[Event "Seattle Chess Classic (Open)"]
[Site "Seattle, WA"]
[Date "2023.08.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Vemuri, Vihari"]
[Black "Wei, Te"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E67"]
[WhiteElo "1698"]
[BlackElo "1456"]
[Annotator "Te Wei"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2023.08.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nf3 d6 6. Nc3 Nbd7 7. O-O a6 8. Qc2
e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 dxe5 11. Bg5 c6 {The white g2 bishop is powerful in
h1a8 diagonal, so I push c6 to block it and make c8 Bishop free to move
instead of always protecting b7 pawn} 12. Ne4 Bf5 13. Qb3 Bxe4 14. Bxe4 Qc7 15.
Bg2 Nd7 16. Be3 f5 17. f4 e4 {I try to reduce light square bishop's power and
make my own g7 Bishop stronger} 18. Rfd1 c5 {restrict bishop's moving square}
19. Rd5 b6 20. Rad1 Nf6 21. Rd6 Rab8 22. Qa4 Rfd8 {good time to trade the
rooks. It's better to trade my worse rooks with white's better rooks} 23. Rxd8+
Rxd8 24. Rxd8+ Qxd8 25. Qxa6 Ng4 26. Bf2 Bxb2 {I should play Bd4 with
different winning opportunities} (26... Bd4 27. Bxd4 (27. Bf1 Bxf2+ 28. Kg2) (
27. e3 Bxe3 28. Bxe3 Qd1+ 29. Bf1 Nxe3 30. Qc8+ Kg7 31. Qc7+ Kh6 32. h3 Qxf1+
33. Kh2 Qg2#) (27. Bxe4 Bxf2+ 28. Kg2 fxe4) 27... Qxd4+ 28. e3 Qxe3+ 29. Kh1
Qe1+) 27. h3 Nxf2 28. Kxf2 Bd4+ {I should play Qd1/Qd2/Qd4 which still give me
winning chances} (28... Qd1 29. Bf1 (29. Qc8+ Kg7 30. Qc7+ Kh6 31. Qf7 Bd4+ 32.
e3 Bxe3+ 33. Kxe3 Qe1#) 29... Bd4+ 30. Kg2 Qe1 31. Qc8+ Kg7 32. Qd7+ Kh6) 29.
e3 Bxe3+ {This leads to a draw. I should do Bc3 instead} 30. Kxe3 Qd3+ 31. Kf2
e3+ 32. Kg1 e2 33. Qc8+ Kg7 34. Qe6 Qd4+ 35. Kh2 Qf2 36. Qe7+ Kg8 37. Qe8+ Kg7
{[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;DrawBlack,h2;square;h2;type;DrawWhite]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Seattle Chess Classic (Reserve U1600)"]
[Site "Seattle, WA"]
[Date "2023.08.18"]
[Round "1.12"]
[White "Chang, Allen"]
[Black "Stroud, Jeb"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "780"]
[BlackElo "841"]
[Annotator "Jeb Stroud"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2023.08.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bc4 $6 Nxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Bb5 dxe4 7. Bxc6+
bxc6 8. Ng1 Bc5 $6 {Looking back, I probably should have played Ba6 to prevent
any king movement.} 9. Qe2 Bf5 10. d3 exd3 11. Qxe5+ Qe7 12. Qxe7+ Kxe7 13.
cxd3 Bxd3 14. Nf3 Rhe8 15. Be3 Kf8 16. Kd2 Bxe3+ 17. fxe3 Rad8 18. Nd4 Ba6 $2 {
I think it would have been much better if I played Be4 so as to threaten c5
and Bxg2.} 19. Kc2 Rxe3 20. Nxc6 Re2+ 21. Kb3 Rd3+ 22. Ka4 Rxb2 23. Nb4 Rd4 24.
a3 c5 25. Ka5 Be2 26. Ra2 $2 {A mistake by my opponent, as it allows} Rdxb4 {
winning the knight} 27. Rxb2 Rxb2 28. Rc1 Rb5+ 29. Ka4 a6 30. Re1 $2 Bc4 31.
Re3 Ba2 32. g4 c4 33. Rc3 Bb3+ 0-1

[Event "Penguin Extravaganza Drei (Champ.)"]
[Site "Portland, OR"]
[Date "2023.08.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vega, Isaac"]
[Black "Breckenridge, Steven"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "1972"]
[BlackElo "2293"]
[Annotator "Steven Breckenridge"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[EventDate "2023.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

{Arriving over 10min late going a wrong way to try and get into Lloyd Center
Mall as I thought only a certain entrance was open before the mall was
officially open, I was surprised to see an empty board and Isaac on his way
back from getting coffee and being the one a few minutes ahead on the clock
before he arrived. He seemed to be playing a bit too fast altogether and he
played the lines I was hoping he wouldn't do already as there wasn't a lot of
ways to play for an advantage in it but he said he forgot that he wanted to
play c3 before Re1 which I would have loved to see as that's how I win most of
my games in those lines so he may have luckily dodged a bullet playing too
fast already but it definitely didn't bode well for him later on with Qd3 and
Bc2 both being critical consecutive mistakes.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4.
Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. Re1 (7. c3 {As Isaac mentioned he meant to
have played, I told him after how the lines would have been very bad from how
he wanted to play it.} Nxe4 8. Re1 (8. d4 {The move I recommend but the follow
up is difficult to find but most top masters calculate there way through it to
try and hold a drawish line for white} exd4 9. Re1 d5 10. Ng5 Qf6 $1 {A line
shown to me by my coach GM Onischuk back in 2014 where he had been a renowned
2700 FIDE top 100 player for decades and used his pet Archangel system to fend
off the elite as Karpov's 2nd (close trainer) as well.} 11. Bxd5 Qxf2+ 12. Kh1
O-O-O 13. Nxe4 Qf5 14. c4 {A critical move needed to be found or else white
may be easily lost} (14. Bxc6 {May be losing after...} Bxc6 15. Qf3 Qxf3 16.
gxf3 f5 17. Ng5 Bc5 $19) 14... bxc4 15. Bxc4 Ne5 16. Ng3 Qf2 17. Ne4 {White
has nothing better than to try for a repetition.} (17. Bf1 $4 {Not the most
obvious blunder is met by...} Nf3 $1 $19) 17... Qf5 {The purpose of playing
Qf2 is to induce white to not try and repeat i.e. with Bf1??} (17... Bxe4 $4
18. Bxa6+ $18) 18. Ng3 {But now comes the time where you can't repeat a second
time without being forced to return to a 3rd time repetition if white so
wishes, so black can play on with...} Qf6 19. Bf1 (19. Ne4 $4 {Wouldn't work
here as the Queen now defends against Bxa6+} Bxe4 $19) 19... h5 20. Ne4 Qf5 21.
Ng3 Qg4 22. Qxg4+ Nxg4 23. h3 d3 24. hxg4 hxg4+ 25. Kg1 d2 26. Bxd2 Rxd2 27.
Re8+ Rd8 28. Rxd8+ Kxd8 29. Kf2 Bc5+ {Finally here is the end of my line from
my repertoire/preparation where the computer gives this as completely equal
with much dynamics and interesting play for both sides. Which is the whole
line needed to be known for the white player as well which I think would be
very hard for Isaac to administer to not get in trouble.}) 8... Nc5 9. Nxe5 (9.
d4)) 7... Bc5 8. c3 d6 9. d4 Bb6 10. a4 (10. Bg5 {Is the most common line but
he shied away from it (again to his credit while playing fast). I was
definitely hoping to go into this as I outplay all my opponents here
continuing...} h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. Bg3 O-O $1 {The problem for white in this
position is developing his Knight on b1. He'd love to go to Nbd2 but that
hangs d4 and thus going something like a4 and Na3 later may be important now
but always here the white players go for dxe5 hoping to win a pawn or to get
the Knight developed to d2 quickly giving black now very important play} 13.
dxe5 (13. a4 Re8 {And axb5 or d5 are still theoretical}) 13... Nxe5 14. Nxe5
dxe5 15. Nd2 (15. Bxe5 $2 {A less worse version than if white first trades
queens but still a mistake.} Qxd1 16. Rxd1 Bxf2+ 17. Kxf2 Ng4+ {And black can
press white the rest of the game}) (15. Qxd8 $4 Raxd8 16. Bxe5 Nxe4 (16...
Bxf2+ {Is an honorable mention that could eventually lead to a win too with a
-2 advantage but not the absolute best}) 17. Bg3 (17. Bd4 Bxd4 18. cxd4 Rxd4 {
Black has almost a -3 advantage that can win by force trading the rest for the
endgame.}) 17... h5 $19) 15... Re8 16. Qf3 {A popular move in GM theory trying
to hold onto dynamics} Bc8 $1 {Threatening the queen trap!} 17. h3 (17. Qe2)
17... g4 18. Qe2 Nh5 19. Kh2 Qg5 {Is the end of my preparation/theory having a
small advantage and initiative with Black}) 10... h6 11. axb5 (11. Be3 {
With much theoretical understanding ought to be the choice to play for an
advantage with white. A bit of knowledge as well is needed behind this to
continue and I understand the hesitation of not wanting Ng4 to be played as a
seemingly half-tempo but with more computer revision it should retain a slight
edge to white with the center control and development.}) 11... axb5 12. Rxa8
Qxa8 {My first think in the game where I deliberated between Bxa8 trying to
recall my lines as sometimes I am castled without h6 and wanted to be sure
what to do if he attempted Na3-Nxb5 (which I believe he should have.} 13. Qd3
$6 {Inaccuracy. Be3 was best. I would consider this a mistake more than an
inaccuracy but it does hold some very potentially annoying ideas if he were
able to execute them, just not enough time to.} (13. Be3 Ng4 14. Qe2 O-O 15.
Qxb5 exd4 16. cxd4 Nxe3 17. fxe3 Ne7 18. Nfd2 Bxe4 19. Nxe4 Qxe4) 13... O-O 14.
Bc2 $6 {Inaccuracy. Be3 was best. Strange this is only called an inaccuracy.
This was the a big blunder in my opinion which was due to moving too fast by
Isaac (I blame the 5 shot Starbucks drink he bought and confessed to)} (14. Be3
{Was stockfish's last attempt to try and save the game giving this unintuitive
line.} exd4 (14... Nxe4 15. Bc2 Nf6 16. dxe5 Nxe5 17. Nxe5 dxe5 18. Bxh6 Qc8
19. Be3 Qg4 20. Qf1 Bxe3 21. Rxe3 Qg5 22. Rg3 Qh6 $15) 15. cxd4 Na5 16. e5 Bxf3
17. gxf3 dxe5 18. dxe5 Rd8 19. Qxb5 Bxe3 20. exf6 Nxb3 21. Qxb3 Bd4 22. Re7 Rd5
{Some very slight edge to black but there were many tries for black throughout
that with some strange moves found by white as well.}) (14. Nh4 {Was his
original intention which with one more tempo for white could definitely be a
winning attack, i.e. Qg3-Nf5 but black is just in time here with} Ne7 {Or
maybe exd4 as well but there are some potential lines with sacking Bxh6
immediately according to the engine.}) (14. d5) 14... exd4 15. cxd4 $4 {
Blunder. Qxb5 was best.} (15. Qxb5 {I expected but still a comfortable -2
position} Ba6 (15... Ng4)) 15... Nb4 16. Qd2 Nxc2 17. Qxc2 Bxe4 18. Rxe4 Qxe4
19. Qd1 $6 {Inaccuracy. Qxe4 was best.} Qxb1 {0-1 Isaac resigned being down a
full rook.} 0-1

[Event "Penguin Extravaganza Drei (Champ.)"]
[Site "Portland, OR"]
[Date "2023.08.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Breckenridge, Steven"]
[Black "Tenesaca, Santiago"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2293"]
[BlackElo "1715"]
[Annotator "Steven Breckenridge"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2023.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

{Before the game I briefly looked up my opponent and saw he was a Sicilian
player and located a game he played 2. ... g6 in the Alapin c3 Sicilian but my
years of prep had me ready for any line he would choose.} 1. e4 c5 2. c3 e6 {
A minor first surprise. I decided to move quickly with d4 hoping for d5 but
many years ago when I was preparing for the now GM, Rufeing Li in Dallas (at
the time he was just a 2400 FM like me in 2015) I knew he wanted to try and
achieve equality with taking on d4 before going d5 so I played Nf3 here and he
correctly did Nc6 and still waited again to do it which annoyed me and I
didn't get more than equality and the game eventually was drawn. Some future
prep I saw playing a sort ot advanced French after black takes d4 can put
white near +1 in some normal lines just needing the right finesse to remember
so I didn't shy away here to allow cxd4 first.} 3. d4 d5 (3... cxd4 4. cxd4 d5
5. e5 $14) 4. exd5 exd5 (4... Qxd5 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Na3 {Was a line I was
prepared to go into which I've won countless games in playing many strong GMs
online (2800+) i.e. Aman Hambleton and it continues...} Nc6 7. Nb5 Qd8 8. dxc5
Bxc5 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. b4 Bb6 (10... Be7 {A stronger less known alternative to
try and hold equality with more solidity}) 11. Nd6 Ke7 12. Nc4 Bc7 13. b5 Na5
14. Ba3+ Ke8 15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16. Bxd6 b6 {And now the very important maneuver
needed to know is getting the Knight to b3! Then white retains a +1 advantage
going forward (stopping the important incoming idea of black going Bb7-Rc8-Nc4)
} 17. Nd4 Bb7 18. Nb3 Nxb3 19. axb3 $16) 5. Nf3 Nf6 (5... Nc6 {Is also widely
theoretical hoping to instead put the kingside Knight on e7 to develop after
first Bd6} 6. Bb5 Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. O-O Nge7 (8... Nf6 {Is also a popular
alternative among strong GMs knowing to block with the queenside bishop after
white gives a check with the rook and ignoring the Nd4 idea by just castling}
9. Re1+ (9. Bg5 Be7 10. Re1 O-O 11. Qe2 {Is the main comps recommendation but
the lines are generally all unexplored regardless}) 9... Be6 10. Nd4 {Some
other lines can be tried here for a small edge for white i.e. b4 or Bg5 and
it's an interesting game.} (10. b4 Bd6 11. Bg5 O-O 12. Nbd2 h6 13. Bh4 Rc8)
10... O-O 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4) 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Nb3 Bb6 (10... Bd6 {Also theory}
11. Bd3 $5 {My line stopping Bg4 immediately because of Bxh7+ and Ng5 while
inducing black to now try and trade LS Bishops} Bf5 12. Bxf5 Nxf5 13. Re1 {
Computer gives white near +1 advantage and this is indeed very hard to play
for Black to not lose his IQP and get a losing endgame.}) 11. Re1 Bg4 12. Be3 {
My recollection of old theoretical lines I studied} Bc7 13. Bc5 {The main
point of Be3 and continuing now white will win a pawn going into two Knights
vs two Bishops} Re8 14. Nbd4 a6 $2 {Most often played here} 15. Bxe7 Rxe7 16.
Bxc6 Rxe1+ 17. Qxe1 bxc6 18. Nxc6 Qd6 19. Ncd4 $18) 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Bxd7+ Nbxd7
8. O-O Be7 9. dxc5 Nxc5 10. Nd4 {A line I developed a long time ago with the
sheer idea of getting the bishop vs knight endgame with the bad IQP} O-O 11.
Nf5 Ne6 {Not that common but an interesting fortress like setup to stop ideas
on f4 and d4. It could be argued slightly weak from an almost half tempo loss}
12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. Na3 Rfd8 (13... d4 {Is what the computer recommends and we
both were calculating this} 14. cxd4 Rfd8 15. Nc2 (15. Be3 Qb4 $10) 15... Rac8
16. Be3 {Not the most human inclination to go for this and still be very
slightly worse but seemingly down a pawn with no compensation. The computer
feels it's a rather comfortable hold by black in fortress like manner.}) 14.
Nc2 a6 (14... d4 {Can almost transpose to the last line but a better version}
15. Nxd4 Nxd4 16. cxd4 Qb4 17. Qf3 Rxd4 18. b3) 15. Be3 Qd6 16. Re1 b5 {
An interesting attempt for play but possibly too premature} 17. a4 (17. Qf3 {
An alternative}) 17... Ne4 18. Qe2 Qb8 19. axb5 Qxb5 (19... axb5 {Was a
consideration} 20. Nb4 (20. Rxa8 Qxa8 21. Ra1 (21. Qxb5 $2 Rb8) 21... Qb7 22.
h4 $16)) 20. Nb4 Qxe2 21. Rxe2 Rd6 {A mistake I foresaw before going for this
line} (21... d4 {Of course was something I calculated a bit and he was too but
the critical line is very hard to spot but still a +1 advantage} 22. Bxd4 Nxd4
23. Rxe4 Nb3 24. Rae1 g6) 22. Ra5 $6 {Inaccuracy. f3 was best.} (22. f3 Nf6 23.
Rd2 a5 24. Bf2 Rd7 25. Ra4 d4 26. Bxd4 Nxd4 27. Rxd4 Rxd4 28. cxd4 Kf8) 22...
Rad8 $2 {Mistake. d4 was best.} (22... d4 23. Bxd4) 23. f3 Nf6 24. Rxa6 Rxa6
25. Nxa6 Rc8 $2 {Mistake. d4 was best.} (25... d4 26. cxd4 Nd5 27. Nc5 Nec7 28.
Kf2 f6 29. Rc2 Nb5 30. Rc4 Nd6 31. Ra4 Nf5 32. Bd2) 26. Nb4 $6 {Inaccuracy.
Rd2 was best.} (26. Rd2 Ra8 27. Nb4 Rb8 28. Kf2 Kf8 29. h4 h6 30. g4 g5 31. h5
Rb5 32. Nc6 Nd7) 26... Kf8 27. Rd2 Rb8 28. g4 h6 29. h4 g5 30. hxg5 hxg5 31.
Nxd5 Nxd5 32. Rxd5 Rxb2 33. Bxg5 f6 34. Bxf6 Nf4 35. Rd8+ Kf7 36. Bd4 Ke6 37.
Re8+ Kd5 $6 {Inaccuracy. Kf7 was best.} (37... Kf7 38. Re5 Kg6 39. Kf1 Nd3 40.
Re3 Rf2+ 41. Kg1 Rd2 42. Re6+ Kf7 43. Re4 Nc1 44. Kf1) 38. c4+ 1-0

[Event "Penguin Extravaganza Drei (Champ.)"]
[Site "Portland, OR"]
[Date "2023.08.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Tang, Austin"]
[Black "Breckenridge, Steven"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2055"]
[BlackElo "2293"]
[Annotator "Steven Breckenridge"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2023.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

{Before the game I knew my opponents repertoire and also having played him
with black in the Oregon open recently I knew the potential flow the game
would go if I went for my regular repertoire in an Archangel Ruy Lopez.
Considering my position in the tournament with just 1 more match to play and
leading by a half a point. I knew I could play for a draw but also try and win
if an opportunity arises. Austin has improved tremendously with his patience
and calculation and overall maturity as he's aged. He played virtually a
flawless game and in my condition at the time having a high fever and even
vomiting during the tournament I wasn't up for a big calculation battle with
my normal theory. So I planned to play my alternate repertoire the Cozio
defense that has been a surprise weapon to many.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nge7 5. c3 g6 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 Bg7 8. O-O b5 9. Bb3 (9. Bc2 {Is also
a great alternative that needs some further study}) 9... d6 10. Nc3 O-O (10...
Bg4 $4 {Careful not to play this before castling. Many play h3 before Nc3 not
knowing about this hidden idea but often can transpose all the same} 11. Bxf7+
Kxf7 12. Ng5+) 11. h3 {Now needed to importantly stop Bg4. Be3 has been played
in practice but can definitely be dangerous to allow so much counter play} Na5
12. Bc2 b4 {Inaccuracy. c5 was best. Best according to theory.} (12... c5 13.
Ne2 cxd4 14. Nexd4 Bb7 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bf4 Nc4 17. b3 Ne5 18. Rc1 Qa5 19. Re1 {
(Stockfish)}) 13. Ne2 Bb7 14. a3 {This move is definitely the sign of a super
calculator on par with Stockfish. The main theoretical line here is} (14. Ng3
c5 {Here white has some options. A game I played against GM Friedel went as
following. I had a chance but made some inaccuracies on the kingside allowing
an important tempo for him to win too fast before I could get my knight on d4
with my maneuvering but there were some other ideas black had as well that
make this an interesting line for both sides.} 15. d5 Nc8 16. Rb1 Na7 17. Bg5
Qb6 18. Nh2 h6 19. Bc1 Nb5 20. Ng4 Kh7 21. Nh5 Rh8 22. Qf3 Qc7 23. Bxh6 gxh5
24. Nf6+ Bxf6 25. e5+ {Friedel, Joshua E - Breckenridge, Steven James, 1-0,
American op 47th, 2011, https://lichess.org/QKhzCxbO}) 14... bxa3 $2 {Mistake.
b3 was best.} (14... b3 15. Bd3 c5 16. d5 c4 17. Bb1 Bc8 18. Nc3 Bd7 19. a4 Qc7
20. Be3 Bxc3 21. bxc3) 15. Rxa3 Nc4 16. Ra1 (16. Rc3 Nb6 17. Bg5 {Was an
important way to keep a major advantage but I knew it was too much to ask as
c5 seems to allow counterplay on the diagonal but there really isn't anything
for black}) 16... Nc6 {I thought quite a bit here how I would play on for play
as I still liked my position even considering the computer evaluation of +1
for white. It's important to play against whites ideas the most as clearly he
wants to do the same counterint my ideas more than pressing his own, so as he
responds more to mine by going for Nb4 he can allow me more counterplay} 17.
Bb3 N6a5 18. Ba2 c5 19. Qc2 d5 20. exd5 Bxd5 21. dxc5 {This was a critical
moment as I felt like I wanted to play for winning chances this game but knew
it could also be a little risky considering my health state and his
calculation abilities so far. Also for other personal matters I wanted to
finish this quickly and thought it best I try and force a draw somehow.} Bxf3
$6 {Inaccuracy. Qe7 was best.} (21... Qe7 {Was a move I considered as well as
Re8 and Qc7 etc.} 22. Bxc4 Nxc4 23. Ra4 Rfe8 24. Ng3 Ne5 {I had calculated
this far and knew there was still a ways to go before anything clear would be
resolved but this could be how I could keep winning chances alive with two
bishops} 25. Nxe5 Qxe5 26. Rd1 Bc6 27. Rad4 a5 28. Be3) 22. Bxc4 $6 {
Inaccuracy. gxf3 was best.} (22. gxf3 Ne5 23. Kg2 Qd3 24. Qxd3 Nxd3 25. Bxf7+
Rxf7 26. Rxa5 Rc8 27. Be3 Nxb2 28. Ng3 Nc4) 22... Nxc4 23. Qxc4 Bb7 $6 {
Inaccuracy. Bc6 was best. I stopped calculating much because of my health and
Bd5 was the better move but wanted to play for simplifications and trade the
queens somehow.} (23... Bc6 24. Rxa6 Rxa6 25. Qxa6 Qd5 26. Nf4 Qxc5 27. Be3 Qb5
28. Qxb5 Bxb5 29. Rc1 Ra8 30. Rc5) 24. Nc3 (24. Be3 {Was an important line to
play according to the computer but allowing Bxb2 Rab1 Bd5 didn't seem that
human to allow as our times were getting low at this point.}) 24... Qd4 25. Ra4
Qxc4 26. Rxc4 a5 27. Rd1 Ba6 28. Re4 Bxc3 29. bxc3 {At this point the computer
agrees it's a fortress for black and we played on a few moves before we both
agreed to a draw.} Bb5 30. Ba3 Rfc8 31. Re7 Bc6 32. Rb1 $6 {Inaccuracy. Rd6
was best.} (32. Rd6 Kf8) 32... Kf8 33. Ree1 {Draw agreed. 1/2-1/2} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Penguin Extravaganza Drei (Champ.)"]
[Site "Portland, OR"]
[Date "2023.08.06"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Breckenridge, Steven"]
[Black "Pickett, Logan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C07"]
[WhiteElo "2293"]
[BlackElo "1885"]
[Annotator "Steven Breckenridge"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2023.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. dxc5 Qxc5 {The move I would
generally recommend. The popular alternative is} (5... Bxc5 6. Ngf3 Nf6 7. Bd3
Nc6 8. Qe2 O-O (8... Nb4 {Is an important but slightly unituitive move as it
allows a check at some apparitions of tempos.} 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.
Nb3 Be7 12. O-O Rc8 13. Rd1 {And black is right around equal here}) 9. Ne4 Nxe4
(9... Be7 10. O-O Ne5 {An important idea for simplification. If black can
trade off many sets of pieces his extra center pawn will give him an advantage
in the endgame and be easier to play.} 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. Qf3 {
Hard to find any advantage for white after this sequence} Qc7 14. Bf4 e5 15.
Bg3 Bd7 16. Rfe1 $14) 10. Bxe4 {A critical position for black. I've reached
this position the most out of any. I would recommend going back with the queen
to either d8, d6 or d7 and all have interesting implications and white has a
slight edge any way but it's not so easy to play for a more concrete advantage
or kingside attack. However, by far the most played move here gives white an
almost certain guaranteed victory.} Qh5 (10... Qd8) 11. g4 $3 Qh3 12. Ng5 Qh4 {
The most important move though at first the engine gives black a big score
after Bb4 but gradually understands the counterplay for white is significant
and the score grows to +2 for white instead of it's initial -.5} (12... Bb4+
13. c3 Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 Qxc3+ 15. Kf1 Qxa1 16. Bxh7+ Kh8 17. Kg2 Qc3 18. Bd2 {
I forget my analysis around this point but using a strong engine on the
position after Kg2 will eventually show a +2 advantage for white with some Rd1
Rd3 idea somewhere which I need to rediscover the proper move order.}) 13.
Bxh7+ Kh8 14. Be4 Nd4 15. Qc4 Bb6 16. Be3 Qxg4 17. h3 Qh5 {White has some
initiative and attacking prospects on the Kingside and will kick the knight
and go Bf3 castling queenside in the near future.}) 6. Ngf3 Nf6 7. Bd3 Be7 8.
Qe2 O-O 9. Ne4 Qc7 10. Nxf6+ Bxf6 11. h4 {The natural 0-0 gives black ease of
play when the position demands a kingside attack from white.} (11. Ng5 g6 12.
h4 {Can transpose but this is an important moment not taking the advice of the
computer because of accounting for human error in reversing the move order
with h4 first.}) 11... Nc6 $6 {Inaccuracy. Nd7 was best. A natural move that
backfires from imprecise defenses needed on the Kingside.} (11... Nd7 12. O-O)
12. Ng5 $1 g6 13. h5 Qe5 (13... Nd4 14. Qd1 (14. Qe3 {I calculated then} Nxc2+
15. Bxc2 Bxg5 (15... Qxc2 16. hxg6 Bxg5 17. gxh7+ Kh8 18. Qxg5) 16. Qxg5 Qxc2 {
And it looked too dangerous with Bh6 prospects and computer suggest Qe7 and
following Bh6 for a decisive advantage.}) 14... Bxg5 15. Bxg5 Qe5+ 16. Be3 Nf5
17. Bxf5 exf5 18. hxg6 fxg6 19. O-O f4 20. Bd4) 14. hxg6 hxg6 15. Nh7 Rd8 {
My opponent immediately was disappointed making this move and mentioned after
the game he wanted to play Re8 so the game continuation would be different.} (
15... Re8 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. Qe3 Qe5 18. Be4 Nd4 19. Bxg6 Qxe3+ 20. Bxe3 Nf3+
21. gxf3 fxg6 {Stockfish analysis which is similar to how I wanted to proceed
if Re8 was played. Here the evaluation is +3 even with opposite bishops the
rooks will prove too strong for black's weaknesses and material down.}) 16.
Qxe5 Bxe5 17. Bg5 Bxb2 $6 {Inaccuracy. Kg7 was best.} (17... Kg7 18. Bxd8 Nxd8
19. O-O-O Bc7 20. g3 Bb6 21. f4 f6 22. g4 Nf7 23. Kb1 Be3 24. Rdf1) 18. Rb1 $6
(18. Nf6+ Kf8 19. Rb1 Bd4 20. Rh7 b6 21. Rb3 Bb7 22. Be4 Ke7 23. Ng4+ Kd6 24.
Bxd8 Rxd8 {(Stockfish)}) 18... Bc3+ 19. Ke2 {A slightly unintuitive move
walking into another check from the knight but very purposeful as the check
would make black's position lost at any point.} Kg7 $1 {A move I didn't
consider til after the line which makes for black to have legitimate
compensation for the exchange.} 20. Bxd8 Nxd8 21. Ng5 f5 $4 {Blunder. Bf6 was
best. Perhaps the final nail in the coffin. The game could have been a bit
more solid only having a half pawn disadvantage if the computer's continuation
had unraveled.} (21... Bf6 22. Rh7+ Kg8 23. Rbh1 Bd7 (23... Bxg5 $4 24. Rh8+
Kg7 25. R1h7+ Kf6 26. Rxd8) 24. Ne4 Bg7 25. g4 Nc6 26. g5 Nd4+ 27. Kf1 Bc6 28.
R1h3 Bxe4 29. Bxe4 Rc8 30. R7h4 $14) 22. Rh7+ Kf6 $6 {Inaccuracy. Kg8 was best.
} (22... Kg8 23. g4 Bg7 24. gxf5 gxf5 25. Rh3 a6 26. Bc4 Kf8 27. Nh7+ Ke7 28.
Rg1 Bd4 29. Ng5 {(Stockfish)}) 23. f4 e5 24. Rc7 Ba5 25. Nh7+ Ke6 26. Bc4+ Kd6
27. Rg7 Nc6 28. fxe5+ Nxe5 29. Rd1+ Kc6 $6 {Inaccuracy. Kc5 was best.} (29...
Kc5 30. Bb3 Kb4 31. Rd4+ Kc3 32. Rd5 Nc6 33. Rxg6 Bc7 34. Nf6 Be5 35. Rd2 Kb2
36. Nd5) 30. Bd5+ Kc5 31. Bb3 Bc3 $2 {Mistake. Kb4 was best. A final try in
desperation which was notable.} (31... Kb4 32. Rd4+ Kc3 33. Rd5 Nc6 34. Rxg6
Bc7 35. Nf6 Be5 36. Rd2 Kb2 37. Nd5 f4 38. c3+) 32. Rc7+ Kb4 (32... Nc6 33. Rd8
$18) 33. a3+ {Black Resigned 1-0} 1-0

[Event "US Open Portland"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1987.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Frenkel, Filipp"]
[Black "Dean, Randy"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B21"]
[Annotator "John Donaldson"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "1977.11.13"]

{[%evp 0,58,30,16,52,37,26,25,15,9,-1,6,6,-6,16,-12,25,29,19,14,30,9,7,2,-4,
-17,-12,-76,-83,-85,-86,-86,-132,-135,-138,-123,-126,-113,-102,-191,-191,-325,
-357,-368,-335,-353,-353,-353,-353,-371,-345,-426,-432,-432,-426,-731,-642,
-675,-696,-1022,-1058]} 1. e4 c5 2. f4 e6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Nge7 5. O-O a6 6.
Be2 (6. Bxc6 Nxc6 7. d3 {is another way of handling the position.}) 6... d5 7.
Nc3 $6 (7. d3 {was more natural. Now Black's knights have use of the d5 and f5
squares.}) 7... dxe4 8. Nxe4 Nd5 9. d3 Be7 10. Ne5 Nd4 $1 {This not only stops
capturing on c6 but prepares to put the knight on f5.} 11. c3 {[#]} Nf5 ({
Stockfish 15 evaluates} 11... Nxe2+ 12. Qxe2 O-O {and the text as of equal
value but Dean's move is clearly superior in a game between two human beings.})
12. Rf3 $6 ({It's understandable that White doesn't want to meet the threat of
...Ne3 with the passive looking} 12. Re1 {but the text is the start of an
ill-concieved plan to attack.}) 12... O-O 13. g4 $6 {White's continues his
attacking foray but will only succeed in exposing his own king.} (13. a4 {
, stopping Black from expanding on the queenside, was indicated.}) 13... Nh4
14. Rh3 $2 {[#] This is White's final "attacking" move. Now Dean launches a
counterattacks with a vengeance.} f6 $1 15. Nc4 (15. Rxh4 {was relatively
better, but after} fxe5 16. g5 exf4 17. c4 Ne3 {Black is a pawn up with the
better position.}) 15... Ng6 16. Qf1 f5 $1 17. gxf5 exf5 18. Ng3 b5 19. Na3 (
19. Ne5 Nxe5 20. fxe5 f4 {fares not better for White.}) 19... c4 $1 20. dxc4
Qb6+ 21. Kh1 {[#]} Ndxf4 $1 22. Bxf4 Bb7+ 23. Bf3 Nxf4 24. c5 {[#]} ({Black is
also winning after} 24. Nh5 Nxh3 25. Qxh3 Qe3 26. Rf1 Bxf3+ 27. Rxf3 Qe1+ 28.
Rf1 Qe4+) ({and} 24. Ne2 Nxh3 25. Qxh3 Bxa3 26. bxa3 Rae8) 24... Qc6 $1 25.
Nxf5 Rxf5 26. Bxc6 Bxc6+ 27. Rf3 Nh3 $1 28. Qxh3 Bxf3+ 29. Kg1 Bxc5+ 0-1

[Event "NM Derek Zhang Simul"]
[Site "Issaquah, WA"]
[Date "2023.08.23"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zhang, Derek"]
[Black "Chen, Andy"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D32"]
[WhiteElo "2278"]
[BlackElo "1392"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2023.08.23"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. e3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nc6 7. Nc3 Nf6 8.
Be2 Bc5 9. Ncb5 a6 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Nd4 Bxd4 12. Qxd4 O-O 13. O-O Qe7 14. b3
c5 15. Qd2 Bb7 16. Bb2 Ne4 17. Qa5 Rfe8 18. Rac1 d4 19. exd4 Ng3 20. hxg3 Qxe2
21. Qc3 Qe4 22. f3 Qxd4+ 23. Qxd4 cxd4 24. Bxd4 Rad8 25. Rcd1 Re2 26. Rf2 Rxf2
27. Kxf2 f6 28. Ke3 Re8+ 29. Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "NM Derek Zhang Simul"]
[Site "Issaquah, WA"]
[Date "2023.08.23"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zhang, Derek"]
[Black "Fawcett, John"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A03"]
[WhiteElo "2278"]
[BlackElo "978"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2023.08.23"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. e3 Bf5 4. Bb5 e6 5. O-O Nge7 6. b3 a6 7. Bxc6+ Nxc6 8.
Bb2 f6 9. d3 Bd6 10. Qe1 O-O 11. Nbd2 Bg6 12. Nh4 Be8 13. Qg3 Ne7 14. Qh3 Bd7
15. Qg3 Nc6 16. a3 Kh8 17. Rae1 Qe7 18. Qf3 Bxa3 19. Qh5 Be8 20. Bxa3 Bxh5 21.
Bxe7 Nxe7 22. h3 f5 23. Kh2 Rf6 24. Rg1 Rh6 25. Rb1 b5 26. Nhf3 Nc6 27. Nd4
Nxd4 28. exd4 Kg8 29. Rge1 c6 30. b4 Be8 1/2-1/2

[Event "NM Derek Zhang Simul"]
[Site "Issaquah, WA"]
[Date "2023.08.23"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zhang, Derek"]
[Black "Guity, Walter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B21"]
[WhiteElo "2278"]
[BlackElo "1557"]
[Annotator "Walter Guity"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2023.08.23"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 {The Smith-Morra Gambit is a very aggressive
variation in the Sicilian where White sacrifices a pawn early but gets very
active pieces. Black may not castle and will struggle to develop develop for
the rest of the game, but if they withstand the attack, they should be okay.
Big "if" though!} 4. Bc4 e6 {e6 makes sure there are no tricks with Bxf7. I
don't want to take another pawn with xb2 because Bxb2 and I have bishops
aiming at my kingside. I don't want to get greedy against an attacker like my
opponent.} 5. Nf3 a6 6. O-O b5 7. Bb3 Nc6 8. Nxc3 Bb7 9. Bg5 Be7 {Hoping he
trades bishops because of Bxe7, then Ngxe7 and I'm one step closer to castling.
Nf6 would be a mistake here because e5 comes with a pin} 10. h4 {This was a
surprising move. I thought for a while here. If Bxg5, hxg5 and yes he has
double pawns but I've opened up his H-file which he may use against me later.
The pawn on g5 also stops the knight from developing to the natural F6 square.}
h6 {Forcing the Bishop to do something} 11. Bf4 Na5 {Na5 is a solid move; it
attacks the Bishop on b3 and also allows the b7 Bishop to protect D5. Nd5 is a
common sacrifice in the Morra so more defenders there can only be a good thing.
} 12. Bc2 Bxh4 {A mistake but not a fatal one. I'm up 3 pawns and evaluations
says this is an equal game! The Morra is crazy...} 13. Nxh4 Qxh4 14. Bg3 Qd8
15. Qd4 Nf6 16. Bh4 Nc6 {Nc6 kicks the queen and gets my knight off the rim.
It had dreams of going to C4 but for what? Nc6 controls more central squares.
If Bxf6, I do not play Nxd4 because Bxd4 and I've lost material. Instead I
play gxf6 opening the G-file for my rook. My king will be safe on F8 with no
queen or dark squared bishop on the board.} 17. Qd6 Nxe4 {I was proud of this
move smh, turns out it was wrong but very confusing/complicated over the board,
especially in a simul. -If he plays Bxd8, then Nxd6 and I've won a pawn. -If
Qxc6, Bxc6, Bxd8, Nxc3 threating Ne2+ so white will play xc3, then Rxd8 and
I'm up a pawn -If Nxe4, Qxh4 and I'm up a pawn. This is best for white though}
18. Nxe4 {I spent minutes finding the best continuation for White, my opponent
found it in seconds lol} Qxh4 19. Qc7 {A fatal mistake. Qc5 stops castling, or
Nc5 attacks the Bishop on b7 but this move allows...} Nd4 {threatening Ne2 mate
} 20. Nd6+ Kf8 {Stopping any further checks} 21. Rfe1 Bxg2 {Always look for
the most forcing move. Kxg2? All variations lead to mate. Qg4+, Kf1, (if Kh2,
Nf3+, Kh1, Qh3++), Qh3, Kg1, Nf3++} 22. f3 {The only move that delays the game.
From here, Nxf3+, Kxg2, Qg4, Kf2 with no mate to be found. You can win
material, but I don't want to risk playing a longer game against this tough
opponent so I kept looking for mate} Qg3 {White resigned here because Bh3 or
Bxf3 followed by Qb2++ is unstoppable. It was a surreal moment to shake hands
with such a strong opponent.} 0-1

[Event "NM Derek Zhang Simul"]
[Site "Issaquah, WA"]
[Date "2023.08.23"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zhang, Derek"]
[Black "Palathingal, Rafael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2278"]
[BlackElo "1066"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2023.08.23"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg4 5. Qb3 Qb6 6. Ne5 Bf5 7. d4 e6 8. c5
Qxb3 9. axb3 Nbd7 10. f4 Bc2 11. b4 Ne4 12. b5 Nxe5 13. fxe5 Kd7 14. b6 a6 15.
Bd2 Nxc3 16. Bxc3 Be7 17. Be2 f6 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. Kd2 Bf5 20. Rhf1 h5 21. Rf2
Ke7 22. Raf1 Rh6 23. g3 Bh3 24. Re1 Bf5 25. Bd3 Bxd3 26. Kxd3 Rf8 27. Ref1 Rhh8
28. e4 Kd7 29. e5 Be7 30. Rxf8 1/2-1/2

[Event "NM Derek Zhang Simul"]
[Site "Issaquah, WA"]
[Date "2023.08.23"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zhang, Derek"]
[Black "Kennedy, Andrew"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2278"]
[BlackElo "1464"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2023.08.23"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1. f4 d6 2. e4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. d4 Nd7 5. Bc4 h6 6. c3 c5 7. d5 h5 8. O-O Nh6
9. Qe2 f6 10. Nh4 Nf8 11. f5 g5 12. Qxh5+ Nf7 13. Bb5+ Bd7 14. Qe2 Rxh4 15. a4
Bxb5 16. axb5 Ne5 17. g3 Rh7 18. Be3 Nfd7 19. Nd2 Kf7 20. Ra3 g4 21. Bf4 Bh6
22. Qe3 Qh8 23. Rf2 Bxf4 24. gxf4 g3 25. Rg2 Rxh2 0-1

[Event "NM Derek Zhang Simul"]
[Site "Issaquah, WA"]
[Date "2023.08.23"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zhang, Derek"]
[Black "Yates, Dan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2278"]
[BlackElo "1307"]
[Annotator "Dan Yates"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2023.08.23"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

{[%evp 0,98,19,29,23,-13,19,27,33,25,30,8,6,13,14,13,4,1,7,-6,-7,-15,-12,-8,10,
-26,-9,-1,1,8,5,-1,8,8,8,8,15,25,36,20,50,50,15,-1,-22,-64,17,-20,-13,-77,-74,
-89,-89,-75,-75,-71,-98,-105,-126,-126,-126,-184,-115,-115,-91,-97,-76,-90,-82,
-82,-60,-60,-51,-51,-42,0,0,0,18,36,43,51,45,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,
0]} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 {An early b6 is a way for black to try to transpose to
a typical Queen's Indian Defense setup. This can be used against 1. d4, 1. Nf3
or even 1. c4} 3. e3 Bb7 4. Nc3 e6 5. b3 Be7 6. Bb2 O-O 7. d4 d5 {Black must
fight for the center now that the pieces are developed and the king is castled.
White has achieved a big center themselves, but it is time to start chipping
away in 'hypermodern' style.} 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 $6 {A surprising, somewhat
dubious choice by white to capture with the bishop rather than the b-pawn.} c5
10. O-O cxd4 11. Nxd4 {The most reasonable capture, but results in a
symmetrical structure which will be hard to play for a win. Fun fact: at this
point we are following a game between World Champions Tigran Petrosian and
Anatoly Karpov from 1972 (which also ended in a draw) Petrosian, Tigran V -
Karpov, Anatoly, 1/2-1/2, San Antonio, 1972, https://lichess.org/4v67ujOX} (11.
exd4 {Leaves white with an isolated queen's pawn. This seemed to make black's
play easier, since there is now a target in the position and black's position
is very solid with no real problems at all.}) (11. Qxd4 {An unexpected, but
decent way to recapture. If black tries to attack the queen with tempo, she
can just move to the h4 square and be well placed.} Nc6) 11... Nc6 {Also
possible was Nbd7, but I was looking to trade pieces and play an equal endgame.
While I don't expect my endgame skills are anywhere close to my opponents', I
appreciate the opportunity to challenge myself against such strong opposition
- that is the main reason I participate in these simuls!} 12. Ncb5 a6 13. Nxc6
Bxc6 (13... Qxd1 $4 14. Nxe7+ {It is very important to not get too eager to
trade everything and blunder this.}) 14. Nd4 Bb7 15. a4 {White wants to stop
black from playing b5 at the cost of weakening the b4 square. I accept the
free parking spot for my bishop.} Bb4 16. Qe2 Qe7 17. Rfd1 Ne4 18. Rac1 Rfd8
19. f3 Nd6 20. Bd3 Bc5 {Lining up the bishop with the king and potentially
stopping white from playing e4 in the future. I was not interested in trading
the bishop, I thought in this type of position I'd want to retain the bishop
pair and not give any potential advantage to my opponent.} 21. Nc2 a5 {Simply
stopping b4.} 22. Nd4 Ne8 {Giving the option to re-route the knight back to f6,
but perhaps an immediate e5! would have been a strong idea.} (22... e5 $1 23.
Nb5 (23. Nf5 $2 Nxf5 24. Bxf5 Qg5 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8 {White's pieces are under
attack, there is no way to save both the bishop and the e3-pawn}) 23... Nxb5
24. Bxb5 Qg5) 23. Bb5 Rac8 24. Rc2 Nd6 {The knight comes back to harass the
bishop.} 25. Bd3 e5 {A strong move that could have been played earlier. It
still creates some initiative for black.} 26. Nb5 {The best move, but an
uncomfortable one because black will happily trade the knight to ruin white's
pawn structure, creating a weakness on b5} (26. Nf5 {White can run into
serious trouble if the knight is placed on f5} Nxf5 27. Bxf5 Bxe3+ 28. Kh1
Rxd1+ 29. Qxd1 Rd8) 26... Nxb5 27. axb5 Bd5 28. Bc4 Bxc4 29. Rxd8+ Rxd8 30.
bxc4 f6 $6 {Missing a couple much better moves. Black's position is still very
good, but too many over-cautious moves like this one might result in the
advantage slipping away.} (30... a4 {Simply pushing the passed pawn would have
been a great idea. Next, a3 can be played for free}) (30... Bxe3+ $1 31. Qxe3
Rd1+ 32. Kf2 Qh4+ 33. g3 Qxh2#) 31. Rd2 Rd6 32. Kf2 Kf7 33. Bc3 Qe6 {Still
failing to push the passed pawn. Since black is threatening to win the c4 pawn,
this move more or less forces a rook trade, taking away a lot of my winning
chances.} 34. Rxd6 (34. h3 Rxd2 35. Qxd2 Qxc4) 34... Qxd6 35. Qc2 g6 36. Ke2
Ke6 37. Qe4 Qd7 38. Qa8 Ke7 39. Qg8 Qe6 40. Qxh7+ Kf8 {Our game was stopped
here due to time, and was ultimately adjudicated to be a draw. While I am
disappointed to have given away my advantage in this game, overall I'm proud
of the way it was played and was happy to score my first draw against a titled
player.} 41. Kd3 (41. Qxg6 Qxc4+ 42. Qd3 Qa2+ 43. Kf1 a4 44. h4 a3 45. h5 Qb3
46. h6 a2 47. h7 (47. Qd8+ Kf7 48. h7 a1=Q+ 49. Bxa1 Qc4+ 50. Kf2 Qc2+ 51. Kg3
Qg6+)) (41. Qh6+ Kf7 42. Qh7+ (42. Qh4 a4 43. Qe4 a3) 42... Kf8) 41... Qf5+ 42.
e4 Qg5 43. Qh8+ Kf7 {White may need to go for a perpetual here, or let black's
queen win the g2 pawn.} 44. Bd2 Qxg2 45. Qh7+ Kf8 46. Bh6+ Ke8 47. Qg8+ Kd7 48.
Qf7+ Be7 49. Qd5+ Bd6 {Adjudication} 1/2-1/2

[Event "NM Derek Zhang Simul"]
[Site "Issaquah, WA"]
[Date "2023.08.23"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zhang, Derek"]
[Black "Yondon, Odbayar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2278"]
[BlackElo "1715"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2023.08.23"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 c6 5. b3 Bd6 6. Bb2 e5 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Nb5
Nc6 9. Nxd6+ Qxd6 10. Bb5 e4 11. Ne5 O-O 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. O-O Re8 14. f4 exf3
15. Nxf3 Ba6 16. Re1 Bd3 17. Rc1 Ne4 18. Nd4 Qf6 19. Qf3 Qe5 20. Bc3 Nxc3 21.
Rxc3 Qxd4 22. Qg3 Qe4 23. Rxc6 Rac8 24. Rd6 Qe5 25. Qxe5 Rxe5 26. Rd7 a6 27.
Kf2 Rf5+ 28. Kg3 Kf8 29. a4 Rc6 30. b4 Rg6+ 31. Kh4 f6 32. g4 Rf3 0-1

[Event "NM Derek Zhang Simul"]
[Site "Issaquah, WA"]
[Date "2023.08.23"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zhang, Derek"]
[Black "Palathingal, Xavier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C30"]
[WhiteElo "2278"]
[BlackElo "737"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2023.08.23"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1. e4 e5 2. f4 Nc6 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 exd4 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. O-O Nf6 7. Nxd4 Nxd4 8.
Bxd7+ Qxd7 9. Qxd4 c5 10. Qd3 Be7 11. Nc3 O-O 12. Bd2 Bd8 13. Kh1 a6 14. Rae1
Re8 15. Qg3 Bc7 16. Qh4 Bd8 17. Qg3 Bc7 18. Re2 Re7 19. Qg5 Rae8 20. Rfe1 Bd8
21. Qg3 Bc7 22. h3 h6 23. Qh4 Bd8 24. f5 Qc6 25. Qf4 Bc7 26. Qf3 Re5 27. Bf4
R5e7 28. Qd3 Nh5 29. Bh2 c4 30. Qf3 Nf6 31. Bf4 b5 32. a3 Ba5 33. Nd5 Nxd5 34.
exd5 Qd7 35. Rxe7 Rxe7 36. Rxe7 Qxe7 37. Qe3 Qxe3 38. Bxe3 f6 39. Kg1 Kf7 40.
Kf2 Ke7 41. Kf3 Kd7 1/2-1/2

