Re6 a4 31. d6 Qc4 32. Re7+ ({editor -} 32. d7 Qxe6 33. d8=Q Qxc6+ $11 {also draws, but that a4 pawn would worry me.}) 32... Kf6 33. Rc7 a3 34. d7 Qd4 35. Rc8 a2 36. d8=Q+ Qxd8 37. Rxd8 a1=Q 38. Bf3 {With a different fortress.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "6th San Cristobal Open A"]
[Site "Tenerife"]
[Date "2024.08.28"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Garcia Padron, Jose"]
[Black "Ivanov, Mike"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Mike Ivanov"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "2378"]
[BlackElo "2364"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[GameId "2263746690112337"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{I was super nervous going into this game, knowing if I won, I'd be an International Master. Just to explain why this mattered so much, I had spent the better part of the previous 5 years preparing and working towards this moment. Countless adventures, close calls, and heartbreaks led up to this game, which could end it all. Up to 10 minutes before the game, I was feverishly trying to review the lines that may come up, cursing myself for leaving this to the last minute.} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. d4 g6 3. Bf4 {[#] My opening plan was: Double Fianchetto against the London, King's Indian against d4, and e5 against the English, all of which he played regularly. The problem with experienced players is they have games in a whole bunch of systems, and even if he last played the Gligoric King's Indian in the 1990s, I still had to solve my problems there. Even walking to the board, I was horrified of him playing one of the lines I hadn't solved yet. Kids, do all your analysis at home and long in advance!} Bg7 4. e3 b6 5. Be2 Bb7 {[#] According to GM Tiviakov in his "Rock Solid Chess" book, the double fianchetto works great in this move order.} 6. c4 {Jose takes up the gauntlet and tries to punish my lack of space with the principled approach of taking the center. If he gets c3 and c2 in, e4 is unavoidable where Black gets squeezed and my b7 bishop becomes a liability.} c5 {Since I may not get another chance, I go for all possible pawn breaks that undermine the center.} (6... d6 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Nc3 Ne4 {was also possible, of course.}) 7. d5 b5 (7... d6 8. Nc3 O-O 9. e4 {White manages to consolidate the center, and black gets a horrible Benoni.}) 8. O-O (8. cxb5 Nxd5 9. Be5 Bxe5 10. Nxe5 Qc7 11. Nc4 Nf6 12. O-O d5 $15 {The center takes priority over their queenside majority here.}) 8... bxc4 {[#] I never know what to do with these hanging c-pawns. Apparently it's better to keep the tension so that the white knight doesn't get too comfy on c3, but I was too tense already.} 9. Nc3 (9. d6 e6 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Rc1 {I didn't know how to evaluate this either. Black's pieces find squares, but white has targets on the c-file and a potential e5 post.}) 9... d6 {I wasn't going to tempt fate a second time, better to cover d6 forever.} 10. e4 Nbd7 {[#]} 11. Qc1 {This seemed unnatural at best. I get that Jose wants to get rid of the dragon bishop on g7 while keeping the d2 square for the knight. Yet this waste of time lets me keep the c-pawn while white doesn't fully get to reinforce their center. The remaining black pieces become respectable.} (11. Bxc4 {was the natural and best path forward, where I still have too many pieces for the space available. If I can trade off two minor pieces, life would be swell.} O-O 12. h3 Nb6 13. Be2 Qc8 14. Qd2 Ba6 15. Rfe1 Bxe2 16. Rxe2) 11... O-O 12. Bh6 Nb6 {[#] Even though there are cases where the c4 pawn is more of a nuisance than a strength like in the King's Indian Saemisch variation, here it's rapidly gaining in value, so let's keep it.} 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. Nd2 {White wants to get both the pawn and the outpost, but all these pieces going backward is a surefire sign that we should be going forward.} e6 $1 15. dxe6 fxe6 {[#] With the bishop coming alive on b7, black can say they solved all their opening problems.} 16. e5 $6 {White probably realized that the pawn armada after ...d5 would be too formidable, and tries to break it up.} (16. Nxc4 Nxe4 {white has a hard time getting their pawn back, considering that e4 also needs protection.} 17. Nxe4 Bxe4 18. Qc3+ Kg8 19. Qe3 Bd5 $17 {The hanging pawns might be precarious, but the bishop on d5 makes them feel a lot more secure.}) (16. Rd1 d5 17. Nxc4 d4 18. Na5 Bxe4 19. Nxe4 Nxe4 20. f3 (20. Bf3 $2 Rxf3 $1 {naturally} 21. gxf3 Ng5 $17) 20... Qf6 $1 {Black is pressing, even if the position is objectively fine for white.}) 16... Nfd5 {This is the problem with 16. e5 as a concept: White might break the pawns, but the black piece activity is becoming too much here. The f4 square, plus the long diagonal, the f-file for our rook, and the queen coming g5/h4 makes White's kingside a shooting range.} (16... dxe5 {I knew that this should also be good as black is getting excellent piece play and the king is weak on g1. Yet the double pawns gnawed at me.} 17. Nxc4 (17. Bf3 Bxf3 18. Nxf3) 17... Nxc4 18. Bxc4 Ng4 19. h3 Nxf2 20. Rxf2 Rxf2 21. Kxf2 Qd4+ 22. Kg3 Qxc4 $19) {[#]} 17. Nce4 $2 {Allowing black to run away with the initiative.} (17. exd6 {White should have gone for this, for better or worse.} Nf4 18. Bf3 Nd3 19. Qc2 Rxf3 {Black has to keep the attack going, but this isn't as devastating as in other variations.} 20. Nxf3 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Qxd6 22. Rad1 Rf8 $15) 17... Nf4 {At this point I realized that there are very real winning chances with such vicious attackers.} 18. Bf3 Nd3 19. Qc3 {[#]} Nd5 (19... d5 {I thought this was good for me but unclear. In fact, it's killing:} 20. Nd6 Bc6 21. N6xc4 Rxf3 $1 22. Ne3 Nf4 $1 $19 {editor - I can't see it, so here's an essential but not obvious line:} 23. Qxc5 {gets off the e2+ fork and hits the loose , so} Rh3 $3 $19 {Black ignores it!} 24. gxh3 ({Black was threatening the Anastasia mate:} 24. Qxc6 $2 Ne2+ 25. Kh1 Rxh2+ 26. Kxh2 Qh4#) 24... Rc8 $8 (24... Bb7 $2 25. Ng4 $11) 25. f3 (25. Nf3 d4 26. Nxd4 Nxh3#) 25... d4 26. Ng4 Nxh3+ 27. Kg2 Bxf3+ 28. Rxf3 Rxc5 $19) 20. Qxc4 Nxe5 {[#] How could I resist such knights!} 21. Qe2 Qe7 {Healthy move, which took me a while. There are so many tempting moves, it's important not to get carried away. Black supports all their weak spots, while connecting the rooks for the attack and preparing an eventual ...d5 by covering c5. On top of that, White can't unravel easily as their minor pieces are stuck!} (21... Nf4 $5 22. Qe3) (21... Nxf3+ 22. Nxf3 Nf4 23. Qe3 {This looked strong but not forcing enough.}) 22. Rfe1 {It's hard to suggest moves for white here. Now the problem is the queen is short on squares.} Nf4 23. Qe3 Ned3 {[#] Already we're winning an exchange, to add to the pawn we stole earlier.} 24. g3 (24. Rf1 d5 25. Ng3 d4 {Poor queen. I was hoping for such a classy way to get the title!}) 24... Nxe1 25. Rxe1 Nd5 26. Qb3 {The attack paid us handsomely, but now the smoke has cleared. White finally manages to untangle, and I need to find a winning plan.} Rab8 {[#] I have lost a lot of these winning positions, and couldn't believe my luck from the opening. So my thinking was, just play one move at a time that can't be bad. Avoid big risks and try not to blunder anything big.} 27. Bg2 Ba8 28. Qa3 Nb6 {You can start to see how black is getting over-cautious, allowing white to get some activity. I was super-focused on stopping their threats and potential play like Nc4, but this is a bit passive.} (28... Nb4 $142 29. Qc3+ e5 30. a3 Nc6 31. h4 Nd4 $1 $19 {The correct plan.}) 29. h4 h6 {[#] I spent that whole summer reading Tiviakov's "Rock Solid Chess", and here I was following his spirit in playing ultra-safe first. I was hoping white's position would self-combust, but of course black needs to find a way in eventually.} 30. f4 Bd5 {The bishop stands dignified on this outpost, holding black's camp together. It frees my queen for more important duties.} 31. b3 Kg8 {I was having trouble conjuring a cohesive plan, but one-move threats like b2 are easier to stop.} 32. Kh2 {[#]} Rbd8 $2 {Missing a strong and fairly simple tactic. Sadly, I was still in anxious chicken mode, making sure that their pieces couldn't hurt anything. Otherwise, I'd find ...xf4!} (32... Rxf4 $1 33. gxf4 (33. Re2 Rf5 34. Qa6 Rbf8 $19 {With the open f-file, black should find a winning plan soon enough.}) 33... Qxh4+ 34. Bh3 Qxe1 35. Qxa7 Rb7 36. Bxe6+ Kh7 $1 37. Qa6 Bxe4 38. Nxe4 Qxe4 $19) 33. Bh3 Qg7 34. Qa5 Kh8 {Still being over-cautious, but it's not easy to decide on any concrete action here.} 35. Qa6 e5 {Since I can't really push ...c4, or move my bishop to play ...d5, the plan has to be connected to ...e5. At this point, any open file is a blessing for Black.} 36. fxe5 {[#]} dxe5 ({Apparently} 36... Bxe4 {is more precise according to engine, since we can get at White's king quicker. Yet I wanted no risk at all here.} 37. Nxe4 Qxe5 38. Qxa7 Nd5 39. Bg2 Ne7 40. Qa5 Nf5 41. Qc3 {Only way to stop the attack.} Qxc3 42. Nxc3 Rde8 {With a winning endgame.}) 37. Re2 (37. Nxc5 Rf2+ $19) 37... Qc7 {Incredibly, even this is tedious to convert as White covers all the key squares on the f-file. The gold is so close, yet so far!} 38. Qa5 {We were approaching serious time trouble so I thought it's time to clarify things with some trades. Even though the bishop is pretty on d5.} Bxe4 39. Nxe4 Nd5 {[#]} 40. Qe1 (40. Qxc5 Qxc5 41. Nxc5 Nc3 42. Rxe5 Rd2+ 43. Kh1 Rd1+ 44. Kg2 Rd2+ 45. Kh1 Rff2 $19 {Black's rooks on the second should suffice.}) 40... Nf6 {At this point I was so sick of that knight, a mere pawn seemed a small price to pay to remove it.} 41. Nxf6 Rxf6 42. Rxe5 Qd6 {Dreaming of a queen trade on d2.} 43. Bg2 Qd4 {When in doubt, centralize.} 44. Re7 Rd7 {[#]} 45. Re8+ (45. Rxd7 Qxd7 46. Qe3 {would be tough for me to meet, as risky action is required.} g5 (46... Kg7 47. Qxc5 {is dangerously close to a fortress for White.}) 47. hxg5 hxg5 48. Qxg5 Qd6 {Winning, but not so easy in a practical game.}) 45... Kg7 46. Re4 Qf2 47. Re7+ Rxe7 48. Qxe7+ Rf7 49. Qe5+ Kh7 {[#] Finally the dust has settled and we reach an exchange up heavy-piece endgame. It helps that our queenside pawns are on the right colour, and their king ain't the best either. This should be a matter of technique, but I was already shaking under psychological and time pressure.} 50. Qd5 ({Everything is losing, but} 50. h5 $5 {is the scarier move to meet,} gxh5 51. Kh3 Qf6 ({Never too late to mess things up!} 51... Qf5+ $4 52. Qxf5+ Rxf5 53. Be4 $18) 52. Qxh5 Qe6+ 53. Kh2 Rf5 54. Qd1 Rg5 55. Bf3 Kg7 56. Kg2 Qe5 57. Qd7+ Kh8 58. Qd8+ Rg8 59. Qh4 Qd6 {Eventually, White is tied down to g3, and Black can invade from the side.}) 50... h5 $1 {After this, the safety margin is quite large and I can press forever.} 51. Qe6 Qf5 52. Qe8 Kg7 {If they have a light-square bishop, our king lives on dark squares.} 53. Qe3 Rc7 {At this point we were down to a minute each, and my goal was not to hang anything.} 54. Qc3+ Qf6 {Eventually I realized my target is g3, and we have to get our queen to d6, after which the rook crawls to the 3rd rank to finish the job.} 55. Qa5 Qd6 {[#]} 56. Qb5 (56. Qc3+ {would be tougher resistance against my plan, in which case I'd have to come up with new ideas like getting a queen to e7, rook to d4, then queen to e5, coming after h4 and g3 together.}) 56... Re7 57. Qc4 Re3 {Finally! Hallelujah.   I felt no happiness at his handshake, that would come later. Instead there was a profound sense of relief. I kept thinking about the Lord of the Rings scene where the ring is finally thrown into the fire, and Frodo looks at Sam to say, "It's gone. It's done".   The game itself wasn't ingenious, but I was able to come up with enough pressure on the kingside to win material, and then demonstrate enough technique/solidity to convert it. This win also helped me get 2nd place in the final standings, but nothing compares to the title, which is the hardest project I've ever had to finish.} 0-1

[Event "6th San Cristobal Open A"]
[Site "Tenerife"]
[Date "2024.08.29"]
[Round "7.13"]
[White "Ivanov, Mike"]
[Black "Pulvett Marin, Daniel Eduardo"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Mike Ivanov"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2364"]
[BlackElo "2482"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[GameId "2263746691443549"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This game took place right after I got the title, so it wasn't the most combative, although still rich psychologically. Tenerife has an artificial beach which I badly wanted to visit, but it would be irresponsible to go when every game had grand importance. So I was happy to finally go when it didn't matter anymore, on the morning of this game. Specific prep wouldn't have helped me anyways, since IM Pulvett hadn't played this 2...d7 system before. Thankfully, general prep before the tournament helped a lot here.} 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nd7 {[#] The point of this line is to avoid KIA setups as black's threat of ... e5 forces white to play d4. The knight may not be the best on b6 but he does stop c4, and black gets London-like play.} 3. d4 Nb6 4. Nc3 {In this system, white often wants to go for a quick e4, often with d3 first.} Bf5 {Also interesting, and perhaps more precise is 4...f6. The point is white will no longer have the h4-g2 maneuver, so the bishop will be harder to harass.} (4... Nf6 5. a4 a5 6. Bg2 {Analysis Diagram [#]} h6 $5 {Trying to avoid giving white any edge at all.} (6... Bf5 7. Nh4 Bg4 8. h3 Bh5 9. g4 Bg6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. g5 Nh5 12. e4 e6 {is similar to the game; I have the bishop pair as a theoretical advantage but Black is super solid and isn't planning on letting my bishops have any fun.}) 7. b3 $5 (7. Qd3 g6 8. e4 dxe4 9. Nxe4 Bf5 10. Nxf6+ exf6 11. Qe2+ Qe7 12. Be3 Nd5 {Once again, black should be satisfied.}) (7. O-O Bf5 {White can't even get the bishop pair, so black is swell here.}) 7... Bf5 (7... g6 8. Ne5 Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. Bb2 Ng4 11. Nxg4 Bxg4 $14) 8. Ba3 e6 9. Bxf8 Kxf8 10. Ne5 {With a psychological edge thanks to slight black discoordination, but not an objective advantage.}) 5. a4 a5 ({A week after this game, I lost to GM Roland who tried foregoing ...a5, which is definitely necessary for Black:} 5... Nf6 6. a5 Nc4 $14) 6. Nh4 Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8. Ng2 $1 {[#] This idea was still my preparation, and poses some problems for Black. White will at the least get to trade the h5 bishop without weakening the structure with g4, which makes a huge difference compared to the 4...f6 lines.} e6 ({I knew this game with the g2 idea, which told me White was already comfortable here:} 8... f5 9. g4 $1 Bg6 (9... fxg4 10. Nf4 $16) 10. Nf4 Nf6 11. Ne6 $16 Qd7 12. Nb5 $1 Kf7 (12... Rc8 13. Nc5 $18) 13. Nbxc7 $18 {1-0 Banusz,T (2607)-Indjic,A (2612) HUN-chT 2122 Hungary 2021 (7.1)}) 9. Nf4 Bg6 10. Bg2 (10. h4 $5 {was also interesting.} Nf6 11. f3 Be7 12. h5 Bf5 13. e4 dxe4 14. g4 g5 {Becomes complete chaos. Equal to the computer of course!}) 10... Nf6 11. Nxg6 hxg6 {[#]} 12. e4 $6 {This inaccuracy was played instantly due to recklessness and over-confidence. My opponent was spending a lot of time here so I felt like I could do no wrong...} ({Maintaining flexibility with} 12. O-O {was probably better;} Bb4 (12... Be7 13. e4 $14) 13. Nb1 $5 O-O 14. Nd2 Re8 15. c3 Bd6 16. e4 $14 {White gets to play the break on their terms this time.}) 12... Bb4 13. exd5 {Only here I realized that the bishop pair was a mythical advantage here, and not a practical one. Time for damage control.} (13. e5 Ne4 14. Qd3 Qd7 15. O-O Nxc3 16. bxc3 Be7 {This turns into a good French Winawer for black, since the "French" bishop has graduated to the dark squares.}) 13... exd5 {[#]} 14. Qd3 {A necessity to keep the pawn structure decent.} (14. O-O Bxc3 15. bxc3 O-O 16. Bg5 Qd6 {With the blockade on c4 and e4, black is already preparing to press in this middlegame.}) 14... Qe7+ 15. Kf1 {Another sad necessity. The good news is Black can't really punish us, as their knights are too far and we're still solid. Here I realized I got nothing out of the opening.} (15. Be3 Nc4 16. O-O-O c6 17. Bg5 O-O $15 {with the knight on c4, only Black can be better.}) 15... O-O 16. Bg5 (16. Bg5 {[#] Mr. Pulvett is one of the best visually impaired players in the world, as his rating shows. Yet he burnt a lot of time to reach this position, leaving himself with only 20 minutes for the rest of the game (time control was 90+30). From what I learned, time trouble is the hardest phase for visually impaired players, as keeping track of the clock is a chore in itself. I wasn't happy with the position which I thought was around equal, but still uncomfortable. Moreover, the momentum was going Black's way. I offered the draw, and my opponent accepted after considering the time situation/his winning chances.  The game might have continued...} Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Rfe8 18. Bf3 Qd7 19. Bxf6 {Allowing ...e4 would not be wise, as the knights start to dominate my bishops.} gxf6 20. b3 Nc8 21. Kg2 c6 22. Rae1 Nd6 {Black is rock solid. Usually I'm not a fan of short draws, but this game allowed me to release some nervous energy and prepare for the last games, which were highly eventful.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "6th San Cristobal Open A"]
[Site "Tenerife"]
[Date "2024.08.30"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Ivanov, Mike"]
[Black "Sosa, Tomas"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Mike Ivanov"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2364"]
[BlackElo "2515"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[GameId "2263746691705696"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{see also: https://youtu.be/pvQ0tQVlFz0?si=NMYfWzkDIn9NMv3m&t=749  At this point in the tournament, the title was obtained and the pressure was gone. This let me play more loosely and without worries of losing.} 1. Nc3 {This has been my beloved pet opening for a while, and it's a great way to get away from main lines. I knew Tomas played everything against 1.e4, so I wanted to keep him at least a bit off balance.} c5 2. e4 Nc6 3. Bb5 {This line can transpose into the Tiviakov Grand Prix after d6 f4, a Rossolimo, or the ...d4 line we see in the game.} Nd4 4. Nf3 {[#]} g6 {While many things are playable, including ...g6 of course, this made me slightly optimistic since it gives white play unlike the 4...e6 line. From here on in, I felt like Tomas was improvising a little, playing by intuition which was built on other Sicilian lines. Yet this one has a distinct character.} (4... e6 5. O-O a6 6. Bd3 Nc6 {is considered one of the most critical lines for Black, where White struggles to get an advantage.}) 5. Nxd4 cxd4 6. Ne2 {This line is supposed to be fine for Black objectively, yet still has some poison. Black has to strike in the center or queenside, before White's kingside space becomes paramount.} Bg7 7. O-O a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3 Bb7 10. d3 e6 {[#] Up to here, everything makes sense. Black blunts the bishop, and prepares for ...e7. At some point, when better developed, Black would like to go ...d5.} 11. Qe1 {The queen needs to join the party, and this is as good a way as any.} Ne7 12. f3 $5 {This was the plan that caught Tomas off guard. I want to scaffold the center as much as possible, considering that black is doing everything possible to break through e4, and open up the bishops.} (12. f4 {is also possible, but allows a timely ... f5 to hurt my pieces and open up the bishop on b7.} O-O 13. Qg3 Qb6 14. a4 f5 $36) 12... h6 $6 {A step in the wrong direction, which gives me something to bite on.} (12... O-O 13. Qh4 Nc6 14. Bg5 f6 15. Bh6 f5 16. Bg5 Qc7 {was a more logical way for Black to continue, where any kingside attack is still far off. Black maintains dynamic equality, and has some eventual play on the c-file and queenside.}) 13. Bf4 {[#] I hint at the d6 square, even if it's not as scary for Black as it seems. g3 and d2 are also in the air, making Black's weaknesses felt.} e5 $6 {Black takes a stab in the dark and blocks my bishop, but this structure will never be good as my bishop on b3 will remain a shining beacon for the rest of the game.} 14. Bd2 {The bishop is great here, eyeing all the key diagonals.} d5 {The problem with this pawn on d5, is that it ties up black's pieces forever, as they have to keep it in place, or else... The white bishop on b3 and rook on f1 would come alive if the d5 pawn ever captures e4.} 15. Qh4 {Making it hard for Tomas to castle. The problem for Black is they have no active counterplay, as ...g5 weakens the kingside irreparably. In the meantime, I can muster up my army at leisure.} (15. f4 $1 {I should be more brave with opening the center, while his king is still stuck here. Yet it seemed a bit counter-intuitive to support the center with f3, and then break it with f4 right after.}) 15... Qd6 $6 {An inaccuracy; ...a5 was best.} (15... h5 16. f4 $1 $16) (15... a5 $142 16. a4 (16. a3 $5) 16... b4 17. Rae1 f5 $1 {[#] Black has to take back the initiative, even if it looks daunting! Suddenly White's pieces might get crammed.} 18. exf5 Nxf5 19. Qh3 (19. Qf2 O-O) 19... Qd6 20. f4 e4 21. dxe4 dxe4 22. Ng3 Nxg3 23. hxg3 {Insane position where the black's exposed king is compensated by the delicious black center and delicious Fischer's bishops.}) 16. a4 {The worst piece in my camp is the rook on a1, so before we take decisive action, let's enjoy the time to create more weaknesses. Black has no effective counterplay, so I'm not in a huge hurry.} b4 {Otherwise, I would take on b5, trade rooks, and invade with the second rook on the a-file.} 17. a5 {[#] We split up the best friends on a6 and b4, so we have more pawns to eat for dessert. The black queen is hopelessly tied down now.} Bc6 {Stopping a4, which would win a pawn. Nonetheless, Black is out of meaningful counterplay here.} 18. f4 {About time! We need to use the moment while the black king can't castle, and our rooks are connected which can't be said about the black rooks.} exf4 19. Bxf4 Qd7 20. Bd2 {The bishop reminds Black about their many weaknesses, while getting out of trouble's way as ...g5 was coming. By poking their targets, white gets the time to prepare for the final attack.} Qd6 21. Rae1 {[#] No soldier left behind!} g5 {Black fatally weakens the h5 and f5 squares. Not that they had anything better, as their king is going to be weak wherever he goes.} (21... h5 22. Bg5 {"Where do you think you're going?", says the bishop to the king :)}) 22. Qh5 O-O ({Engines prefer to give up f7 with} 22... O-O-O {marking this as +3, despite the equal material up to this point. That tells you something about Black's positional struggles.}) 23. Ng3 {The knight creeps towards those juicy light squares.} Rab8 {[#]} 24. exd5 {At this point I had a long think, considering the many tempting options available to white: e5, f5 followed by taking with rook or pawn, and simply f2 came to mind. Yet I felt that we need to hurry before Black's pieces all get untangled or they trade the queens with ...g6. We need to explode the center!} (24. e5 Qg6 25. Qxg6 fxg6 {was not at all clear to me, even if better for White.}) (24. Nf5 Nxf5 25. Rxf5 (25. exf5 Qf6 {is the move I didn't like. I considered h4 here, but thought that there should be something simpler.}) 25... dxe4 26. Rxf7 $2 (26. Bxg5 $142) 26... Rxf7 27. Qxf7+ Kh8 28. dxe4 (28. Rf1 Rf8) 28... d3 {Miraculously, black is no longer worse!}) 24... Be8 {Black realizes that taking on d5 is tactically busted, but this isn't much better.} (24... Nxd5 25. Nf5 Qd7 26. Nxh6+ $18) (24... Bxd5 25. Rxe7 $1 {is a move that took me embarrassingly long to find. After seeing this variation it was much easier to sac the exchange in the game.} Bxb3 26. Nf5 Qg6 27. Qxg6 fxg6 28. Rxg7+ Kh8 29. Rxg6 {With an extra piece}) 25. Rxe7 $1 {Once our knight gets to f5, he will be worth at least the rook I'm giving away.} Qxe7 26. Nf5 Qf6 27. h4 $1 {[#] We need to strike while the iron is hot. Black can't hold the kingside with those pieces.} Kh7 (27... gxh4 28. Nxh6+ $18) 28. hxg5 Qg6 {Black dreams of trading queen or closing the h-file.} 29. Qh2 {We need to take on h6 with our knight, so if they take back with bishop, we have f6. Eyeing that poor loose rook on b8 allows us the time to do so.} Rb7 30. Nxh6 f5 {Desperate measures, but I still have to be careful.} 31. Nf7+ {Considering d6 is coming very soon, I realized the key here is to remove their light-square bishop which will be too useful blocking on f7. Hence the knight goes to take care of business.} Kg8 32. Nd6 {[#]} Ra7 $6 (32... Rd7 {Was a better to try for black, but without the bishop, our checks will cost them at least a rook.} 33. Nxe8 Rxe8 34. d6+ Kf8 35. Ba4 Red8 36. g4 Rf7 37. Bb3 Rdd7 38. Bxf7) 33. Nxe8 Rxe8 34. d6+ {Time for the sniper bishops to shine.} Kf8 35. d7 $1 {We need open lines here, not pawns. Their king won't find refuge anywhere.} Rxd7 36. Bxb4+ Rde7 {[#] Black is all tied up, with nowhere to go. We just need to help them with the Zugzwang.} 37. Qf4 (37. g4 {was also tempting, but such positions should be enjoyed. :)}) 37... Bh8 38. Re1 {The king wanted to run away to g7, and we can't have that.} Bg7 39. g4 {Finally, the little guy enters to finish the attack.} Qh7 40. Rxe7 Rxe7 41. Qb8# {I was happy to win cleanly, which rarely happens against strong players. This also put me into contention for the first three places, which made the last round more exciting.} 1-0

[Event "6th San Cristobal Open A"]
[Site "Tenerife"]
[Date "2024.08.31"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Fiorito, Francisco"]
[Black "Ivanov, Mike"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Mike Ivanov"]
[ECO "A15"]
[WhiteElo "2416"]
[BlackElo "2364"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[GameId "2263746689837902"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Going into the last round, I was happy with how things went, but the last game would be significant for the final standings. My goal was not to lose, and hopefully leave early enough that I could make my flight at 4 PM.} 1. Nf3 {My opponent played everything under the sun (which is becoming increasingly common these days) so my preparation was simple: 1.f3 f6, 1.d4 f6, 1.e4 e6, and 1.c4 e5.} Nf6 2. g3 b6 3. Bg2 Bb7 4. c4 g6 5. d4 Bg7 {[#] Thankfully these double-fianchetto setups are good against any g3 opening, along with anything that doesn't aim strictly for the center.} 6. O-O O-O 7. h4 $5 {I don't know if this was preparation, improvisation, or divine inspiration. The little logic behind it which I understand, is white wants to discourage black from moving the f6 knight. If the pawn gets to h6, then the power of my g7 bishop will be cancelled out. That being said, it has more surprise value than any objective edge.} c5 8. d5 {[#]} e6 $2 {I miss the critical moment to challenge white's concept and show that h4 is a waste of time. After ...b5! this would have been a totally different ballgame. Interestingly, I felt that ...b5 was principled and correct, but thought that it would be the first thing he prepared, and a structure I didn't understand. The Benoni is more my cup of tea, but here it turns out to be a bad one, since the b7 bishop has a hard time.} (8... b5 $1 9. cxb5 (9. Nc3 b4 10. Na4 d6) (9. Nfd2 b4 10. a3 a5) (9. Re1 bxc4 10. e4 d6) 9... a6 $1 10. bxa6 Bxd5 $36) 9. Nc3 exd5 10. cxd5 Re8 11. Nd2 d6 {[#]} 12. Nde4 (12. Nc4 Ba6 {what I was hoping for, when we get something resembling a Fianchetto Benoni.}) 12... Nxe4 13. Nxe4 {[#] Really unpleasant since white suddenly has dreams of f4/g5, and my dark squares are suffering. The b8 knight isn't enjoying himself either.} Na6 (13... f5 14. Ng5 Na6 15. e4 fxe4 16. Nxe4 Nb4 17. Ng5 {Still highly unpleasant for black.}) 14. Bg5 f6 {Around here, I knew it was going to be a tough game.} 15. Bf4 Bf8 16. Nc3 Nc7 17. a4 a6 {[#]} 18. Qd3 (18. Qb3 $1 {Basically wins a pawn by force, with insufficient compensation.} Rb8 19. Qxb6 Ba8 20. Qa5 Rxb2 21. Rab1 Rc2 22. Rfc1 Rxc1+ 23. Rxc1 $16 {White doesn't have the extra pawn, but he's definitely in the driver's seat here.}) 18... Qd7 (18... b5 $5 {For some reason, when a queen tries to stop ...b5 in the Benoni, you're always supposed to play it anyway, without caring for material. I forgot this rule.} 19. h5 (19. axb5 axb5 20. Rxa8 Qxa8 21. Nxb5 $6 Nxb5 22. Qxb5 Ba6 23. Qb3 Bxe2 $11) 19... b4 20. hxg6 bxc3 21. gxh7+ Kh8 22. bxc3 Re7 {isn't pleasant for Black, but white has to prove they have more than enough for the piece.}) 19. h5 Qf7 20. hxg6 hxg6 21. e4 Bc8 {[#] We've arrived at an interesting middlegame. My pieces are all ugly, but the structure is solid and white has nothing concrete.} 22. Rfb1 a5 $1 {Exclamation mark for necessity. We can't allow them to open up files at the moment, plus the bishop on c8 will be happy to come out anywhere at this point.} 23. Re1 Rb8 24. Bf1 $6 {[#]} Bd7 (24... Ba6 $1 {I talked myself out of this just because white played f1 to stop it, but sometimes the best moves are the ones they thought they stopped.} 25. Qf3 Bxf1 26. Kxf1 b5 $132 27. axb5 Nxb5 28. Rxa5 Nd4 {With full compensation for black.}) 25. Qc2 Qh7 (25... g5 $5 {This structure looked too weird to even consider, but is apprently the most promising. The pawns cover the dark squares, the d7 bishop covers the light squares, and the f8 bishop covers... the king.} 26. Bd2 Re7 27. Bg2 Qg6 28. f4 gxf4 29. Bxf4 Rh7 $13) 26. f3 Kg7 $2 {[#] A bit too caveman-like, breaking all coordination between the black pieces. The h-file was too tempting!} 27. Qd2 $6 (27. g4 $1 Be7 28. Re2 Rh8 29. Rh2 Qg8 30. Bc4 $16 {The right plan to cancel out my "attack"}) 27... g5 {Finally hitting the right plan. Quite a unique pawn structure.} 28. Be3 Be7 29. g4 Rh8 30. Qg2 {[#] White stopped the mate but their queen is tied down. This gives me enough time to consolidate.} Qg6 $6 31. Bf2 Rh6 32. Bg3 Rbh8 33. Bd3 Bc8 {[#] I'm not going to get ...b5 in anytime soon, so might as well fix the miserable knight.} 34. Kf2 $6 {The start of a wrong plan. White had to use the weak squares in my camp!} (34. Nd1 $1 Kf7 35. Ne3 Na6 36. Rad1 Nb4 37. Bb5 Qh7 38. Kf2 $16 {The knight on e3 is superb, the rooks are ready to be traded at the right moment, and Nc4 is a looming threat.}) 34... Na6 35. Rad1 Nb4 {[#]} 36. Bb1 $6 {The bishop looks scary but does nothing.} (36. Bc4 Nc2 37. Rh1 Nd4 {Surprisingly, the knight isn't that strong here and can easily be exchanged with b5, leaving White with the edge.} 38. Rxh6 Rxh6 39. Nb5 Nxb5 40. Bxb5 $14) 36... Qe8 37. Nb5 Qd8 38. Rh1 Ba6 {[#]} 39. Rxh6 ({Perhaps White's last chance to cause problems is} 39. f4 $1 gxf4 40. Bxf4 Rh4 41. Qf3 Bxb5 42. axb5 Qe8 43. Rxh4 Rxh4 44. Rg1 {Black is suffering due to their weak pawns and weak king.}) 39... Rxh6 40. Rh1 {After a depressing defence the whole game and a whole lot of second-guessing, I was more than happy to liquidate.} Rxh1 41. Qxh1 Bxb5 42. axb5 {Here Francisco offered me a draw which I gladly took.  After ...d7, Black is indeed fine as there aren't many breakthroughs. Pushing f4 is weaker without the rooks on.   He was sad that he didn't convert a clear edge, but had a tremendous tournament anyways, earning an IM norm. As for me, I was happy to finish the best tournament of my life without losing. Sometimes, that requires holding ugly positions, as this game showed.} ({editor - despite appearances, Black's game actually hangs by a thread, since e4-e5 exposes his kingide light squares: e.g.} 42. axb5 {[#]} Qd7 $2 (42... Qh8 $2 43. Qxh8+ Kxh8 44. f4 $18) (42... Qe8 43. e5 $18) (42... a4 $8 {says Stockfish, which took a long time for me to (maybe) understand. Currently the e5 and f5 breaks will fail for tactical reasons now or when the black  sits on d7 (eyeing d5, g4, and b5), but putting it there immediately fails because one defence depends on blocking the b1-h7 by taking on b5 with the  and then going ...d3 and then ...c4, but this blocking maneuver fails if there's a white pawn on b3 fighting for c4. So, Black has to fight for future control of h7 by playing ...a3 immediately.}) (42... c4 $143 {is similar to ...a4, but creates easier targets on c4 and b6.} 43. Qc1 {and target c4.}) 43. b3 $3 $16 (43. e5 $5 dxe5 $8 44. Qh7+ Kf8 45. Bg6 Qxd5 $8 $11 {shows one point of keeping the  hitting the d5 pawn.}) 43... Qxb5 $4 (43... Qd8 44. f4 $1 $16 {not winning, but close: the b1 fights for the kingside while dominating the b4.}) 44. e5 $1 $18 Nd3+ 45. Ke3 {Here's where Black needs ...c4 to keep the diagonal shut, but that brave b3 pawn stops that.} Nxe5 46. Qh7+ Kf8 47. Bxe5 fxe5 (47... Qxb3+ 48. Kf2 $18) 48. Qf5+ Ke8 49. Qc8+ Kf7 50. Bh7 $18) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Summerside Maritime op"]
[Site "Summerside"]
[Date "2025.10.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Ivanov, Mike"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "MI and editor"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2415"]
[BlackElo "2874"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[GameId "2235863836129048"]
[EventDate "2025.10.11"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Notes are based on Mike's short YT commentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goZDEuOoSQk  How to Draw Nakamura  1) Keep it simple, and minimize counterplay; 2) Get paired when your 2800+ opponent wants the game to end quickly so he can join an online prize-money tournament ;).} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nd4 ({Two years before I had a game against a French GM that went} 4... Qc7 5. O-O Nd4 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. Nd5 Nxd5 8. exd5 Qc5 {with a fascinating position that might go} 9. c4 a6 10. b4 $13 {which is much too complex to try against Hikaru.}) 5. e5 Nxb5 6. Nxb5 Nd5 7. Ng5 {[#]} h6 $5 {MI: I had no idea this was possible. I knew about this Carlsen-Caruana game, and so thought ...f6 was the only move; at least it was the only move in the lichess database:} (7... f6 8. Ne4 f5 9. Nbc3 Nxc3 10. Nxc3 d6 11. O-O dxe5 12. Qe2 e6 13. Qxe5 Qd6 14. Qe2 Be7 15. b3 O-O 16. Bb2 $13 {1-0 Caruana,F (2819)-Carlsen,M (2875) Norway Chess Armageddon 7th Stavanger blitz 2019 (9)}) 8. Ne4 $11 {12min on this move. There are other options, but I followed White’s maneuvers from the Carlsen game.} (8. Qh5 $2 g6 9. Qf3 hxg5 $15) (8. Qf3 $2 hxg5 9. Qxd5 a6 10. Nc3 $15 {White will be weak on the light squares.}) (8. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 9. Qf3+ Nf6 $1 10. exf6 exf6 11. Qd5+ $14 (11. Qh5+ g6 12. Qd5+ $11)) 8... a6 9. Nbc3 Nxc3 10. dxc3 d6 11. Bf4 (11. exd6 exd6 12. O-O d5 13. Ng3 Be7 14. Nh5 O-O 15. Qf3 {getting closer, so that if} Be6 $4 16. Bxh6 $18 {KABOOM}) 11... Bf5 12. Qd5 Bxe4 13. Qxe4 d5 $8 14. Qf3 $32 {[#] I was pretty happy with this position. I didn't know how to play it, but I knew I should be fine for now.} e6 15. c4 {Keeps it simple, basically forcing an endgame.} (15. h4 $5) 15... g5 16. Bd2 ({Levy Rozman (Gotham Chess) suggested this:} 16. Be3 $5 d4 17. Bd2 Qc7 {which looks good, but is more complex.}) (16. Bg3 $6 {looks bad to me, stuck behind e5, and allowing ...¥h6.}) 16... b5 $5 17. cxd5 (17. h4 $1) 17... Qxd5 18. Qxd5 exd5 {[#] White should hold this, but the margin for error is miniscule: if I go even a little bit wrong then this is where things start to go downhill.} 19. f4 (19. a4 b4 20. c3 a5 {looked like the kind ot endgame Black could win.}) 19... gxf4 20. O-O {It took 25 min to figure out I had to castle here!  White has to worry about play against the e5-pawn; e.g.} (20. Bxf4 Kd7 {White's e-pawn gives Black play.}) 20... Rg8 21. Rxf4 Rg6 22. c3 {So a2-a4 will not let Black solidify the queenside with ...b4.} Bg7 23. Rf5 Re6 24. Be3 Rc8 {[#]Now here was my last think of the game.} 25. Raf1 (25. Rd1 Bxe5 26. Rxd5 Bxc3 27. bxc3 Rxe3 28. Rxc5 Rxc5 29. Rxc5 Re1+ 30. Kf2 Ra1 {a1 is a worse version of the game: it's not likely I could save this against a 2800 who wants to grind me down.}) 25... Rc7 26. Rd1 Bxe5 27. Rxd5 Bxh2+ $11 {Hikaru offered a draw and, of course, I took it: it's a drawn rook endgame and I'm not about to outplay Hikaru in it. If he had been a 2200... maybe I would think about it.} (27... Bxc3 $2 28. Bf4 $18 {was the point of decoying the  to c7.}) (27... Bxh2+ 28. Kxh2 Rxe3 29. Rxc5 Rxc5 30. Rxc5 Re2 31. Rc6 $11 {"I don't think even I can lose this endgame." - MI}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Winnipeg op U1800"]
[Site "Winnipeg CAN"]
[Date "2025.01.04"]
[Round "3.13"]
[White "Hansima, Charitha"]
[Black "Minano, John"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "A10"]
[WhiteElo "1788"]
[BlackElo "1633"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[Beauty "8248757069348"]
[GameId "2140241293503869"]
[EventDate "2025.01.03"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The U1800 section of the Winnipeg Open was shared by John Minano and Zelus Hui with 4.5/5, each gaining over 100 rating points in the process. This following complex game was played by co-winner Minano.} 1. c4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Nc3 O-O 6. d3 d6 7. O-O Qe8 8. b3 Qh5 9. Re1 e5 10. e3 {[#] White plays a Reti, Black plays a Classical Dutch with its standard kingside attacking queen maneuver.} e4 {The most direct: removing a kingside guard.} 11. dxe4 $6 (11. Nd4 $142 {Keeps the f-file closed -- a good thing since the f1 moved -- and leaves a black pawn on f5, blocking the c8 access to White's kingside.}) 11... fxe4 12. Nd4 {[#]Critical Position  ...g4 or ...g4?} Ng4 $2 {Forks h2 and f2, but the pin to the h5 means Black will be forced to sac unsoundly.} (12... Bg4 $142 13. Qc2 Na6 (13... Bf3 14. Nxe4 $1 $16 Nxe4 $2 (14... Bxg2 $16) 15. Bxf3 Rxf3 16. Qxe4 $8 Rf7 17. Qxb7 $18) 14. Nxe4 $1 c5 $1 15. f3 $1 $14 (15. Ne2 $4 Nb4 $19) (15. Nb5 $6 Nb4 16. Qd2 d5 $13) 15... cxd4 16. fxg4 (16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 $8 17. fxg4 Nb4 $1 $132) 16... Nxg4 17. h3 $8 Nxe3 18. Bxe3 dxe3 19. Rxe3 $14 {and after all the exchanges White has better structure.}) 13. h3 $8 Rxf2 $1 {[#]} 14. hxg4 $4 (14. Nxe4 $142 $1 $18 {attacks f3, defends g3, leaves the g4 en prise and pinned, and wins a pawn that was supporting Black's attack.} Rxg2+ 15. Kxg2 $18 Nxe3+ 16. Bxe3 $8 Qxh3+ 17. Kg1 $18 {the e4 defends g3 and White's  will clear the danger before Black's sleeping queenside wakes.}) (14. Nde2 $1 {looks odd to break the pin to the h5, but it leaves the black pieces hanging, and adds the exchanging threat of d5+, and wins too.}) 14... Rxg2+ $1 15. Kxg2 Bxg4 $8 $19 {Black has a winning light-square attack. Reminder: the f8 and c8 only got into the game because White forced ...fxe4, opening a file and a diagonal.} 16. Nce2 $1 {Defending the  and g3 is the best try. [#] Critical Position Is it easier to attack than defend? Black is down a  for , but his last two moves created a huge initiative on the light squares. Now what?} (16. Qc2 $2 {drops g3 and Black crashes through:} Qh3+ $8 $19) 16... Nc6 $2 {This makes perfect sense: developing the , and freeing the  to come to the f-file, and doing it with the threat to take on d4; how could there be a better move?} (16... Bf3+ $2 17. Nxf3 $8 exf3+ $8 18. Kf2 fxe2 19. Qd5+ $1 $14) (16... Qh3+ $5 17. Kg1 {Black wants to go ...f3 and mate, but it doesn't work with the d4 defending f3, e.g.} c5 {is the most direct way to remove the guard of f3, but it only equalizes if White finds a neat deflection-for-counterplay sac:} (17... Bf3 $2 18. Nxf3 exf3 19. Qd5+ $8 $18 {and takes the f-pawn.}) 18. Nf5 $8 Bf3 $8 (18... Bxf5 $2 19. Qd5+ Kh8 (19... Kf8 20. Rf1 $18) 20. Qxb7 $8 $18) 19. Qd5+ $8 Kh8 20. Nf4 $8 Qh1+ 21. Kf2 Qh2+ 22. Kf1 $11) (16... c5 $6 17. Rh1 $8 $13 Bf3+ (17... Qg5 $36) 18. Nxf3 exf3+ 19. Kf2 fxe2 20. Qd5+ $8 Qxd5 21. cxd5 Bf6 22. Rb1 Nd7 $11) (16... Bf6 $8 $19 {Analysis Diagram [#]  It's hard to imagine this is winning, especially when the more blunt ...c5 was only about equal, but it's true. Black threatens to remove the guard of f3, and if White deals with the threat to the a1 then Black simply captures d4 and has time to reload his attack with the b8 and a8.} 17. Bb2 (17. Rh1 Bf3+ $8 $19 18. Nxf3 exf3+ $8 19. Kf2 fxe2 $8 $19 {the difference: after ...c5 White saves the game with d5+, but here that would leave the a1 hanging.}) (17. Qc2 Bf3+ $19) (17. Nf4 Bxd1 18. Nxh5 Bxh5 $19) (17. Rb1 {is too slow} Bxd4 {removes the last guard of f3 and Black has time for reinforcements.} ({or} 17... Qh3+ {and building with ...c6 and ...f8.}) 18. exd4 Nc6 19. Bf4 {and here several moves win (...h3+, ...f8), but the computer shows the best is:} e3 $3 $19) 17... Bxd4 $8 $19 (17... Bf3+ $2 18. Nxf3 exf3+ 19. Kf2 fxe2 20. Qxe2 $11) (17... c5 $2 18. Rh1 Bf3+ $2 (18... Qg5 $1 $13 19. Ne6 $1) 19. Nxf3 Qxf3+ 20. Kh2 Bxb2 21. Rb1 $18 {Black is up  for the exchange, but is about to get ripped apart.}) 18. exd4 {tries to create an escape route through e3,} (18. Qxd4 {unpinning and threatening mate on g7, but} Bf3+ $19 {mates first.}) 18... Nc6 {here comes the .} 19. Rh1 Bf3+ 20. Kf2 e3+ $1 $19 {or ...xh1 and if xh1 e3+.}) 17. Rh1 $8 Bf3+ 18. Nxf3 $8 {[#]} Qxf3+ $2 (18... exf3+ $8 $15 19. Kf2 fxe2 20. Qd5+ $8 Qxd5 21. cxd5 Nb4 {Threat: ...e1= then ...c2.} 22. Kxe2 {A complicated ending: Black is objectively a bit better, but the better player will win.}) 19. Kh2 $18 {[#]} Ne5 (19... Rf8 20. Nf4 $8 $18) (19... Qf2+ 20. Kh3 {and there's no perpetual:} Qf5+ 21. g4 Qf3+ 22. Ng3 $18) 20. Qf1 $2 $14 (20. Rf1 $142 $8 $18 Ng4+ (20... Qh5+ 21. Kg2 $18) 21. Kg1 $8 (21. Kh3 Nf2+ $14) 21... Nxe3 22. Rxf3 Nxd1 23. Rf1 $18 {up a .}) 20... Qg4 (20... Qh5+ $1 21. Kg2 Qf3+ $8 $13) 21. Nd4 $2 {[#]} (21. Nf4 $142 Rf8 22. Kg2 g5 23. Qd1 $1 $16) 21... Rf8 $15 (21... c5 $8 $19 22. Qf5 (22. Nf5 Nf3+ $19) 22... cxd4 {the e5 defends the g4.}) 22. Qh3 $8 Nf3+ (22... c5 23. Qxg4 $8 Nxg4+ 24. Kh3 (24. Kg2 $4 cxd4 25. exd4 Rf2+ 26. Kg1 Bf6 $19) 24... Nf2+ $15) 23. Nxf3 Qxf3 $11 {[#]Critical Position} 24. Rg1 $4 {White has only two moves to draw.} ({the simple one:} 24. Qg2 Qh5+ 25. Kg1 Qd1+ 26. Kh2 Qh5+ $11) ({the not-so-simple one:} 24. Qe6+ Rf7 $8 $11 25. Rg1 Qh5+ $8 26. Qh3 $5 Rf2+ $8 27. Rg2 Rxg2+ $8 28. Kxg2 Qe2+ $8 $11) 24... Rf6 $8 $19 25. Qc8+ Kf7 26. Rg2 Rh6+ 27. Kg1 Qd1+ 28. Kf2 Rf6+ 29. Qf5 Rxf5# 0-1

[Event "15th Calgary International"]
[Site "Calgary"]
[Date "2024.12.27"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Ng, Gary"]
[Black "Keleberda, Tymur"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "A31"]
[WhiteElo "2362"]
[BlackElo "2388"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Beauty "8177911127050"]
[GameId "2259114190477436"]
[EventDate "2024.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Tymur Keleberda became Canada's newest International Master when FIDE approved his application in April 2, 2026.  He earned his IM Norms at: 2023 10-player RR at the Excelsior CC, Toronto, 2024 North American Jr, Calgary, (=2nd),  2025 Maia Open, Portugal.   His peak published FIDE rating is below the minimum 2400, but he passed this (then dropped) during the 2025 Spice Cup.  He finished this tournament =2nd-4th -- +4 =4 -1 -- a point behind GM Razvan Preotu, who won with 7/9.} 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 d5 {[#] More usual and better-scoring are ...e6, ...g6 and even ...b6. The game line is rare since White gets easy play on the c-file, but there are computer-approved pawn sacs for Black to liven it up (see the next note and note to Black's 8th).} 6. cxd5 ({A year later, Tymur faced a GM opponent who produced a model of how to play for the win against Black's weakened c-file, playing the computer's top moves until he had a winning position...} 6. Qa4 Qb6 (6... e6 $5 {is a pawn sac that SF18 prefers.}) 7. cxd5 Qxd4 8. dxc6 Qxa4 9. Nxa4 (9. cxb7 $4 Qc6 $19) 9... bxc6 10. f3 $1 e5 11. e4 Be6 12. Be3 Bb4+ 13. Kf2 Ke7 14. Ba6 $1 Bc8 $1 15. Be2 $1 $16 Be6 16. Rhc1 Rhc8 17. a3 Bd6 18. Rc3 Ne8 19. Rac1 $18 {1-0 Zhou,J (2591)-Keleberda,T (2370) Bellevue SPICE Cup op 19th 2025 (7)}) 6... Nxd5 7. Nxc6 bxc6 {[#]} 8. Qa4 (8. e4 Nxc3 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. bxc3 e5 $11) (8. Bd2 {is more common} e5 $1 (8... e6 9. e4 Nb6 10. Be3 Qxd1+ 11. Kxd1 $1 {so Black can't tie White down with ...b4 and ...a4.} e5 12. Kc2 Be7 13. Be2 O-O 14. Rhd1 $14 {1-0 Botvinnik,M-Flohr,S Match/Training Botvinnik-Flohr Moscow 1952}) 9. g3 ({Even Ulf Andersson couldn't make anything out of this after} 9. e4 Nf6 10. Be2 Bc5 11. O-O O-O 12. Qc2 Bd4 $1 $11 13. Rac1 Be6 14. b3 Nd7 15. Na4 Qh4 16. Bf3 c5 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. fxe3 Rfc8 19. Nc3 Nf6 20. Qf2 Qg5 21. Rfd1 {1/2 Andersson,U (2640)-Marzolo,C (2378) FRA-chT France 2001 (9.3)}) 9... Rb8 10. Na4 Bb4 $11 11. a3 Bxd2+ 12. Qxd2 Nb6 13. Qxd8+ Kxd8 14. O-O-O+ Ke7 15. Nc5 Nd7 $11 {0-1 Matlakov,M (2608)-Mamedov,R (2659) FIDE Grand Swiss Samarkand 2025 (8)}) 8... Bd7 (8... Nxc3 $5 {is a SF18-approved sac, which would have been a Novelty when this game was played.} 9. Qxc6+ Bd7 10. Qxc3 Rc8 {Analysis Diagram [#] A pawn sac line to take White out of his positional-squeeze comfort zone!?} 11. Qd3 (11. Qd4 e5 $3 12. Qxe5+ Be7 $15 {Enginges rate this as already better for Black, despite being two pawns down -- arguably an ideal result against someone who opts for a line that normally heads for pre-programmed maneuvering.}) 11... e5 (11... Qb6 $142 $1 {hits b2, supports b5, maybe swings to f6, and keeps the long diagonal open so ...g7 can pressure White's queenside.}) (11... g5 $5 $44 {is a SF suggestion, so it's not quite as insane as it looks.}) 12. Bd2 Qb6 13. Qb3 $1 Qxb3 $6 14. axb3 Bc5 15. e3 $14 {1-0 Johansen,D (2321)-Leaver,K (2070) Oceania zt 3.6 Melbourne 2025 (4)}) 9. Bd2 e6 10. e4 Nb6 {[#]} 11. Qc2 (11. Qa5 $5 {is more active, and the structure means White should be happy with  trades.}) 11... Bc5 12. Bd3 e5 13. O-O Qe7 14. Ne2 O-O 15. Rac1 Bd6 16. Be3 Rac8 {[#]} 17. a4 $5 Rb8 18. a5 Nc8 19. Nc3 Qd8 20. Ra1 Re8 $6 21. Rfd1 {[#] Black's position is uncomfortable -- less space and no clear plan -- so he aims for kingside activity. The computer doesn't like it, but it's choice among evils.} Re6 $5 22. Na4 Rg6 {[#]} 23. Bf1 (23. Bc5 $6 Bg4 24. Be2 Bxe2 25. Qxe2 Qxa5 $5 $132 (25... Qg5 $5 $132)) (23. Nc5 $1 Bg4 24. Rd2 $1 $16 Bf3 $6 25. Bf1 $18) 23... Bg4 24. Rdc1 Bb4 25. a6 Qe7 26. Nc5 Nd6 {[#]} 27. Kh1 $1 (27. Nd3 $1 {forces exchanges that weaken Black's queenside:} Nxe4 28. Nxb4 (28. Ra4 $1) 28... Rxb4 29. Ra4 $1 {A strong move that's easy to overlook.} Rxa4 (29... Bf5 30. Rxb4 Qxb4 31. Bxa7 $18) 30. Qxa4 {forking e4 and c6} Bf3 31. Rxc6 $18 {material is still equal, but Black's pieces are too uncoordinated to survive.}) 27... Nb5 28. Bxb5 $6 {Prevents ...d4, but White will miss this light-square defender.} (28. Ra4 $142 Nd4 29. Bxd4 exd4 30. Qb3 $8 $18 {only move to keep an advantage, but good enough to win the pinned b4.}) 28... Rxb5 $6 (28... cxb5 $142 29. Nd3 Bd6 30. f3 $16) 29. Nd3 Qh4 $5 {Black goes all in. [#] Critical Position White has hopes of taking a7 and promoting the a-pawn, but Black's pieces hover menacingly on the kingside...} 30. Nxb4 $4 (30. g3 $4 {is obviously bad:} Bf3+ 31. Kg1 Qh3 {White's  covers h6, so ...xh2+ doesn't work.} 32. Ne1 Bxe1 $19 {mates next.}) (30. Bxa7 $2 Rh6 {or ...h3 first} 31. h3 Bf3 $1 32. Kh2 Qg4 $1 33. Rg1 Bxg2 $19 {#2}) (30. Rg1 $5 {defends the light squares without moving any pawns.} Ba5 $1 {Analysis Diagram [#] The  goes to b6 where it defends a7 and attacks e3.} 31. f3 $5 {the most forcing.} (31. Bxa7 $4 Rh6 32. h3 Bxh3 $19) (31. Rxa5 $5 Rxa5 32. Qc3 $14) 31... Bb6 $8 32. Bf2 $1 (32. Bxb6 $2 Rh6 $8 33. h3 Bxh3 $8 (33... Bxf3 $2 34. Kh2 $8 Rxb6 $11) 34. Rgc1 Rxb6 $19) 32... Bxf2 33. Qxf2 Qxf2 34. Nxf2 Be6 $11) (30. f3 $8 $18 {Activates the  for lateral defence, and gains a tempo on the g4. Black has nothing against xa7 and the advance of the a-pawn.} Bxf3 (30... Be6 31. Nxb4 Rxb4 32. Bxa7 $18 {White's a-pawn wins.} Rh6 33. Bg1 $18) 31. gxf3 Qh3 32. Qf2 $18) 30... Bf3 $8 $19 {Suddenly White is busted.} 31. Kg1 (31. Qxc6 Bxg2+ $8 $19) (31. gxf3 Qh3 32. Rg1 Qxf3+ {is the basic mating pattern behind ...f3.}) 31... Rxg2+ 32. Kf1 Rg1+ $1 33. Kxg1 Qh3 $8 0-1

[Event "Winnipeg op"]
[Site "Winnipeg CAN"]
[Date "2025.01.05"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Wiebe, Isaac"]
[Black "Anderson, Colin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2223"]
[BlackElo "2253"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7973875230748"]
[GameId "2142984842367241"]
[EventDate "2025.01.03"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The 2025 Winnipeg Open ended in a 4-way tie at the top between Mark Klusa, Isaac Wiebe, Collin Anderson, and Gabriel Hamm. Here is the final round game from board 1, which is a good enough reason to look at it, but I actually chose it for two other reasons:  1) in a position which could arise from several different openings, White plays a very sharp and tricky attempt to refute Black's play, and IMO it would be impossible for anyone to find their way through this OTB,  2) the ending has some crazy tactics and mating patterns I have never seen.} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. a3 Bc5 {[#]} 7. Ndb5 $6 {Not objectively good, but very tricky; and since almost all top-level games continue b3 this is almost unknown, so it might be a good surprise weapon.} ({The most common continuation is} 7. Nb3 Be7 8. e4 O-O {with a sort of Hedgehog, where Black has held up well enough.}) ({Instead, after} 7. Nb3 {Black can keep the  more active with} Bb6 $5 8. Bf4 (8. e4 d5 $1 $146 {A Novelty Caruana used in a "must draw" World Cup game vs Anton Kovalyov:} 9. exd5 exd5 10. c5 (10. cxd5 Ng4 $1 $13 {is the point, since} 11. dxc6 $2 Bxf2+ 12. Ke2 Qe7+ 13. Kf3 O-O $1 $17) 10... Bc7 11. Be2 O-O 12. Be3 Be5 $11 {1/2 Kovalyov,A (2608)-Caruana,F (2796) FIDE World Cup Baku 2015 (3.2)}) 8... d5 9. c5 Bc7 10. Bxc7 Qxc7 11. Nb5 Qe5 12. Nd6+ Ke7 {maybe hard to believe, but the octopus on d6 only gives White equality.} 13. Qc1 $1 $11 Rd8 (13... Ne4 $13 {Cummings, in a 2016 chesspublishing.com Flank Openings survey.}) 14. f4 Qh5 15. e3 Ne4 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Be2 Qh4+ 18. g3 Qh3 19. Bf1 Qh5 20. Be2 Qh3 21. Bf1 Qh5 22. Be2 Qh3 {1/2 Erigaisi,A (2775)-Niemann,H (2725) Tata Steel-A 88th Wijk aan Zee 2026 (9)}) 7... O-O ({The only analysis of this I could find is in "The Benko Revisited" (Thinkers, 2022) by Alexy Kovalchuk. The fact that it comes in a book on the Benko (declined) shows how transpositional these positions are, which is another reason to expect opponents to be unfamiliar with them. Kovalchuk's analysis is close to perfect, and goes like this:} 7... d5 $1 8. cxd5 (8. Bf4 O-O 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Nc7 d4 11. Na4 Bd6 12. Bxd6 $8 Qxd6 13. Nxa8 Bf5 $15 {Kovalchuk, a line SF18 does not improve upon.}) 8... exd5 {Opening Analysis [#] The key point being that the seemingly clever tactic} 9. Nxd5 $2 {, hoping for 9...xd5? 10.xd5, leads to disaster after} (9. Bf4 $142 O-O 10. Nc7 Bf5 $17 {transposing into the line above, with a nearly winning bind and initiative for the exchange, according to SF18 and leela.}) 9... O-O 10. Nxf6+ Qxf6 11. e3 Qg6 ({SF18} 11... Rd8 $1 12. Qf3 Nb4 $3 $19 {would be a fun mirror image counterattack to win.}) 12. Qd5 Bb4+ $8 $19 (12... Bb6 13. Bd3 $1 Be6 14. Bxg6 $8 Bxd5 15. Bc2 Bxg2 16. Rg1 Bd5 $15 {1/2 Arcuti,D (2280)-Rambaldi,F (2547) Wch U16 Porto Carras 2015 (9)}) 13. Nc3 (13. axb4 Nxb4 14. Qc4 Nc2+ $19 {AK}) 13... Rd8 14. Qa2 Be6 15. Qb1 Bf5 16. Qa2 Bxc3+ 17. bxc3 Ne5 18. f4 Nd3+ $19 {Kovalchuk} (18... Bc2 $3 {SF18.})) 8. b4 (8. Nd6 Qe7 $15 {Analysis Diagram [#]} 9. Nxc8 $2 (9. Bf4 $142 e5 (9... Nh5 $5 10. Nce4 $13) 10. Nxc8 Raxc8 11. Bd2 $15 {slows down Black from blasting open the center.} (11. Bg5 $2 Bxf2+ $19)) 9... Raxc8 10. e3 d5 11. Be2 Rfd8 {White got nothing from his knight-hopping adventure, and Black's development lead is enough to win.} 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Na4 d4 $3 $19 14. Nxc5 dxe3 15. Nd3 exf2+ 16. Kf1 Ne5 (16... Nd4 $19) 17. Bg5 h6 18. Bh4 Rd7 19. a4 Rcd8 20. Ra3 Nc4 21. Bxf2 {White avoids mate, but the endgame is hopeless.} Nxa3 22. Qb3 Ne4 23. Qxa3 Qxa3 24. bxa3 Rxd3 25. Bxd3 Rxd3 26. Be1 Rxa3 27. a5 Nd6 28. Ke2 Nc4 {0-1 Kleinman,M (2280)-Yang,D (2480) Washington op 2nd Rockville 2013 (3)}) 8... Be7 9. Bf4 {[#] threat: c7 then d6 wins an exchange and keeps a bind.} (9. Nd6 Ne8 10. Bf4 b6 11. e4 Nxd6 12. Bxd6 Bxd6 13. Qxd6 Qf6 14. Rc1 Ne5 15. Be2 $11 {0-1 Huebner,R-Ljubojevic,L IBM Amsterdam 1975 (15)}) 9... d5 $1 10. cxd5 exd5 {[#] Critical Position  Heroic c7, or cowardly e3?} 11. Nc7 $2 (11. e3 $1 $11 Be6 12. Be2 Rc8 13. O-O a6 14. Nd4 Nxb4 $11 15. Qb3 $1 Nc6 16. Nxe6 $1 fxe6 17. Qxb7 $1 Na5 18. Qb2 Nc4 19. Qb7 Na5 20. Qb2 Nc4 21. Bxc4 Rxc4 $11 {1/2 Martorelli,A (2272)-Castaldo,F (2227) ITA-ch 60th Saint Vincent 2000 (8)}) 11... d4 $1 ({SF18 says} 11... g5 {is even better!? I'll let you figure out why.}) 12. Nxa8 (12. N3b5 $2 Nh5 $19 (12... a6 $19)) 12... dxc3 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 $8 {[#] White is up a whole exchange, but is far behind in development -- playing without his h1 and a8 for the foreseeable future, and even if the  can be saved it will take at least a couple of moves before it can do anything -- and the c3-pawn creates both tactical and long-term threats. Clearly Black has compensation, but how much? Would you judge this to be "clearly winning"? Leela and SF18 rate it between -2 and -2.6.} 14. e3 (14. Rd1 Nd5 $19) 14... Bf5 15. Nc7 c2 $1 16. Bc4 {[#]Critical Position White is up a full exchange, but Black is ahead in development and has a potential game-winner on c2. White to move would mostly consolidate with f3 or 00... but it's Black to move, and he strikes with} Nxb4 $3 {Makes the most of his development so the s can support his passer.} (16... Nh5 $6 17. Nd5 $8 Nxf4 18. exf4 $1 $15) (16... a5 $1 {doesn't win a pawn, but also wins the game} 17. b5 Nb4 $8 $19 {and ...d3 on either 00 or e2.}) 17. axb4 Bxb4+ 18. Ke2 (18. Kf1 Rd1+ 19. Ke2 Rd2+ {would transpose, if Black can't find anything better.}) 18... Rd2+ $8 19. Kf3 Bg4+ 20. Kg3 Bd1 $1 {[#]} 21. f3 (21. Rxa7 {doesn't create back rank threats, since Black has ...f8.}) (21. Bb3 $19 {hoping for hxd1+-, is too slow, losing to} Ne4+) (21. e4 {hits the  and tries to use the f4 to stop promotion, but} Nxe4+ 22. Kh4 Be7+ $19 {is simple and even worse.}) 21... Nh5+ 22. Kh3 {[#] Critical Position ...xf4+, or ...c3-b2, or does it make any difference?} Nxf4+ $2 {It does make a difference, and this gives White very unexpected and strong counterplay.} (22... Bc3 $8 $19 23. Rc1 (23. Rxa7 Nxf4+ 24. exf4 g6 25. Re1 Rd8 $1 $19 {is the simplest win; there's no way to stop ...c1=.}) 23... Bb2 24. Rxc2 Bxc2 $19 {White has no open files for the , and so no active play at all.} 25. g4 Nxf4+ 26. exf4 Rd1 $1 $19 {forces off the s and keeps two distant passers and two long-range s.}) 23. exf4 Bc3 $1 {[#]} 24. Rxa7 $2 (24. Rc1 $8 Bb2 25. Rxc2 $8 Bxc2 26. Re1 $8 $13 {Analysis Diagram [#] Unlike the variation at move 22, without ...xf4 White gets the open e-file for immediate counterplay, and Black can only just cope.} Ba3 (26... Rd8 $4 27. Re2 $18) (26... g6 27. Re8+ $8 (27. Re7 $4 Rd7 $3 28. Bxf7+ Kf8 29. Rxd7 Bf5+ $19) 27... Kg7 28. Re7 $13 Rd7 $4 29. Ne6+ {shows the point of the check before occupying the 7th.} Kf6 30. Rxd7 $18 {and ...f5+ does not fork the .}) 27. Re8+ Bf8 28. Nd5 g6 $1 29. Rb8 $8 $11 {c8 isn't safe, and a8 won't hit f7 fast enough.  [#] The variations that follow illustrate some of White's attacking opportunities, should Black try to hold the queenside pawns.} b6 $4 (29... b5 $142 $5 $13) 30. Nf6+ Kg7 31. Rb7 $1 $18 {(threat xf7 mating)} Kh8 32. Rxf7 Bg7 33. Ne4 $8 $18 {White will win at least a pawn, and keep the more active ,  and , as well as connected passers; e.g.} Rd4 34. Rc7 $8 Bxe4 35. Rc8+ $8 Bf8 36. fxe4 $8 $18 Kg7 37. Rc7+ $1 Kh6 (37... Kh8 38. Bd5 $18) 38. Bg8 Bg7 39. g4 $18) 24... h6 $2 (24... g6 $19) (24... g5 $19) 25. Ra8+ $11 Kh7 26. Bxf7 {[#] Critical Position ...d7 or ...c1= or something else?} g5 $1 {This is a very tricky position, and this move creates some extra tricky tactics. It stops one of White's drawing mechanisms (with f5 and g6/g8+), but it also allows White's f-pawn to join the attack.} (26... Rd7 $4 {leads to a long, multibranching and winning  hunt, the mainline of which goes:} 27. Bg8+ $8 Kg6 28. f5+ $8 Kg5 (28... Kxf5 29. Be6+ Kg6 30. Bxd7 c1=Q 31. Rf8 $1 $18 {with material and safer .}) 29. Ne6+ $8 Kxf5 30. Rf8+ Ke5 31. Nc5 $8 c1=Q 32. Nxd7+ Kd6 33. Bb3 $3 $18 {what a move! The double attack wins the d1 and saves the d7.}) (26... c1=Q {Black's pieces are so inactive and badly coordinated that White has more than one way to create enough threats to draw.} 27. Ne6 $5 {This is a more complex line, with blunders at every turn...} (27. f5 {This is the simpler route to equality:} Rxg2 $8 {guards g6 or decoys the white  to its doom.} (27... h5 $2 28. Bg6+ Kh6 29. Ne6 $1 {and there's no defence to h8#.}) (27... g5 $2 {frees g7 and guards h8, but loses to the very weird} 28. fxg6+ $8 Kg7 29. Ne8+ Kf8 30. Re1 $1 Re2 31. Nf6+ Ke7 (31... Kg7 $2 32. Nh5#) 32. Nd5+ Kd7 33. Rxd1 $3 Qxd1 34. Nxc3 $18 {and the g-pawn promotes.}) 28. Bg8+ $1 Kh8 29. Bf7+ $11) 27... g5 28. Rg8 $8 {Analysis Diagram [#]  White obviously threatens f8#...} Bb4 $4 {stops f8 mating, but misses the second mating net:} (28... g4+ $8 $11 {The saving move in several variations below. The point is that White has two mating nets: one with f8, the other uses the f-pawn to get the  to g5.} 29. fxg4 Bb4 30. Rg7+ $11 {forces a perp.}) 29. fxg5 $18 {threat g6#.} Rxg2 $1 (29... hxg5 30. Nxg5+ Kh6 31. Rg6+ Kh5 32. g4#) 30. Rg7+ $8 Kh8 31. Rg6 $1 $18 {and the only ways to stop h6# are to give up the  and leave the other pieces hanging.}) 27. f5 $4 ({White has two ways to play this: tactics to trade to a  v  ending with extra pawns, or go for mate and (at worst) give a perpetual:} 27. Rf8 $1 {threatening g8+} Kg7 28. Ne6+ $8 Kf6 29. Bg6+ $1 Kxe6 30. Bxc2 Bxc2 31. fxg5 $13) (27. Re1 $1 $11 Re2 28. Rxe2 Bxe2 29. Rg8 c1=Q 30. Ne6 $8 {Analysis Diagram [#]} g4+ $8 $11 {Same as above: a sac to prevent fxg5.} (30... Bb4 $2 31. Rg7+ $8 Kh8 32. Rg6 $1 g4+ (32... Kh7 33. fxg5 $18 hxg5 34. Nxg5+ Qxg5 35. Rxg5 $18) 33. Kh4 $8 Kh7 34. Kh5 $18 {Black has to give the  to stop xh6#.}) 31. fxg4 Bb4 {White can play the  perp here, or keep walking the tightrope with} 32. g5 Bd3 {guards g6 and threatens ...g5+.} 33. g6+ Bxg6 34. Rg7+ (34. Rxg6 Qc3+ $11) 34... Kh8 35. Rg8+ $11) 27... h5 $2 {[#] This is why people don't play chess anymore...} (27... g4+ $8 $19 28. fxg4 c1=Q 29. Bg6+ Kg7 30. Ne8+ Kf8 $19) 28. Re1 $4 {... it's just too difficult.} (28. Ne6 $8 $11 g4+ (28... c1=Q 29. Rg8 $8 g4+ 30. Kh4 $8 Rd6 (30... Bf6+ $4 31. Kxh5 $18 {and f8#.}) 31. Ng5+ Kh6 32. Ba2 $8 $11 {Amazing! The  protects the  from the only safe square on the diagonal! Now White threatens a perp with f7-g5, and if Black stops that with ...f6 it takes away the escape route for the king and White has a perp with h8-g8=; and although ...f6? pins the , it gives up g6#.  BTW, if White didn't have the h1, then ...xg5 would escape the perpetuals and win on material; with the h1 in reserve, Black can't afford that "defence".}) 29. Kh4 $8 Kh6 (29... Bf6+ $4 30. Kxh5 $18) 30. Rg8 $8 Bf6+ 31. Ng5 Bxg5+ 32. Rxg5 gxf3 (32... c1=Q $4 33. f6 $8 $18 {closes the box and there's no defence to xh5#.}) 33. Rg6+ Kh7 34. f6 $11 Rd8 35. Rg7+ Kh8 36. Bg6 c1=Q $8 (36... Rd4+ $2 37. Kh3 $1 $18) 37. Rh7+ Kg8 38. Rg7+ $11 {with a perp.}) 28... Re2 $8 $19 29. Bb3 g4+ 30. Kh4 Bxe1+ 31. Kxh5 c1=Q 32. Bg8+ Kg7 33. Ne8+ Rxe8 34. Rxe8 Qh6+ 35. Kxg4 Qh4# 0-1

[Event "New Year op"]
[Site "Richmond CAN"]
[Date "2025.01.03"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Doknjas, Neil"]
[Black "Taylor, Ashton"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "A37"]
[WhiteElo "2382"]
[BlackElo "2090"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[Beauty "8246743804943"]
[GameId "2140093881563666"]
[EventDate "2025.01.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 e5 4. c4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. d3 Nge7 {[#] A very common structure that also appears with colours reversed, when it's called the Botvinnik system. Black has a clamp on the center dark squares, and typically aims for ...d5, creating a comfortable Maroczy-like structure. White typically aims for queenside expansion (with b4) and/or central piece play on the light squares by moving the f3 to e3, or trading the DSB for a  to control d5. This game shows what happens if Black rushes to play ...d5 in one move.} 7. Bd2 (7. O-O O-O 8. Ne1 Rb8 9. Nc2 a6 10. Rb1 d6 11. b4 Be6 12. bxc5 dxc5 13. Ne3 b6 14. Ned5 $14 {Analysis Diagram [#] This game is a nice illustration of the relative importance of opening prep vs middlegame skill, and a fine example of what made Karpov such an odd World Champion: he's a little worse out of the opening, he plays completely normal-looking moves, his opponent doesn't make any obvious mistakes, but 10 moves later Karpov is clearly winning.} Bd7 $5 {So ...xd5 won't get forked.} 15. Bd2 Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Ne7 17. Qc1 $6 (17. Bg5 $142 f6 18. Bd2 Be6 19. Nc3 $14) 17... Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Bh3 $1 $11 19. Re1 b5 $1 20. a3 Qd6 21. Bf3 Be6 22. cxb5 axb5 23. Be3 $6 Rfc8 $19 {Analysis Diagram [#]  Black creates a passed pawn, supported by his s and s.} 24. Qd2 b4 25. axb4 cxb4 26. Ba7 Rb5 {The only safe square, freed just in time by the pawn push.} 27. Rec1 Rxc1+ 28. Qxc1 b3 29. Qc6 Qxc6 30. Bxc6 Ra5 31. Be3 Ra2 32. Bb5 b2 33. Kg2 e4 34. d4 Bb3 {0-1 Barcza,G-Karpov,A Caracas 1970 (2)}) 7... d5 $2 {Right idea, wrong execution. Unless White plays something very silly, Black will need to support d5 (and usually c5 too) before this push is safe.} (7... d6 8. a3 h6 (8... b6 9. b4 Bb7 10. b5 Nd4 11. e4 Qd7 12. O-O O-O 13. a4 $14 a5 $5 {1/2 Jobava,B (2668)-Duda,J (2658) EU-chT (Men) 20th Reykjavik 2015 (3.1)}) 9. O-O Be6 10. Ne1 a5 11. Nc2 {[#] Typical Botvinnik System Both sides have carried out their typical regroupings. White is ready to go b2-b4 or e3-d5, and Black is in time to play...} d5 $1 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 (13. Ne3 $1) 13... Bxd5 $11 14. Bxd5 Qxd5 15. Bc3 (15. Ne3 Qe6 16. Rc1 b6 17. b4 $13) 15... b5 16. Ne3 Qe6 17. b3 h5 $5 $15 18. h4 (18. f4 $142 $5 h4 19. f5 $132) 18... f5 19. a4 b4 20. Bb2 f4 $1 21. Nc4 {Analysis Diagram [#] Black has a crushing attack, but misplays it. Two years before this game Wei Yi created one of the greatest king-hunt games of all time (Wei -Bruzon, Danzhou, 2015), so he was/is capable of terrific attacking chess. You might think his task here is considerably easier, if only because there is more than one way to win this. Instead, he misplays it.} g5 $2 (21... Qh3 $1 $17 {the most direct, though the necessary follow-up isn't at all easy to see} 22. Nd6+ Kd7 $8 (22... Ke7 $2 {exposes the  to c2xc5+.}) 23. Ne4 Bh6 24. Qc2 (24. Nxc5+ Ke7 $19) 24... fxg3 25. Nxg3 Be3 $8 $19) (21... O-O $1 {is slower and simpler; after} 22. Kh2 Rad8 $19 {Black will smash through with ...d4 and ...e4.}) 22. e3 $1 fxg3 (22... Qh3 $13) 23. fxg3 gxh4 24. Qf3 $1 $13 {1/2 Xu,X (2534)-Wei,Y (2732) Asian Continental op 16th Chengdu 2017 (4)}) 8. cxd5 {[#]} Nxd5 (8... Nb4 {doesn't get the pawn back:} 9. Qa4+ Qd7 (9... Bd7 10. Qb3 $16) 10. Qxd7+ Bxd7 11. Rc1 {stops c2+ and x-rays c5.} Rc8 12. Ne4 $18 {forks c5 and d6.}) 9. Nxe5 $1 Nxc3 10. Bxc6+ $8 bxc6 11. Bxc3 {[#]} Bxe5 (11... Qd5 12. e4 $16) (11... Bh3 $5 {gives White choices, many of them good:} 12. Qd2 $1 (12. Qa4 $16) (12. f4 $5 $16) (12. Nxc6 $4 {not this one} Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 Qd5 $19) 12... Bxe5 13. Qe3 $8 $18) 12. Bxe5 Qd5 13. Bxh8 Qxh1+ 14. Kd2 {[#] Non Critical Position Take on d1 or h2?} Qxh2 {After the game move material is equal, but Black's exposed , bad pawns, and poorly placed  make it a turkey shoot.} (14... Qxd1+ {is the computer's choice. White is losing either way, so the only question is whether Black wants to test White's attacking calculation, or endgame technique.  It seems to me the endgame decisions are trickier, if only because the game line comes with a big fat bullseye on the black , which makes White's choices much clearer.} 15. Rxd1 Be6 {this poses White an immediate challenge: how to keep control in an opposite  ending that you know you "should" be winning. The  threatens a2, but also to play ...c4, when dxc4 would let Black escape to a drawn opposite  ending with ...d8+. So...} 16. Bf6 $3 {Puts the  on a safe square and prevents the ...d8+ idea mentioned above.} (16. a3 O-O-O $16) (16. Rc1 c4 $5) (16. b3 $6 a5 17. Rc1 a4 18. Rxc5 axb3 19. axb3 Ra2+ {here SF18 says White has only one clearly winning move:} 20. Ke1 $1 $18 {avoiding ...xb3-d1 Xe2}) 16... Bxa2 (16... c4 $6 17. dxc4 Bxc4 18. Kc3 $18 {taking either a or e-pawn loses the  to pins.}) 17. Rc1 Kd7 18. Rxc5 a5 19. Bc3 a4 20. Bb4 $1 $18 {Stops ...a3 and puts the  on a good diagaonal. This is winning, but White might struggle to prove it.}) 15. Qa4 $1 $18 Kd7 (15... Bd7 16. Qe4+ {with h1 being among the winning continuations.} Kd8 17. Bf6+ Kc7 18. Rh1 Qxf2) 16. Qf4 $1 Qh3 17. Qxf7+ Kd6 18. f4 Be6 19. Be5+ Kd5 20. e4# 1-0

[Event "Carnaval"]
[Site "Quebec CAN"]
[Date "2025.02.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Adam, Rafael"]
[Black "Sai, Krishna GV"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2318"]
[BlackElo "2456"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Beauty "8251705982503"]
[GameId "2150748453254068"]
[EventDate "2025.02.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The Tournoi du Carnaval 2025 ended in a 4-way tie at 4/5 between Neil Moses, IM Olivier Kenta Chiku-Ratte and the two players in this game, the only decisive encounter between the top four.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 {[#]} 5. Nb5 (5. Nf3 O-O 6. Nb5 Na6 7. Be2 Nh5 8. Be5 f6 9. Bg3 c6 10. Na3 Nxg3 11. hxg3 e5 12. c4 e4 13. Nd2 Nc7 14. Qb3 f5 $15 {1/2 So,W (2752)-Firouzja,A (2777) Saint Louis Blitz 2023 (4) White is playing a sort of reversed French, but with no pressure on the d5 pawn.}) (5. h4 $5 {Is the "Jobava-Prie"/Barry attack, and is played by GM Bortnyk a lot. It is 6x more often played than the game move, but it doesn't score particularly well at the top level anymore, even for Carlsen:} h5 6. Nf3 O-O $11 {Sample Games [#]} 7. Be2 (7. Ne5 c5 8. Qd2 Bf5 9. f3 cxd4 10. exd4 Nc6 11. Bb5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 $11 13. Bxd7 Qxd7 14. O-O-O Rac8 15. Qxd5 Rxc3 $1 16. Qxd7 Rxc2+ 17. Kb1 Rxg2+ 18. Qxf5 gxf5 19. Rd7 Rc8 $11 {0-1 Carlsen,M (2837)-Wei,Y (2758) Norway Chess Armageddon 13th Stavanger rapid 2025 (3)}) 7... c5 8. dxc5 Qa5 9. Nd2 Qxc5 10. Nb3 Qb6 11. a4 Nc6 12. O-O Qd8 13. a5 a6 14. Bf3 Bf5 15. Nd4 Nxd4 16. exd4 Rc8 $15 {0-1 Carlsen,M (2833)-Sindarov,J (2707) Titled Tuesday intern op 04th Mar Late Chess.com INT blitz 2025 (6) Black's half-open c-file is more useful than White's half-open e-file.}) 5... Na6 6. Nc3 $5 {SF18's top move! But only 0.00, of course.} (6. h3 {saves the DSB.}) (6. h4) (6. Be2) 6... Nh5 {The principled move.} (6... Nb8 7. Nb5 Na6 8. Nc3 Nb8 {is another modern "GM draw"; e.g. Bortnyk - Sindarov, World Blitz Doha, 2025.}) 7. Be5 f6 8. Bg3 c6 9. Bxa6 bxa6 10. Nf3 e5 {[#]} 11. dxe5 Nxg3 12. hxg3 (12. exf6 {is tempting, but after} Nxh1 13. fxg7 Rg8 14. Qd4 $1 {probably not enough.}) 12... fxe5 {[#]} 13. e4 $1 {Stopping ...e4, which would give Black easy play, and initiating a tense game of chicken in the center, seeing who will crack first. The next few notes show some of what the players had to consider if the center shifts or breaks up} O-O (13... d4 $5 14. Na4 c5 15. c3 (15. Nxc5 $4 Qa5+ $19) 15... Qa5 $2 (15... c4 $1 16. b3 $13) 16. Qb3 $1 Bd7 $140 17. Qd5 $8 $18 Rc8 18. Nxe5 $18) 14. Qd3 (14. exd5 $4 e4 15. Nd4 (15. Nh4 Qb6 $19 {Xf2, Xb2, Xe1.}) (15. Nxe4 Re8 $19) 15... Qf6 $19 {Xf2 and Xd4.}) 14... Rb8 15. b3 g5 $5 {[#]} 16. Rd1 (16. exd5 $5 {Attacking h7 too!} e4 (16... Bf5 17. Qc4 $8 e4 18. Nd4 Qa5 $13 (18... Bg6 $13)) 17. Nxe4 $8 cxd5 18. O-O-O $8 Bf5 19. Nfxg5 $8 $13) (16. O-O-O g4 17. exd5 $1 gxf3 18. Qxh7+ Kf7 19. Qh5+ Kg8 $8 {White has a draw in hand, or can play for more with} 20. gxf3) 16... g4 17. Nd2 (17. Nh4 $14 {SF18}) 17... Rb4 $5 {[#]Black keeps piling pressure on the center; leaving White with choices between variations which are objectively about equal, but are strategically very different. FWIW, I would lose on time somewhere around here. :)} 18. Ne2 {White keeps his s ready to jump into any hole in the center, but none appear.} (18. exd5 e4 19. Ndxe4 (19. Ncxe4 cxd5 20. Nc3 $13) 19... Bf5 20. f3 $8 $13) (18. a3 Rd4 19. Qe2 $13) 18... Qf6 19. O-O Qg6 {[#]} 20. c4 $2 (20. Qc3 $142 $1 $13) ({A reasonable bail-out is} 20. exd5 $5 Qxd3 21. cxd3 cxd5 22. d4 $1 exd4 23. Nf4 $15 {the s should be worth something, even if d5 falls.}) 20... d4 $1 {If Black could play ....c5 White would be suffocated.} 21. f4 {Trying to break out immediately, obviously very risky with his  on the g-file.} (21. c5 {stops ...c5 (and frees c4) without triggering immediate chaos.}) 21... gxf3 22. gxf3 {[#]} Bh3 (22... Bh6 $1 23. f4 Bxf4 $1 $19) 23. Rf2 Bh6 24. Rh2 Be3+ 25. Kh1 Bc8 $5 {Or ...e6, both leaving the 7th rank clear so Black can bring the b4 across.} 26. Kg2 $2 (26. c5 $1 {so c4 can fork e3 and e5.}) 26... Rb7 $1 $19 {Brings back the only piece that isn't attacking the kingside...  ...and sets a trap! [#] Critical Position What happens on g1 or after f1?} 27. Ng1 (27. Nf1 Rbf7 $1 28. Nxe3 (28. Ng1 Bxg1 $19) 28... Rxf3 $8 $19) 27... Qxg3+ $3 {That must have been fun to play!} 28. Kh1 (28. Kxg3 Rg7+ 29. Kh4 Rf4+ 30. Kh5 $19 {gets mated after ...d7/e6 and check.} Be6 $19) 28... Rg7 29. Qf1 (29. Ne2 {allows another  "sac":} Qxh2+ $1 30. Kxh2 Rf6 $19) 29... Qxh2+ $1 30. Kxh2 Rf6 31. Nh3 Rh6 0-1

[Event "Hart House Holidays Open"]
[Site "Toronto"]
[Date "2025.12.21"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Malakar, Saarthak"]
[Black "Plotkin, Mark"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "A49"]
[WhiteElo "2268"]
[BlackElo "2490"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7903813630498"]
[GameId "2257408575696896"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d6 6. Re1 {[#] An anti-King's Indian played by technicians like Ulf Anderson and Vladislav Artimiev. White usually plays e4 then a4-a5, waiting to see what Black does before committing the center pawns. It's not particularly aggressive, but that can be a problem for KID players, who want something to punch. In the game, Black tempts White's pawns forward, and the game turns into something with the familiar KID opposite side pawn storms.} Nc6 $5 7. e4 (7. d5 $5 Na5 (7... Nb4 8. e4 e5 9. Bd2 Na6 (9... a5 $6 10. a3 Na6 11. b4 $14 {Xa6.}) 10. c4 Nc5 11. Nc3 a5 {1/2 Stahlberg,G-Bronstein,D Hoogovens Beverwijk 1963 (7)}) 8. e4 c6 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Qd3 Nd7 11. Nd2 (11. b4 $2 {does not win the :} cxd5 $1 $17 12. exd5 (12. bxa5 dxe4 13. Rxe4 Nc5 $19) 12... Bxf3 ({or} 12... Bf5) ({or} 12... Rc8) 13. Bxf3 (13. Qxf3 Rc8 $1) 13... Rc8 14. Bd2 Nc4 $19) 11... Ne5 12. Qf1 b5 $5 13. h3 Bd7 14. dxc6 Naxc6 15. Nxb5 Nb4 16. Na3 f5 $6 17. f4 fxe4 18. Rxe4 Qb6+ 19. Kh2 Rac8 $13 {0-1 Svane,R (2609)-Erigaisi,A (2775) Titled Tuesday intern op 24th Feb Chess.com INT blitz 2026 (7)}) 7... e5 8. d5 Ne7 9. c4 h6 10. Nc3 Nh7 11. a3 f5 {[#]The game has turned into a king of King's Indian, but g3/g2 and d4-d5 are unusual: after g2 White usually doesn't push the d4-pawn, leaving the center flexible and keeping a space advantage while Black hops his s around the dark squares looking for tricks.  Here, the center is closed and Black gets the KID-player's favourite kingside pawn storm, but the hook on g3 creates extra tactics on the f-file (Xf3, Xf2) which don't happen in a mainline Mar del Plata KID, where White has f3 and e2 and Black aims for the the pawn break with ...g5-g4-g3.  The result is that if White plays the standard MdP queenside pawnstorm -- aiming to create a weakness on the queenside dark squares (d6, c7,b6) -- Black's attack hits sooner than in the MdP.  Even so, both sides have to play very precisely, or that extra tempo won't be enough.} 12. b4 {White doesn't have to prepare c5 -- the x-ray pressure on e5 is enough.} ({This was White's last chance to turn the game into an open-center conflict.} 12. c5 $5 f4 (12... dxc5 $6 13. exf5 {and xe5 is a very good trade for White -- Black's king will feel the draft.}) 13. gxf4 $1 {this opens the long diagonal, but it gives White some central play before Black gets the chance to go ...g5, with the choice to attack the kingisde with ...g4 or taking gxf4 and a piece attack.} exf4 {now ...g4 or ...g5, eliminating the  would secure a long-term plus, as the white minors would get stuck on the wrong side of the e4 pawn.} 14. e5 $1 $132 Bg4 $8 $13 {Hard to evaluate, but the open center means Black won't have a free hand on the kingside.}) 12... f4 13. c5 (13. gxf4 exf4 14. Bb2 Bg4 $13 (14... g5 15. e5 $1 $13) 15. Na4 Rf7 $13) 13... g5 14. Nd2 g4 15. Nc4 $15 {[#]} Ng6 (15... f3 $2 16. Bf1 {and all the play is on the queenside, where White has a KID-killing space advantage.}) 16. a4 Ng5 17. cxd6 cxd6 18. Nb5 Rf6 19. Bd2 h5 20. Rc1 a6 21. Nba3 h4 22. Rc3 {The -lift is another standard MdP KID way to defend the kingside. Unfortunately for White, both f3 and f2 need defending, and doing that with f1 would give Black the extra option to bury the g2 with ...f3 or ...h3. [#] The computers agree Black is winning, but opt for different lines.} (22. a5 Bh6 23. Nb6 $6 (23. Rc2 $5) 23... hxg3 $8 24. fxg3 (24. Nxa8 gxf2+ $1 $19) 24... Nf3+ $8 25. Bxf3 gxf3 26. Kf2 $1 (26. Nxa8 $2 fxg3 $19) 26... Rb8 $8 $17) 22... Bh6 ({leela's top choice is the improving:} 22... Bd7 $1 {with the positional threat of ...b5, wrecking White's queenside play.} 23. a5 {stops ...b5, but} Rc8 {allows Black to trade the inert a8 for the attacking/defending c3; for example:} 24. Nb6 $2 Rxc3 25. Bxc3 Nf3+ 26. Bxf3 gxf3 27. g4 $8 (27. Qxf3 fxg3 $19) 27... Bxg4 {the queenside trades leave White with a much worse version of the game, with no queenside play,}) ({Stockfish's top choice is the all-tactics plunge:} 22... Nf3+ $1 {White won't survive long with the f3, but taking it creates a winning discovered attack with ...fxg3.} 23. Bxf3 (23. Rxf3 gxf3 24. Bxf3 hxg3 25. fxg3 b5 $1 {a decoy and line-opeing sac: either gains time by attacking a loose b5, or adds the a8 to the kingside attack from a2.} 26. axb5 axb5 27. Nxb5 fxg3 (27... Ra2 $5) 28. hxg3 Qd7 $19 29. Nbxd6 Qh3 $8 $19) 23... gxf3 24. g4 $1 (24. Qxf3 fxg3 $19 {and gxf2+.}) (24. Rxf3 Bg4 25. Qb3 {doesn't help} (25. gxf4 Nxf4 26. Qb3 Ne2+ $19 {and ...xf3.}) 25... Bxf3 26. Qxf3 fxg3 $19) (24. gxf4 Nxf4 25. Qxf3 Rg6+ 26. Kh1 Bg4 27. Qe3 Qg5 $19) 24... Bxg4 25. h3 $5 Bh5 {and Black goes back to a methodical kingside build up: ...h8-f7, ...g6, and something gets to g5.} (25... Bxh3 {should win too, but after} 26. Qxf3 Bd7 27. Kh2 {there's no mate for White.})) 23. a5 $1 {[#]White to play, b6 would be just in time...} Nf3+ $2 (23... hxg3 $8 24. hxg3 (24. fxg3 f3 {and ...f2+.}) 24... Rf7 $1 {clearing a path for the .} (24... f3 $2 25. Nb6 fxg2 26. Bxg5 $1 Bxg5 $13) 25. Nb6 Nf3+ 26. Bxf3 gxf3 {Analysis Diagram [#]} 27. Nxa8 (27. g4 Bxg4 $19 ({even} 27... Qh4 $19 {wins.})) (27. Qxf3 fxg3 28. Qxg3 Bxd2 29. Qxg6+ Rg7 $19) 27... Bg4 $1 {White has no good defence to Black's  invasion; here's one extravagant example:} 28. Rc7 (28. Nb6 fxg3 29. Bxh6 Qh4 $19 {#5}) 28... Qg5 {no thanks!} 29. Rxf7 Qh5 {you can keep it.} 30. Rf6 Qh3 {have another} 31. Rxg6+ Kf7 {I'll even let you take a , your choice!}) 24. Bxf3 gxf3 25. g4 $3 {[#] Black's f3-pawn is a thorn, but (as shown above) taking it loses. Giving the g-pawn like this keeps both the f- and h-files closed, narrowing Black's attacking corridor to the g-file.} Bxg4 26. h3 $5 Bh5 $1 27. Nb6 Nf8 $5 {[#]This next sequence is critical and precise from both players.} 28. Kh2 $8 (28. Nxa8 $2 Rg6+ 29. Kh1 Qg5 {simplest} (29... Qd7 $19) 30. Rg1 Qg2+ $19 {trades the a8 for the e1, but gains a passer on g2.}) 28... Rg6 29. Rg1 $8 (29. Nxa8 $2 Rg2+ 30. Kh1 Qd7 31. Rxf3 Rxf2 $1 $19) 29... Rb8 $8 (29... Rg3 $2 30. Nxa8 $18 {and f1 will hold h3/g2.}) 30. Rxg6+ $8 {Black was threatening ...g3, when taking causes a suicidal pawn avalanche, while not taking gives Black time to bring up the cavalry (...h7-g5).} Nxg6 31. b5 $1 Qg5 {[#]Critical Position} 32. Qg1 $2 {White's first real mistake of the game, but it's a KID and if Black lands just one punch it's a KO.} (32. Qh1 $2 Qg3+ 33. fxg3 fxg3+ 34. Kg1 f2+ $8 35. Kf1 Bxd2 {Is it over yet?} 36. Nd7 $5 {NO: one more trick!} Bd1 $3 (36... Kg7 $1) (36... Kf7 $4 37. Rf3+ $18) 37. Rd3 $5 {one more trick?} Rc8 $8 $19) (32. Qf1 $8 $13 Qg3+ $2 {Just to show this doesn't work here.} ({Instead, Black has to change gears and redeploy the minors (...h8-f7) and target e4.} 32... Nh8 $13) 33. Kh1 $8 Qg2+ 34. Qxg2 fxg2+ 35. Kg1 {the pin to the h6 means g2-pawn can't be supported, and White will have time for f3 and xg2, leaving White in charge in a terrible KID ending for Black.} ({not falling for} 35. Kxg2 $4 f3+ $19)) 32... Qg3+ $3 $19 {only move for the KO} 33. fxg3 (33. Kh1 Qxh3+ 34. Qh2 Qg2+ $1 35. Qxg2 fxg2+ 36. Kg1 (36. Kxg2 $2 f3+ $19) 36... Be2 $1 $19 {with too many extra bits.}) 33... fxg3+ $8 ({Here's a crazy line: the "artistic"} 33... hxg3+ $2 34. Kh1 f2 {Analysis Diagram  [#] Black is down a  for only , but threatens the  and if the  moves then h4 wins. This would be a really beautiful win.. but there is one ludicrous but saving move:} 35. Nd7 $3 $11 {Xb8, Xf6, gives the  back for two pawns!}) 34. Kh1 Bxd2 35. Qa1 Bxc3 36. Qxc3 f2 37. Qd3 Nf4 {[#]Coordination worth a diagram.} 0-1

[Event "New Year op"]
[Site "Richmond CAN"]
[Date "2025.01.02"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Chen, Yidong"]
[Black "Sanderson, Tyler"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "B11"]
[WhiteElo "2226"]
[BlackElo "1700"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8246895090716"]
[GameId "2140093881563650"]
[EventDate "2025.01.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Qe2 Nxe4 6. Qxe4 {[#]} Nd7 {Black has other ways to hit the e4, but all score the usual 54% for White:} (6... Qa5 {and either ...f5 or ...f5.}) (6... Qd5 7. Qe3 Bf5 ({or} 7... Qe6)) 7. Bc4 Nf6 8. Ne5 e6 (8... Nxe4 $4 {Oh no... the Queen...} 9. Bxf7#) 9. Qe2 b5 {This has been the main move since Schandorff's 2021 Quality Chess book "Playing the Caro Kann".  [#] Critical Position What happens if xc6?} 10. Bb3 (10. Nxc6 $2 Qc7 $1 {Are the  and  both hanging?} 11. Bd3 $8 {Not both hanging, since the  is defended by the threat of xb5, pinning any c6.} (11. Bxb5 $2 a6 $8 {pushing the  to an undefended square, a very common idea in these b5-sac patterns.} 12. Ba4 Bd7 $8 13. Qc4 Nd5 $1 $19 {and ...b6.} (13... Rc8 $143 14. Qxa6 $15 {White will have three pawns for the .})) 11... a6 $1 {covering b5 threatens the .} (11... Qxc6 $4 12. Bxb5 $18) 12. Ne5 Bd6 $15 {White has won a pawn, but Black's development is much better.}) (10. Bd3 {is an equally popular continuation as the game move.  The following game might not be the most theoretically relevant, but it has some very unusual and amusing piece play.} Qc7 11. a4 Bd6 12. Nxc6 b4 13. Nd4 a6 14. Nf5 {still 100+ games in the Megabase from here...} Be5 (14... Bb7 $5) 15. Nxg7+ Kf8 16. Nh5 Nxh5 17. Qxh5 Bb7 18. Qh4 (18. O-O Rg8 19. f3 $8 $13) 18... Bxg2 $6 19. Rg1 Rg8 20. Bxh7 Bxh2 21. d4 (21. d3 $1 {blocking ...xc2-e4.}) 21... Bxg1 22. Bh6+ {Analysis Diagram [#] A weird position, but conceivably something todays players could reach in their opening prep.} Ke8 23. Bxg8 Qxc2 $4 (23... Qh2 $13) 24. Rc1 $2 (24. Qf6 $18) 24... Qe4+ $8 $11 25. Qxe4 Bxe4 26. Rc7 Bg6 $8 27. Bf4 {trapping the g1.} Kf8 28. Bxf7 Bxf7 29. Kf1 Rd8 30. Be5 Bh2 31. Bxh2 Rxd4 $11 32. Rc6 a5 33. Ra6 b3 34. Rxa5 Be8 35. Ra6 Kf7 36. Ra7+ Kf6 37. Ra5 {1/2 Lu,S (2616)-Amar,E (2482) Wch Rapid op Doha 2025 (3)}) 10... Bb7 $4 {Move-orders matter.} (10... Qc7 {defends c6 and f7.} 11. d4 Bd6 12. O-O a5 13. a4 b4 14. Re1 O-O 15. Bg5 {[#]Critical Position ...d5 or ...c5?} c5 $4 {Almost anything -- ...e5, ...a6, ...d7 -- is better than this loser.} 16. dxc5 $2 ({I'm sure after the game both players -- two of the most tactically-alert ever -- were kicking themselves after missing this:} 16. Bxf6 $18 gxf6 17. Qh5 $8 {there's no good defence to the threat e3-g3.} fxe5 (17... Rd8 18. Ng4 $18) (17... Bxe5 18. dxe5 c4 19. Re3 $18) (17... Be7 18. Re3 $18) 18. Qg5+ $8 Kh8 19. Qf6+ Kg8 20. Re4 $18) 16... Qxc5 $14 {1/2 Nakamura,H (2810)-Firouzja,A (2759) London SpeedChess Final blitz 2026 (1.8)}) 11. a4 $2 (11. Nxf7 $142 $18 Kxf7 12. Qxe6+ Kg6 13. Qf7+ Kf5 (13... Kh6 14. Qxb7 $19) 14. Be6+ $1 (14. Qxb7 $18) 14... Ke5 15. d4+ $1 {1-0 Gutman,G (2445)-Mnatsakanyan,A (2148) 1st Thursday Jan 22nd Chess.com INT blitz 2026 (2)}) 11... a6 {[#]} (11... Nd5 $142 $16) 12. Nxf7 $1 $18 {No second chance for you!} Kxf7 13. Qxe6+ Kg6 14. Qf7+ Kf5 15. Qe6+ Kg6 16. Qf7+ Kf5 {[#]} 17. Qxb7 $18 {Maybe a tiny second chance...?} ({The game line is winning of course, but SF18 rates} 17. Be6+ $1 {as more than +3 better! The point is that after} Ke5 18. O-O {White keeps an attack that will cost Black more than a piece; e.g. after} Qe7 19. d4+ $8 $18) 17... Qe8+ $1 (17... Qe7+ {saves the , but it's a 2-pawn-down endgame. It's the top choice of SF18, but the game line is the only sane choice for a human: White not only can go wrong here, but has to find some only moves in the game line.}) 18. Kf1 Bc5 {[#] Threat ...a7.} 19. Qc7 $1 (19. Qf7 $2 {saves the , but} Qxf7 20. Bxf7 Rhf8 21. Bb3 Ng4 {with full comp.}) (19. Qxg7 $1 {looks like asking for trouble, but the  covers g8, and} Rf8 20. d4 $1 {hits the  and threatens g5#.}) 19... Ra7 20. Qg3 Re7 {[#]How do you defend the back rank?} 21. Qf3+ (21. f3 $4 {guards e1, but} Nh5 $8 $19 {removes the guard:} 22. Qg4+ Kf6 23. g3 Re1+ 24. Kg2 Qe2+ 25. Kh3 Rxh1 $19 {White doesn't have a safe check.}) 21... Kg6 22. Qg3+ Kf5 23. Qf3+ Kg6 {FWIW, if Black could telport the  to b6 he'd be winning. [#] Critical Position} 24. g4 $8 $18 {Makes an escape square for the , and enables f5+.} (24. Qd1 $4 Bxf2 $8 $19 25. Kxf2 Ne4+ 26. Kg1 Ng5 $1 $19 (26... Nf2 $5 $19)) (24. g3 $2 Bxf2 $8 $13 {Tanking the  loses!} 25. Kxf2 $4 (25. Qxf2 Ng4 $19) 25... Rf8 {If f5+ was safe it would win.} 26. Qd3+ Kh6 (26... Ne4+ $1 {simpler.}) 27. Rf1 Ng4+ 28. Kg1 Re1 $1 $19 (28... Qh5 $19)) 24... Re5 25. d4 $1 Bxd4 26. Bf4 $1 Rf8 27. Bxe5 Qxe5 28. Qf5+ $1 {Enough second chances for you!} 1-0

[Event "Verseau U1400"]
[Site "Chambly CAN"]
[Date "2025.02.12"]
[Round "1.10"]
[White "Lecompte, Christian"]
[Black "Laplante, Germain"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "1275"]
[BlackElo "1212"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[Beauty "8248891297801"]
[GameId "2191150456894991"]
[EventDate "2025.02.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Nf3 a6 5. Be2 h6 6. O-O Bf5 7. Bd3 (7. c4 $32) 7... Bg4 (7... Bxd3 $11) 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 e6 10. Nc3 Qf6 {[#] To an experienced player ...f6 "feels" wrong -- that's the natural square for the g8, it leaves squares on the queenside undefended, "knights before queens"...  ... but ...f6 is not much worse than the computer's top choice (c6).} 11. Qg3 $1 {Keeps the s on and eyes the abandoned queenside dark squares.} Qxd4 $2 {This move IS bad, for all the reasons the beginner books tell us: pawn grabbing with the  in the opening, neglecting development, not getting castled... But while those general principles will help you choose candidate moves, they won't help you choose between them when the position is on a knife edge, as this one is now...} 12. Be3 $1 Qb4 {[#]Critical Position  White is way ahead in development, and the black  is in the center, so, as you might expect, White has a forced win.  However, the winning margin is only one move wide (so to speak), and the game would be equal if Black had even a single tempo to develop either .} 13. Qc7 $16 {2nd best, almost -2 worse than the best move.} (13. Nxd5 $142 $3 {On general principles I would expect this to work, but the devil is in the details, and (to me) the fact that the next move is so strong that it wins is not obvious.} exd5 (13... Bd6 14. Qxg7 $18) (13... Qd6 14. Nc7+ $18) {Analysis Diagram [#]} 14. Rfe1 $1 {I know it's easy to underestimate how powerful this threatened discovered check is because my default eval is "Black must have some way out of this"...} Ne7 (14... Be7 $2 15. Qxg7 Bf6 16. Bd4+ $18 ({or} 16. Bc5+ $18)) (14... Kd8 15. c4 {or chase the  and then go c4.} Nf6 $1 16. a3 $1 {is that an obvious candidate move? SF18 rates it as +3 better than the 2nd best move!?}) 15. Qc7 {threatening c5 then c8# is an obvious candidate move, and it does win, but only if after} (15. c3 $1 Qa4 (15... Qxb2 16. Qc7 $18) 16. c4 $1 $18 {Really?  Yes, really. SF18 rates it +3 better to nudge the black  from b4 to a4 before playing c4. [INSERT EXPLANATION HERE] . . . [THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK]}) 15... Nd7 {Analysis Diagram [#]  ...you solve this... Critical Position} 16. Ba7 $3 {OK, that's a preposterous "only move"!  Obviously, ...xa7 allows a back rank mate, but why even consider a7?? The point -- I think -- is to pin the e7 so White will have time to bump the  from defending b7, and then win the queenside pawns to make squares for the s to attack the stranded . When you wrap your head around that -- Black's kingside is burried and so a winning attack on the queenside means winning everywhere -- the main variation (with 15.c3 or 15.a3) makes more sense: the black  is the only thing holding the queenside together, so bumping it will make the queenside collapse. On almost any move, White continues c3 or a3 and then starts taking things on the queenside.}) 13... Nc6 $2 {Allows a pretty tactic. [#] Critical Position} (13... Nd7 {threatens ...d4.}) 14. Bb6 $14 {Misses a nice interference tactic.} (14. Bb5 $8 $18 {threatens xc6 and blocks the defence of b7} axb5 15. Qxb7 $18) 14... Rb8 {Defends b7 and threatens to trap the  with ...d6.} 15. Rfe1 {[#] Critical Position Did White miss something, or did Black?} (15. Nxd5 $1 {is still winning.}) ({Not} 15. Bxa6 $4 Bd6 $8 $19) 15... Bd6 $2 {This would trap the  and win the game, except White can (and must) play...} ({Black could have saved himself with} 15... Qd6 $8 16. Qxd6 Bxd6 17. Nxd5 $14) 16. Rxe6+ $8 $18 fxe6 (16... Be7 {saves the , but} 17. Rxc6 {wins the game.}) 17. Bg6+ 1-0

[Event "Ottawa Winter op"]
[Site "Ottawa CAN"]
[Date "2025.01.19"]
[Round "5.10"]
[White "Kot, Emanuel"]
[Black "Rousskikh, Maxim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "B15"]
[WhiteElo "2237"]
[BlackElo "2137"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8248753140259"]
[GameId "2136100634964743"]
[EventDate "2025.01.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 {This move has recently been far more popular than the older 4... f5.} 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Qc2 Re8+ 9. Ne2 h5 $1 {[#] If you don't play either side of the Caro, this move will probably look crazy. In fact, it's been the main move since 2018, with thousands of games, and played by super-GMs like Carlsen, Nakamura, Caruana, So, and MVL -- although most of those were played in onlne blitz!?  The basic idea is simply to avoid immediately losing the h-pawn, and pushing it to h5 is at least as good as the alternatives: Black can kick away any piece on g3, and can (if necessary) play ...g6 without haning the h6-pawn. While defending h7 with 9...g6 gives White simple play with 10.h4, though that is playable too -- as are 9...h6 and the odd-looking sac 9...f5!?, which Gukesh played regularly before becoming World Champion.  It's not clear what White's best try is. A classical strategy would be to trade pieces and win an endgame with the mobile majority; but, somehow, that doesn't seem to work today as it did 100 years ago for Capablanca.} 10. O-O ({Castling long is OK too:} 10. Be3 Nd7 11. O-O-O Nf8 12. Kb1 Be6 13. c4 Rc8 14. a3 Ng6 15. Nc3 (15. c5 $2 {wins a pawn, but loses the light squares and the game} Bc7 16. Bxg6 $2 fxg6 17. Qxg6 Qd5 $19) 15... Nf4 16. Bh7+ Kh8 17. Bxf4 Bxf4 18. Bf5 g6 19. Bxe6 Rxe6 $11 {1-0 Grischuk,A (2736)-Daneshvar,B (2577) FIDE World Cup Baku 2023 (2.5)}) 10... h4 11. h3 ({White can also trade the "bad B" exploiting a tactic that comes up more than once:} 11. Bf4 $5 Rxe2 $2 (11... Na6 $1) 12. Qxe2 Bxf4 13. Qe4 {Analysis Diagram [#] The double-attack on f4 and h7 wins:} Bh6 (13... Bd6 14. Qh7+ Kf8 15. Rae1 Be6 16. Qh8+ Ke7 17. Rxe6+ $1 $18) 14. Qh7+ Kf8 15. Rae1 {the f1 is perfect right where it is} Be6 16. f4 $8 f5 17. Bxf5 $18 Qf6 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. f5 $18) 11... Nd7 {[#]} 12. Bd2 (12. Bf4 Nf8 (12... Rxe2 $4 {is the same blunder we saw above} 13. Qxe2 Bxf4 14. Qe4 $18) 13. Qd2 Ng6 14. Bxd6 Qxd6 15. Rfe1 Be6 16. c4 Rad8 17. Rad1 {1-0 Anand,V (2743)-Gukesh,D (2754) Mumbai TechM GCL 3rd-4th rapid 2025 (1.1) White has more space and a mobile queenside majority, but SF18 rates this 0.00 on any of ...e7, ...a6, or ...f5.}) 12... Nf8 13. Rae1 {[#] Aiming for f4-f5.} g6 {So that if f4 Black has ...f5!, preventing the exciting attack we see in the next note.} (13... Bc7 $5 {An ambitious move. The computer rates this and ...g6 about the same, but you might need to play like a computer to cope with the resulting complications.} 14. f4 $1 g6 15. f5 $1 g5 $8 16. g3 $5 hxg3 17. h4 $5 $13 {Analysis Diagram [#]} Nh7 ({"This is probably how Black should do things to maintain winning chances, and now there's the pawn sacrifice} 17... c5 $5 18. dxc5 b6 $13 {opening lots of lines for Black's major pieces." - Daniel Fernandez, chesspub.com}) 18. Qd1 Bd7 19. hxg5 fxg5 {Analysis Diagram[#] No, not another "boring Caro". FYI, Houska, the Black player, has published well-reiviewed books and DVDs on the Caro, so she's no mere 2300+ IM who has stumbled into deep prep.} 20. Nxg3 $1 Bxg3 21. Rxe8+ Qxe8 22. f6 $8 g4 $8 {Blocking White's .  White is down a piece but has full comp and more than one way to play this.} 23. Qc2 (23. Kg2 $5) (23. Bc1 $5) 23... Nf8 (23... Nxf6 24. Rxf6 Bh4 $13) 24. Bc1 Bh4 $4 (24... Be6 25. Qd2 Ng6 $8 $13) 25. Qh2 $8 $18 Bxf6 26. Rxf6 Qe1+ 27. Rf1 Qe7 28. Qh6 {threat g5-f6} Ng6 29. Bxg6 fxg6 30. Qxg6+ Qg7 31. Qd6 $8 {threats: h6 or f6-g6.} Qh7 32. Bh6 $1 {threat: f8 mating.} Bf5 33. Qf6 $1 $18 {Hits the  which is pinned to the mate on f8. Black hopes for a perpetual, but it's not there.} Qc7 34. Rxf5 Qg3+ 35. Kf1 Qh3+ 36. Ke2 Re8+ 37. Kd2 {1-0 Grieve,H (2384)-Houska,J (2358) BCF-chT 2122 (4NCL) England 2021 (9.44)}) 14. Nf4 Rxe1 15. Rxe1 Kg7 16. Qd1 {[#]Critical Position ...c7 or ...e6?} Qc7 $4 {Losing, though neither player sees it yet...} (16... Ne6 $142 17. Qc1 (17. Nh5+ {fails when Black has ...h8 defending the h-file.}) 17... Bxf4 18. Bxf4 Nxf4 19. Qxf4 Be6 20. a3 {Analysis Diagram [#]} c5 $5 ({Black doesn't have to give up h4} 20... f5 21. Qe5+ Qf6 22. Qc7 Re8 $8 $11 {the only way to defend is with tricks:} 23. Qxb7 $4 Bc8 $19) 21. Qxh4 cxd4 22. Qxd4 (22. cxd4 $143 Qb6 $11 23. d5 Bxd5 24. Bc4 Bxc4 25. Qxc4 Qxb2 26. Re7 Rf8 27. a4 a6 28. g3 b5 29. axb5 axb5 30. Qd5 Qc1+ 31. Kg2 Qc4 32. Qxc4 bxc4 33. Rc7 {1/2 Sokolovsky,Y (2519)-Rozen,E (2478) EU-Cup 39th Vrnjacka Banja 2024 (6.3)}) 22... Qxd4 23. cxd4 Rd8 24. Be4 Rxd4 $1 (24... b6 $2 25. d5 Bxd5 $2 26. Rd1 $18) 25. Bxb7 a5 {Analysis Diagram [#]  30 years ago annotators would say "with good winning chances"; but today we see that SF18 says 0.00 on 10 different continuations. OTOH, I'm old, and this is a pawn-up ending with same s, so I'll go with the human/leela eval: /.}) 17. Qf3 $1 $16 ({The analysis notes below are dense because I believe it is easy to _think_ we understand a summary like "White is attacking a broken kingside with 4 pieces and Black defending with 3", it is another to actually know that you can find all the only moves to win this winning attack.} 17. Nh5+ $3 $18 gxh5 18. Qxh5 Bf4 {Not the only defensive try, but very testing, and the real solution to the previous Critical Position comes here:  Analysis Diagram  [#]} 19. Re4 $8 (19. Re8 $2 {isn't good, but shows how strong White's position is, since} Bxd2 20. Qc5 $8 Ne6 21. Qh5 Bh6 22. Rh8 $8 Kxh8 $8 23. Qxh6+ $11 {is still a draw.}) 19... Ng6 (19... Bxd2 20. Rxh4 Ng6 21. Bxg6 $18 {with skewers along the 7th or 8th.}) 20. Rxf4 $8 Nxf4 21. Qh7+ Kf8 22. Qh6+ $8 Ke7 23. Bxf4 $18 {is obviously "with comp", but SF18 says +3 (and climbing the longer it analyzes). One illustration:} Qb6 24. Qh8 Qxb2 $2 25. Bc7 {and now death on the dark squares is obvious.}) 17... Bd7 $4 {[#]Gives White a second chance.} 18. c4 $2 (18. Nh5+ $142 $18 gxh5 19. Qxh5 {White has such an overwhelming attack that even 20.e7 wins. I'll leave it for readers to explore the attacking options for themselves.}) 18... Nh7 {Third strike...} (18... Bxf4 $142) 19. Nh5+ $1 $18 gxh5 20. Bxh7 $8 Kxh7 21. Qxh5+ Kg8 {[#]} 22. Re4 (22. Bh6 $2 Bf8 $1 ({or} 22... Qc8 $1) 23. Bxf8 Rxf8 $8 24. Qxh4 (24. Re4 $4 Re8 $1 $17 {Black has a back rank mate threat, so White must allow the  trade.}) 24... Re8 25. Rxe8+ Bxe8 26. Qxf6 $13 {with a lot of pawns.}) 22... Re8 23. Rxh4 $2 (23. Rxe8+ $142 Bxe8 24. Qg4+ Kf8 (24... Kh8 $2 25. Bh6 {mates}) 25. c5 $1 Bh2+ 26. Kh1 Bd7 27. Qxh4 $18 {White traps the h2 and should win.}) 23... Kf8 $8 $13 {[#]} 24. c5 $1 Bh2+ {As in previous lines, this is the only way to save the  without blocking the king's escape square on e7, but it leaves the  and  tied up and at risk.} 25. Kh1 Be6 $2 (25... Qb8 $8 {freeing c7 for the .}) 26. Re4 $8 $18 {Pinning the  to the e7 escape square, and preparing to round up the h2.} Ke7 27. f4 $1 {Threatening both s!} f5 {[#]I assume both players were in terrible time trouble here...} 28. Qh4+ $4 (28. Qxf5 $142 $18) 28... Kd7 $8 29. Re5 f6 $4 (29... Qd8 $142 30. Qxd8+ Kxd8 31. Kxh2 f6 $1 32. Re1 Bxa2 $11) 30. Qxf6 1-0

[Event "Montcalm 6 2024-25"]
[Site "Quebec CAN"]
[Date "2025.04.10"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Boissinot, Claude"]
[Black "Bergeron, Nicolas"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "B21"]
[WhiteElo "1431"]
[BlackElo "1676"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[Beauty "8248085981190"]
[GameId "2166194220710479"]
[EventDate "2025.03.27"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 {[#] The Morra Gambit... accepted! White gives up a center pawn for faster development and access to the c-file, which both combats Black's typical Sicilian play on the c-file and gives Black long-term problems finding a good square for the , which will never be safe on c7. Computers prefer Black, but diffusing White's long-term compensation is not everyone's idea of a good time. I used to think it was strange that so many Sicilian players complain when White plays the "boring" Alapin (2.c3), but then choose to transpose to an Alapin with 3... f6 rather than play a more exciting Morra. Now I think what they want is not "boring" or "exciting" openings, but openings their opponent doesn't want.} 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Bb4 $5 {[#] One of Black's many decent options. It can leave the dark squares weak, but can help equalize with a quick ...d5.} 7. Qe2 {Stops ...d5 for now and heads for the standard Morra setup: e2, c1-somewhere, fd1, ac1.} ({White has also tried to attack this setup by keeping the  on the d-file to fight for d6.} 7. O-O Nge7 {Analysis Diagram [#]  Now 8.e2 could transpose back to the game and White's standard Morra development.} {Here are two games with GM Razvan Preotu as Black. In both, White tries to immediately attack the dark squares exposed by ...e6 and ...b4.} 8. Nb5 (8. e5 $5 d5 $11 (8... Ng6 $5 9. Bg5 Qa5 10. Nb5 a6 $8 {SF18 prefers Black, but this is probably not a position you want against Nakamura.}) 9. exd6 Qxd6 10. Nb5 Qxd1 11. Rxd1 O-O 12. Nc7 Rb8 13. Bf4 Ng6 14. Bg3 e5 15. a3 Ba5 $15 {1-0 Nakamura,H (2736)-Preotu,R (2487) Titled Tuesday intern op 16th Feb Chess.com INT blitz 2021 (9)}) ({IM Marc Esserman is the leading advocat for the Morra -- having scored a miniature win over van Wely, and cowing even Anand into declining with 3... f6 -- and wrote the best book on it. Here is what he wrote about this position:} 8. Qc2 $44 {"I am convinced that this original positional approach is best. The queen slides to c2, when White readies to meet Black's unavoidable ...d5 break with d3, fully coordinating the queen and bishop. On ...xc3, White may recapture with xc3, keeping the pawn structure whole, or even bxc3 with the queen's rook sliding to b1, depending on circumstance. Lastly, White's king's rook will take up its natural post on c1." - Esserman, Mayhem in the Morra.}) 8... O-O (8... d5 $1 9. exd5 exd5 10. Bxd5 Nxd5 11. Qxd5 O-O {Black has the -pair on an open board.}) 9. a3 $1 d5 10. axb4 dxc4 11. Nd6 $6 (11. Qxd8 $1 Rxd8 12. Nc7 Rb8 13. b5 Nb4 $14) 11... Nxb4 12. e5 Nf5 $1 13. Bf4 $2 Nd3 $19 14. Bg3 Nxd6 15. exd6 b5 $19 {1-0 Obregon Rivero,J (2463)-Preotu,R (2497) 3rd Thursday Jan 29th Chess.com INT blitz 2026 (7)}) 7... Nge7 8. O-O a6 9. Rd1 d6 10. Be3 Qc7 {[#] Black's  will be a tactical target for the white rooks. Putting it on b8, as happens in the game, does not work out well. Maybe he should leave it on d8 for now (where it stays in contact with the kingside dark squares) and play ...d7, unpinning the d-pawn, connecting the majors, and possibly saving a tempo with ...d8-b8 in one move, if necessary!?} 11. Rac1 $14 O-O 12. Bd3 Qb8 $2 {[#] Critical Position Does e5 and xh7+ work, or is there anything better?} 13. e5 $1 {Very strong.} ({The computer shows that even stronger was} 13. Na4 $3 {which looks like it's heading to the wrong side of the board if you're about to launch a kingside attack. It works because it creates queenside threats which both uncoordinate Black and enable White to use the e3. The queenside threat is to establish a suffocating bind with b6.} Ba5 {The only move to guard b6, and also prepares ...b5; but now White has a better version of the kingside attack we see in the game:} 14. e5 $1 {Analysis Diagram [#]} d5 $5 {Loses, but requires much more ingenuity from White} (14... dxe5 15. Bxh7+ $18 {with a standard Greek Gift win: Black can't get additional defenders to h7.} Kxh7 16. Ng5+ Kg6 17. Qg4 $8 $18) (14... Nxe5 {To trade off the attacking f3.} 15. Nxe5 $8 dxe5 16. Bxh7+ $1 (16. Bc5 $1 {transposing.}) 16... Kxh7 17. Bc5 $1 $18 {hits the e7, clears the 3rd rank for a  lift, and may even come back to the kingside with d6 (tempo on ) and xe5.}) 15. Bxh7+ Kxh7 16. Ng5+ Kg6 {Analysis Diagram [#] Critical Position} 17. Rxc6 $3 {Trades a non-attacker for a ready defender.} (17. Qg4 $2 {shows why White has to eliminate one of the s:} Nxe5 18. Qh3 $8 Nf5 $8 19. Bf4 $8 $13) 17... Nxc6 18. Bf4 $8 $18 {defends e5 and the X-ray to the  means Black can't block checks on the b1-h7 with ...f5 (en passant wins the ), so it's now or never.} f5 $1 {Stops checks from c2 or d3 while the e5 pawn is pinned to the . Black hopes to defend with ...d8 and ...h8.} 19. Rd3 $8 $18 {and g3 or h3, depending on which defence Black tries.}) 13... Nxe5 14. Bxh7+ $5 (14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. Qg4 {don't overlook the tempo on the loose b4!} Bxc3 16. Bxh7+ $1 $40) 14... Kh8 $4 {This just hands over the point.} ({Black has to go} 14... Kxh7 $8 15. Ng5+ Kg6 $8 {Analysis Diagram [#]  White's attack continues, but there's no win; e.g.} 16. f4 f6 17. fxe5 fxg5 18. Qg4 Bxc3 $13) 15. Nxe5 $1 (15. Ng5 g6 16. Nce4 $18 (16. Rd4 $18)) 15... dxe5 (15... Kxh7 16. Qh5+ Kg8 {and White has an overwhelming postion without even being down a piece.}) 16. Qh5 Bxc3 17. Bg6+ {Black still can't defend h7.} 1-0

[Event "Carnaval"]
[Site "Quebec CAN"]
[Date "2025.02.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Rainfray, Arnaud"]
[Black "Vallieres, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "1865"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Beauty "8249293944876"]
[GameId "2151043325440960"]
[EventDate "2025.02.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 e6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 {[#]} b6 (6... d6 {is 2x more common, but both moves score equally well.}) 7. Nc3 Nxc3 8. bxc3 Bb7 (8... Qc7 9. Bb5 Bb7 10. O-O Be7 11. Bf4 O-O 12. Rc1 d6 {Here and on the next move White can blast open the center before the black s are out, but Black can cope:} 13. Re1 (13. d5 dxe5 $1 14. Bxe5 Bd6 15. Bxd6 Qxd6 16. dxe6 Qxe6 $11) 13... Nd7 {Analysis Diagram [#] White can ignite some crazy complications here -- Black is OK, but it's tricky:} 14. d5 $5 (14. Qe2 $6 dxe5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 Bd6 $11 {1/2 Van Foreest,J (2714)-Hansen,E (2606) Oslo Esports Cup rapid 2022 (2.4)}) 14... exd5 (14... Bxd5 $4 15. exd6 Bxd6 16. Bxd6 Qxd6 17. c4 $18) 15. c4 $1 d4 $1 16. c5 $5 (16. Qxd4 Nxe5 $8 17. Nxe5 Bf6 $1 $11) (16. Bxd7 Qxd7 17. exd6 Bf6 $1 $13) 16... bxc5 (16... Nxc5 $6 17. Nxd4 $36) (16... dxc5 $4 17. Nxd4 $18) 17. Qxd4 $13 (17. e6 $5)) 9. Bd3 Qc7 10. O-O $5 Qxc3 {[#]} 11. Bf4 (11. Rb1 Be7 12. Rb3 Qc7 13. Ng5 Bd5 $1 14. Rb2 $13 (14. Qh5 $5) 14... Bxg5 15. Bxg5 Nc6 16. Qg4 $14 {0-1 Huerga Leache,M (2450)-Granda Zuniga,J (2688) Atarrabia op 26th rapid 2016 (6)}) 11... Ba3 {Developing and stopping c1.} 12. Qe2 {[#]Critical Position What happens on ...xf3?} Qc6 (12... Bxf3 $2 {loses, but it's tricky:} 13. Qxf3 Nc6 (13... Qc6 14. Be4 $18) 14. Rac1 $3 Bxc1 15. Rxc1 Qxd4 16. Rxc6 {is trickier that it looks at first:} dxc6 17. Qxc6+ Ke7 {Analysis Diagram [#] White has more than one way to finish the job:} 18. Bg5+ (18. Qb7+ Qd7 19. Bg5+ $8 f6 20. exf6+ gxf6 21. Bxf6+ Kd6 22. Qe4 $1 $18 {if Black had a  developed (e8 or c8) he'd be fine; here the s slice him apart.}) 18... f6 19. exf6+ gxf6 {there's no escape on g6.} 20. Qc7+ $8 $18 {wins the  or mates, or both:} Qd7 21. Bxf6+ Ke8 22. Bb5 $18) 13. Rad1 O-O $2 {[#]Critical Position} (13... h6 $142 {avoids immediate anihilation, though White still has more than enough for the pawn.}) 14. d5 $1 $18 {Blocking the diagaonal kills Black's development, leaving a completely one-sided game where White owns the kingside.} ({While not as strong as the game move,} 14. Bb1 {threatening d3 (forking h7 and a3) is good too: Black will have to move some kingside pawns to avoid mate, and White can put his minor pieces in the resulting holes.}) 14... Qa4 (14... Qxd5 $2 15. Bxh7+ $18 {is one obvious point.}) (14... exd5 15. Nd4 $1 {all White's pieces (except the f1) have unrestricted access to Black's doomed , leaving White with a "build-your-own-adventure" choice of winning attacks. Essentially, White can now sac any minor piece for a kingside pawn and win.} (15. Bxh7+ $2 Kxh7 16. Qd3+ $14 {forks a3, but lets Black off too easy.}) (15. Ng5 g6 16. Qg4 h5 17. Qg3 {is also winning: White can aim to smash through with fe1, e5-e6, and xe6.}) 15... Qc5 16. Bxh7+ ({or} 16. Nf5 g6 17. Bg5 $18) 16... Kxh7 17. Qh5+ Kg8 18. Rd3 ({or} 18. Bg5 {and f6 may be simpler.}) 18... f6 19. Rg3 Qxd4 20. Rxg7+ $8 Kxg7 21. Bh6+ $18 {discovered check wins the , then White goes back to mating.}) 15. Bxh7+ Kxh7 {[#]} 16. Rd4 Bb4 (16... Ba6 17. Qe4+) 17. Ng5+ Kg8 18. Qd3 (18. Qh5 {allows Black to prolong the agony with} Qc2 19. Re4 $1 Qxe4 20. Nxe4 {and f6+.}) 18... f5 19. exf6 Rxf6 20. Qh7+ Kf8 21. Qh8+ Ke7 22. d6+ Bxd6 23. Bxd6# 1-0

[Event "Montcalm 4 2024-25"]
[Site "Quebec CAN"]
[Date "2025.01.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Huxley, Zachary"]
[Black "Auger, Bertrand"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "1500"]
[BlackElo "1883"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[Beauty "8247280676362"]
[GameId "2133003093792270"]
[EventDate "2025.01.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 c5 3. c3 Nc6 4. d4 {[#]} cxd4 {This frees c3 for the . More commonly Black goes:} (4... d5 5. exd5 (5. e5 {transposes to a French Advance.}) 5... exd5 6. Bb5 Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 {with a balanced IQP middlegame.}) 5. cxd4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Bd3 d5 8. e5 Ne4 {[#]} 9. Bd2 (9. O-O $142 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Bxc3 11. Rb1 {Black has an extra pawn (on b7) but White is way up in development and threatens a3. And} Bxd4 $2 {only makes things worse:} 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Qg4 $18 {White immediately recovers one pawn and Black's dark-square weaknesses are fatal.}) 9... Nxd2 10. Qxd2 Qa5 11. O-O Bd7 12. Qg5 $1 {Attacks g7 and stops Black from castling long... though that is something Black should avoid, since White would have a strong initiative on the c-file with queenside pawn pushes. [#] Critical Position What to do about g7?} O-O $2 (12... g6 $142 {creates ugly holes, but tenacious: planning to return the b4 to defend the kingside dark squares. If now} 13. Qf6 O-O $1 {and ...d8.}) (12... Kf8 $142 {shuts in the h8, but White has no quick breakthrough.}) (12... Bf8 $6 13. Nb5 $1 $16 {preparing ...d6+ in response to ...h6 keeps up the pressure on the dark squares.}) (12... Bxc3 $5 {hopes for counterplay.} 13. Qxg7 O-O-O 14. bxc3 Qxc3 15. Rfd1 {Material is equal, but Black's  is much worse and his  is less safe. SF18 says +1.6.}) 13. Bxh7+ $1 $18 Kxh7 14. Qh5+ Kg8 15. Ng5 {[#]} Rfd8 {blocks an escape route, allowing a forced mate.} (15... Rfc8 {still loses, but requires more accuracy from White:} 16. Qxf7+ Kh8 17. Qg6 Kg8 18. Rad1 $1 {preparing d3-f3. If ...e8, White mates the  on d8 with a series of checks ending xe6#.}) 16. Qxf7+ Kh8 17. Qh5+ Kg8 18. Qh7+ Kf8 19. Qh8+ {And xg7-f7#.} 1-0

[Event "Mercredi 2025.04 'C'"]
[Site "Montreal"]
[Date "2025.04.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Barko, Maxim"]
[Black "Ghnatios, Ralph"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "B26"]
[WhiteElo "1910"]
[BlackElo "1910"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[GameId "2172756327918922"]
[EventDate "2025.04.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nge2 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2 Nf6 6. O-O d6 7. d3 O-O 8. h3 Rb8 9. Be3 b5 10. Qd2 b4 11. Nd1 a5 {[#] A standard position in the Closed Sicilian. All 32 pieces remain on and none of the pawns are blocked, so there are options for both sides, and it's not the sort of position where you have to worry about deep computer prep.  Typically, White presses on the kingside -- often with g4 and f5 -- while Black plays on the queenside -- often with ...d4 & ...cxd4 with play against c2.  About half the games continue from here with h6 to remove the g7 which both defends the king and attacks the long diagonal; the other half continue as this game does...} 12. f4 {Threatening e4-e5, with a double attack on the s.} Qb6 $5 {It looks weird to line up the  with the e3, but it supports ...d4 and the computer rates it about the same as the more common ...d7.} (12... Nd7 13. g4 (13. h4 Ba6 14. h5 gxh5 $1 15. Rb1 Kh8 16. Nf2 Rg8 $15 {worth remembering: Black can use open files on the kingside too!} 17. Nh3 Nd4 18. Ng5 Qf8 19. e5 h6 20. Ne4 Nf5 $17 {0-1 Ghaem Maghami,E (2579)-Najer,E (2681) Bundesliga 0910 Germany 2009 (5.2)}) 13... a4 14. Rb1 Nd4 15. g5 Ba6 16. h4 Qc8 17. b3 f5 18. Bxd4 cxd4 19. Nf2 Nc5 20. exf5 Qxf5 21. Bh3 $11 {0-1 Bacrot,A (2387)-Wei,Y (2722) PRO League Prelim Chess.com INT rapid 2023 (2.1)}) 13. g4 {[#]} a4 (13... Ne8 14. f5 Nd4 15. Nf4 Nc7 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 a4 (17... gxf5 $1 18. c3 Nb5 $13) 18. c3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Nb5 20. Rb1 Qa7 21. Bh6 $40 {1/2 Blatny,P (2415)-Buckmire,R (2280) Oakham YM 1986 (5)}) 14. a3 Qa6 15. Nf2 {[#] Critical Position What happens if ...xe4!?} (15. f5 $142 $1 $14) 15... Nxe4 $2 {Objectively bad, but interesting. Black's idea is to accelerate his queenside attack and turn his a- and b-pawns into passers. But doing so requires giving up his two best kingside defenders (f6 and g7). As always, the  is the biggest prize, but can White get to it in time?} ({BTW, the computer prefers Black after} 15... Nd7 {which is a slower but less expensive way to open the g7's diagonal.}) ({Another computer-approved counter-punch is the weird-looking} 15... h5 $5 {which breaks the general principles of not making pawn moves around your king and not on the side where your opponent is attacking.... but follows the dynamic style of using pawns to punch holes for your minor pieces. It also threatens to win the g-pawn, so White has to do something.} 16. f5 (16. g5 Nxe4 $1 $15 {compared to the lines below, the white g5 helps Black by blocking White's pieces!}) 16... hxg4 17. hxg4 Ne5 18. g5 (18. Bh6 $13) 18... Nfg4 $13) 16. Nxe4 $8 {Activating both the  and the f1 for a kingside attack is the only refutation.} (16. dxe4 $2 Bxb2 $13 17. axb4 {allows the a5 to support the passer, but stops Black from getting two passed a-pawns.} (17. Rab1 $6 bxa3 $17 {followed by ...a2 or ...a5 and ...a6.}) 17... cxb4 (17... a3 $13 18. bxc5) (17... Bxa1 18. b5 $5 $14) 18. Rab1 $13) 16... Bxb2 {[#]} 17. f5 $1 $18 {Not the only winning move (ab1 and then f5 wins) but the most direct.  The push to f5 opens the c1-h6 diagonal for White's  and  for a dark-square attack on the black , an attack which gets stronger if Black trades a dark-square bishop for a  which is many moves away from attacking those dark squares. Even if Black manages to block the dark squares with pawns -- f6 and g5 -- White can sac a minor piece to break through and still have enough to finish the attack.} bxa3 (17... f6 {tries to shore up the kingside while possibly keeping the DSB for defence. If Black had one more move here, then ...gxf5 or ...xa1 would be unclear, which shows how close-to-working ...xe4 was. But with White to move there is more than one way to win; the one that most closely overlaps with the variations below begins:} 18. fxg6 hxg6 19. Nf4 $18 {which is similar to the Analysis Diagram below.}) (17... Bxa1 18. Rxa1 f6 (18... gxf5 19. Bh6 {threats to the  and g5+ and mate. One end might be:} f6 20. Bxf8 Kxf8 21. Qh6+ Kg8 22. Nxf6+ exf6 23. Bd5+ {#2.}) 19. fxg6 hxg6 20. Nf4 {Analysis Diagram [#] Strong players or those with a lot of practice attacking will probably be able to "feel" that White has a winning attack. For everyone else, here are some illustrative lines showing how that attack works:} Ne5 {adds a defender} (20... g5 21. Nh5 $18 {and xg5 to break through the dark squares.}) (20... Kh7 21. Qf2 {threat: h5 then xg6 to make h5+ possible.} g5 22. Nh5 Be6 {and there are several piece sacs to break through the dark squares} 23. Bxg5 $18 ({or} 23. Nhxf6+ $18) 23... fxg5 24. Nxg5+ Kg6 25. Be4+ $1 {forces mate} (25. Qh4 $18 {wins too.}) 25... Kxg5 26. h4+ Kxg4 27. Qg3+ Kxh5 28. Qg5#) 21. axb4 {plays to remove the new defender} cxb4 22. d4 Nc4 23. Qf2 Nxe3 24. Qxe3 {Abstractly, it might seem like a good deal for Black to trade the e5 for the white DSB; in fact, it helps White in two ways: it increases White's ratio of attackers to defenders, and removing the  clears the path for the white .} Kg7 25. Nxf6 ({or} 25. Ng5) 25... exf6 (25... Kxf6 26. Qe4 $1 $18) 26. Qe4 $8 f5 27. Qe7+ $8 Rf7 28. Qg5 $8 Rf6 29. Nh5+ $18) 18. f6 $1 {[#]} Be6 (18... exf6 19. c3 $1 $18 {cuts off the  and leaves almost all the white pieces in the attack.}) (18... Bxf6 {gives White a choice of wins, including a different exchange sac:} 19. Rxf6 exf6 20. Nxf6+ Kh8 21. Bd4 $1 Kg7 22. Nh5+ {#3.}) 19. c3 $1 Bxa1 20. Bd4 $1 {[#] Line clearing for h6. White's , , , and  all fight for f6.} Kh8 (20... Nxd4 21. Qh6 (21. Nxd4 $2 Bxc3 22. Nxc3 $2 exf6 $8 $19) 21... Nxe2+ 22. Kh2 $18) 21. Qh6 Rg8 22. Ng5 1-0

[Event "Hart House Reading Week"]
[Site "Toronto"]
[Date "2025.02.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Plotkin, Mark"]
[Black "Singh Dhaliwal, Jaipreet"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "B86"]
[WhiteElo "2474"]
[BlackElo "2240"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "2647699"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[Beauty "6049482410020"]
[GameId "2235863827128944"]
[EventDate "2025.02.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 {[#] The Fischer-Sozin attack. Not nearly as popular as when Fischer was winning with it 60 years ago, but attacking players like Short and Topalov had success with it creating wild games against Kasparov 30 years ago, and it is still trotted out regularly by top players in an attempt to find something/anything against the Najdorf.} e6 7. O-O (7. Bb3 {is by far the most common move, when Black has a variety of moves that score well: ...b5, ...bd7, ...c6, ...e7; here's a recent example from two of the world's best-prepared GMs:}) (7. Bb3 b5 8. a3 Be7 9. Qf3 {threatening e5} Qc7 {so Black can counter e5 with ...b7.} 10. Qg3 Nc6 11. Nxc6 Qxc6 12. O-O Nh5 13. Qd3 Nf6 $11 {1/2 Praggnanandhaa,R (2758)-Giri,A (2760) Tata Steel-A 88th Wijk aan Zee 2026 (5)}) 7... Qc7 8. Bb3 {[#]Critical Position ...e7 or ...bd7?} Nbd7 $6 {This is bad, but even with best play from White it is not a clear cut loss; and given how complex the play is after the sac on e6, it might even be a worthwhile gamble for players on the Black side!?} ({By far the most common move is 8...e7; e.g.} 8... Be7 9. Be3 O-O 10. f4 {1-0 Mutyalapati,M (2174)-Blakely,M (2079) Scarborough CC Winter Swiss Toronto CAN 2025 (7.5) see:}) 9. Bxe6 $1 {The obvious try, and the only move that Stockfish 18 says gives White a plus. Remarkably, it gets played only about 20% of the time, with GMs and IMs regularly opting for f2-f4 or g5 instead!? From a practical point of view that might be a sensible choice -- avoiding diving head-first into a high-risk game of "find-the-only-move" -- especially if you're worried the opponent has reviewed his prep more recently than you. OTOH, isn't this cut-and-thrust exactly what White wants when opting for both an Open Sicilian _and_ the Sozin Attack?} fxe6 10. Nxe6 {[#]} Qb8 $1 {The  has to defend c7 and every other move leaves it more exposed, allowing White tactics and accelerated development by attacking it.} (10... Qa5 $2 11. Nd5 $18 {or d2 with a winning initiative.}) (10... Qc4 $6 11. Nd5 $8 Nxd5 12. exd5 Kf7 $1 13. b3 $8 {Analysis Diagram [#]} (13. Qf3+ $4 Nf6 $19) 13... Qc3 (13... Qh4 14. Bg5 Qe4 (14... Qb4 15. Qf3+) 15. Re1 Qg6 16. Re3 $18) 14. Be3 $8 Nf6 15. Bd4 $8 Qa5 16. Bxf6 $1 Bxe6 (16... gxf6 17. Qh5+ Kg8 18. Qg4+ Kf7 19. Rae1 $18 Qxd5 $2 20. Nd8# {Pretty and memorable, with four black pieces still on their starting squares.}) 17. dxe6+ $8 Kxf6 18. Qf3+ $2 ({White has played astonishingly accurately, especially considering this is was a blitz game, but now goes wrong.} 18. Re1 $142 $1 $18) 18... Qf5 $8 19. Qxb7 Be7 $8 $15 {1-0 Kraiouchkine,N (2218)-Bach,N (2231) Titled Tuesday intern op 12th Dec Early Chess.com INT blitz 2023 (10)}) 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 $14 {[#]} Nf6 ({A GM played this:} 12... Ne5 $2 13. f4 $8 Bxe6 $1 (13... Nc4 14. Qh5+ g6 15. Qe2 $18 {and the loose c4, or b3 and f5 are among White's crushing threats.}) 14. fxe5 Bf7 15. e6 Bg6 {Analysis Diagram [#] The two players in this game were a GM as Black and an improving young IM who got his GM title the next year. This was long time-control game and both are strong players, but they both make serious mistakes around here, and later in the all-major piece section of the game. My guess is that they had both used so much time between moves 10-20 that they have enough to play 20-30 at nearly their full strength. I mention that because it shows how non-automatic are the positions after this early middlegame sac, and explains why there are so many notes here.} 16. Bg5 $2 {Is attacking easier than defending? g5 is the first candidate move anyone would consider: it finishes developing, it prevents queenside castling, and it make e6-e7 a tactical threat; what could be wrong with that? In fact, it actually reduces White's advantage.} (16. Be3 $142 {Threatens to entomb Black's queenside with b6, stops a7+ to enable d4 or d4 with a bind on both sides, and prepares c2-c4-c5 which would give White two central passers, and (unlike g5) it keeps the DSB on the board which will help create a winning attack if Black ever castles long.}) 16... Be7 $2 (16... Qc7 $142 $13 {Not to take on c2 -- which collapses after d1-moves and taking the c-file -- but to prepare ...e7, and if xe7 xe7 Black can safely castle long.}) 17. Bxe7 Kxe7 18. Kh1 $1 (18. Qd4 $4 Qa7 $8 $19) 18... Qc7 19. Qd4 $1 Kd8 (19... Ke8 {hopes for ...f8} 20. e7 $1 $18 {no ...f8 for you!}) 20. Rf3 $1 $18 Rc8 21. Raf1 $1 Qe7 {Analysis Diagram [#] White has a crushing bind that SF18 rates at +4.5, but soon both players make terrible blunders that swing the eval wildly.} 22. Rf7 $4 {White rushes again, but improving moves and pressure were much better, and more than enough.} (22. c4 $142 {saves the c-pawn and prepares c4-c5.} Rc7 23. h3 {makes the back rank safe so White can attack with both s... What can Black do?}) 22... Bxf7 23. Rxf7 Qg5 $8 {White's back rank leaves him no time for b6xd6.} 24. h4 Qg3 $8 $11 {Saving the  and defending d6 and tying the white  to perpetual threats with e1-h4.} 25. Rd7+ (25. Rxg7 Qe1+ 26. Kh2 Rc7 $11 (26... Qe5+ $11)) 25... Ke8 26. Rxb7 {Threatens a4+ then e7+ and promoting with a discovered check.} Rc5 $4 {Analysis Diagram [#]  Critical Position} (26... Rxc2 $4 27. Qa4+ $8 {#3}) (26... Kf8 $8 $11) 27. Rb3 $4 (27. Rb8+ $2 {wins a , but Black's threats and newly released  save the game:} Ke7 28. Rxh8 Rxc2 $8 $11 {White has options here, but it is essential to correctly judge this long forcing line:} 29. Qa7+ Kf6 30. Qf7+ Ke5 31. Qh5+ Kd4 $8 32. Qd1+ Ke5 $8 33. Qxc2 Qe1+ 34. Kh2 Qxh4+ $11) (27. Qa4+ $8 $18 {only move that wins.} Rb5 {stops mate, but loses to the pretty} (27... Kf8 $2 28. Rf7+ {and e8#.}) 28. Rb8+ $8 $18 Ke7 29. Rxh8 Qe1+ 30. Kh2 Qe5+ 31. Kh3 $8 $18) 27... Qe1+ $8 28. Kh2 Rb5 $1 {Suddenly, both sides are playing perfectly!} (28... Rxd5 $2 29. Qf4 $1 (29. Qxd5 $2 Qxh4+ $11) 29... Qe5 {Saves the  but loses the endgame.} 30. Rb8+ $8 {First, so Black won't have ...d5-d8!} Ke7 31. Qxe5 dxe5 32. Rxh8 $16 e4 $5 33. g4 $8 $18 {White's  stops the e-pawn and his  will create at least one outside passer.}) 29. Rg3 Rb4 $8 $11 (29... Rb7 30. Qa4+ $18) 30. c4 Rb7 $8 31. c5 Rb4 $1 {Again! Preventing a4+.} 32. Qxg7 $8 Rxh4+ $8 33. Rh3 $8 Rxh3+ $8 34. Kxh3 $8 Qh1+ $8 35. Kg3 $8 Qe1+ $8 36. Kh3 {1/2 Lin,C (2468)-Gabuzyan,H (2578) Albena op-A 23rd 2015 (8)}) 13. Re1 Bxe6 $8 {[#]} 14. Rxe6+ $6 (14. Bg5 $142 Be7 15. Rxe6 Rf8 $8 (15... Kf7 $4 16. Qe2 $1 Bd8 17. Re1 $1 {is Golizadeh-Dao, in a note below.}) 16. Bxf6 Rxf6 17. Qh5+ $14 {and xh7.}) 14... Kf7 $1 15. Bg5 $1 {Threatens xf6 then h5+.} Be7 $2 {Develops and defends f6 so Black can use the g-pawn against h5; but it's a target on the e-file.} (15... Qc7 $142 {prepares ...e8 and defends the 7th rank against sacs; e.g.} 16. Bxf6 {not the only move, but critical} (16. Rxf6+ $2 gxf6 17. Qh5+ Kg7 $2 (17... Kg8 $8 $19) 18. Bxf6+ $8 Kxf6 19. Qf3+ $11 {Black can't run to the e-file so White has a perp.}) 16... gxf6 17. Qh5+ Kg8 $8 18. Rae1 $36 h6 19. Rxf6 Rh7 $8 $13 {I would not enjoy this position as Black, though the SF and leela rate it about the same as the starting position!?}) 16. Qe2 $1 $18 Bd8 {[#]} 17. Bf4 $5 $16 (17. Re1 $1 $18 {is the Golizadeh-Dao game mentioned above.} Qc7 18. Rxf6+ $3 (18. Bxf6 {also wins, though (to me) the winning maneuvers are less natural.}) 18... Bxf6 19. Qe6+ $8 Kg6 20. Bxf6 $8 Qc8 $1 (20... gxf6 21. Re3 $8 $18) 21. Qe7 $8 gxf6 22. Re3 $8 Qe8 23. Qxd6 $1 Qd8 24. Rg3+ Kf7 25. Qe6+ $8 Kf8 26. d6 $8 Rc8 {Analysis Diagram [#]Critical Position f3 or g4 or does it matter?} 27. Rf3 $4 (27. Qg4 $142 {transposes into the game at move 29.}) 27... Kg7 $4 (27... Rc7 $8 $13 {adds a necessary defender by exploiting the pin to the back rank mate. The bad position of the h8 and exposed  compensate for the extra , and require both players to be accurate to avoid losing:} 28. Rxf6+ Kg7 29. h4 $1 Qxf6 (29... Rd7 $4 30. Rf3 $8 $18) 30. Qg4+ $8 Kf7 31. dxc7 Qe6 32. Qh5+ Ke7 33. Qc5+ $8 Kf7 $8 (33... Kd7 $4 34. Qd4+ $18) 34. Qh5+ $8 $11) 28. Rg3+ Kf8 29. Qg4 $1 {correcting his mistake at move 27.} Kf7 $1 30. Qg7+ Ke6 31. Re3+ Kxd6 32. Rd3+ Kc6 33. Rxd8 Rhxd8 34. Qxf6+ Kc7 35. Qf4+ Kb6 36. Qe3+ Kc7 37. h4 {1-0 Golizadeh,A (2481)-Dao,T (2520) Olympiad-39 Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 (11.4)}) 17... Qc8 18. Re1 Qd7 {[#]Critical Position} 19. Rxd6 $4 {Wins a pawn but allows Black to break the bind.} (19. Bxd6 $142 Re8 (19... Nxd5 $4 20. Qh5+ {wins the .}) 20. c4 $16 {White has a terrific bind and his center pawns are almost ready to roll. Importantly, unlike the game line, Black can't trade off the e6 due to the position of the  and .}) ({White can also win with a direct attack on the .} 19. g4 $142 $18 {and if ...h6 g4!.} Nxd5 20. Rxd6 $18) (19. Qd3 $142 $18 {threat: f5 and xf6+} Rf8 20. Bxd6 $18) 19... Qf5 $8 $15 20. Bg3 $2 (20. Qe6+ $6 Qxe6 21. dxe6+ Kg6 $17 22. e7 $2 Re8 $19) (20. g4 $1 Qxf4 (20... Qxg4+ 21. Qxg4 Nxg4 22. Rd7+ $13 {and takes b7.}) 21. Qe6+ $8 {Analysis Diagram [#]} Kg6 $8 (21... Kf8 $2 22. Rxd8+ $18) 22. Re4 $8 {the computer shows us even more very-hard-to-imagine tactics: the basic idea is to perpetual the , which has to stay in contact with f5.} Qf3 23. Re3 $8 Qd1+ 24. Kg2 $8 Qxc2 $8 {defending f5.} 25. Rd7 $1 {threat f7+} Rf8 $1 26. Re2 Qb1 27. Re1 $11 {perpetualing the .}) 20... Re8 $1 $19 21. Re6 Ba5 $1 {[#] connects the s and gains a tempo on e1.} 22. Rd1 Rxe6 23. dxe6+ Qxe6 24. Qf3 Re8 $1 {Gives the b7 pawn to simplify.} 25. Qxb7+ Re7 {[#]} 26. Qb3 {Saves the  and stops the back rank mate by pinning the e6, but Black's play shows why this endgame is hopeless.} Qxb3 27. axb3 Re2 28. Rc1 Ne4 29. Kf1 Rd2 30. Ra1 Bd8 31. Rxa6 Rxc2 32. Ra7+ Kg6 33. Be5 Bf6 34. Bxf6 Rxf2+ 35. Kg1 Rxf6 36. Rb7 Rc6 37. h3 Rc2 38. Rb4 Nf6 39. Rb6 Rxb2 40. b4 Kf7 41. Rb7+ Kg6 42. Rb6 h6 43. Kh2 Kh7 {[#] The  will hop over to attack the b-pawn until White can't save it, so White gives it up now but can't create any stalemate tricks.} 44. Rd6 Rxb4 45. Rd2 Rb3 46. Re2 Kg6 47. Ra2 h5 48. Rc2 Rd3 49. Re2 Kf5 50. Rf2+ Kg5 51. Re2 Rd5 52. Re7 g6 53. Re2 Rd3 54. Re5+ Kf4 55. Ra5 Rd2 56. Ra1 h4 57. Ra6 Kg5 58. Ra5+ Nd5 59. Kh1 Kh6 60. Ra4 Kh5 61. Ra5 g5 62. Ra3 Re2 63. Ra1 Ne3 64. Rg1 Rd2 65. g4+ hxg3 66. Rxg3 Rd1+ 0-1

[Event "Scarborough CC Winter Swiss"]
[Site "Toronto CAN"]
[Date "2025.04.10"]
[Round "7.5"]
[White "Mutyalapati, Modith Aaroh"]
[Black "Blakely, Matt"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "B87"]
[WhiteElo "2234"]
[BlackElo "2079"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[Beauty "8249159715848"]
[GameId "2229566654419685"]
[EventDate "2025.02.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 {The Fischer-Sozin Attack (again)} Qc7 $5 {[#] The second choice of SF18. Its only plus is that it is much less common than ...e6 and ...b5, both of which score a little better. The downsides are that Black has to take extra care against sacs on e6 or b5, which gain speed with the extra hit on the c7 (see: Plotkin-Jaipreet, 2025 in this issue)} 7. Bb3 e6 8. O-O Be7 ({For} 8... Nbd7 $6 9. Bxe6 $1 {0-1 Plotkin,M (2352)-Singh Dhaliwal,J (2083) Toronto Hart House op 2025 (1) see:}) 9. Be3 O-O 10. f4 (10. g4 $5 {is almost never played, but it's the only move leela and SF18 rate as giving White even a small advantage.}) 10... b5 {[#]} 11. f5 {This is the classic Sozin strategy: attack e6 hard enough to force Black to play ...e5, weakening d5 and bringing the LSB into the game. However, practice showed that this is not enough to give White an advantage: pressure on e4 and queenside space are long-term pluses for Black. (see: Soltis-Dzindzi in the next note for an example).} (11. a3 {looks slow, but it secures the c3.} Nbd7 12. Bxe6 $2 {tempting, but bad. After} (12. f5 $142 e5 $13) 12... fxe6 13. Nxe6 Qc6 14. Nxf8 Bxf8 {White has  for , but Black has the B-pair and excellent play on the light squares. SF18 & leela both rates it as more than -2 for Black.}) 11... e5 (11... b4 $1 {kicking the  before ...e5 makes the d5 square available. The next sequence is accurate and simple enough to need no comment...} 12. Na4 e5 13. Ne2 Nbd7 14. Ng3 Bb7 $15 15. c3 a5 (15... Nxe4 $15) 16. Rc1 Qb8 ({SF18} 16... Bc6 $1 17. cxb4 axb4 18. Bd5 Ra6 19. Qc2 Qb8 $1 $15) 17. Qf3 Bc6 18. Rf2 $6 (18. cxb4 Bb5 19. bxa5 $1 $15) 18... Qb7 {Analysis Diagram [#] Model set-up for Black The computer finds no improvements for White since 11. f5 b4! that would significantly change the eval; and this is exactly the sort of position Black hopes for. Black's piece control over d5 and pressure on e4 have prevented White from using d5 or squashing Black with a kingside pawnstorm. Instead, White goes for c-file counterplay that Black mishandles.} 19. Rfc2 Nxe4 20. cxb4 Nc3 $3 $17 21. Qf2 Bxa4 22. Rxc3 Bxb3 23. Rc7 Qb5 24. axb3 axb4 $6 $15 (24... Bd8 $142 $17) 25. f6 $1 Bxf6 26. Nf5 $132 Ra6 27. Qg3 g6 28. Nh6+ Kg7 29. Ng4 $4 (29. Qh3 Rd8 $8 30. Nxf7 $11) 29... Bd8 $1 $19 {The game was eventually drawn after mutual blunders.} 30. Bh6+ Kg8 31. Bxf8 Bxc7 32. Be7 Rc6 33. Ra1 Qc5+ 34. Kf1 Ra6 35. Rd1 Qc2 36. Qf3 f5 37. Qd5+ Kg7 38. Ne3 Qc6 $4 (38... Qxb2 39. Qe6 Ra2 $19) 39. Qe6 $8 d5 40. Qxd5 Qxd5 41. Nxd5 Re6 $4 42. Bxb4 $18 {1/2 Soltis,A (2400)-Dzindzichashvili,R (2530) US Open-89 Boston 1988 SF says this is +5.5.}) 12. Nde2 Bb7 {[#]} (12... Ng4 $4 13. Nd5 $18) 13. Nd5 ({Here's a Fischer simul game, showing how a great player handles this position on autopilot -- principled positional chess -- removing the guards of d5 so he can occupy it with a minor piece. His simul opponent allows him to do that, and nearly equalizes anyway.} 13. Ng3 Nbd7 ({Here, and on the next few moves, the computer slightly prefers Black after} 13... b4 $1 {As above, the idea is to stop White occupying d5 with a minor piece.}) 14. Nh5 Nxh5 15. Qxh5 Nf6 16. Qf3 Rfd8 (16... b4 $142 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 a5 $15) 17. Bg5 b4 $2 (17... d5 $1 $11) 18. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. Bxd5 $16 {Fischer Simul [#] Black allowed White to get everything he wanted: the kingside space and d5 give White the potential for a strong kingside attack, and Fischer shows how to to stop Black's attempts at queenside counterplay.} Rac8 21. Rf2 Qa7 22. Kh1 Qd4 23. Rb1 $1 {Saves the b-pawn.} Rc7 24. Re2 $1 {Frees the .} Rdc8 25. Qb3 a5 26. g3 Ra7 27. a3 $1 ({or} 27. c4 $1) ({or} 27. a4 $1) 27... Rb8 (27... bxa3 {looks like a better way to fight against a strategic squish, but SF18 rates it winning on either recapture.}) 28. a4 $1 {Ends all Black queenside play.} Rc8 29. Qf3 Rac7 30. Bb3 Rc6 31. Kg2 R8c7 32. h4 Rc8 33. Kh3 R8c7 {Bobby Fischer Diagram! [#] A Model Position for White Black missed a few chances to equalize and White now has a dream position against the Najdorf: good minor vs terrible DSB, mobile kingside pawns storm vs... nothing.  What could possibly go wrong...?} 34. Rg2 (34. Qg2 $142 $18 {and pushing the g-pawn.}) 34... h6 35. g4 $4 {Strategically correct, but...} (35. Rd1 $142 Qa7 (35... Qxb2 $2 36. c4 $1 $18 {traps the .}) 36. g4 $18 Rc3 {doesn't work now that White can block} 37. bxc3 Rxc3 38. Rd3 $18) 35... Rc3 $8 $19 {Random tactics trump great strategy.} 36. bxc3 Rxc3 37. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 38. Rg3 Qd2 $8 (38... Qc6 39. g5 $13) 39. Rbg1 Qe2 (39... Bxh4 $3) 40. Bd5 Kf8 41. R3g2 Qf3+ 42. Rg3 Qe2 {1/2 Fischer,R-Sacks,A Fischer tour sim Hollywood 1964}) 13... Nxd5 14. exd5 Nd7 15. Ng3 Rfc8 16. Ne4 {[#]Critical Position White might try to launch an attack with f5-f6. What should Black do: block with ....f6 or ...f6,  anticipate it with ...f8,  ignore it and go for queenside play with ...a5?} Bf8 $4 (16... Nf6 $1 17. Nxf6+ Bxf6 $13) (16... f6 $2 17. Rf3 $1 $16 {and major piece attacks on g7 or h7. Black can defend only one kingside pawn with a minor piece on f8, and White has two minor pieces ready to sac.}) (16... a5 $5 17. a4 $1 $13 (17. f6 $2 {doesn't work, but it's not trivial:} Nxf6 18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 19. Rxf6 a4 $1 $15 {and Black ends up with a better pawn structure; e.g.} 20. Qg4 $5 axb3 21. Bh6 g6 22. cxb3 Bxd5 $15) 17... bxa4 18. Rxa4 {Analysis Diagram [#]  The a4 is ready to swing the  to the kingside; in fact, if it was White's move now then f5-f6 would win. Here is one go-for-broke line with best play and a few illustrative blunders:} Ba6 19. f6 $5 Bxf1 $8 20. fxe7 $8 Bb5 $8 21. Qh5 $1 {Analysis Diagram [#]} g6 (21... Bxa4 $4 22. Ng5 $18) (21... h6 $2 22. Bxh6 $1 gxh6 23. Qxh6 Bxa4 24. Ng5 Qc5+ 25. Kh1 $8 Qxc2 $3 26. Bxc2 Bxc2 $16) (21... Re8 22. Ng5 $8 Nf6 23. Qxf7+ Kh8 24. Rh4 Qxe7 $8 25. c4 Bd7 26. Qg6 Kg8 $1 27. Nxh7 Qf7 $8 $13 {with continuing excitement.}) 22. Qh4 (22. Qh6 $5 Bxa4 23. Bg5 $2 {is one move too slow} (23. Bxa4 $1 $13 Qc4 $8 24. Qh4 $8 $13) 23... Qb6+ 24. Kf1 (24. Kh1 Qd4 $19 {the back rank and loose e4 end White's attack.}) 24... Bb5+ 25. c4 Rxc4 $8 $19 {cool.}) 22... f5 (22... Bxa4 $4 23. Nf6+ Nxf6 24. Qxf6 $18 {and h6 mates}) 23. Nf6+ Nxf6 24. Qxf6 Re8 $13 (24... f4 $2 25. Rxf4 $1 $18) 25. Qe6+ Kg7 26. Bg5 Bxa4 27. Qf6+ Kg8 28. Qe6+ $11) 17. f6 $1 $16 {[#]} (17. Qh5 $1 $18 {and f3-h3}) 17... Nxf6 $2 {This lets White win in Puzzle Rush style.} (17... g6 $142 {is more tenacious, but perilously close to lost. White can continue with h4-h5, or arrange pieces with g4-h4, h6, ad1 when there is only darkness in Black's future.}) 18. Rxf6 $1 gxf6 19. Nxf6+ Kg7 (19... Kh8 20. Qh5 h6 21. Bxh6 {#2.}) 20. Qg4+ Kxf6 21. Qg5# 1-0

[Event "Ottawa Winter op"]
[Site "Ottawa CAN"]
[Date "2025.01.17"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Lattafi, Youcef"]
[Black "Mendes, Aaron Reeve"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "1994"]
[BlackElo "2415"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8251709868069"]
[GameId "2136100490834648"]
[EventDate "2025.01.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Qf3 $5 Nbd7 {[#]} (8... d5 $6 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Bc4 $32) 9. Bd2 $5 {e3 would transpose to something closer to a main line. d2 looks less active, although it can help control a5 and b4, and supporting the c3 reduces Black's queenside play; e.g} (9. Be3 Rc8 10. O-O-O $6 Rxc3 $1 $15 11. bxc3 Qc7 (11... b5 $5 $146 {Idea: ...a8, hiting e4, supporting ...d5, and maybe ...a5.}) 12. Kb1 Be7 13. g4 h6 14. Rg1 Qxc3 15. Rg3 Qc6 $1 $17 {0-1 Preotu,R (2475)-Sarana,A (2685) Titled Tuesday intern op 01st Aug Early Chess.com INT blitz 2023 (3)}) 9... Rc8 10. O-O-O h5 $5 {[#] 50 years ago, ...h5 would have been dismissed as a waste of time and unnecessarily weakening the kingside. Today it's a standard restraining move in a variety of Sicilians.  Here, and on some of the next few moves, computers opt for a Dragadorf with ...g6 -- which allows ...g7 and supports ...h5 if White goes g4-g5.} 11. Rg1 (11. Kb1 Qc7 12. Bd3 b5 13. Nd5 Qb7 14. Nxf6+ Nxf6 15. Qe3 Be7 16. f4 $14 h4 17. Rhf1 Nh5 18. f5 Bd7 19. Na5 Qc7 20. Bb4 Nf4 21. Rxf4 $5 exf4 22. Qxf4 Rh6 (22... d5 23. e5 $1) 23. Nb3 Qb6 $4 24. e5 $1 $18 {makes the most of the b4 and the e8.} a5 (24... dxe5 $4 25. Qxe5 $18 {wins the e7.}) 25. Nxa5 Rc5 26. f6 $1 $18 {1-0 Henriquez Villagra,C (2592)-Sarana,A (2691) Titled Tuesday intern op 26th Aug Early Chess.com INT blitz 2025 (11)}) 11... h4 12. Kb1 Qc7 13. Bd3 {[#]} b5 (13... Nb6 $11 14. g4 hxg3 15. Rxg3 Nc4 $11 16. Bxc4 Qxc4 17. Bg5 Nh5 18. Rgg1 g6 $13 {1/2 Aliavdin,N (2336)-Tschernatsch,J (2300) Oberliga Ost-2B 2425 Germany 2024 (3.1)}) 14. Nd5 Qb7 15. Na5 Qa8 16. c4 $1 {Supports the  and prepares to fight on the queenside.} bxc4 17. Bxc4 {[#]White threatens to pile up on d6 with b4 (9.d2!?), and exchanges on d5 will support a5-c6, so} Rxc4 $3 {Gets a pawn and the center for the exchange.} 18. Nxc4 Nxd5 19. exd5 Bxd5 20. Qg4 $5 {[#]Critical Position ...f6 or ...e6, or do they transpose?} (20. Qe2 $5 Bxg2 21. Rxg2 $5 Qxg2 22. Bb4 $13) 20... Nf6 $4 {They do not transpose.} (20... Be6 $142 21. Qe2 $8 (21. Nxd6+ $4 {this wins in the game but loses here because xg7 won't fork the  and .} Bxd6 22. Qxg7 Rf8 {saves the .... though Black could instead force mate starting with ...e4+.}) 21... Qb8 $11 (21... Be7 $2 22. Bb4 $18) (21... Qc6 22. Rc1 $36)) 21. Nxd6+ $8 $18 {Exploits the overloaded f8, now that the f6 is a target after xg7.} (21. Qe2 Be6 (21... Bxg2 $1 $13) 22. Bb4 Qe4+ $8 23. Qxe4 Nxe4 24. Rge1 f5 $1 $14) 21... Ke7 (21... Bxd6 22. Qxg7 $8 Ke7 23. Bg5 $8 $18) 22. Bg5 $1 (22. Nf5+ {also wins} Ke6 23. Nxg7+ $18 {and  check.}) 22... Kxd6 {[#]} 23. Bxf6 $8 gxf6 24. Rxd5+ $1 Kxd5 (24... Qxd5 25. Rd1 $18 {Black's pawns are too loose to hope for a fortress.}) 25. Qf3+ e4 26. Qf5+ Kc4 27. Rc1+ Kd3 28. Rc3+ (28. Qd7+ {is quicker, but not more winning.}) 28... Ke2 29. Qg4+ Kd2 30. Re3 Qc6 31. Qe2# 1-0

[Event "15th Calgary International"]
[Site "Calgary"]
[Date "2024.12.27"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Preotu, Razvan"]
[Black "Keleberda, Tymur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "C00"]
[WhiteElo "2475"]
[BlackElo "2296"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[GameId "2160767905786992"]
[EventDate "2024.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{GM Razvan Preotu won the 15th Calgary International with 7/9. a full point ahead of (then) FM Tymur Keleberda, GM Vladimir Georgiev (who he both beat), and FM John Doknjas, who beat him.} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 a6 $5 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Ne2 c5 7. c3 Nc6 {[#]Nakamura has played this online a few times as Black, always via the more trollish 1.e4 a6.   It's similar to the French Steinitz, where White would have played f2-f4 and it would be Black's move. That difference changes the strategies a lot -- particularly about White's kingside piece play and whether Black should go for ...f6. It also affects the computer eval: SF18 and leela both rate _this_ position as more favourable for White than the equivalent one with f4 from the Steinitz.} 8. g3 (8. Nf4 cxd4 9. cxd4 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Bb4 11. h4 g6 12. a3 Bxd2+ 13. Qxd2 Qxd2+ 14. Kxd2 {1/2 Dominguez Perez,L (2749)-Nakamura,H (2789) Titled Tuesday intern op 05th Mar Early Chess.com INT blitz 2024 (10) This is the sort of position French players have nightmares about, and a few moves later Naka went nuts trying to break out... but he's tricky and resiliant and drew.}) (8. a3 $5 a5 9. Nf4 b6 10. h4 Ba6 11. Bxa6 Rxa6 12. Ng5 $16 Qe7 (12... h6 $2 13. Ngxe6) 13. Be3 {[#]A diagram to show one way for White to make the most of having the pawn back on f2 rather than f4.} a4 14. Qd3 (14. Nxh7 $1) 14... Ra5 15. Nxh7 g6 16. Nxf8 $18 {1/2 Kamsky,G (2616)-Nakamura,H (2795) Titled Tuesday intern op 07th May Early Chess.com INT blitz 2024 (9) Kamsky blundered on move 40 to only draw.}) 8... Qa5 9. Bd2 Qb6 {[#]} 10. Bg2 $5 {Not necessary, and maybe premature, since there are several lines where the  is better on h3.} ({A year later, one of Tymur's opponents was less enterprising, though still better after the less generous} 10. Rb1 $1 cxd4 11. cxd4 f6 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Bg2 (13. Bh3 $1) 13... Be7 14. O-O O-O $14 {1-0 Ilinca Ilinca,F (2440)-Keleberda,T (2265) Seville op 50th 2025 (5)}) 10... cxd4 11. cxd4 Qxb2 12. O-O {[#]} Qa3 (12... b5 $4 13. a3 $1 {traps the , since} b4 14. Qa4 $18) (12... Qb6 13. h4 $14 {With a typical "poison pawn" trade: White has a lot of development and space in return for that extra pawn sitting way back on b7.}) 13. Qb1 $6 ({Computers like offering the a-pawn too:} 13. Rb1 $1 Qxa2 14. Nf4 {Analysis Diagram [#]} Qa3 (14... h6 {stops g5, but} 15. Re1 {with threats to trap the  with e3, a1, f1.} Qa3 16. Bh3 $18 {threats include e3 and xd5.}) 15. Ng5 $1 {to take twice on e6, and} Nxd4 $2 {saves e6 but loses the  after} 16. Bc1 $18) 13... b5 (13... Bb4 $1 {is anathema to French players -- who see this pointy headed piece as the only thing between them and a horrific Dark Square Death -- but the computers say it equalizes!? You might want to test this against a computer if you play either side of these French positions to see how they handle both sides.}) 14. Rc1 Bb7 15. Rc3 Qe7 {[#]} 16. Bg5 $6 (16. Ng5 $1 h6 $2 17. Nxe6 $1 {and either way Black takes it, then f4 and White smashes the center with another sac; e.g.} fxe6 18. Nf4 Qf7 19. Bxd5 $3 $18) 16... Qb4 17. Qc1 Rc8 18. a4 $1 $13 Nb6 19. axb5 axb5 {[#]} 20. Qd1 $6 {Threatens to trap the  with b3 and d2, but there's an escape.} ({The computer suggests this highly-tactical, full-board sacrifical line that brings in all White's pieces:} 20. Nf4 $142 Na4 $1 ({White threatens to trap the , so} 20... h6 $2 21. Nd3 $18) (20... Nxd4 $2 21. Rxc8+ Bxc8 22. Qc7 $18 {with a winning invasion.}) 21. Rc2 {White threatens to continue improving his minors with h5 and f1, and if} h6 $1 {Analysis Diagram [#]} 22. Nxd5 $3 (22. Nd3 $13 Qb3 23. Be3 $1 Qxd3 $8 24. Bf1 {who would see how strong this is from a distance?} Qb3 (24... Qe4 25. Bxb5 $18) 25. Rb1 Ba3 $1 26. Rxb3 Bxc1 27. Rxc1 Ba6 $13) 22... exd5 23. Bh3 $1 Rc7 24. Bf4 $1 g5 25. Bd2 Qb3 26. Bf1 $1 $36 {again, sac-ing a piece then leaving the f3 in take to break through the queenside.}) 20... Ra8 $8 $13 {The white  can't guard a1 and b3 from d1.} 21. Rxa8+ Bxa8 22. Rb3 Qa5 23. Bd2 b4 24. Rb1 {[#]Black has managed to hold his extra pawn while keeping his  out of immediate danger. He's still behind in development and nither of his s is particularly good, but a pawn is a pawn.} Bb7 25. Ra1 Qb5 26. Nf4 Nc4 27. Ng5 {[#]} Nd8 28. Bf1 g6 (28... Be7 $1 29. Nh5 h6 30. Nxg7+ $13) 29. Rb1 h6 $6 {[#]} 30. Nxf7 $3 (30. Ne4 $5 dxe4 31. Qb3 Bd5 32. Rc1 $13) 30... Nxf7 $2 (30... Kxf7 $8 31. Bd3 $1 (31. Qg4 Rg8 32. Bd3) 31... Rg8 $8 32. Nxg6 Qb6 {unpins the } (32... Rxg6 $2 33. Qh5 $18) 33. Nxf8 Nxd2 $8 34. Nd7 $14) 31. Nxg6 Rg8 32. Nxf8 $1 Rxf8 33. Bxb4 Rg8 {[#]} 34. Bc5 $6 {Natural -- it puts the  on a safe(ish) square (so long as ...xe5 doesn't work), defends d4, gains a tempo on the  -- but not best.} (34. Be7 $142 $3 Qd7 35. Bf6 $18 {followed by e2 (maybe to h5) and major piece play on the queenside, which Black cannot stifle with ...d8.}) 34... Qd7 $8 (34... Qc6 $2 35. Qf3 $18 {threatens f6, when threats of mate on e7 and xb7 with xe6 will win.}) 35. Qb3 Nd8 $8 {Not an option with a white f6.} 36. Be2 {[#]} Kf7 $2 (36... Qf7 $132) 37. Qf3+ $2 (37. Qc2 $142 $18 {also threatens to invade on h7, but leaves f3 open for b3-f3-f6.}) 37... Ke8 38. Qf6 Qg7 39. Qh4 Qg5 $1 40. Qh3 {[#]Critical Position White threatens xb7 then xe6.} Qf5 $4 {Forces exchanges by forking the  and .} (40... Rg6 $4 41. Bh5 $18) (40... Bc6 $11) (40... Kd7 $11) 41. Qxf5 exf5 42. e6 $8 $18 {[#] Yup, that's a mating net! Easy to see when you get here, but if you've spent the last two hours thinking of the d4-e5 pawn wedge as a permanent feature of this French middlegame, then you might have been blind to it just a move ago.} Nxe6 43. Rxb7 Rg7 (43... Nxc5 {frees the , but} 44. dxc5 {at the cost of a winning passer.}) 44. Bh5+ Kd8 45. Rxg7 Nxg7 {[#]Even without the extra  the 's are too much to handle.} 46. Bf7 Kd7 47. Bxd5 Nd6 48. Kg2 Nge8 49. Bb3 Nf6 50. Bc2 Nde4 51. Bf8 h5 52. f3 Nd6 53. Kh3 f4 54. Bxd6 Kxd6 55. Bb3 fxg3 56. hxg3 Ne8 57. Kh4 Nc7 58. Bc4 1-0

[Event "Pere Noel"]
[Site "Montreal CAN"]
[Date "2024.12.29"]
[Round "4.13"]
[White "Berube, Maximilien"]
[Black "Robichaud, Louis"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "C44"]
[WhiteElo "2035"]
[BlackElo "2061"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[Beauty "6602173978692"]
[GameId "2134812795955704"]
[EventDate "2024.12.27"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. c3 {[#]} dxc3 $5 {At higher levels this would deserve a "?" or at least a "?!" -- which is what Gawain Jones gives it in volume 2 of his "Coffeehouse Repertoire" book. But White's path to a clear plus isn't so wide, and many U2300 players would likely go wrong fast.} ({Transposing to an Italian is the professional choice.} 5... Nf6 6. e5 (6. cxd4 Bb4+ $11) 6... d5 $1 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. Nc3 {with thousands of games going back over a century; e.g.} O-O 10. Be3 f5 11. exf6 Nxf6 $11 {1/2 Steinitz,W-Lasker,E World-ch05 Lasker-Steinitz +10-5=4 NY Philadelphia & Montreal 1894 (6)}) 6. Bxf7+ Kxf7 7. Qd5+ Kf8 (7... Ke8 $5 {can transpose, but gives White a chance to go wrong:} 8. Qh5+ $1 (8. Qxc5 $143 Qe7 $1 9. Qe3 d5 10. Nxc3 $1 $14) 8... Kf8 $1 (8... g6 $2 9. Qxc5 $16) 9. Qxc5+ {transposing.}) 8. Qxc5+ {[#]} Qe7 (8... d6 9. Qc4 Nf6 (9... Bg4 10. Nxc3 Bxf3 11. gxf3 Qf6 12. f4 Qf7 13. Qb5 Nd4 14. Qd3 $1 $16 {1-0 Sveshnikov,E (2515)-Kupreichik,V (2480) Christmas Congress 1984/85-60 Premier Hastings (1)}) 10. Nxc3 Qe7 11. O-O h6 12. Bf4 Qf7 13. Qd3 Bg4 14. Nd4 Be6 15. Nxe6+ Qxe6 16. Rfe1 $16 {1-0 Hebert,J-Babb,J (1919) CAN-ch U20 1975-76 Saint John}) 9. Qxc3 $6 {And White does go wrong!} (9. Qxe7+ $142 Ngxe7 10. Nxc3 a6 11. O-O d6 12. h3 h6 13. Be3 Kf7 14. Rfd1 Be6 15. Rac1 Rac8 $14 {0-1 Ravi,T (2336)-Sasikiran,K (2525) IND-ch Nagpur 1999 (8)}) (9. Qe3 $142 $1 d5 (9... cxb2 $6 10. Bxb2 Qb4+ 11. Bc3 $16) 10. exd5 Qxe3+ 11. fxe3 Nb4 $8 12. O-O $8 Nxd5 $8 (12... Nc2 $4 13. Nd4+ Nf6 14. Nxc2 $18) 13. Nxc3 $32) 9... Qxe4+ 10. Be3 Nf6 11. O-O d6 12. Nbd2 Qg6 13. Qb3 {[#]} Qf7 $1 $15 (13... Bh3 $4 14. Nh4 $1 Qg4 15. Qxb7 $18) 14. Qa3 h6 15. Nd4 Nxd4 (15... Kg8 $1) 16. Bxd4 Bd7 17. Rfe1 Bc6 18. f3 (18. Nf3 $5 $44 {threatening e5.}) 18... Qd5 $6 {Is Black inviting White to take on f6?} 19. Qc3 $1 Kf7 $6 20. Ne4 $1 $14 {[#]} Qf5 21. Nxf6 gxf6 22. Re3 Rae8 23. Rae1 Rxe3 24. Rxe3 a6 25. a3 h5 26. Qc4+ Qd5 27. Qc3 Qf5 28. Qc4+ Qd5 29. Qc3 Rh6 30. Re2 f5 31. Bf2 Re6 32. Rxe6 Kxe6 {[#]} 33. Qe3+ Kd7 34. h3 Qf7 35. Bh4 b6 36. b4 Kc8 37. Qc3 Kb7 38. Bf2 Bb5 39. Qd4 Qc4 40. Qe3 f4 41. Qd2 d5 42. Qb2 a5 43. Kh2 a4 $1 $15 {[#] With queens off Black wins, despite the opposite s: Black gets a central passer with ...c5 while White is stuck with weak pawns on both sides. This means Black can bully the white  around, which is uncomfortable but not necessarily losing.} 44. Qe5 $6 ({Better was to play for the blockade:} 44. Bd4 $142 $13 c5 {Black can break the dark square blockade, but only at the cost of exposing his } (44... Qb3 45. Qc1 $8 $11) 45. bxc5 bxc5 46. Bf6 d4 (46... Kb6 $4 47. Bd8+ $18 {yipes!}) 47. Qb1 $1 {aiming for h7,} Qd3 48. Qe1 Qe2 49. Qa5 $132) 44... Qb3 45. Qxh5 $2 {[#]} (45. Bh4 Qxa3 46. Bd8 Qc1 47. Qxd5+ Bc6 48. Qxh5 $8 $15 (48. Qf7 $4 Bxf3 $8 $19)) 45... Bc4 $8 $19 {Opposite s and pawn races on opposite sides, and White is just a move too slow!} 46. Qe5 (46. Bd4 Qxa3 $8 47. Qf7 Qxb4 $8 48. Be5 Qc5 $8 $19 {just in time.}) 46... Qxa3 47. Qxf4 Qxb4 {[#]} 48. h4 (48. Bg3 Qe7 $19) 48... a3 49. h5 a2 50. Bd4 c5 51. h6 cxd4 52. h7 a1=Q 53. h8=Q {[#]Critical Position First check wins?} Qe7 $4 {Natural, but losing.} (53... Qa8 $4 54. Qf7+ $8 $18 {and takes a8.}) (53... Qaa3 $2 54. Qfb8+ $8 Ka6 55. Qa8+ Kb5 56. Qhe8+ {and c6#.}) (53... Qae1 $2 {connects the s, but loses to a precise series of checks:} 54. Qfb8+ $8 Kc6 55. Qhc8+ Kb5 56. Qd7+ $8 Ka5 57. Qa8+ $8 Ba6 58. Qaxd5+ $8 (58. Qdxd5+ $2 Qc5 $8 $11) 58... Qb5 (58... Qc5 59. Qa2+ $8 Kb4 60. Qda4+ {#1}) 59. Qa2+ $8 Kb4 60. Qxd4+ (60. Qb2+ {also wins.}) 60... Qc4 $8 61. Qxb6+ Qb5 62. Qaa5+ $1 $18 {skewering e1.}) ({Black's only wining moves are to clear b4 for the  and to connect the s.} 53... Qbe1 $1 $19 {connects the s and aims for immediate counterchecks. White has to do something immediately, but the checks run out quckly:} 54. Qf7+ Ka6 55. Qa8+ Kb5 56. Qd7+ Kb4 57. Qd6+ Kc3 $19) (53... Qbb2 $5 {looks strange, but wins too:} 54. Qd6 Ka6 $8 55. Qc6 Ka5 $8 56. Qha8+ Kb4 $19) (53... Qba3 $2 {also connects the s and frees b4, but it's so inactive that White gets an extra tempo to attack:} 54. Qhb8+ $8 Ka6 55. Qfc7 $8 {There's no way to defend b6 without losing a ! Luckily, Black can sac a  to force perpetual:} Qh1+ ({or} 55... Qg1+ 56. Kxg1 Qe3+ 57. Kh1) 56. Kxh1 Qc1+ 57. Kh2 Qh6+ 58. Kg3 Qg5+ $11) 54. Qhb8+ ({or} 54. Qfb8+ $18 {, transposing.}) 54... Kc6 55. Qh6+ $8 {Easy to overlook, but fatal.} Kb5 (55... Kd7 56. Qb7+ {checks will win the e7 and mate.}) 56. Qhxb6+ Ka4 57. Qa8+ 1-0

[Event "Alberta Closed"]
[Site "Calgary"]
[Date "2025.03.29"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Soberov, Emil"]
[Black "Bahmani, Amir Mohammad"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2240"]
[BlackElo "2356"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[Beauty "6393197012562"]
[GameId "2259109823860097"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Amir Bahmani finished clear 2nd in the 2025 Alberta Closed, losing to winner Tymur Keleberda, but winning his other four games.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. d3 {[#] Not a Morphy or Alekhine move -- 3.c3 -- and now Black no longer has to prep for a quick d2-d4, with or without xe5. It's slow, but not objectively worse.} Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. O-O O-O {[#] Black would like to play ...e7-g6 and ...c6. White usually stops this with a4 (getting the  pair) or xc6. Historically, the most common move here has been 7.g5, but it's no longer played at the top level because after 7...h6 8.h4 d4! is considered to be better for Black.} 7. a3 $6 {More slow play.} Ne7 {The position is almost symmetrical, but a standard way to play for the center (...c6) will gain time off the b5. The computer already prefers Black.} 8. d4 exd4 9. Nxd4 Ng6 10. Re1 c6 11. Bf1 Re8 12. Nb3 {[#]} Bxf2+ $3 ({The computer prefers Black after} 12... Bg4 {but the game line is vastly more entertaining!}) 13. Kxf2 Ng4+ 14. Kg1 $8 Qh4 15. h3 $8 N6e5 $8 {[#]Critical Position White to play and... ? -------------------- If you think that there's no way xf2 was anything more than coffee-house nonsense then you're in for a surprise. The sac is not winning, but White is under serious pressure. From a practical point of view it's even worse: there is more than one way to keep the balance, but nothing that gives an advantage -- which could mess with your head if you keep analyzing in a vain search for a refutation.} (15... Qf2+ $2 16. Kh1 Qg3 17. hxg4 Bxg4 18. Re3 $18 ({Bonus style-points for finding} 18. Ne2 Qf2 19. Qd4 $1 Qxe1 20. Bg5 $8 $18 {trapping the .}) 18... Qh4+ 19. Rh3 $8 $18) 16. Qe2 $4 {This prevents the repetitions with ...f2+, but doesn't defend h2 and doesn't give the  a way out.} (16. Bf4 $4 {hangs the } Qf2+ $19) (16. Qxd6 $4 {trying to defend h2 does worse than just losing the } Qg3 17. hxg4 Nf3+ {does more than win the :} 18. Kh1 Qh4+ 19. Qh2 Qxh2#) (16. hxg4 $2 Nxg4 17. Qxd6 {Black has a draw in hand with ...f2-h4, but wins with:} Re5 $3 (17... Qxe1 $2 18. Qf4 $16) (17... Qf2+ 18. Kh1 Qxe1 $2 19. Bg5 $8 $16) 18. Bf4 Rh5 (18... Qf2+ {just changes the move order.}) 19. Bh2 Qf2+ $8 (19... Nxh2 $4 20. g3 $18) 20. Kh1 Rxh2+ 21. Qxh2 Nxh2 22. Kxh2 Qxc2 $19 {White is materially up for now, but soon will lose pawns and have no good squares for his s.}) (16. Nd4 $1 Qg3 17. hxg4 Nxg4 18. Nf3 Qf2+ 19. Kh1 Re5 $8 20. Bf4 Rh5+ 21. Bh2 Qg3 22. Kg1 $8 Nxh2 (22... Qf2+ $11 {is still a draw, whenever Black wants.}) 23. Nxh2 Qxh2+ 24. Kf2 Rg5 $13) (16. Be3 $1 {like the game move this also stops ...f2 tactics, but leaving e2 unblocked is a big difference.} Qg3 17. hxg4 $8 Nxg4 18. Bd3 $8 {creating an escape route for the .} Re6 $1 (18... Nxe3 $2 19. Qf3 $8 $18) (18... Qh2+ $2 19. Kf1 Qh1+ 20. Bg1 $8 $18 {another point of e3.}) 19. Nd4 $1 Qh2+ 20. Kf1 Qh1+ 21. Bg1 $8 {Analysis Diagram [#] It still looks ugly, but the computer finally prefers White here.} Rg6 (21... Rf6+ $4 22. Nf3 $2 (22. Nf5 $8 $18) 22... Rxf3+ 23. Qxf3 $8 (23. gxf3 $4 Qh3+ 24. Ke2 Qg2+ 25. Bf2 Qxf2#) 23... Nh2+ $13) 22. Nf5 $1 Nh2+ 23. Ke2 Qxg2+ 24. Bf2 $1 (24. Ke3 $6 Bxf5 25. Bxh2 $1 Bg4 26. Be2 $1 Qh3+ $8 $13) 24... Qf3+ 25. Kd2 Qxf2+ 26. Kc1 {Black has three pawns for the piece, but they are a very long way from being useful and White is about to enjoy a very long initiative. --------------- So, what annotation should 12... xf2 get? "!?" was the obvious but insipid choice, but it hardly suggests the calculating burden inflicted by it. Black is now objectively worse, but proving that required best play from White for 14 moves, including finding several "only moves" from tempting choices. OTOH, it also required best play _from Black_ so as to not toss away all his chances, and is it fair to assume this is harder to find that White's best moves?}) 16... Qg3 $8 $19 17. hxg4 Nxg4 18. Bf4 {It was this or xg4: the  can't run and nothing else defends h2.} Qxf4 19. g3 Qxg3+ 20. Qg2 Qf4 $5 21. Qd2 $1 {[#]Critical Position How should Black keep the queens on?} Qf6 $2 (21... Qg3+ $8 $19 {This check is the obvious way to keep the s on, but it's the next move that matters} 22. Qg2 (22. Bg2 Re6 $19 {to cut the  with ...f6} 23. e5 $5 Rh6 $1 {threat ...h1!}) 22... Qe5 $8 $19 {the point: luring the  to the g-file gives ...e6-g6 an extra high-value target.} (22... Qh4 $2 23. Nd4 $8 $11 {stops ...e6 and enables f3.}) (22... Qf4 $2 {would win, but ....} 23. Qd2 Qg3+ {allows a draw claim with} 24. Qg2)) 22. Re2 $1 $11 Re5 23. Rg2 Rh5 24. Be2 Rh4 25. Nd4 h5 $2 26. Rf1 $18 Qe5 {[#]} 27. Bxg4 $6 $16 (27. Nf3 Qc5+ 28. Nd4 $8 $18) (27. Bc4 $18) 27... Rxg4 28. Nf3 (28. Rxg4 $2 Bxg4 $44) (28. Nf5 $1 $16 Qc5+) 28... Qe7 29. Nh2 Rxg2+ 30. Qxg2 {[#]With Black's only  way over on a8 White's  is safe enough, and it's now a  v  imbalance.} Bd7 31. Qg3 Re8 32. Rd1 d5 33. exd5 h4 34. Qf4 g5 $2 {[#] The computer says this is bad, but it requires White to find a sequence of not-so-obvious only moves in the next note to exploit.} 35. Qd4 $14 (35. d6 $8 $18 Qe3+ {the most challenging} (35... gxf4 36. dxe7 Rxe7 37. Kf2 {Black's kingside trio are too degraded to survive.}) 36. Qxe3 Rxe3 {Analysis Diagram [#]} 37. Rd4 $3 {A star move: stopping ...g4 and supporting a possible e4 to harass the pawns and restrain the .} (37. Kf2 $2 Re6 $44 {and ...f6 leaves White no clear targets.}) 37... f5 ({Black is one tempo too slow to consolidate with ...f6 and ...f7:} 37... f6 38. Ne4 $1 {attacking f6 and semi-trapping the .} Kf7 39. Kf2 $18 Rh3 40. Nf3 Rh1 (40... g4 41. Nfg5+ $18) 41. Nc5 $18) (37... Rg3+ $2 {is worse} 38. Kf2 g4 39. Ne4 $18) 38. Kf2 $8 Re6 39. Nf3 $8 Rg6 40. Ne5 Rg7 {and one straightforward way to win is to help the d-pawn} 41. Nxd7 Rxd7 42. Na4 b6 43. c4 $18) 35... c5 36. Qf2 g4 37. Qf4 {[#]} f5 $2 (37... Qe5 $142 $13) (37... Qe3+ $142 38. Qxe3 Rxe3 39. Kf2 Re5 $11) 38. d6 $1 $18 Qe3+ 39. Qxe3 Rxe3 {[#] Queens are off and the mating attacks are over, but this wildly unbalanced position is at least as difficult as the complications triggered by ...xf2. One difficulty comes from the absence of familiar patterns to help select candidate moves. A second difficulty comes from when this position appeared: after a long complex middlegame, the players are both tired and short of time. Keep that in mind as you weave through the forrest of "?"s} 40. Nf1 $2 (40. Nd5 $8 {forking the  and threatening to win the  with f6+.} Re6 41. Ne7+ Kf7 42. Nxf5 {and the black pawns drop.} g3 43. Nf3 $8 $18) 40... Re8 41. Kf2 Kf7 42. Nd5 Re4 43. c3 Kg6 44. Nd2 Re8 45. Ne7+ Kg5 46. Nc4 Be6 {[#]} 47. Ne5 (47. d7 {leads to a sequence that looks like it was composed:} Rd8 $8 {saves the game only because c6 is covered.} 48. Ne5 $8 h3 $8 49. Rd6 Kf6 $8 50. N7g6 $8 {Defending the s and threatening g3 then f4+-, which is an easy tactic to miss.} h2 $8 51. Kg2 $8 g3 $8 $11 {0.00. How can White untangle the s while the  prevents ...d5+?}) 47... f4 $2 (47... Rd8 $142 $11) 48. Re1 $2 (48. d7 $1 {leads to something similar to what we saw in the note at move 47, but with the black pawns more vulnerable, a difference that costs the game:} Rd8 49. Rd6 $1 Kf6 50. N7g6 $8 g3+ (50... b5 51. Nxg4+ $1 (51. Ke2 h3) 51... Kxg6 52. Rxe6+ Kf5 53. Re8 $8 Rxd7 54. Kf3 $8 $18) 51. Kf3 $8 h3 52. Nxf4 $1 Kxe5 53. Rxe6+ $18) 48... g3+ {[#]} 49. Kf3 $4 (49. Kg1 $8 $11 h3 50. Nf3+ Kg4 51. Ne5+ $11) 49... h3 $2 (49... Rd8 $8 $19 50. d7 Rxd7 $3 51. Nxd7 Bg4+ $8 52. Ke4 (52. Kg2 f3+) 52... Bxd7 $19 {down a  for , but they're advanced and supported by the  and .}) 50. b4 $2 (50. c4 $8 $11) 50... cxb4 51. axb4 h2 $2 (51... Rd8 $8 $19) 52. Kg2 $8 Rh8 53. Nf3+ Kf6 54. Nd4 Bh3+ 55. Kh1 Bd7 56. Nd5+ Kg5 $8 $11 {[#]Critical Position Attack with e5+ or defend with f3?} 57. Re5+ $4 {Taking the  off the back rank fatally gives Black an additional tactic: ...g2+ then ...h1=.} ({White had several ways to keep the balance, including g2 and} 57. Nf3+ Kf5 $8 (57... Kg4 $4 58. Ne5+ Kh3 59. Nxf4+ $8 $18) 58. c4 (58. Re5+ $4 Kg4 59. Ne1 Bc6 60. d7 Bxd5+ 61. Rxd5 f3 $8 $19) 58... Rh6 59. c5 {A tough position to judge. There are blunders at every branch, but the computer insists it's equal; e.g.} a6 (59... Bc6 $4 60. Ne7+ $8 Kg4 61. Nxc6 $8 Kxf3 62. Ne5+ $1 Kf2 63. Nd3+ $8 $18 (63. Ng4+ $4 Kxe1 64. Nxh6 Kf1 $19) 63... Kf3 64. Nxf4 $1 Kxf4 65. d7 $8 $18) 60. Nd4+ (60. Nb6 $4 Bc6 $19) 60... Kg5 {with an absurdly perfectly balanced position.}) 57... Kg4 $8 $19 58. Nf6+ (58. Re1 Rh5 $1 {setting up ...h3.} 59. c4 (59. Nf6+ Kh3 $19) 59... Rxd5 $1 60. cxd5 Kh3 61. Re2 Bg4 $8 $19 {e.g.} 62. d7 (62. Rd2 f3 $19) 62... Bxe2 63. d8=Q g2#) 58... Kh3 59. Rg5 f3 $1 60. Nxf3 Bc6 $8 0-1

[Event "Bluenose op"]
[Site "Halifax CAN"]
[Date "2025.02.22"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Marchand, Calix"]
[Black "Fillmore, Louis"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2237"]
[BlackElo "1881"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8251705934922"]
[GameId "2150702741433037"]
[EventDate "2025.02.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteClock "0:41:28"]
[BlackClock "1:12:05"]

{Calix Marchand won the 2025 Bluenose Open with a perfect 5/5. This was the start of a very busy and successful 2025 for the Halifax native: he competed in 25 CFC-rated events, including the NAYCC in Kingston where he won his final-round game to finish in a tie for first with in the U14 with 7/9 and won on TB, securing a direct FM title.   CBC Interview: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6716096} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 a6 4. e3 b5 $5 5. h4 $5 {[#] Black's quick queenside expansion has scored well against the Jobava. White's h4 is not the most common, but makes good sense: Black is not going to castle long, so the h-pawn push anticipates a future attack.} e6 (5... h5 6. Nf3 $14 e6 7. Bd3 (7. a4 $1 b4 8. Ne2 $14) 7... Bb7 8. Ne2 c5 9. c3 $1 $14 {1/2 Erigaisi,A (2628)-Carlsen,M (2834) Wch Rapid Almaty 2022 (5)}) 6. g4 b4 $1 $11 (6... Bb4 7. g5 Ne4 8. Nge2 $14 {1-0 Erigaisi,A (2777)-Povshednyi,I (2291) Titled Tuesday intern op 18th Mar Late Chess.com INT blitz 2025 (8)}) 7. Na4 Bd7 8. c4 dxc4 9. Bxc4 {[#]} Bb5 $3 $11 {Nice. Taking on b5 would hit the a4 and open the a-file for Black. Not taking lets Black fight for the light squares and gets some space to complete development.} ({In the Mordor championship later that year, the GM playing Black did worse with:} 9... Bc6 10. Nf3 Nxg4 11. h5 Bd6 12. Rg1 Bxf4 13. Rxg4 Bh6 14. Ne5 $16 {1-0 Vetokhin,S (2569)-Malakhov,V (2643) RUS-ch 78th Moscow 2025 (10)}) 10. b3 Bd6 11. Bxd6 {[#]} Qxd6 (11... cxd6 {looks good, though I can see why someone might not like the look of the doubled d-pawns after} 12. g5 Nd5 13. Bxd5 exd5 {But SF18 rates this as a bit better for Black, since White probably shouldn't take d5 with the } 14. Qf3 Nc6 $1 $13 15. Qxd5 $2 Ne7 $1 {and ...c6 or ...c8-c2 give Black a lot for the pawn.}) 12. g5 Nd5 13. Qe2 Bxa4 14. bxa4 Nc3 15. Qf3 Nc6 16. Bb3 Rd8 17. h5 Na5 {Very unbalanced: White and Black attack on opposite sides while both s sit where they started. SF18 says 0.00 on White's top 4 moves.  [#] Critical Position What happens if White pushes g6 or h6?} (17... Nxd4 $2 {doesn't work} 18. exd4 Qxd4 19. Ne2 $1 (19. Kf1 $18 {is simpler.}) 19... Nxe2 20. Rd1 $8 $18) 18. g6 $5 {SF18 rates it 0.00 after g6, h6, and e2, but the game move challenges Black to find some non-standard moves.} (18. h6 $5 Nxb3 19. hxg7 Rg8 20. axb3 (20. Rxh7 $4 Nxd4 $8 $19) 20... Rxg7 21. Ne2 (21. Qf6 $2 Rg6 $17 ({or} 21... Qd5 $3)) 21... c5 $13) 18... O-O $4 (18... hxg6 $142 $1 19. hxg6 {looks bad, but Black is OK} Rf8 $8 $13 {e.g.} 20. Rh8 $5 Ke7) (18... f5 $142 19. h6 $5 {gotta be ready for this one too!} hxg6 $8 20. hxg7 Rg8 $8 $13 {Analysis Diagram [#] A lower-rated player might feel like he's being pushed off the board here; but the computer isn't lower-rated than anyone/anything, and it says this is equal; e.g.} 21. Rh8 {the most direct.} (21. Qg2 {hits g6 and frees a square for f3-e5.} Nxb3 $5 (21... Kf7 $4 22. Nf3 $18) (21... Rxg7 $13 {is simpler.}) 22. Qxg6+ Kd7 23. axb3 Kc8 $13) 21... Kf7 (21... Kd7 $5) 22. Qh3 {defends h8 and threatens f3-e5} Nxb3 $8 {enables Black to get play against the white  on the light squares.} (22... Rxg7 $2 23. Nf3 $8) 23. axb3 (23. Nf3 $2 Nxa1 24. Ne5+ Qxe5 $8 $19 {due to the mate on d1.}) 23... Qd5 $1 24. Nf3 {Analysis Diagram [#] Critical Position} Rxh8 $8 {It's hard to imagine this move in advance, but you'd probably find it by process of elimination if you got to this position. OTOH, getting to this position would probably you to see this as a saving possibility.} (24... Kxg7 $2 {doesn't get mated, but any check to keep the h-file and White's continuing attack wins.}) 25. gxh8=Q Rxh8 26. Qxh8 Qxf3 {and White can live long, but not prosper, with his two majors so far from offering aide or comfort to the .} 27. Kf1 $1 $11 {27.b8 would be winning, but it's not legal.}) 19. gxh7+ $8 Kxh7 (19... Kh8 20. h6 $8 $18) 20. h6 $8 $18 {[#]} Nxb3 (20... g6 21. Qf6 $8 $18 Rg8 22. Qxf7+ $18) 21. hxg7+ Kxg7 22. Qg4+ Kf6 {[#] White's position is winning, but winning the game still requires finding several "only moves". Which he does...} 23. Qh4+ $8 {Keeping the  on the wrong side of his pawn fence.} (23. axb3 $2 Ke7 $11) 23... Kf5 24. Rh3 $1 Nxd4 $1 {Stops f3 and creates an escape square on e5; a good try, but it's not enough.} 25. exd4 $8 Qxd4 {[#]} 26. Rf3+ $8 (26. Nf3 $4 Qd1+ 27. Rxd1 Rxd1# {it could happen.}) 26... Ke5 27. Qg3+ $8 (27. Qg3+ Kd5 28. Rd3 {wins the .}) 1-0

[Event "Ste-Foy CC '4'"]
[Site "Sainte-Foy CAN"]
[Date "2025.03.03"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Shi, Evan"]
[Black "Dionne, Frederick"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "1731"]
[BlackElo "1302"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8248082039867"]
[GameId "2153228014596208"]
[EventDate "2025.02.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bg5 f6 {The best-scoring move against the "pseudo-Trompowsky"} 3. Bf4 Nc6 $1 4. Nf3 {[#]} Bg4 (4... g5 $1 5. Bg3 $13 {is the computer's choice, but you have to assume that anyone who plays the psudo-Tromp with White will have much more experience than Black with this very non-standard pawn structure.}) 5. Nbd2 {[#]Most of the GM-games arrive at this position from a London with White to move -- having saved a tempo on c1-f4 instead of c1-g5-f4. That extra tempo makes a difference, which Black tries to exploit right away:} ({The oldest game in Megabase was from the 1975 Canadian Championship:} 5. Bg3 {avoiding the ...xd4 fork trick we see in the main game.} e5 6. dxe5 Bxf3 7. exf3 Nxe5 $1 8. Be2 Bd6 9. O-O Ne7 $14 {0-1 Coudari,C-Berry,J CAN-ch Calgary 1975}) 5... Nxd4 $5 6. Nxd4 e5 {[#]} 7. f3 $5 (7. h3 $1 {has the same idea as f2-f3 -- nudging the g4 so e6 is possible -- but does so without blocking the f3 square.} Bh5 $1 (7... Bd7 $2 {controls e6 and gets the piece back, but White gets a huge development and structural advantage after} 8. e4 $3 {e.g.} dxe4 9. Nxe4 $1 exf4 10. Qf3 $1 {and 000 with a winning advantage. Black can't escape with} c5 11. Nb5 Qa5+ 12. b4 $3 $18) 8. Ne6 $5 (8. N2b3 c6 $13 {is SF18's top line.}) 8... Qe7 9. Nxf8 exf4 10. Nxh7 Rxh7 $15 11. c3 O-O-O $6 (11... g5 $142 {defends f4 and improves the h7.}) 12. Qa4 $1 Kb8 13. Qxf4 g5 14. Qd4 $13 {1-0 Hoffmann,A (2185)-Yagupov,I (2232) Titled Tuesday intern op 25th Jun Early Chess.com INT blitz 2024 (8)}) 7... Bh5 8. Be3 (8. Ne6 {doesn't lose, but after something like} Qe7 9. Nxf8 exf4 10. Nxh7 Rxh7 $15 {it's hard to imagine how White can comfortably develop with the black f4-pawn cramping the kingside. Trying to clear it away now with} 11. g3 $2 Qe5 $1 {just makes things worse.}) 8... exd4 9. Bxd4 c5 10. Bf2 Qb6 {[#]} 11. Qc1 (11. e4 $142 dxe4 12. Nxe4 {Black can't exploit the d-file or White's slightly exposed :} Rd8 (12... f5 13. Qd5 $1 $18 {hits all the weak spots and prepares for 000.}) (12... Qb4+ 13. c3 Qxb2 14. Qa4+ $18) 13. Bd3 $1 (13. Qe2 $18) 13... Qa5+ {unpinning the c-pawn.} 14. Nc3 $1 c4 15. Qe2+ $18 {unpins the  and wins c4, with a material and development advantage.}) 11... O-O-O 12. e4 Qe6 13. Be2 {[#]} Re8 $2 {If Black could replace ...c5 with ...d6 he would be better. But the weakened dark squares and slower development make a big difference, and SF rates this a losing blunder, preferring to sac c5 for develpment with} (13... Ne7 $1 14. Bxc5 Ng6 $1 (14... Nc6 $14) 15. Bxf8 Rhxf8 $1 16. g4 $140 dxe4 17. Nxe4 f5 $1 $19) 14. O-O dxe4 (14... Ne7 15. Bxc5 $16 (15. b4 $3)) 15. Bc4 $1 Qe5 16. Nxe4 f5 {[#]} 17. Bg3 $3 {A piece sac to own the dark squares.} Qd4+ 18. Kh1 fxe4 (18... Qxc4 $2 19. Qf4 $18 Re7 20. Nd6+ {simply wins the ; or you could settle for #5 beginning with b8+.}) 19. Rd1 $1 Qf6 {[#]} (19... Qxc4 20. Qf4 $8 $18 {there's no good way to defend c7 and b8.}) 20. Bb5 $1 (20. Qd2 {also wins, e.g.} Rd8 21. Be6+ $1) 20... Re6 (20... Rd8 {stops mate, but trading one of Black's few active pieces doesn't save the game: White is down a piece but is still attacking with everything, while the black  and  are useless.} 21. Rxd8+ Qxd8 (21... Kxd8 22. Qd2+ Qd4 23. Qa5+ $18) 22. Qf4 Bd6 {There are no good ways to defend b8 and c7, so Black offers to buy off the attack with a piece} (22... Qd6 23. Qf5+) 23. Qf5+ $1 {no sale!} Kb8 24. Rd1 $8 $18) 21. Bd7+ Kd8 22. Bxe6+ Ke7 23. Bb3 Bxf3 {If ...c5 were legal, White could still go f1.} 24. gxf3 Qxf3+ 25. Kg1 g6 26. Rf1 Qg4 27. Qd2 1-0

[Event "Montcalm 4 2024-25"]
[Site "Quebec CAN"]
[Date "2025.01.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Savard, Alexandre"]
[Black "Gagne, Louis"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "1731"]
[BlackElo "1213"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8247163487777"]
[GameId "2133003093796372"]
[EventDate "2025.01.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Qd3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 {[#] White could have transposed to a French sideline with e2-e4 on any of the previous moves, with an even game. I'm surprised to see that computers already clearly prefer Black: SF18 -.5, and leela -.35.} 5. O-O-O b6 (5... Nbd7 $1 6. Bxf6 Nxf6 7. e4 O-O $1 {Correctly judging the relative safety of the two kings.} 8. e5 Nd7 9. Nce2 c5 10. c3 b5 $1 $19 {Analysis Diagram [#] Black's play here is a model of how to destroy White's vulnerable 000.} 11. Nf3 (11. Qxb5 Rb8 {is even quicker.}) 11... b4 12. Nf4 Qa5 (12... c4 $142) 13. Kb1 Rb8 14. c4 $5 Ba6 15. Qc2 dxc4 16. Bxc4 Bxc4 17. Qxc4 Nb6 18. Qc2 c4 19. Rd2 Rfc8 20. h4 b3 21. axb3 cxb3 22. Qxb3 Nc4 {0-1 Barria Zuniga,D (2341)-Bluebaum,M (2670) Titled Tuesday intern op 02nd Feb Chess.com INT blitz 2021 (3)}) 6. Bxf6 $1 $11 Bxf6 7. e4 Ba6 8. Qf3 Bxf1 9. Rxf1 Bxd4 {[#]  Critical Position What happens if 10.exd5 xc3?} 10. exd5 Bxc3 $1 11. dxe6 $4 {Threatens mate on f7 and hits the a8. It looks winning... but it loses!} (11. Qxc3 $142 Qxd5 12. Qxg7 Rf8 $11 {It's not quite over: White can make threats, but they just burn out to equality:} 13. Rd1 Qxa2 $8 $11 (13... Qc6 $2 {leaves Black too far behind to catch up; e.g.} 14. Nf3 Nd7 15. Rd2 O-O-O 16. Rhd1 $18 {with immediate threats on d7 and h7 and no counterplay for Black.}) 14. Rd8+ Kxd8 15. Qxf8+ Kd7 16. Qxf7+ Kc8 $11) {[#]} 11... Bf6 $2 (11... Qg5+ $8 $19 {Would be a 500+ point upset!} 12. Kb1 Qb5 $19 {threateing mate on b2 and the f1 and freeing d8 for the , so} 13. Qxf7+ {doesn't help} Kd8 14. e7+ Kc8 $8 {Black's  even covers e8.}) 12. Rd1 {[#] White is winning and gave Black no more chances.} (12. Qxa8 {wins too, though I can understand that} Bxb2+ $5 13. Kxb2 Qd4+ {looks like it might be trouble; though White can still choose between} 14. Kb3 $18 ({and} 14. c3 {, both winning.})) 12... Qe7 (12... Bxb2+ $5 13. Kb1 $8 $18 (13. Kxb2 $2 Qf6+ $14 {this check stops the mate and saves the .})) 13. Qxa8 O-O 14. exf7+ $18 Kxf7 15. Qd5+ Kg6 16. Nf3 h6 17. Rhe1 Qb4 18. c3 Rd8 19. cxb4 Rxd5 20. Rxd5 c6 21. Rd6 Na6 22. a3 Nc7 23. Rxc6 Nd5 24. g3 Kh5 25. h3 Ne7 26. Rxf6 gxf6 27. Rxe7 1-0

[Event "RA December op"]
[Site "Ottawa CAN"]
[Date "2024.12.07"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Wang, Derek"]
[Black "Jaferian, Koosha"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2223"]
[BlackElo "2348"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[Beauty "8251709911606"]
[GameId "2160767905787053"]
[EventDate "2024.12.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c3 {[#] This was reccommeneded by the prolific IM Cyrus Lakdawala in his book "Play the London System" (Everyman, 2011), where he said it was "Our refuation of Black's refutation!". The idea is to avoid equalizing lines where Black goes ...c5 and ...b6 and can play ...c4 against b3 (since xb6 axb6 is both strong and easy to play for Black). It looks timid, but even if Black plays the most aggressive line -- as Koosha does here -- it scores no worse than the London.} c5 4. dxc5 e6 5. b4 a5 6. e3 axb4 7. cxb4 b6 $13 {[#] A reversed Noteboom.} 8. Bb5+ {The main move and best-scoring: White prepares to castle and forces off a pair of minors, expecting that Black's center will be less useful.} Bd7 9. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 10. a4 (10. c6 $2 Bxb4+ {this check is why Black must hurry to break White's pawns.}) (10. O-O bxc5 11. b5 {transposes.}) 10... bxc5 11. b5 g5 $1 {[#] A computer-approved move first played by Wesley So in 2021, recently enough that all previous books on the London/Colle systems do not mention it. Obviously, the idea is to dislodge the f3, which might serve as a prelude to a kingside attack, but will definitely reduce White's control over d4 and leave his remaining minor pieces congested and in the path of Black's center pawns.} (11... Bd6 {is natural and has long been the main move (as is d3 in the Noteboom proper): the  points at the opponent's  and can go to c7 to restrict the queenside passers. Typically, Black castles short and tries to push in the center, with either ...c4 or ...e5, while White tries to make it to an endgame and be prepared to counter ...e5 with e3-e4.}) 12. Bb2 (12. Nxg5 $2 Rg8 {gets g2 and leaves the White  with no long-term home.}) 12... Bd6 (12... g4 $6 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Bd6 15. Bxd6 $6 (15. Bb2 $142 {White keeps two minors, which may be ideal for restraining Black's center, and since Black can't support the center if he goes ...e5 he is still tied down to the f6.}) 15... Qxd6 16. O-O Ke7 17. Nd2 c4 18. Qc2 Rhc8 19. a5 Qc5 $1 $13 {1/2 Aravindh,C (2711)-Sarana,A (2661) EU-Cup 40th Rhodes 2025 (6.4)}) {[#]} 13. Nfd2 (13. Qe2 g4 14. Nfd2 Qb8 15. e4 Be5 $5 16. Nc3 $2 O-O $1 17. g3 c4 $1 {theatens to roll White with ...d4} 18. exd5 $2 exd5 $19 19. O-O d4 $6 (19... Re8 $142 $19) 20. Nce4 (20. Nd5 $3 {gives a piece for two pawns by creating tactics with e7-c6.}) 20... c3 21. Nxf6+ Nxf6 22. Ba3 Re8 $19 {1-0 Bluebaum,M (2660)-Preotu,R (2483) ChessKid Play In m Chess.com INT blitz 2023 (1.1)}) 13... Ne5 14. Qe2 c4 15. O-O Nd3 16. Bc3 {[#]} Bc7 (16... Bb8 {enables ...c7, which can be tactically useful in some lines, but softens the queeside darksquare blockade.}) 17. Rd1 Rg8 $2 {[#] Critical Position} ({Stockfish hates this move -- rating it -2 worse than its top choice, the hard-to-play} 17... O-O $1 $13 {-- but it's bad only if White plays one move...}) 18. Qf3 $2 {Not this one.} (18. Na3 $8 {doesn't just develop the  and connect the s, it threatens axc4, destroying Black's center and leaving him -- at best -- with badly coordinated pieces and an exposed .  Black has options, none of them good:} Ne4 $5 (18... Rxa4 {grabs a pawn, but now we see White's real threat:} 19. Naxc4 Rxa1 20. Bxa1 $8 {Keeps the  x-ray on the d8.} dxc4 21. Nxc4 $18 {the d3 drops and Black's center is gone.}) (18... Qd6 {is a one move threat.} 19. g3 $18 {with a one move defence: the f6 hangs and the  is still on the d-file.}) (18... Qe7 {gets the  off the line of the  while defending the f6, but weakens the piece blockade of the queenside passers.} 19. Naxc4 $1 dxc4 20. Nxc4 Nc5 21. b6 $18) (18... Nc5 19. Naxc4 $1 (19. Ndxc4 $5) 19... dxc4 20. Nxc4 Nfd7 (20... Qe7 21. b6 {transposes to the previous variation.}) 21. a5 $18) 19. Nxe4 $8 dxe4 20. Nxc4 Bxh2+ {keeps material equality, but with terrible coordination} 21. Kxh2 Qc7+ 22. Kg1 (22. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 23. Bxe5 $18) 22... Qxc4 23. Bd4 Rxa4 $6 (23... e5 24. Qg4 $3) 24. Rxa4 Qxa4 25. Ra1 $18) 18... Rg6 {Defends f6, and... !?} 19. Na3 $2 {One move ago this was winning. Now it loses!  (Hint: it leaves the c3 undefended.) [#] Critical Position} (19. Qe2 $142 $15) 19... g4 $1 $19 (19... Rxa4 $6 20. Naxc4 Rxa1 21. Bxa1 {keeping the d1 for the pin,} dxc4 22. Nxc4 Qd5 $8 $13 {one forcing line goes:} 23. Bxf6 Qxc4 24. Qa8+ Kd7 25. Rxd3+ Qxd3 26. Qc6+ Kc8 27. Qa8+ Kd7 28. Qc6+ $11) (19... Bxh2+ {also wins, but the lines are less direct:} 20. Kxh2 g4 21. Bxf6 (21. Qg3 Nh5 $19 {is a very unusual  trap.}) 21... gxf3 $8 22. Bxd8 Rxg2+ $8 23. Kh3 Nxf2+ $8 $19 {and ...xd1 with a winning endgame.}) 20. Qe2 Bxh2+ $1 21. Kxh2 Ne4 {[#] The undefended c3 and the fork on e2/d1 gives Black a tempo for ...h4+.  It's hopeless, so White lets him play it out to mate:} 22. Nxe4 Qh4+ 23. Kg1 Rh6 24. Ng3 Qh2+ 25. Kf1 Qh1+ 26. Nxh1 Rxh1# 0-1

[Event "Banff op"]
[Site "Banff"]
[Date "2024.11.11"]
[Round "5.10"]
[White "Haessel, Dale"]
[Black "Wu, Nathan Ping-Ying"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "D20"]
[WhiteElo "2060"]
[BlackElo "2119"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[Beauty "8249155826777"]
[GameId "2160767905787357"]
[EventDate "2024.11.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 b5 4. a4 c6 {[#] Black is up a pawn but has played only queenside pawn moves. White usually plays to crack the queenside structure on b5 with the f1.} 5. b3 {Black's response is the reason this is almost never played by the top players. Both c3 and axb5 are more usual, and score better.} (5. axb5 cxb5 6. Nc3 a6 $5 {was an enterprising sac} (6... Qb6 7. Qh5 $5) 7. Nxb5 axb5 8. Rxa8 Bb7 9. Ra2 e6 (9... Bxe4 $2 10. b3 $16) 10. f3 (10. Ne2 $1 Bxe4 11. b3 $14) 10... Nc6 11. Ne2 Bb4+ 12. Bd2 $11 {0-1 Hambleton,A (2446)-Ganguly,S (2625) Edmonton 10th 2015 (8)}) 5... e5 $1 6. dxe5 {[#]} Bb4+ $1 (6... Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Nd7 8. Bb2 Nc5 9. Nd2 $11 {1/2 Siddeley,H (1923)-Wu,N (2083) CAN-ch Toronto 2025 (6)}) 7. Bd2 Qd4 $6 {Forks a1 and e4 and threatens ...c3, but it forces White to play a good exchange "sac" which grabs the dark-squares and increases his development advantage.} 8. Bxb4 $1 Qxa1 {[#]} 9. e6 $2 {Opens the long diagonal so c3 is a threat, and attacks some squares around the black  if the pawn survives.} (9. Nf3 $8 $16 {develops and defends e5.} Bg4 (9... Qb2 {hopes to escape with ...xb3, but} 10. Nd4 $1 $18 {locks her down and keeps a huge development and space advantage.}) 10. Be2 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 Qxe5 12. O-O {White is down a pawn and an exchange, but way ahead in development[; at 23 ply SF18 rates this +2 on multiple continutations.}) 9... f6 {Blocks the c3-g7 diagonal, but the surviving e6-pawn is now an attacker.} ({Black can hope for more with} 9... Nf6 $142 {when the game line fails} 10. Qd6 $4 Qxb1+ 11. Ke2 Qxe4+ 12. Kd2 Qxe6 $19) ({Instead, after} 9... Nf6 {White does better with} 10. exf7+ Kxf7 11. Nf3 Re8 $13) ({Fascinatingly -- if you like chess -- the computer says Black can give up both g7 and the h8} 9... Bxe6 $5 10. Bc3 Qa2 11. Bxg7 Nd7 12. Bxh8 O-O-O $13 {Black is down a piece and has no way to trap the f8, but SF18 says 0.00, Leela slightly prefers White after c1.}) 10. Qd6 {The mate threat on f8 keeps a draw in hand. [#]Critical Position Can the white  escape the checks by running up the board?} ({White can try for more with} 10. Nf3 Bxe6 11. Nd4 $1 $32) 10... Qxb1+ $8 $11 11. Kd2 $8 (11. Ke2 $4 Qxe4+ 12. Kd1 Qd5+ $19) 11... Qb2+ 12. Kd1 $8 $11 ({The answer is "no", the  cannot escape:} 12. Ke1 $2 {loses, but the win is not at all trivial:} Qc1+ $8 13. Ke2 Qc2+ $8 14. Kf3 {or ...xe4+ defends.} Qxb3+ $1 {Analysis Diagram [#]} 15. Kg4 (15. Kf4 g5+ 16. Kf5 Nd7 $3 {stops mate on f8, and defends f6 so Black threatens ...h6#, and if} 17. exd7+ Bxd7+ {is a winning check.}) 15... h5+ $8 16. Kf5 Nh6+ (16... g6+ {is similar.}) 17. Kg6 {Analysis Diagram [#] Safe at last...?} Qxb4 $8 18. Qxb4 Bxe6 $8 $19 {No, actually, not safe at all! In several of the variations you have to evaluate a position like this. Material is about level, but the white  has no way back -- so Black is in no hurry -- and Black has another  and  to create a mating net; e.g.} 19. Kxg7 Rg8+ ({even} 19... Ng4 {wins!}) 20. Kxf6 (20. Kxh6 Kf7 {and ...h8 mates.}) 20... Nd7+ 21. Kxe6 Rg6#) 12... Qb1+ 13. Kd2 Qb2+ {[#]It's equal, but the white  decides to go for a stroll... My first thought was that Black let his clock run down to 30s before his last move and this induced White to gamble... but the timestamps on the lichess feed show otherwise.} 14. Ke3 $4 c5 $2 (14... Qxb3+ $8 $19 15. Kf4 (15. Kd2 c3+ $8 16. Bxc3 Qxe6 $19) 15... g5+ 16. Kg4 (16. Kf5 Nd7 $3 {stops mate on f8, defends f6 so Black threatens ...h6#, and transposes to the note at move 12.}) 16... h5+ 17. Kf5 {Analysis Diagram [#]} Qxb4 $8 $19 (17... Nd7 $2 {doesn't work now that Black's h-pawn has given up control of g6.} 18. Kg6 $8 $18 (18. exd7+ $2 Bxd7+ 19. Kg6 O-O-O $19 {e.g.} 20. Ba5 Be8+ $19)) 18. Qxb4 Na6 (18... Rh6 {is similar.}) 19. Qd6 (19. Qd2 Rh6 (19... Bxe6+ $1 20. Kxe6 Nc5+ $19 {and  checks win the .}) 20. e5 Ne7+ 21. Ke4 Nc5+ 22. Kf3 Bxe6 $19) 19... Rh6 $8 {White can choose to save his king or queen, but not both.} 20. e5 {saves the king} (20. Qxc6+ {makes ...e7+ deadlier.} Kf8 21. Qxa8 {saves the queen, but} Ne7#) 20... Ne7+ 21. Ke4 Bxe6 $1 22. Qxe6 f5+ $19) 15. Qxc5 $8 $11 (15. Bxc5 $4 {allows Black to force off the s after} Qc3+ $19) 15... Qxb3+ $8 {[#]} 16. Kd4 $4 (16. Kd2 $8 $11 {and one side or the other will have to give a perpetual.}) 16... Qxb4 $1 $19 {Oops!} 17. Qxc8+ (17. Qxb4 Nc6+ $19) 17... Ke7 18. Qb7+ Kxe6 19. Qxa8 {[#]} Qd2+ $1 20. Kc5 Ke5 {is the recorded move, but it must be a DGT error: stopping the clock then setting the s on e5 and d4 tells the DGT software the game ended 0-1, but you have to stop the clock first!} ({Black has more than one quick way to mate:} 20... Na6+ 21. Kxb5 Qb4+ {and ...b6#.}) (20... Nd7+ 21. Kc6 (21. Kxb5 Qb2+ 22. Kxc4 Ne5+ 23. Kc5 Qb6#) 21... Qd6+ 22. Kxb5 Qc5+ 23. Ka6 Qb6#) 0-1

[Event "Alberta Closed"]
[Site "Calgary"]
[Date "2025.03.29"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Keleberda, Tymur"]
[Black "Khodjimatov, Sherzod"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "D51"]
[WhiteElo "2445"]
[BlackElo "2289"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[Beauty "8249021562970"]
[GameId "2259109823855999"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Here is another of Tymur Keleberda's games; this one from the 2025 Alberta Closed, a 6-player RR which he won with a perfect 5/5. https://www.chess.ca/en/ratings/t/?id=202505001&p=177565} 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 c6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. e3 {[#] This position had been played for almost a century before anyone tried this next idea -- a risky-looking pawn expansion to grab the -pair, similar to a Ragozin without ...b4 -- but it's now Black's most poplular continuation. It leads to non-standard pawn structures with Black having the option to castle either way.} g5 $5 (8... Be7 {is still perfectly playable} 9. Bd3 O-O 10. O-O Re8 11. Rc1 Ne4 $1 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Nd2 Nf6 $11 {1/2 Tartakower,S-Spielmann,R Baden-Baden International 1925 (5) is a 100 year old QGD tabyia; this one from}) 9. Bg3 Nh5 10. Bd3 Nxg3 11. hxg3 Bg7 {[#]} 12. Qc2 ({Here's a very high-profile game in this line between the two leaders of the 2024 Toronto Candidates:} 12. O-O Nb6 13. Qc2 O-O 14. b4 Qe7 15. Rab1 Be6 16. a4 Nd7 17. a5 a6 18. Na4 Rad8 19. Nc5 Nxc5 20. bxc5 {Analysis Diagram [#] Critical Position} f5 $8 {It is strategically critical to prevent White from playing f5, which would do three things: 1) block and prevent any possible kingside pawn-breaking counterplay by Black with ...f5-f4; 2) guarantee being able to trade Black's best defender of b7, while now any White attack on b7 can be met with ...c8; 3) play the strategically desirable g3-g4, fixing the h6 pawn.} 21. Qc3 Rf7 22. Rb4 Qc7 23. Rb2 Re8 24. Ne5 Bxe5 25. dxe5 h5 $11 {1/2 Gukesh,D (2743)-Caruana,F (2803) Candidates Tournament Toronto 2024 (11) stops g4. Black played a perp after the s and s were traded on f5.}) 12... Nb6 13. Ne5 {[#]} Qe7 (13... Bxe5 14. dxe5 Qe7 15. f4 {Checkers, anyone?} Bg4 16. Ne2 O-O-O 17. O-O-O Kb8 18. Kb1 f6 $5 19. exf6 Qxf6 $15 {1/2 Drygalov,S (2473)-Sjugirov,S (2665) Wch Blitz Moscow 2019 (1)}) 14. f4 Be6 15. O-O {[#]} O-O {SF18 rates this as a big mistake, preferring both} (15... Bxe5 16. fxe5 h5 $14) ({and} 15... O-O-O $5 {which looks to me like it's almost asking to get mated. For instance, one example of the danger is:} 16. a4 a5 $2 {Analysis Diagram  [#]  SF already sees a winning attack:} 17. f5 $1 $18 {gains a tempo on the  and keeps the g-file closed.} Bd7 18. f6 $1 (18. b4 $5 Bxe5 $1 $16 {is not quite as good for White.}) 18... Bxf6 19. Rxf6 $8 {a pawn and exchange sac to keep the e5 in the attack.} Qxf6 20. b4 $8 (20. Rf1 $2 Qe7 21. Rxf7 Qb4 $15) 20... axb4 21. a5 $8 Nc4 22. a6 $1 {a position it evaluates as +4.5!} bxc3 23. axb7+ {down a  but +5.6.}) ({Instead, after} 15... O-O-O 16. a4 {SF18 finds enough counterplay along the g-file with} gxf4 $1 17. gxf4 (17. a5 Nc4 $15) 17... a5 {Analysis Diagram [#] White has options, but the sac with f5-f6 that worked above, does not work here as Black's counterattack hits first:} {Instead, White might try this:} 18. Nb5 $5 (18. f5 $6 Bd7 19. f6 $2 {illustrates Black's counterplay:} Bxf6 20. Rxf6 Qxf6 21. b4 Rhg8 $8 $19 (21... axb4 22. a5 $13) 22. bxa5 Bh3 $8 23. Bf1 Nc4 $8 $19) 18... Kb8 $4 (18... Bxe5 $8 $13) 19. Qxc6 $8 $18 {e.g.} Nc4 20. Bxc4 $8 Bxe5 21. Qb6 $8 $18) ({If} 15... O-O-O {White can keep the g-file closed with} 16. f5 {but it undermines the e5, a problem SF solves with an exchange sac:} Bd7 17. f6 $1 Bxf6 18. Rxf6 $1 Qxf6 19. Rf1 Qe6 20. Rxf7 $8 {Analysis Diagram [#] White's down an exchange, but leela and SF18 rate it as around equal: the better player will win. Black has three moves to deal with the immediate threat of f5:} (20. Nxf7 $2 {will get the exchange back, but leave White with terrible pawns and an exposed .}) 20... Kb8 (20... Rhf8 21. Bf5 $13) (20... Rdf8 21. Bf5 Qxf7 $13) 21. Na4 $8 $13) 16. Rf3 Rad8 17. Raf1 {[#]} Bc8 (17... g4 18. R3f2 {threat: f5-f6.} Bc8 19. Bh7+ Kh8 20. Bf5 h5 21. Bxc8 Nxc8 22. Qf5 Kg8 $1 23. Qxh5 f5 $8 $13 {White has won a pawn but the  is very awkwardly placed, and extracting it will probably cost the e5 outpost; e.g.} 24. Ng6 $2 Qf7 25. Qg5 Rd6 26. Ne5 Qe8 $17) 18. fxg5 Bxe5 {[#]} 19. gxh6 $2 {Objectively bad, but it gives White very dangerous attacking chances -- even though the computer shows Black has several equally good choices over the next few moves. [paradox of choice]} (19. dxe5 $13 Qxg5 {looks like a ragged mess, but there are squares between those busted pawns; e.g.} 20. Qf2 Be6 21. Bf5 $13) 19... Bc7 $19 20. e4 dxe4 21. Nxe4 f5 ({or} 21... Nd5 $19) 22. Nc3 Qg5 ({or} 22... Rd6 $19) 23. Bxf5 Bxf5 24. Rxf5 {[#] Critical Position Defend with ...xh6? Attack with ...xg3? Something else?} Qxg3 $4 {The most aggressive-looking move loses.  The h6-pawn is a dilemma: leave it on the board and it might win in an attack, take it and White might win down the h-file. Those are general considerations, but the choice between them comes down to calculation.} (24... Qe3+ $142 25. R1f2 Bxg3 $4 (25... Kh8 $19) (25... Qxd4 $19) 26. Rxf8+ Rxf8 27. Qg6+ {#1}) (24... Qxh6 {wins, but Black is still walking through a minefield:} 25. Qe4 {threat g4+ and h5,} Kh8 $8 (25... Nc4 $2 {is the only other move that doesn't lose} 26. Qg4+ Kh8 27. Rh5 Rxf1+ 28. Kh2 $8 Rd6 $1 29. Ne4 $8 {with a mess.}) 26. Qg4 {Analysis Diagram [#]} Rg8 $1 $19 {looks like it simply kills White's hopes, but Black is not out of the woods yet...} (26... Nd5 {wins with a different defensive idea: make a small counter-sac which stops the opponent's attack and lets you win with your extra material.} 27. Rh5 $8 Rxf1+ 28. Kh2 Qxh5+ $1 $19 {White gets some checks, but Black's extra material against White's exposed  make this a win too.}) 27. Qd1 $5 {still hoping for h5.} (27. Qe2 Rde8 $1 $19) 27... Qe3+ $1 28. Kh1 Rg6 $8 $19 {Would you find this, the only winning move?} (28... Rg5 $2 29. R1f3 $8 $13) 29. Rh5+ Kg7 $2 (29... Kg8 $8 $19) 30. Re1 $8 $11 Qxg3 31. Re7+ Kf8 (31... Kg8 $4 32. Rh8+ $18) 32. Qe2 $8 $11) (24... Rxf5 {trades one defender for one attacker, and leaves White in control of the f-file, but Black wins if he finds...} 25. Rxf5 (25. Qxf5 Qxf5 $8 $19 {White has three pawns for the piece, but the only place they're going is back into the box.}) {Analysis Diagram [#]} 25... Qe3+ $8 $19 {other tries allow White to attack on the g- and h-files:} (25... Qxh6 $2 26. Qe4 $8 Rd7 (26... Rf8 $2 27. Qg4+ Kh7 28. Rh5 $18) (26... Kh8 $2 {is too slow} 27. Qf3 $1 $18 {and h5.}) 27. Qe8+ Kg7 28. Rh5 $1 $18) 26. Kf1 (26. Kh1 Qxg3 $19 {or ...xh6 first.}) 26... Re8 $19 (26... Nc4 27. Rf2 Qxh6 $19) (26... Rf8 $4 27. h7+ $18)) 25. Rxf8+ $8 $18 Rxf8 26. h7+ $8 {[#] The "steeplechase" motif.} Kg7 27. Rxf8 $8 Qh2+ (27... Qe1+ 28. Rf1 Qe3+ 29. Qf2 {is a hopeless ending.}) 28. Kf1 Kxf8 (28... Qh1+ 29. Ke2 Qxg2+ 30. Rf2 $18) 29. Qg6 $8 Nc4 30. Qf6+ $1 Ke8 {https://www.chess.ca/en/ratings/t/?id=202505001&p=177565} 1-0

[Event "Pere Noel"]
[Site "Montreal CAN"]
[Date "2024.12.30"]
[Round "5.15"]
[White "Zhang, Yitian"]
[Black "Jiang, Barron Jiyu"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "1824"]
[BlackElo "1993"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8249293939220"]
[GameId "2135182391235067"]
[EventDate "2024.12.27"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8. Rb1 {[#]} Nc6 $6 ({I couldn't find any player over 2600 who didn't play} 8... O-O {here. But there are down-sides of continuing this way if you are a much higher-rated player who wants to create chances as Black:  first, the resulting positions are extremely well-tested so you can expect even a much lower-rated opponent to know what to do; second, some of those lines lead to forced draws or bad positions.} 9. Be2 cxd4 (9... Nd7 $5 {resupplying the kingside from f6.}) 10. cxd4 Qa5+ {Analysis Diagram [#] Drawing with the Grunfeld There are over 2500 games from this position in the Chessbase 2026 Megabase, including 100s from 2600+ players. Black is fine, but (unfortunately for Black) White has the choice of a safe ending with d2 or an interesting (but very well-explored) gambit with d2.} 11. Bd2 (11. Qd2 Qxd2+ 12. Bxd2 b6 13. O-O {makes it hard for Black to create any chances.} Bb7 14. Bd3 e6 15. Bf4 Rd8 16. Bg5 Rc8 17. Rfe1 Nd7 $11 {1/2 Harikrishna,P (2707)-Navara,D (2657) POL-chT Ekstraliga Chotowa 2025 (3.1)}) 11... Qxa2 12. O-O Bg4 (12... b6 13. Qc1 Bb7 14. Bc4 Qa4 15. Bb5 Qa2 16. Bc4 $11 {is one of the forced draws.}) 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3 Nc6 15. d5 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 Ne5 17. Rxb7 a5 {Analysis Diagram [#] White gets the pawn back, but Black has counterplay with the passed a-pawn and kingside perpetuals.} 18. Rxe7 (18. Bc5 a4 19. Bxe7 Rfb8 20. Rxb8+ Rxb8 21. d6 Qe6 $1 22. Qxa4 Nxf3+ 23. gxf3 Qh3 $1 24. Qa5 Qxf3 25. Qd5 Qg4+ {1/2 Van Wely,L (2643)-Svidler,P (2689) Biel GM 2000 (5)}) 18... a4 19. Bd4 Nxf3+ 20. gxf3 Bxd4 21. Qxd4 $11 Qe2 (21... a3 22. d6 Qe2 23. Kg2 a2 24. Ra1 Rab8 25. d7 Rb1 26. d8=Q Qf1+ 27. Kg3 Qg1+ 28. Kh3 Qf1+ 29. Kg3 Qg1+ {1/2 Kramnik,V (2802)-Svidler,P (2695) Zuerich Kortschnoj-B rapid 2001 (3)}) 22. Kg2 a3 23. Ra1 {[#] Critical Position Passed pawns must be pushed...?} a2 $4 {Auto-pilot?} (23... Qb2 $142 24. Qxb2 axb2 25. Rb1 Rfb8 26. d6 $8 {Black should easily draw the 4v3.}) 24. d6 $2 {White is also on auto-pilot.} (24. Ra7 $8 $18 {wins the a-pawn without allowing kingside counterplay.}) 24... Rab8 $11 25. Rc7 Rb3 26. Rc3 $8 $11 {With the usual kingside counterplay for a draw.} Qb2 27. Rc4 Qe2 28. Rc3 Qb2 29. Rc4 Qe2 30. Rc3 Qb2 {1/2 Vazquez Igarza,R (2574)-Hansen,E (2614) ESP-chT CECLUB Div1 Linares 2017 (3.2)}) 9. d5 Ne5 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. Qd2 {[#]} Qa5 $6 {Threatens to win a pawn -- 12.c4?? c3-+ -- and it's consistent with the Grunfeld's usual counterattack-the-dark-diagonal strategy, but White turns out to be more than capable of giving a pawn for the attack.} (11... O-O $142 12. f4 Bc7 13. Bc4 e6 14. O-O b6 15. e5 exd5 16. Bxd5 Bf5 17. Rb3 Be6 18. c4 Qe7 19. Bb2 Rad8 20. f5 gxf5 21. Qh6 f4 22. Rxf4 Kh8 23. Rg3 f6 24. exf6 {1-0 Lesiege,A (2513)-Basque,R Montreal CC-ch 2004 (2)}) 12. Bb5+ $1 Kf8 13. O-O (13. Rb3 $1 a6 14. Be2 b5 15. f4 Bg7 16. O-O $16 Bd7 17. Ra3 Qb6 18. c4 b4 19. Rd3 Bc3 20. Rxc3 $1 bxc3 21. Qxc3 $18 {1-0 Pein,M (2435)-James,D (2225) BCF-chT 9798 (4NCL) England 1997 (10.4)}) 13... a6 14. Bd3 {[#]} Bxc3 (14... Qxc3 15. Qe2 $1 $16 {and Black will lose another couple of moves bringing the  to safety.}) 15. Qh6+ $5 Bg7 16. Qf4 b5 (16... Qd8 $142 {eyes d5 without fearing a skewer from e4 to a8.} 17. Be3 Qd6 $1 $14) (16... Qxa2 $2 {grabs a pawn and also eyes d5, but} 17. Qc7 $1 {threatens mate and more.}) 17. e5 $1 $16 Qc3 {[#]Critical Position White is up a pawn, but is getting forked on d3 and e5....} 18. e6 $8 $18 {Saves the e5 pawn with a mate threat, and opens the line for a c7 invasion.} f6 (18... Bf6 19. Bb2 Qxd3 20. Bxf6 exf6 21. Qxf6 $18 {threatens mate and the .}) (18... Qf6 19. Qc7 fxe6 {makes an escape square for the  on f7, but White has more than one way to win this:} 20. Bb2 {piles on the pressure.} (20. d6 $1 exd6 21. Qc6 $18 {wins the a8 for a handful of pawns.}) 20... Qg5 $5 (20... e5 {defends the  and even threatens to win with ...d6!, but} 21. f4 $8 $18 {blows everything open, and (importantly) on ...d6 exf5+ wins the .}) 21. d6 Bxb2 22. Be4 $8 $18 {I find it fascinating -- and a bit unnerving -- that even a position as overwhelmingly strong as White's here can turn entirely on something as tricky as an intermediate move to win an exchange.}) (18... f5 $1 {this doesn't save Black, but it does take away the e4 square, which (as we just saw) is critical in one other variation. White has at least two winning continuations, which lead to comepletely different kinds of games.} 19. Qc7 {keeps up the attack.} (19. Bxf5 $1 {allows Black to "escape" to a terrible ending:} Qe5 $1 (19... gxf5 20. Bb2 $18) 20. Be4+ $1 Qxf4 21. Bxf4 $18 {Material is equal and Black isn't getting attacked anymore, but White has a huge lead in development and can play to crack open lines with a4.}) 19... Bxe6 20. Bb2 $1 Qxd3 21. Bxg7+ $8 Kxg7 {Analysis Diagram [#]} 22. Qe5+ $8 (22. dxe6 $4 Qd6 $19) 22... Kh6 $5 23. Rb3 $8 $18 {everything else loses! Once again: a "crushing" position comes down to finding an inbetween-only-move.} Qe4 24. Rh3+ $8 Kg5 25. f4+ $8 Kg4 {White "should" be winning, right? Can you find the win?* . . . *Answer: One way is h6!!, aiming for h3+ and f3.  Could you have spotted it back at move 20? Or is it enough to "feel" it's there?}) 19. Qc7 $1 {Another mate threat.} Bxe6 $1 20. dxe6 Qxd3 {[#]} 21. Bf4 $8 $18 {Connecting the s and stopping ...d6.} (21. Be3 $2 Qd6 $11) 21... Qd5 22. Rbd1 Qxe6 23. Rfe1 {[#]Materially, White is down three pawns; but every single white piece is on its dream square and every black piece is either inactive or vulnerable.} Qf7 24. Rd7 ({Only moves are no longer necessary:} 24. Rxe7 Qxe7 25. Bd6 $18) 24... Re8 25. Bd6 {Forking e7 and c5. ;-)} Qxa2 26. Rexe7 Rxe7 ({There are no back rank issues for White} 26... Qb1+ 27. Re1+ {with check.}) 27. Rd8+ Kf7 28. Qxe7# 1-0

[Event "RA December op"]
[Site "Ottawa CAN"]
[Date "2024.12.07"]
[Round "2.7"]
[White "Demchenko, Svitlana"]
[Black "Berube, Maximilien"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "E46"]
[WhiteElo "2336"]
[BlackElo "1990"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[GameId "2160767905787056"]
[EventDate "2024.12.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd2 c5 6. a3 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Ne4 8. Ne2 b6 9. d5 $1 {[#] A very modern position -- a Benoni and Nimzo mix -- with no examples before 2019, but a lot of top-level games during the pandemic.} Ba6 10. b3 {Defends c4 and threatens to save the DSB with b2!.} (10. f3 Nxc3 11. Nxc3 Bxc4 $1 12. Bxc4 Qh4+ 13. g3 Qxc4 $11 14. h4 $1 {1-0 Carlsen,M (2835)-Tari,A (2641) FIDE World Cup Baku 2023 (3.1)}) (10. Qd3 {has been played a lot by 2026 Candidate Matthias Bluebaum. Black does well with} exd5 $1 11. Qxd5 {Analysis Diagram [#]  White forks e4 and a8, but Black has} Qe7 $1 12. b3 (12. Qxa8 $4 Nc6 {traps the , and after} 13. Qxf8+ Kxf8 {materially White is up  v , but so far behind in development that SF18 rates it -3.5.}) 12... Re8 $1 {This and the remainder of the game follows 2022 analysis by John Emms from the ChessPublishing.com site.} 13. Bb2 Nxf2 $1 14. Kxf2 Qxe3+ 15. Ke1 Qxb3 16. Qd2 $8 Bxc4 17. Kf2 $1 $11 d5 18. Rd1 $1 Nc6 (18... d4 $4 19. Nxd4 $18) 19. Nc1 Qa4 20. Bxc4 dxc4 $11 {White has survived Black's excellent prep and chose to pull the chute with} 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Qg5+ Kh8 23. Qf6+ Kg8 24. Qg5+ Kh8 25. Qf6+ {1/2 Bluebaum,M (2670)-Nihal,S (2684) World-chT Rapid Duesseldorf 2023 (10)}) 10... Nxc3 $6 {Eliminating the  before White can save it with b2 is good idea -- if it were White to move then b2 would be  -- but Black's position requires much more dynamic play, and this exchange makes White's game easy by speeding her development and clamping down on b5 and d5.} (10... b5 $142 $13 {Opening Analysis  [#]} 11. Qc2 ({White can save the DSB with} 11. cxb5 $6 $146 Bxb5 12. Bb2 $13 {but now Black has} Qa5+ $5 $11 {when the tactically complex critical line works better for Black:} 13. b4 (13. Nc3 $142 Bxf1 $15) 13... cxb4 14. Qd4 $1 bxa3+ 15. Nc3 Qb6 $8 $17 (15... axb2 $2 16. Rxa5 Nxc3 17. Rxb5 $8 Nxb5 18. Qxb2 a6 $8 $16) 16. Rxa3 $1 Qxd4 $8 17. exd4 Bxf1 18. Rxf1 {and Black gets a favourable endgame with passed a-pawn and good  vs mediocre ; e.g.} Nxc3 (18... Nf6 $1) 19. Bxc3 exd5 20. Ra5 $8 $15) 11... exd5 12. cxd5 Nxc3 13. Qxc3 (13. Nxc3 b4 $11) 13... d6 14. Ng3 Nd7 15. Be2 Nf6 16. Qd2 $11 {1-0 Nakamura,H (2794)-Praggnanandhaa,R (2747) Norway Chess 12th Stavanger 2024 (4)}) 11. Nxc3 $14 d6 12. Bd3 {[#] Critical Position ...e5 or ...d7 or ...exd5} e5 $2 {Bad B vs Good B Again, Black opts for slow play when If Black's  was still on c8 this would be a good move -- able to support ...f5 and play vs White's "bad" B. But sitting on a6 when the white c3 stops ...b5 it generates no threats and leaves the kingside light squares weak.  Statically, Black's central position is pretty good: LSB and stable pawns on dark squares. But White's direct play never allows Black to stabilize, and the potentially bad d3 turns out to be a star.  White's following play gives an excellent lesson in how to exploit this.} (12... exd5 $5 {Gives White a choice of good games.} {Stronger is} 13. Qh5 $1 {is much more complex, but it's best if White sees her way through it} (13. Nxd5 $14 {is a no-frills advantage: Black has no comp for the d-file weaknesses.}) 13... g6 14. Qxd5 $1 Qf6 $1 (14... Qc7 {doesn't trap the :} 15. Qxa8 Nc6 16. Nd5 $8 $18 {hits the  and threatens xc6.}) 15. O-O $1 Qxc3 16. Rfc1 $8 $18 (16. Rac1 $2 {costs a tempo on the f1, which allows Black to get too many pawns for the exchange} Qxb3 17. Bc2 Qxc4 18. Qxa8 Qe6 $15) 16... Qxb3 17. Bc2 $8 $18 Qxc4 18. Qxa8 $18 {If we stop here and count we see Black is ahead  for ; but now White threatens both xg6 and (even better) xa7 with strong pressure against the Black queenside.}) ({Best is the sharp} 12... Nd7 $142 $1 {where it's important to see that after} 13. dxe6 fxe6 14. Be4 {the double-attack on a8 and d6 does not win due to} Qf6 $1 $132 {hitting f2 and c3.} 15. Qc2 {Defending f2 and c3. [#]  A wild position and lots of chances for Black, so long as he continues to crank the dynamics to 11. The computer's top line continues:} d5 $1 16. cxd5 Ne5 $1 17. O-O-O (17. dxe6 $2 Nd3+ $15 {overloading the .}) 17... c4 $13) 13. Qc2 (13. g4 $5 {SF18}) 13... Kh8 {Daring White to take on h7.} (13... g6 14. h4 $16 {with a simple and strong attack.}) 14. h4 $1 $16 Bc8 {[#]Critical Position What happens if xh7?} (14... h6 {saves the h7 pawn, but not the game.} 15. g4 $40 {exploits the  being on the same file as the .} Bc8 16. g5 (16. f3 $16) 16... h5 (16... hxg5 $2 17. hxg5+ Kg8 18. Bh7+ Kh8 19. Bg8+ Kxg8 20. Qh7# {is Puzzle Rush.}) 17. Be2 Bg4 (17... g6 18. Qd1 $18 {and xh5}) 18. Bxg4 (18. f3 $5) 18... hxg4 $18 {the g4 pawn is doomed and White could even win by trading s and putting her  on e4.}) 15. Bxh7 $1 g6 16. h5 $8 $18 (16. Bxg6 $2 {nets three (or 4) pawns for the , but Black fights on:} fxg6 17. Qxg6 Bf5 $1 (17... Qf6 $2 18. Qh5+ Kg7 19. Ne4 $16) 18. Qh6+ Bh7 19. Ne4 Nd7 $13 {with tactics protecting d6.}) 16... Kxh7 {Challenges White to finish the attack.... which she does.} (16... g5 {is the computer's choice, but it's obviously hopeless.}) 17. hxg6+ {[#]} Kg7 (17... Kg8 18. g7 $1 Kxg7 19. Qh7+ Kf6 20. Qh4+ {is similar to the game.}) 18. Rh7+ $1 Kf6 19. Qe4 $1 Ke7 20. Qh4+ Kd7 {[#]} 21. g7 $1 Qxh4 (21... Rg8 22. Qxd8+ Rxd8 23. Rh8 $18) 22. gxf8=N+ $8 {Don't see that every day.} Ke7 23. Rxh4 ({I wouldn't have been able to resist} 23. Ng6+ {, which works too.}) 23... Bf5 (23... Kxf8 24. Rh8+ {skewers c8.}) 24. e4 Nd7 25. Nxd7 Bxd7 26. Kd2 1-0

[Event "British Columbia op"]
[Site "Burnaby CAN"]
[Date "2025.02.17"]
[Round "5.13"]
[White "Tu, Liam"]
[Black "Guo, Biaobiao Boyong"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "John Upper"]
[ECO "E81"]
[WhiteElo "1819"]
[BlackElo "1895"]
[WhiteFideId "-1"]
[BlackFideId "-1"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Beauty "8180973194832"]
[GameId "2162699947429499"]
[EventDate "2025.02.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[SourceTitle "Chess Canada 25"]
[Source "JohnUpper?CFC"]
[SourceDate "2025.06.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2026.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Bg5 h6 7. Be3 {[#]} e5 $5 {White gets an advantage after this, but it's not losing, and it keeps more fight in the game than the GM equalizer ...c7-c5:} (7... c5 {is a known equalizer, but that's not why most people play the KID.} 8. dxc5 ({If White wants a fight he can head for a Benoni with} 8. d5 e6 $1) 8... dxc5 9. Qxd8 Rxd8 10. Bxc5 Nc6 11. Nge2 b6 12. Ba3 (12. Be3 $2 Nb4 $17) 12... e6 13. Rd1 Bb7 $44 {Sample Game [#] The computer rates the top 5 lines here as all 0.00. I'll include the rest because it's a model of how Black gets counterplay vs White's "overextended" c-pawn, and the final repetition tactic is cute:} 14. Nb5 Ne8 15. Nc1 Rxd1+ 16. Kxd1 Rc8 17. Nb3 a5 18. Kc2 Ba6 19. Kb1 {Sample Game [#] The following is pretty-much forced:} a4 20. Nc1 Na5 21. b3 axb3 22. axb3 Bxb5 23. cxb5 Nxb3 $1 24. Nxb3 Rc3 25. Ka2 Rc2+ 26. Kb1 Rc3 27. Ka2 Rc2+ {1/2 Salov,V (2715)-Kamsky,G (2710) Candidates FIDE f2 Sanghi Nagar 1995 (2)}) 8. d5 a5 9. Qd2 Kh7 10. O-O-O Na6 11. g4 Nd7 12. h4 Ndc5 {[#]} 13. g5 $6 {Maybe a positional misevaluation, thinking that after ...f5 and gxf6 the half-open g-file will be better for White than the half-open f-file. Instead, White should improve pieces with b1 or ge2-g3 before choosing a pawn break .} (13. Nge2 Nb4 14. Bxc5 $1 {or b1,} ({but not} 14. Ng3 $4 Nxa2+ $1 $17 {wins a pawn by threatening ...b3+.}) 14... dxc5 15. a3 Na6 16. Ng3 Bf6 $6 17. Bd3 $1 (17. g5 $1) 17... Bxh4 $4 18. Rxh4 $8 Qxh4 19. Rh1 Qxg3 20. Qxh6+ {mates.}) 13... h5 $1 14. Nge2 {[#]} b6 $6 {SF18 rates this as a nearly -1 error worse than both ...d7 and ...a5, which it rates as about equal. The problem, I think, is that now Black will never be able to challenge the center with ...c6 (and possibly ...b5), since dxc6 would make d5 a very strong outpost. This means Black's only break will be with the f-pawn, and knowing this allows White to prepare against it.} 15. Ng3 Nb4 16. Qg2 {Cotinuing with the idea of play on the g-file? Instead, b1 dodges ...xa2+b3+, and keeps the  lined up to control the dark squares when they open up.} (16. Kb1 f5 $2 {[#] Critical Position Black has just played ...f7-f5.  This thematic KID break is bad here if White makes the right trades that grab the e4 outpost.} 17. exf5 (17. gxf6 $2 Rxf6 18. Be2 Qf8 $132 {and ...h6.}) 17... Bxf5+ (17... gxf5 {just hangs h5.}) 18. Nxf5 Rxf5 19. Bxc5 $1 (19. Bh3 $16) 19... bxc5 20. a3 Na6 21. Bd3 $18 {Black's a6 and g7 are both terrible and the pressure on the b1-h7 diagonal (including the loose h5-pawn) will requre a sac to blunt.}) 16... f5 17. gxf6 $2 ({As in the previous note, White should play the "anti-positional" trade of his good DSB in return for excellent play on the light squares:} 17. Bxc5 $1 {or exf5 then xe4, grabbing the e4 square and leaving the b4 and g7 with no future.}) 17... Qxf6 $1 $15 18. Be2 Bh6 $1 {[#] The only good diagonal for the DSBs, and White no longer controls it.} 19. Bxh6 Kxh6 20. Kb1 a4 21. Rhg1 a3 22. b3 Bd7 {[#] The queenside structure ---  W: pawns a2, b3, c4; vs  B: pawn a3, b4, c5 -- is almost a priyome in the KID, the most famous example being Reshevsky - Bronstein, Zeurich 1953. It gives Black long-term pressure with threats of ...xb3.} 23. Nh1 $6 (23. Nb5 $5 {since} Bxb5 24. cxb5 $16 {traps the b4.}) (23. Nf1 {heading to c2 to trade the b4.} Be8 24. Qg5+ Qxg5 25. hxg5+ (25. Rxg5 $4 Rf4 $19) 25... Kg7 26. Ne3 $11 {there are no open files for the s and both s are terrible. Black has a passed pawn, but I can't imagine a realistic way to support it.}) (23. Rd2 Rg8 24. Bd1) 23... Be8 (23... Rg8 $1 24. Qg5+ Qxg5 25. hxg5+ Kg7 {and it's still difficult for White to unscramble; e.g.} 26. Nf2 Rgf8 27. Rg3 {hoping to trade one of the s,} Rf7 28. Nd3 $2 Ncxd3 29. Bxd3 h4 $1 $19 {wins f3 next, and one of the minors on the 3rd rank one move later.}) 24. Qf2 $2 {This gives up the option to trade s with g5+, and Black immediately exploits this to invade.} (24. Nb5 {attacking c7 reduces Black's freedom.}) 24... Qf4 $1 {[#]Critical Position g3 or g2?} 25. Rg2 $2 (25. Qg2 Qxh4 $17) (25. Qg3 {is definitely the better practical choice: it won't save the game, but requires a different set of skills from Black.} Qxg3 $1 (25... Qe3 26. Qg5+ $8 $15) 26. Nxg3 {(xg3 is similar) Analysis Diagaram [#] To me it's not obvious what's going on here. White's  and c3 currently neutralize Black's pressure on a2 and b3; the backward pawns on f3 and g6 are theoretically weak, but both are defended by s that don't seem to have any hope of a more active life anyway.  In fact, SF18 rates Black as winning based on plans involving exchange sacs on f3, which would undermine both the c3 and e4, and the exposed  will force White to defend both the back rank and the 2nd rank; and if White somehow manages all that, Black can create an outside passer with ...g5.  By Stockfish's reckoning, that's more than White can manage.  Here are some illustrative lines:} Rf4 $5 ({the computer's choice is to use tactics to transfer the  to f4 with:} 26... Ncd3 $1 {since} 27. Bxd3 Rxf3 $19 {gets the piece back and breaks through.}) 27. Rh1 Bd7 28. Nb5 Raf8 $1 {Analysis Diagram [#] The most direct, and an excellent illustration of the long-term power of Black's queenside pressure:} 29. Rh2 $1 {guards the 2nd rank, so if Black wants to break through it will be a real exchange sac} (29. Nxc7 Rxf3 $8 30. Rdf1 $5 (30. Bxf3 Rxf3 31. Rhg1 Rf2 $19 {is mating; White can't allow a black  to the 2nd.}) 30... Rxf1+ 31. Rxf1 Rxf1+ 32. Bxf1 g5 $1 33. hxg5+ Kxg5 $19 {every single black piece -- including the  -- is better than its white counterpart, all of which are comically inept a stopping the h-pawn.}) 29... Rxf3 30. Bxf3 Rxf3 31. Rg1 Bxb5 32. cxb5 Nbd3 {is +2; White will lose e4 or h4 before being able to create any counterplay, so long as Black doesn't fall for} 33. Nf5+ $3 gxf5 $2 (33... Kh7 $8 $19) 34. Rhg2 $11) 25... Nxb3 $3 $19 26. Rgg1 (26. axb3 a2+ $8 27. Kb2 {gives Black a fancy finale} (27. Nxa2 Rxa2 {is obviously hopless -- Black goes ...f7 and ...fa8 and White resigns.}) 27... Qd2+ $1 28. Rxd2 a1=Q#) 26... Nd2+ 27. Rxd2 Qxd2 {Fox, meet henhouse.} 28. Bd1 Qd3+ 29. Bc2 Qxc3 30. Bb3 Rxf3 31. Qg2 {[#]} Qd3+ 32. Ka1 Qd4+ 33. Kb1 Rxb3+ $1 0-1

