[Event "SPFNO 2024"]
[White "Willy, Stephen"]
[Black "Peng, Alan"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "4"]
[Annotator "Ralph Dubisch"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Date "2024.10.27"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2263"]
[BlackElo "2051"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[GameId "2123213199163454"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. dxc5 e6 {Black chooses to transpose into an Advance French, at least temporarily down a pawn (and, arguably, minus a tempo, though that is less clear).} (5... Bg4 {is more common and more practically successful here, getting that light-square bishop out of its prison.} 6. c3 e6 7. Be3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nxe5 9. Bb5+ Nc6 10. O-O {is unbalanced.}) 6. Be3 Qc7 (6... Nge7 {, heading to g6 or f5, is a bit more flexible.}) 7. c3 a6 $6 ({I would prefer development with} 7... Bd7 {, only meeting} 8. Na3 {with} a6 {.}) 8. Bd3 Nxe5 9. Nxe5 Qxe5 10. O-O Nf6 11. Bd4 Qc7 12. b4 Be7 13. f4 $14 {White has chosen not to try to hang onto the extra pawn, instead converting the material into positional lockdown on the e5-square, cementing a space advantage.} Bd7 14. Nd2 h6 15. Qf3 Bc6 16. Rae1 O-O 17. Re3 (17. f5 $5) 17... Bb5 18. Qh3 Bxd3 19. Rxd3 Kh7 20. g4 Nd7 $2 {I'm not sure what to try with Black to defend the position, but I am sure this isn't it.} 21. g5 Rg8 22. Qh5 Raf8 {[diagram after 22...Raf8]} 23. Bxg7 $3 {This is the sort of move breathless commentators wonder, "will he fiind it?" Well, of course he will: he's been planning this kind of tactic on the dark squares since move 11, and this specific one since move 20 or so. But it's still pretty nice, no?} 1-0

[Event "SPFNO 2024"]
[White "Vijayakumar, Advaith"]
[Black "Willy, Stephen"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "5"]
[Annotator "Ralph Dubisch"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Date "2024.10.27"]
[ECO "A47"]
[WhiteElo "2213"]
[BlackElo "2263"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[GameId "2123213199163455"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. O-O g6 6. b3 Bg7 7. Bb2 d6 8. c4 Nbd7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. b4 $6 ({I'm not a big fan of this attempt to expand on the queenside. More to the point, I think, is central action with} 10. e4 {. Black may be OK after} e5 11. d5 {, but White always has space.}) 10... e5 11. Be2 exd4 12. exd4 a5 13. a3 axb4 14. axb4 Rxa1 15. Bxa1 Ne4 16. Nxe4 Bxe4 17. Nd2 Bb7 18. Bf3 Bxf3 19. Nxf3 Re8 20. Re1 $6 {White is just trying to exchange off pieces (with some success so far), but the three-abreast pawns are going to be weakened with ...b5 or ...d5. Exchanging rooks appears to favor Black.} ({After} 20. Qc2 $13 {, the black rook has no entries along the e-file, while White's rook may find some use along the a-file or backing queenside pawns, and it definitely serves to defend the back rank.}) 20... Qa8 (20... Rxe1+ {first is a bit more accurate.}) 21. Bc3 (21. Rxe8+ Qxe8 22. Qd3 {limits the damage.}) 21... Rxe1+ 22. Nxe1 (22. Bxe1) 22... Qa2 (22... c5 {is another way to exploit the weakened pawns, working the pin along the long diagonal.}) 23. Qd3 Qb3 24. Kf1 d5 $1 25. cxd5 Qxd5 26. Qf3 Nf6 27. Nc2 Qc4+ 28. Ke1 Nd5 29. Bd2 Bxd4 $17 {The pressure exerted by well-placed pieces yields a pawn. Now the game enters its technical phase.} 30. Na3 (30. Qe4 $4 Bxf2+) 30... Qa2 31. Qd3 c5 32. bxc5 bxc5 33. Nc2 Bf6 34. Qe4 Kg7 (34... Qb1+ 35. Ke2 Nb4) 35. Ke2 c4 36. Kf3 Ne7 (36... h5) 37. Be3 (37. g4 $5) 37... Nf5 38. Bc5 Qb3+ 39. Ke2 Qb5 $1 40. Ba3 c3+ 41. Kf3 (41. Qd3 Qe5+ 42. Kf1 Qxh2) 41... Qb1 $1 42. Bc5 Qd1+ 43. Kf4 g5+ 44. Kxf5 Qd7+ 0-1

[Event "SPFNO 2024"]
[White "Yin, Aiden"]
[Black "Jammalamadaka, Vihaan"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "4"]
[Annotator "Ralph Dubisch"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Date "2024.10.27"]
[ECO "B29"]
[WhiteElo "1719"]
[BlackElo "2045"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[GameId "2123213199163461"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. exd5 Nxd5 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bxd7+ Qxd7 7. O-O Nc6 8. b3 e6 9. Bb2 O-O-O {Black really has no problems here. White embarks on the standard plan when there's nothing obvious to do: push the a-pawn.} 10. a4 Rg8 {Black decides to counter with some g-pawn action, and starts by getting the rook off that long diagonal.} 11. a5 g5 12. a6 b6 13. Qe2 g4 (13... Bg7) 14. Ne5 Nxe5 15. Qxe5 Bd6 (15... Bg7) 16. Qe4 f5 17. Qc4 Qc6 $2 (17... Nc7 {unpins the c-pawn and keeps the knight for useful defense of b5 and e6. Black's pawn storm looks the more dangerous.}) 18. Nb5 $1 Bb8 19. Be5 $1 h5 20. Rfe1 Rg6 21. d4 (21. b4 $5 Nxb4 22. Bxb8 Kxb8 23. Qf4+ Ka8 24. Nc7+ Kb8 25. Nxe6+ Rd6 26. Nd8 Qd7 27. Nb7 {is cute, but not trivial to calculate. Nor is the line finished:} Nxc2 28. Nxd6 Rxd6 (28... Qxd6 29. Re8+ Kc7 30. Qxf5) 29. Re8+ $1 Qxe8 (29... Kc7 30. Ra8 Qe6 31. Rxa7+ Kb8 32. Rb7+ Ka8 33. Rb1) 30. Qxd6+ $16) 21... Rd7 22. dxc5 Bxe5 (22... Qxc5) 23. Rxe5 bxc5 24. Rae1 Qxa6 25. Qxc5+ Kb7 26. c4 Qb6 $6 27. Qf8 $1 Nf4 28. Ra1 (28. Nd6+ $1 Rxd6 (28... Qxd6 29. Rb5+ Kc7 30. Qb8+ Kc6 31. Qa8+ Kc7 32. Rb7+ Kc6 33. Rxa7+ Kc5 34. Qc8+) (28... Kc6 29. Qa8+ Kxd6 30. c5+) 29. Rb5) 28... a6 29. Nc3 Qc6 ({Last chance:} 29... Qd4 30. Qb4+ Qb6 $14) 30. Rb5+ $1 axb5 31. Qa8+ Kc7 32. Nxb5+ Qxb5 33. cxb5 Kd6 34. Qb8+ Ke7 35. Qxf4 Kf6 36. g3 Rd5 37. b6 e5 38. Qc4 Rd4 39. Qc6+ Kg5 40. Qc7 Rf6 41. b7 1-0

[Event "SPFNO 2024"]
[White "Bayrambeyli, Emel"]
[Black "Cheng, Selina"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "3"]
[Annotator "Ralph Dubisch"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Date "2024.10.27"]
[ECO "C52"]
[WhiteElo "1796"]
[BlackElo "1782"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[GameId "2123213199163452"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. Qb3 $5 (7. O-O {is the most common continuation, though Black isn't doing too badly in the main lines.}) 7... Qe7 8. O-O Nf6 (8... Bb6 {is book.}) 9. Ba3 d6 10. e5 (10. cxd4) 10... Nxe5 11. Nxe5 Qxe5 12. Bxf7+ Kf8 (12... Kd8 {looks a little safer.}) 13. Nd2 dxc3 (13... Bxc3 14. Rae1) 14. Rae1 Qf5 (14... Qxe1 $1 15. Rxe1 cxd2 $13) 15. Nc4 g6 16. Re5 Qf4 17. Bc1 Qh4 18. Bg5 Qh5 19. Bxf6 dxe5 20. Qa3+ Kxf7 21. Qe7+ 1-0

[Event "SPFNO 2024"]
[White "Bayrambeyli, Emel"]
[Black "Deng, Lily"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "4"]
[Annotator "Ralph Dubisch"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Date "2024.10.27"]
[ECO "C52"]
[WhiteElo "1796"]
[BlackElo "1715"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[GameId "2123213199163453"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. Qb3 Qe7 8. O-O h6 $2 (8... Bb6 {may not be the only move here (yeah, maybe it is), but Black can't really afford to leave that bishop hanging around the edge of the board for long.}) 9. cxd4 $16 Nf6 10. e5 Nh7 ({An awkward placement for the knight, but} 10... Ne4 11. Ba3 d6 (11... Bb4 12. Bxb4 Nxb4 13. Re1 Ng5 14. Nxg5 hxg5 15. d5 $16) 12. Bd5 Ng5 13. Nxg5 hxg5 14. Bxc6+ bxc6 15. Qa4 {is definitely no fun for Black.}) 11. Ba3 d6 12. exd6 cxd6 13. d5 O-O ({White wins material, since knight moves lose the a5-bishop to a queen fork.} 13... Ne5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. Qb5+ Bd7 16. Qxa5 Qxa1 17. Re1+ Kf8 18. Bxd6+ Kg8 19. Be5 $18) 14. dxc6 bxc6 15. Nbd2 Ng5 16. Rad1 $6 ({White starts making things a little more complicated than necessary, though it's still good enough.} 16. Nxg5 hxg5 17. Rad1 Bg4 18. Nf3) 16... Bg4 17. Qd3 $6 Rfd8 (17... Bxd2 {seems to set the hardest technical problems, as White must return some material or weaken the king position.} 18. Nxd2 (18. Rxd2 Bxf3 19. gxf3 Qf6 20. Kg2 d5 21. Bb3) 18... Bxd1 19. Rxd1 $16) 18. Nxg5 Qxg5 19. Ne4 Qg6 20. Nxd6 $1 Qxd3 21. Rxd3 Be2 22. Bxf7+ Kh7 23. Rg3 Bxf1 24. Kxf1 {White has returned some material, but here there are no extra black pawns or weakened white king to confuse the issue. Two dominant minor pieces against a relatively passive rook equals lots more fun for White.} g5 25. Re3 Rd7 26. Be6 Rdd8 27. Bf5+ Kg8 28. Re7 Bc3 29. Bh7+ ({Better} 29. Be6+ Kh8 (29... Kf8 30. Rh7) 30. Nf7+ Kg7 31. Nxd8+ {with two extra pieces and attack.}) 29... Kh8 30. Nf7+ Kxh7 31. Nxd8+ {OK, one extra piece and attack isn't too bad, either.} Kg6 32. Nxc6 a5 33. Re3 Bd2 34. Rd3 Bf4 35. g3 Bc7 36. Ne7+ Kh5 37. h3 Bxg3 38. fxg3 Rf8+ 39. Kg2 Rf6 40. g4+ Kh4 41. Bc5 Rf4 42. Ng6# 1-0

[Event "SPFNO 2024"]
[White "Vemparala, Nikash"]
[Black "Verma, Darsh"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "3"]
[Annotator "Ralph Dubisch"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Date "2024.10.27"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2244"]
[BlackElo "1812"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[GameId "2123213199192136"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 {Whether it's better understanding or just opening fads, the way these Italian game (Giuoco Piano) positions are reached now is quite different than it was a few decades ago. Where previously Black would play 3...Bc5 and White would generally attempt 4.c3 and 5.d4, now White prefers the quieter maneuvering lines with 4.d3 (or 4.c3 and 5.d3). And Black's preferred (though not universal) entry into the Giuoco Pianissimo is no longer 3...Bc5, but rather through the Two Knights Defense, 3...Nf6.This in turn used to be met almost exclusively with either 4.Ng5 or 4.d4, the former putting immediate pressure on the weak f7-point, generally causing Black to gambit a pawn after blocking the attack with 4...d5 5.exd5 Na5 (though other options exist).Now those direct attacks against f7 or central play with 4.d4 are hardly ever played at high levels, with White preferring to steer back into the "very quiet" variations of the Italian.} h6 {Already slightly unusual, though not dangerous for Black as there is little direct tension in the position. Most chess teachers and coaches frown on these little rook-pawn moves, as they are seen as unnecessary time-wasters, defending against non-threats such as Bg5, pinning the knight, or Ng5, attacking f7. That's not the only reason to play them, though.} 5. c3 d6 6. Nbd2 (6. O-O {is certainly fine.}) 6... g5 $5 (6... g6 {is more often played and scores reasonably well for Black, but the more aggressive 6...g5 is Stockfish approved.}) 7. Nf1 Bg7 (7... g4 {dislodging the knight is a consistent follow-up, planning 8...d5.}) 8. Ng3 a6 9. a4 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nh5 $14 O-O 12. Nxg7 ({There doesn't seem to be any need to rush this capture.} 12. h4 Nf4 (12... g4 13. Bxd5 Qxd5 14. Bxh6 $1 $14 {is a nice little tactic.}) 13. hxg5 hxg5 14. Bxf4 exf4 15. d4 Re8+ 16. Kf1 Bf5 17. Bd3 {and that open h-file could prove dangerous for the black king.}) 12... Kxg7 13. O-O Nb6 (13... Bg4) 14. Bb3 Bg4 15. a5 Nc8 (15... Nd5 {, though Black has lost a small amount of time compared with playing ...Bg4 directly two moves ago.}) 16. h3 Bh5 17. Qe2 (17. g4 Bg6 18. d4 {and the position is opening up to the benefit of the bishop-pair.}) 17... Qf6 (17... f5 $5) 18. Bd5 (18. g4 Bg6 19. Re1) 18... N8e7 19. Be4 Qd6 20. h4 (20. b4) 20... g4 (20... f5 21. Bxc6 Nxc6 {and White can't safely grab the g-pawn:} 22. hxg5 hxg5 23. Bxg5 Qg6 {with multiple ways to win a piece.}) 21. Nd2 f5 22. Bxc6 Nxc6 23. Nc4 Qf6 24. Re1 Rae8 25. g3 Re7 ({No need for this much preparation. Swarm the kingside with} 25... f4 $15 {directly.}) 26. Ne3 (26. b4 Rfe8 27. Rb1 $13) 26... Rd8 27. Qc2 f4 28. Ng2 Bg6 29. gxf4 Rxd3 30. Qb3 $6 (30. Qa4 $17) 30... Bf7 (30... Nd4 $1) 31. Qxb7 Bd5 32. Qxa6 Rh3 33. Qf1 Qxh4 34. f3 Rh1# 0-1

[Event "SPFNO 2024"]
[White "Wang, Ted"]
[Black "Min, Ryan"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "5"]
[Annotator "Ralph Dubisch"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Date "2024.10.27"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2161"]
[BlackElo "2142"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[GameId "2123213199163459"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O a6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Nbd2 h6 9. Re1 g5 10. a5 g4 11. Nh4 Nh5 12. g3 Nf4 13. Rf1 Qf6 14. Nf5 $2 ({Logical, natural, and apparently not best. White should wait, unpinning the f-pawn and removing the check from a black knight hitting h3:} 14. Kh1) 14... Nh3+ 15. Kg2 Bxf5 $6 ({No, no. Taking free things isn't right. One must wait patiently.} 15... h5 $15 {(Stockfish)}) 16. exf5 Qxf5 $6 (16... O-O-O 17. Qxg4 Nf4+ 18. Kh1 d5 $13 {, and at least Stockfish thinks it knows what's going on, and claims a small edge for White. I lack the moral certitude of an engine, and will call this unclear.}) 17. f3 gxf3+ $2 (17... Ng5 18. fxg4 Qh7 (18... Qg6 19. Ne4 $1 $16 {with tactics against f7.}) 19. Qe2 {and White seems better coordinated.}) 18. Qxf3 Qxf3+ 19. Nxf3 Nf2 $16 ({This is now best, though it's pretty much winning for White. The alternative} 19... Ng5 20. Nxg5 hxg5 21. Bxf7+ {is hopeless for Black, as the opponent's bishop-pair will quickly shepard the soon-to-be-extra passed pawn down the board.}) 20. Rxf2 Bxf2 21. Kxf2 Ne7 22. Bb3 f6 23. Bd2 Kd7 24. Re1 h5 25. d4 Raf8 26. Nh4 Re8 27. Bf7 Ref8 28. Bb3 Re8 29. Bc2 c6 30. Ng6 Nxg6 31. Bxg6 Rhg8 ({I'm not sure I trust the score here, as} 31... Reg8 {doesn't hang a rook, and therefore White's failure to take it makes sense as well. So either way, zip ahead to move 36, and the position will be the same.} 32. Bf5+ Kc7 33. c4 h4 34. g4 Rd8 35. Bc3 Rhe8) 32. Bf5+ Kc7 33. c4 h4 34. g4 Rd8 35. Bc3 Rge8 36. dxe5 dxe5 37. b4 c5 38. b5 axb5 39. cxb5 Rd6 40. g5 fxg5 41. Rxe5 Rd2+ 42. Ke3 Rdd8 43. Kf3 Kd6 44. Rxe8 (44. Ke4) 44... Rxe8 45. Be4 g4+ 46. Kf4 g3 47. hxg3 hxg3 48. Bxb7 Re2 49. a6 g2 50. Be5+ Kd7 (50... Rxe5 51. Bxg2 Re7 52. b6 $18) 51. Bc6+ Kc8 (51... Ke6 52. Bxg2 $1 Rxg2 (52... Rxe5 53. a7) 53. b6) 52. a7 Ra2 53. b6 Rf2+ (53... g1=Q 54. b7+ Kd8 55. b8=Q+ Ke7 56. Qe8#) 54. Ke3 g1=Q 55. a8=R# 1-0

[Event "Oregon Class Championships"]
[White "Heath, Derek"]
[Black "Tang, Austin"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "2"]
[Annotator "Wilson Gibbins"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Date "2024.11.02"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "1997"]
[BlackElo "2138"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[GameId "2111672168173641"]
[EventDate "2024.11.02"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

{[%evp 0,78,38,18,18,9,27,26,64,40,46,0,8,1,4,4,15,15,11,13,21,-33,39,87,73,-18,-43,-41,-33,-25,-25,-19,8,8,-9,0,-15,-51,-6,-27,-71,-167,-149,-195,-203,-244,-225,-232,-217,-232,-209,-163,-146,-179,-95,-81,-81,-420,-424,-425,-387,-349,-360,-370,-276,-287,-259,-277,-141,-134,-108,-100,-26,-1120,-1489,-1651,-1746,-29989,-29990,-29991,-29992]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 c5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 Nh5 {Only the fifith most popular move in the database after} (5... cxd4) (5... Qb6) (5... e6) ({and} 5... Bg4 {(played by C.O.H'D Alexander, one of the codebreakers at Bletchley Park who helped crack the German Enigma machine in World War II. If you have never heard of Bletchley Park, do yourself a favor and watch the movie "The Imitation Game"). That said, 5...Nh5 is the highest scoring move in the database, and has recently been played by well known players who include Fabiano Caruana, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Hikaru Nakamura, Anish Giri, and Austin Tang.}) 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Ne5 $1 {The only move that allows White to maintain equality.} (8. Bg3 Nxg3 9. hxg3 g4 10. Ne5 Nxe5 $5 (10... Bg7 $15 {is the safe way to play.}) 11. dxe5 Bg7 12. Bb5+ Kf8 $1 (12... Bd7 $2 13. Qxg4) 13. Be2 Bxe5 14. Bxg4 Bxb2 {and Black has won a pawn though there are plenty of difficult moves ahead for both sides.}) 8... Ng7 ({Caruana played} 8... Nxe5 {but Austin's choice is fine too.}) 9. Bg3 cxd4 10. Bb5 $6 (10. exd4 $11) 10... dxe3 $6 {Austin takes the risky path.} (10... Qb6 $1 $15 {gives Black a slight edge.}) 11. Ndc4 $1 exf2+ (11... dxc4 $2 12. Qxd8+ Kxd8 13. Nxc6+ bxc6 14. O-O-O+ Bd7 15. Bxc6) 12. Kxf2 $6 {clever, but} ({after} 12. Bxf2 {White stands better} dxc4 (12... e6 13. Qf3) (12... Bd7 13. Qxd5 Nxe5 14. O-O-O) 13. Qxd8+ Kxd8 14. Nxf7+ Ke8 15. Nxh8 {and the knight on h8 will escape, though Black does have compensation for the exchange.}) 12... e6 $1 $17 {White is better after any other Black response.} (12... dxc4 $2 {loses to the same sequence of White moves described in the note to move 11, starting} 13. Qxd8+) 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Bxc6+ Bd7 15. Bxa8 {White wins the exchange. but under less favorable conditions than if he had played 12.Bxf2. Black has more than enough compensation, based partly on White's king getting caught in the center and partly on Black's active pieces. They may not look very active now, but check back on move 18.} dxc4 16. Bf3 (16. Qf3 Bc5+ $15) 16... Nf5 17. Qd2 Qb6+ 18. Ke2 {hoping to keep the rooks connected and perhaps castle by hand.} (18. Kf1 {keeps the White's king safer but also locks the rook on h1 out of the game.}) 18... Bc5 {What a difference three moves make. Black's active pieces make White's king quite uncomfortable.} 19. Be5 Bb5 20. c3 (20. Bxh8 $2 c3+) 20... O-O 21. Rad1 f6 22. Bg3 Be3 23. Qc2 Ba4 24. Qb1 Bxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Kh8 26. Rd7 Qb5 27. Rb7 Bb6 28. Bg4 Nxg3+ 29. hxg3 Qe5+ 30. Kf1 f5 31. Bf3 Qe3 32. Qe1 Qg1+ 33. Ke2 Qc5 34. Rd7 g4 35. Bb7 f4 36. Qb1 {threatening a checkmate on h7 that looks hard to stop. Black has weaknesses too. But he also has the right to make the next move.} f3+ $1 37. gxf3 gxf3+ 38. Bxf3 Qf2+ 39. Kd1 Qxf3+ {Black will deliver checkmate in 4 moves or less. One example is 40.Kc2 Qe4+ 41.Kd2 Rf2+ 42.Kc1 Rf1+ 43.Rd1 Be3#} 0-1

[Event "Oregon Class Championships"]
[White "Phipps, Danny"]
[Black "Morris, Mike"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "5"]
[Annotator "Mike Morris and Wilson Gibbins"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Date "2024.11.03"]
[ECO "A26"]
[WhiteElo "1858"]
[BlackElo "1900"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[GameId "2111333140430874"]
[EventDate "2024.11.02"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

{[%evp 0,80,19,-12,-12,-11,-18,-30,12,19,12,-25,-17,-13,-13,-3,1,-26,14,-35,19,-36,24,-14,123,75,69,69,70,68,64,67,58,41,35,26,32,8,54,25,57,55,59,60,141,136,151,70,122,68,134,55,94,62,68,46,53,35,142,123,134,146,295,14,75,75,17,0,198,198,198,-33,-24,-45,-37,-278,-235,-353,-382,-365,-388,-381,-311]} {Notes marked MM are provided by Mike Morris. Notes marked WG are provided by Wilson Gibbins} 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. e4 d6 6. Nge2 Nge7 7. O-O O-O 8. f4 f5 9. d3 Be6 10. Nd5 Qd7 11. Be3 Nd8 12. fxe5 dxe5 13. Bc5 Bxd5 14. cxd5 b6 15. Ba3 (15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. exf5 {threatens 17.d5-d6 WG}) 15... Rc8 16. Bh3 c5 17. b4 Nb7 18. Rc1 cxb4 19. Rxc8 Rxc8 20. Bxb4 Nd6 21. Qb3 Rc7 22. Nc3 Nec8 23. a4 (23. exf5 {wins a pawn - MM}) 23... Kh8 24. Nd1 Bh6 25. d4 Nxe4 26. dxe5 Nc5 27. Bxc5 Rxc5 28. Bg2 Ne7 29. d6 Nc6 30. Bxc6 Qxc6 31. Qe6 (31. Qf7 $1 $18 {and either the d-pawn or e-pawn will advance decisively - WG}) 31... Bg5 (31... Rc2 {generates enough counterplay to obtain a draw.} {White can defend, or can grab a perpetual starting with} 32. Qf6+ {WG}) 32. Qf7 $1 $18 {White gets back on the winning track - WG} Qd5 33. Qe8+ (33. Qxd5 Rxd5 34. Re1 $16 {WG}) 33... Qg8 34. d7 $1 Kg7 $1 {The best defense, but White still stands well - WG} 35. e6 $2 ({The not so obvious} 35. Nf2 $1 {retains White's advantage. It threatens 36.Nd3 to prevent Black's rook coming to e5, allowing White to keep the pawns rolling forward. It also stops Black checking with his bishop, which isn't an obvious problem in this position, but it will be in a few moves - WG}) 35... Re5 $1 $11 36. e7 {Diagram #} Bxe7 {The move he missed - MM} 37. d8=Q (37. Nf2 $1 {keeps White in the game. At this point it is more obvious why White needs to prevent Bishop checks - they will discover an attack from Black's rook to White's queen - WG}) 37... Qxe8 38. Qd3 (38. Qxe8 Bc5+ {why the knight was needed on f2 - WG}) 38... Bc5+ 39. Nf2 Re2 40. Qc3+ Qe5 0-1

[Event "Oregon Class Championships"]
[White "Bayrambeyli, Emel"]
[Black "Smith, Charles Augustus"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "3"]
[Annotator "Emel Bayrambeyli"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Date "2024.11.02"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "1796"]
[BlackElo "1802"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[GameId "2119644682739726"]
[EventDate "2024.11.02"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

{[%evp 0,81,19,38,75,73,85,35,63,59,58,53,39,32,42,29,36,5,31,19,23,-1,27,36,44,36,59,78,79,74,80,98,95,91,91,87,199,192,195,213,237,179,270,229,262,270,275,261,364,370,463,418,413,414,499,508,538,540,556,580,653,679,859,1013,1024,1053,1174,835,911,840,1028,1146,1124,1124,1124,1331,1209,1209,1600,1448,1928,1931,1939,1939] I would like to start by thanking the organizers, arbiters, and everyone who worked hard to make this tournament possible. Im also very grateful to my chess trainer, Stanislav Ilin, for his dedication, and to my family for always standing by me. Finally, a big thanks to the Green Chess Team for their trust and support throughout this journey} 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bd3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. h3 {I thought limiting the c8 bishop would be the best} Nb4 8. Bc4 (8. Be2 {Could have been better for me since it doesn't tempt the move d5}) 8... d5 {My opponent finds the best move} 9. exd5 Nbxd5 10. Ne5 {Preparing a spot on f3 for my second knight} c6 11. Ndf3 Bf5 12. Bb3 {Protecting the c2 pawn before the threat Nb4} Nc7 13. Re1 Be6 14. c4 {Trying to trade the bishops was a very smart idea from my opponent but it wasn't the best for me} Qc8 15. Bf4 {I felt like Bxh3 could have been a threat so i developed the bishop closer to my kingside} Nh5 16. Bh2 Nf6 17. Qe2 h6 {There is a tactic after this move, see if you can spot it} 18. Nxg6 $1 Re8 {My opponent finds the best defence} (18... fxg6 {if takes there's} 19. Bxc7 Qxc7 20. Qxe6+ Kh7) 19. Nge5 a5 20. Ba4 Ra6 21. Rac1 Qd8 22. Red1 Bf5 23. d5 {After all the pieces were in, it was time to find a move that would cause black problems} Qc8 24. dxc6 b6 25. Bb5 Ra7 26. Nd7 Nxb5 27. cxb5 e5 28. Nxb6 Qe6 29. Qc4 {Trying to trade the queens in order to minimize the threats from the kingside} Qe7 30. Bxe5 Ne4 31. Bxg7 Kxg7 32. Nd5 Qe6 33. b6 Raa8 34. Nc7 Qg6 35. Nh4 {My opponent kept threatening from the kingside so I had to trade some pieces before taking one of the rooks} Qf6 36. Nxf5+ Qxf5 37. Qd4+ f6 38. Nxe8+ Rxe8 39. Qd7+ Kg6 40. Qxf5+ Kxf5 41. c7 1-0

[Event "Oregon Class Championships"]
[White "Hosford, Michael"]
[Black "Adebolu, Ademidun"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "3"]
[Annotator "Wilson Gibbins"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Date "2024.11.02"]
[ECO "D95"]
[WhiteElo "1821"]
[BlackElo "1773"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[GameId "2119313124864131"]
[EventDate "2024.11.02"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

{[%evp 0,111,19,31,14,30,23,12,12,26,39,35,33,29,21,19,56,53,53,42,26,13,13,13,11,-23,-28,-28,21,-3,4,-2,57,52,34,47,40,39,39,59,56,50,54,50,69,51,52,50,88,75,100,55,91,91,74,83,74,78,78,86,86,42,77,88,81,89,83,83,90,83,101,99,128,104,113,120,147,73,68,16,14,33,24,19,24,5,0,46,53,53,39,51,54,54,51,50,52,51,58,54,54,54,54,54,54,50,50,50,421,433,29997,29998,29999,29999]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 {Looks like it will be a conservative Colle System, but} g6 4. c4 {Michael switches to the more challenging "Sneaky Gruenfeld" line recommended by Axel Smith in the book "e3 Poision"} c6 5. Nc3 {Transposing to the Schlechter Variation of the Gruenfeld. Modern opening theory requires players to be prepared to play many different systems..} Bg7 6. Qb3 O-O 7. Bd2 dxc4 8. Bxc4 b5 9. Be2 a5 10. O-O Bf5 11. Nh4 Be6 12. Qd1 Nbd7 13. Nf3 Nb6 14. Ne5 Qd6 15. Bf3 Nfd5 {covers the of White's bishop on the c6 pawn, but allows White's knight on c3 to get active. White has a positional edge.} 16. Ne4 Qc7 17. Nd3 Bf5 18. Nec5 Bxd3 19. Nxd3 Nc4 20. Rc1 Qb6 21. a4 Rfd8 22. b3 Nxd2 23. Qxd2 e5 $5 {An imaginative attempt to break White's bind on the position.} 24. Nxe5 $1 Bxe5 25. dxe5 Nb4 26. Qc3 Rd3 27. Qc5 ({Better are} 27. Qb2) ({and} 27. Qa1 $5 {so if} Rxb3 $2 {then} 28. e6 $1 fxe6 29. Qf6 Re8 30. Bg4 {gives White a big advantage as his queen and bishop are sufficient for an unstoppable attack.} {If Black plays} c5 {to defend his pawn on e6, then White can bring up the reserves with} 31. Rfd1 ({or play the show-off line} 31. Rxc5 Qxc5 32. Bxe6+ Rxe6 33. Qxe6+ Kg7 34. Qxb3)) 27... Qxc5 28. Rxc5 bxa4 29. bxa4 Ra3 30. g3 Nd3 (30... Ra7 {avoids White's trick, and is close to equality.}) 31. Rxc6 $1 $16 Nxe5 $1 {the best defense} 32. Rxg6+ $1 hxg6 33. Bxa8 Rxa4 34. Bd5 {White is better, but there is still a lot of work left to do in this endgame. Black's passed a-pawn gives him chances, and White's pawn formation makes it difficult to create a passed pawn.} Rb4 35. Rc1 g5 36. f4 {getting a passed pawn, but a step in the wrong direction. Black gets some play against White's kingside pawns and king itself.} gxf4 37. exf4 Ng4 38. Rc8+ (38. Bf3 $1 {White needs to drive Black's knight off the g4 square.}) 38... Kg7 39. Bf3 {It isn't as effective as it was the move before, as Black can check on White's back rank and win a pawn} Rb1+ 40. Kg2 Rb2+ 41. Kh3 Nxh2 $11 42. Bg2 Ng4 $1 43. Kxg4 Rxg2 44. Ra8 Ra2 {Black has a draw, even if he loses his passed a pawn.} 45. Kg5 Ra3 46. g4 a4 47. Ra7 Ra1 48. f5 Rf1 {Stockfish agrees - it is time for Black to give up his a pawn and draw the pawn down rook ending. But Black will have to be alert and look for opportunities to reach Philidor's position.} 49. Rxa4 f6+ 50. Kh4 Kh6 51. Ra8 Rh1+ 52. Kg3 Rg1+ 53. Kf3 Kg5 $2 {tempting, but losing.} (53... Kg7 $11 {is the most logical.}) (53... Kh7 $11 {also draws, Black's king is close enough to defend his f pawn.}) (53... Rf1+ $2 54. Kg2 Re1 55. Rg8 $1 {wins Black's f-pawn}) 54. Rg8+ Kh4 (54... Kh6 55. Rg6+ Kh7 56. Rxf6 $18) 55. Rh8+ Kg5 56. Rh5# 1-0

[Event "Oregon Class Championships"]
[White "Le, Hung"]
[Black "Lin, Yian"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "3"]
[Annotator "Yian Lin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Date "2024.11.02"]
[ECO "D13"]
[WhiteElo "1739"]
[BlackElo "1790"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[GameId "515556029810"]
[EventDate "2024.11.02"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

{[%evp 0,70,19,-12,34,26,26,30,30,4,17,34,19,11,26,38,47,56,54,28,46,30,53,36,36,46,23,15,-4,-8,-12,-11,-7,-9,-17,-58,-61,-48,-39,-45,-44,-54,-65,-98,-74,-74,-59,-195,-153,-144,-155,-258,-258,-287,-270,-292,-263,-320,-415,-480,-381,-730,-353,-511,-540,-522,-260,-259,-255,-29995,-29996,-29999,-29999]} 1. c4 c6 {I don't have theory for 1. c4, so I try to transpose it to a Slav, which I do have theory for.} 2. d4 d5 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Bf4 e6 7. e3 Be7 8. h3 O-O 9. Bd3 a6 10. a3 Na5 11. Qc2 $6 {I feel the queen is misplaced here, but the engine seems to be indifferent.} b5 12. O-O Bb7 13. Rfc1 Rc8 14. b4 Nc4 15. Qe2 {The game has been roughly equalised here. I didn't like 15..Ne4! due to 16.Bxe4 dxe4 17.Nd2, forcing my Nc4 to trade, but here this is the tactic 17..Nxa3!, winning material.} h6 16. Ne5 Bd6 17. Bxc4 $2 $15 {The first mistake. White allows my light-squared bishop to come to life, while giving me the bishop pair.} dxc4 18. e4 Qc7 {Knowing that the opponent doesn't have many options, I take it slow and try to force him to make concessions.} 19. Bg3 Qb6 {Forcing the rook to relinquish the defense of the knight.} 20. Rd1 a5 {Trying to create a breakthrough on the queenside, where I have the pawn majority. Taking it slow with 20.Rfd8 would've been better, to strengthen the Bd6 and the square d7.} 21. Rab1 $2 {White could've retained equality with 21.Bh4, or 21.bxa5.} axb4 22. axb4 Ra8 {Taking the file.} 23. f4 {This move sparks my opponent's downfall, as he weakens his king and lets my rook in, while pinning d4 to the king.} Ra3 24. Be1 Rd8 {Sacrificing was possible, but due to a lack of confidence and time [to calculate deeply], I decided against it.} 25. Nxc4 {Lashing out. This tactical sequence unfortunately does not bear fruit for my opponent, as it lets too many pieces attack d4, culminating to a loss of material.} bxc4 26. e5 Be7 27. exf6 Bxf6 28. Kh1 {Kh2 was better, as it prevents white from defending 28..Rxd4 with 29. Qf2.} Rxd4 29. Rxd4 Bxd4 30. Qxc4 e5 {Opening the 6th rank for my queen to rotate to.} 31. fxe5 Bxc3 32. Bxc3 Qg6 {While not as good as 32..Qe3!, this move still forces white to find the combination 33.Rb2 Qg3 34.Rc2, and even then it is completely losing for white.} 33. Rb2 Qg3 34. Bd4 {Blundering mate. My opponent had 5 minutes or so at this move.} Ra1+ 35. Bg1 Qxh3# 0-1

[Event "Oregon Class Championships"]
[White "Dwyer, William"]
[Black "Dollinger, Eli"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "4"]
[Annotator "Eli Dollinger"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Date "2024.11.03"]
[ECO "D36"]
[WhiteElo "1748"]
[BlackElo "1728"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[GameId "515457896423"]
[EventDate "2024.11.02"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

{[%evp 0,72,19,31,19,-16,-9,-29,-11,-11,1,-2,11,27,22,7,30,30,47,49,35,29,28,35,29,29,24,36,46,41,44,29,29,-31,-9,-37,-39,-69,-81,-81,-77,-101,-122,-123,-123,-99,-69,-69,-94,-116,-119,-187,-188,-192,-196,-221,-172,-277,-287,-283,-260,-299,-304,-308,-301,-475,-471,-482,-360,-471,-388,-414,-417,-402,-603]} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. cxd5 exd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 c6 8. Bd3 Ne4 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Qc2 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Qg5 12. Kf1 {I went 11... Qg5 because I felt it would induce a weakness I could exploit. I was expecting 12. g3 or 12. f4. 12. Kf1 feels wrong to me. The engine says the move is fine, but from a human perspective it makes white’s position look a bit awkward.} O-O 13. Nf3 Qf6 14. Rb1 Nd7 15. a4 {I don't like this move for white. It gives me a weakness to target, and it feels too slow.} c5 {Given the slightly precarious position of the white king, I decided opening the center was to my advantage.} 16. Bf5 b6 17. e4 {I dislike this move because 1. It reduces the flexibility of the white bishop and 2. It opens the center (which is to my advantage).} g6 {White is forced to either move the bishop to a more passive square or trade itself for the knight.} 18. Bxd7 Bxd7 19. e5 {19. exd5 could not be played due to 19... Bf5} Qf4 20. h3 cxd4 {20... Bf5 fails to 21. Qc1. I played 21... cxd4 to open up the file.} 21. cxd4 {I believe this move was a mistake. 21. Rb4 was better.} Rac8 22. Qb3 Rc4 {Attacking the a-pawn and preparing to double the rooks.} 23. g3 Qf5 24. Ra1 Rfc8 {Threatening a fork.} 25. Qe3 {I saw in this position a way to transition into a winning endgame.} Rc3 26. Nh4 {This move is the only way to not lose a piece outright.} Qxh3+ 27. Rxh3 Bxh3+ 28. Kg1 {28. Ke2 was better.} Rxe3 29. fxe3 Rc2 {Activating the rook.} 30. a5 g5 31. axb6 axb6 32. Ng6 {I think 32. Nf3 was a little better, but still losing due to 32... Rg2+.} fxg6 33. Rb1 Rc6 34. e4 Be6 35. Rb5 dxe4 36. d5 Rc5 {Either going into a winning Rook and Bishop vs Rook endgame or liquidating into a winning pawn endgame. My opponent resigned.} 0-1

[Event "Oregon Class Championships"]
[White "Tebbe, Abraham"]
[Black "Barish, Elijah"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "3"]
[Annotator "Elijah Barish"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Date "2024.11.02"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "1546"]
[BlackElo "1398"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[GameId "516301479816"]
[EventDate "2024.11.02"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

{This was the 3rd 90+10 game I had played that day, and it started at 6:00 pm. I am proud of my play against a much higher rated opponent. Even though I nearly let the win slip, I was able to push through the fatigue to win the game, though not exactly with a steady hand. This game also put me back in competition after a difficult first round loss.} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. d4 e6 3. c4 Bb4+ {This is now a Bogo-Indian, but by an unusual move order. In the Bogo, Black plans on exchanging their dark-squared “good bishop” on either d2 or c3. Then black will push d6 and e5 and put all their pawns on dark squares to improve their remaining bishop. The Bogo is mostly sound, but Black must be careful lest white be able to make use of their bishop pair.} 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Nbxd2 {Most players recapture with 6. Qxd2 and develop their knight to c3, but my opponent seemed to be a bit confused and was likely out of prep by now.} d6 7. e4 e5 {This e5 push, which is a central theme in the Bogo, is right on time, as 8. e5 cannot be allowed. This also threatens 8… exd4 9. cxd4 Nxe4, winning a pawn.} 8. d5 O-O {I was happy with my position here. Normally, White refrains from pushing d5, and black must either force d5 with the weakening c5 or play without a good square for the b8 knight. Now, I get the c5 square for their knight.} 9. Bd3 Bg4 {[%csl Gf3] This gets the bishop out of the way so I can play Nbd7.} 10. h3 Bh5 11. g4 {[%csl Gh5]} Bg6 {White will win black’s light squared bishop, but at the cost of mutilating their kingside pawn structure.} 12. h4 h6 $6 {This is overly passive.} ({stronger was} 12... h5 $1) 13. h5 Bh7 14. Nh4 $6 {Inaccuracy. g5 was best.} (14. g5 hxg5) 14... Nbd7 15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. gxf5 {[%csl Gg5][%cal Gf6h7,Gh7g5] Now Black has lost the bishop pair and White has a semi-open file against Black’s king. The only reason Black is still in the game is that with no g-pawn, White cannot pawn storm the black king. In addition, Black’s knight will be much better than the pathetic excuse for a bishop on d3. For these reasons, Black is equal or even slightly better.} Nc5 17. Bc2 Nh7 {[%csl Gb2] I am going to put my knight on g5.} 18. b4 Nd7 19. Nf3 Ng5 20. Rg1 $2 (20. Nxg5 $1 Qxg5 $15) 20... Nxf3+ $6 ({I missed} 20... Nh3 $1 {when the knight gets a phenomenal outpost on f4. Still, my opponent made several subpar moves leading up to this, and I am slightly better despite missing a golden opportunity.}) 21. Qxf3 {[%csl Gd7][%cal Gd7f6,Gf6h7,Gd7f8,Gf8h7,Gh7g5]} a5 $5 {I am very proud of this move, no matter what the engine says. If 22.b5, my knight gets a permanent outpost on c5. If 22. bxa5, I get a semi-open file attacking an isolated pawn, and white’s chances of getting the other rook into the attack via queenside castling are gone. If 22. 0-0-0, as happened in the game, I get an open a-file. This may not seem like much, but it turns out to be very important in the game. However, the computer claims that 22. Ba4, which both me and my opponent missed, equalizes for white.} 22. O-O-O $6 {[%csl Gg8,Ge6]} axb4 23. axb4 {[%csl Ga1,Ga2,Ga3,Ga4,Ga5,Ga6,Ga7,Ga8][%cal Ga8a1]} Qf6 {This move locks my queen up defending g7, but this is only temporary, and I can maneuver my knight to g5 via Nf8-h7.} 24. Rg3 Kh8 25. Rdg1 Rg8 {Now White’s attack has fizzled out, and I will have a good square for my knight in addition to that open a-file.} 26. Kb2 Nf8 {There is nothing my opponent can do to stop my knight from going to g5.} 27. Qe3 Nh7 28. Ra1 Rxa1 29. Kxa1 Ra8+ {Maintaining my death grip on the a-file.} 30. Kb2 Ng5 $6 {Inaccuracy. Qd8 was best.} (30... Qd8 31. Rg1) 31. Rg1 Qd8 {[%csl Gf2,Gf5,Gc2] I may want to reroute my queen at some point in the future, and this move also defends the a8 rook.} 32. f4 $2 ({But after White's best move} 32. Ra1 {Black still stands sigificantly better - WG}) 32... exf4 33. Qc3 ({If} 33. Qxf4 $2 {Black wins by} Nh3) 33... Qe7 34. Rg4 Qe5 {If White exchanges on e5, my f4 pawn will be protected and the rest will just be a matter of technique.} 35. Bb1 Ra4 {Threatening 36…Rxb4+!, exploiting the pin on the queen.} 36. Kc2 Qxe4+ {A very risky decision in an important game, but it was hard to keep a steady hand at 8:00 pm while winning against an opponent 150 rating points higher than me.} 37. Kb3 Qxb1+ $1 ({I was debating whether to play this or} 37... Rxb4+ {but I figure that I would get 3 pawns for the exchange either way, and this way I would open the king to attack more.}) 38. Kxa4 Qa2+ {Winning another pawn, as 39. Kb5?? Qa6#.} 39. Qa3 Qxc4 40. Qb2 b5+ 41. Ka5 Qxd5 {I thought for some time about this move, and though I didn’t want to give up my passed pawn, I couldn’t see any other way to make progress.} 42. Rxf4 Qc6 $6 {This threatens 43… Qb6#,} ({but} 42... Qb7 {would have been better, as it prevents Qa7 and gives the black knight a lethal square on c6.}) 43. Qd4 f6 {This does damage my pawn structure, but my plan was to end the game with Nf7-e5-c4+.} 44. Rg4 Nf7 {The inexorable march of the knight begins.} 45. Qa7 Ne5 $2 {This is perfectly natural, but it allows white a chance to save himself. Still, this was very difficult to see, and I do not fault my opponent for not seeing it.} 46. Qb8+ Kh7 47. Rh4 $2 ({The only saving move was the incredible} 47. Rxg7+ {with the idea of} Kxg7 48. Qg8+ $1 Kxg8 {stalemate. 48. Qh8+! Kf7 49. Qf8+! Kxf8 and 48. Qf8+! Kh7 49. Qf7+!! Nxf7 also lead to stalemate, but they use the same idea as the first line. This double kamikaze sacrifice looks like something straight out of a puzzle book, and I distinctly remember it being labeled as a “very rare motif” in Murray Chandler’s Chess Tactics for Kids. Even my coach didn’t find it, and I doubt most players could in a practical game, when there is no “White to Move and Draw” attached to the board.}) 47... Nc4+ $1 48. Rxc4 bxc4 49. b5 Qb6+ {This is the quickest way to end the game.} 50. Qxb6 cxb6+ 51. Kb4 {[%csl Gd6] Checkmate is now unavoidable. Kxb6 was best.} ({If} 51. Kxb6 {black wins the pawn race after} c3 52. Ka7 c2 53. b6 c1=Q 54. b7 {and the Queen versus pawn is so winning that you can even sacrifice the queen for the b7 pawn. It seems like my opponent was hoping I had overlooked his 51st move, which I had briefly calculated, but even if I had, the solution is obvious.}) 51... d5 {There is no hope left for White, as if he takes the d5 pawn, the pawn on c4 will promote. Therefore, he resigned.} 0-1

[Event "Oregon Class Championships"]
[White "Barrett, John"]
[Black "Palan, Mihir"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "2"]
[Annotator "Wilson Gibbins"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Date "2024.11.02"]
[ECO "D33"]
[BlackElo "1025"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[GameId "2111682053791827"]
[EventDate "2024.11.02"]
[SourceVersionDate "2024.12.14"]

{[%evp 0,62,14,-5,-5,-25,-28,-21,-28,-17,-4,1,21,-27,10,11,52,-30,38,-13,-11,-90,-90,-140,-102,-312,-309,-295,-313,-330,-337,-427,-58,-342,-334,-348,-364,-536,-514,-504,-329,-332,-281,-455,-414,-455,-455,-1215,-502,-558,-458,-1076,-972,-29997,-29998,-29999,-2071,-2482,-2354,-28832,-29992,-29993,-29994,-29999,-29999]} {don't include this one.} 1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. d4 c5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. Nf3 Ne4 $6 {A little risky, moving a piece twice in the opening.} (7... Be7 {was once the automatic move in the Tarrasch Defense, but}) (7... cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bc5 {is having a moment.}) 8. Nxe4 $2 {the risk pays off.} ({The calm} 8. O-O {, ignoring the knight, maintains the advantage for White}) 8... dxe4 9. Ng5 Qxd4 10. Qb3 $2 {tempting, but it doesn't quite work.} (10. Nxe4 Qxd1+ 11. Kxd1 {is roughly equal}) 10... c4 $1 11. Qa4 b5 $5 {trying to divert White's queen from the defense of the d1 square.} (11... Bb4+ 12. Kf1 f5 {is simpler. Mihir's move is more fun.}) 12. Qxb5 $2 ({but} 12. Qc2 Bb4+ 13. Bd2 Bxd2+ 14. Qxd2 Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2 f5 {is winning for White}) 12... Bb4+ 13. Bd2 (13. Kf1 Qd1# {demonstrates the value of 11...b5!?}) 13... Qxd2+ 14. Kf1 Bd7 15. Nxe4 Rb8 (15... Qxe2+ 16. Kxe2 Nd4+) 16. Qxc4 Qxb2 17. Rd1 O-O 18. Bf3 Bh3+ 19. Bg2 Bxg2+ 20. Kxg2 Ne5 21. Qc7 Rbc8 22. Qxa7 Qxe2 23. Qb7 Rb8 24. Qd5 Rfe8 25. Rc1 Ng4 26. Rc4 Ne3+ 27. Kh3 Nxd5 28. Rhc1 Rxe4 29. Rc8+ Rxc8 30. Rxc8+ Bf8 31. a4 Qf1# 0-1

