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Chess Room Newsletter #886

Gens Una Sumus!

 

Newsletter #886

Sept 27, 2019

By Abel Talamantez

Table of Contents

Stearman Defeats Top Seed Kyron Griffith To Stay Ahead of Li With Final Round Next Week

FM Josiah Stearman had his biggest win of the tournament as he defeated FM Kyron Griffith to stay on top of the Championship section with 7.5/8. Stearman is playing outstanding chess lately, and is in the driver's seat headed to the final round next week. NM Eric Li kept pace right behind Stearman with a win against Cailen Melville. He sits at 7/8. Thge next closest player is Sriram Krishnakumar, who defeated NM Tenzing Shaw and maintains clear third at 5.5/8. The final round will be a battle to see if someone can slow down Stearman enough for Li to catch. There are many possible opponents for Stearman and Li, including NM Rui Yang Yan and NM Michael Walder, each with the ability to defeat them if they are not careful. It will be a dramatic final round!

The funnest match to follow of the night was between NM Rui Yang Yan and NM Carlos Davila. The game had big swings in favor of both players, but in the end it was Rui who was defending and the drama was caught live on our broadcast. The match also showed a battle of generations, with Davila represnting the old school club player against the young world youth bronze medalist. It was fun to see and appropriately, the game ended in a draw.

NM Rui Yang Yan (hoodie) and NM Carlos Davila played an exciting battle that was covered live on our broadcast

In the A/B section, Ako Heidari has pulled away into clear first with a win over Venkatagi Acharya. He now sits at 6.5/8. Kristian Clemens (6/8) defeated Mansoor Mohammed in one of the final games of the night, seeming to set a showdown between Heidari and Clemens in the final round. Sitting at 5.5 are Mohammed, Acharya and Daniel McKellar, who has creeped up the leaderboard after pulling together three straight wins. 

In the u/1600 section, congratulations go to Sterling Albury, who remains perfect at 8/8 after defeating the always tough and game John Chan. He has won the section outright, as the next closest players sit at 5.5, and it is a talented group that includes Albert Starr, Jerry Simpkins, Julian Sachs-Weintraub and John Bielec. The fight for second it appears will be a bloodbath, and will be very exciting to watch. 

Alexander Perlov (left) playing Teodoro Porlares as his son Daniel Perlov chats in the commentary on our live broadcast

For the full standings, please follow this link to our TNM page:

https://www.milibrary.org/tuesday-night-marathon

To watch the broadcast, watch the replay on our YouTube channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jT1_-rGeFU

@mechanicschess
 

Special TNM Final Round Next Week!! GM Sam Shankland to Give TNM Lecture, IM John Donaldson to Commentate With FM Paul Whitehead!!

Next week's final round will feature two very special guests. First, GM Sam Shankland will give the TNM lecture starting at 5:15 and will also be promoting his upcoming book Small Steps 2 Success: Mastering Passed Pawn Play. The book may be pre-ordered by following this link: https://samshankland.com/#post-408

Also, Former Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Director IM John Donaldson will join FM Paul Whitehead on the live broadcast to commentate on the games and discuss chess history and culture. It will truly be a very special evening.

Tune in at 6:30pm next Tuesday on our channel: https://www.twitch.tv/mechanicschess
 


Mechanics - Marshall Club Match October 15!

The Mechanics' Institute in San Francisco and the Marshall Chess Club in New York will play a historic match on Tuesday night October 15 at 5:30pm. This will be a 10 player per side match, with 2 players from u/2500, u/2300, u/2100, u/1900, u/1700. Players will play 2 games against the same opponent based on rating order and play white and black with a time control of G/25 +5. Players will play from inside the chess club, online on Chess.com. The match will feature our live broadcast team of GM Nick de Firmian and FM Paul Whitehead and will shown on our Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/mechanicschess

We are excited for this match because it not only involves the two most historic chess clubs in the country, but also because it will provide viewers the opportunity to see into our respective clubs and learn about their history and the culture of the players that make up their communities. We hope this marks the beginning of what we hope is more chess clubs engaging each other through chess and promoting chess as something that has social and cultural impact and significance.

The following is the lineup for the match:

Mechanics - Marshall

U/2500

FM Kyron Griffith (2452) - IM Yury Lapshun (2491)

FM Josiah Stearman (2421) - GM Michael Rohde (2475)

U/2300

IM Elliott Winslow (2248) - FM Liam Henry Putnam (2244)

WFM Natalya Tsodikova (2196) - FM Jon Jacobs (2200)

U/2100

David Askin (2053) - Charles Hua (2063)

Manas Paldhe (2029) - Glenn Cabasso (2013)

U/1900

Cailen Melville (1871) - John A Gruska (1835)

Felix Rudyak (1859) - Orion Lehoczky Escobar (1725)

U/1700

Erika Malykin (1688) - Chloe Gaw (1530)

David Rakonitz (1639) - Stefan Sekulic Derdowski (1357)

Best of luck to our Mechanics Chess Team!!

Tournament Director's Corner

How are pairings determined?

 
Are you the type of player who is trying to figure out who are you playing next round based on the current standings? How often are you right?
Let us take the AB section's Round 7 standings to demonstrate some of the rules that govern the pairings, as this rounds pairings offer a good learning opportunity.
 
AB standings after Round 7:
# Name ID Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Rd 4 Rd 5 Rd 6 Rd 7 Tot
1 MANSOOR MOHAMMED 16086550 1885 W32 (b) W9 (w) W14 (b) W13 (w) W10 (b) D7 (w) L2 (w) 5.5
2 AKO HEIDARI 15206848 1856 H--- (-) W21 (b) W16 (w) L10 (w) W27 (b) W8 (w) W1 (b) 5.5
3 VENKATAGI ACHARYA 15616537 1706 W25 (w) L13 (b) W33 (w) W6 (b) D9 (w) W10 (w) W7 (b) 5.5
4 KRISTIAN CLEMENS 13901075 1944 H--- (-) W26 (b) D12 (w) H--- (-) W16 (w) W13 (b) H--- (-) 5.0
5 NM THOMAS F MASER 10490936 1902 L16 (w) W24 (b) W22 (w) L7 (b) W19 (w) W17 (b) W13 (w) 5.0
 
There are three players with 5.5 points. 
 
Mansoor is the highest rated, and he had 4 whites and 3 blacks during the 7 rounds, so he needs a black to equalize his colors, and also he played with white twice in the past two rounds, so he MUST play with Black. 
 
Ako is the second highest rated, with 3 whites and 3 blacks. Since he had black last round, he would need a white in Round 8. Half point byes don't count for color considerations.
Finally, Venkatagi is the lowest rated in this score group, with again 4 whites and 3 blacks, so again he would need a black to equalize his colors, however, since his colors were alternating nicely, it's technically allowed for him to play white under extreme circumstances (like no other way to avoid higher pairing conflicts.)
At this point we also have to note that Ako and Mansoor played already in Round 7, so one of them must face Venkatgiri, while the other one will be paired down. Since both Venkatgiri and Mansoor needs to play black, due to their color history and the need for equalizing their colors, therefore Ako is facing Venkatgiri and Mansoor is paired down, to the top of the next score group, which is Kristian Clemens. 
 
One small help that any TD can give to players is when the pairings are posted, the software can be set to display not only the initial rating, and total score, but also the due color: w, W, WW or b, B, BB.
w - due white due to color alternation, but otherwise equal number of black and white
W  - due white due to color equalization, but based on alternation, player may still receive black
WW - MUST play qhite, due to both color equalization, and color alternation.

​This can help you figure out how influential color allocation is when determining not only colors but pairings and floating status.
 
Bd Res White Res Black
12   AKO HEIDARI (1856 w 5.5)   VENKATAGI ACHARYA (1706 B 5.5)
13   KRISTIAN CLEMENS (1944 w 5.0)   MANSOOR MOHAMMED (1885 BB 5.5)
 
 
Here are the USCF rules that are being used, in this order of importance:
1. 27A1. Avoid players meeting twice (highest priority).
2. 27A2. Equal scores. Players with equal scores are paired whenever possible.
3. 27A3. Upper half vs. lower half. Within a score group, i.e., all players who have the same score, the upper half by ranking (28A) is paired against the lower half. 
4. 27A4. Equalizing colors. Players receive each color the same number of times, whenever practical, and are not assigned the same color more than twice in a row. 
5. 27A5. Alternating colors. Players receive alternating colors whenever practical.
6. 29C2. Other adjustments. Transpositions are made in order to avoid pairing players who have already played each other and to give as many players as possible their equalizing or due colors
7. 29E3. Due Colors in succeeding rounds. As many players as possible are given their due colors in each succeeding round, so long as the pairings conform to the basic Swiss system rules.
29E3a. Due colors defined. A player who has had an unequal number of whites and blacks is due the color that tends to equalize the number of whites and blacks. A player who has had an equal number of whites and blacks is due the opposite color to that he received in the most recent round. Colors assigned in games won or lost by forfeit do not count in deciding due color. A player who has played no games is due neither white nor black.
8. 29E4. Equalization, alternation, and priority of color.
Equalization of colors takes priority over alternation of colors. First, as many players as possible are given the color that tends to equalize the number of times they have played white and black. After that is accomplished, as many players as possible should be given the color opposite to that which they played in the previous round.
 
Hope this quick example helps 

Scholastic Corner

by Judit Sztaray
 

Take advantage of our FREE classes!

 
Mechanics' Institute Chess Club is a leading and unique nonprofit among the chess organizations offering a wide variety of classes and events completely free of charge!
These classes and events are possible due to the generous donations we are getting, the most recent one is from Russell Brandwein, who donated in memory of Steven Brandwein. 
 
Some of the classes that you can try out on the 4th floor in Mechanics':
 
1. Tuesday pre-TNM lecture with GM Nick de Firmian 5:15-6:15PM - with special appearance of GM Sam Shankland once a TNM.
 
2. Wednesday Class with GM Nick de Firmian 5:30-7:30PM
Beginner class for adults. For pictures, and dates, check out the following page:
Nick1.jpg pictures here
 
2. Thursday Class with FM Paul Whitehead 5:30-7:30PM: for intermediate and advance players, regardless of age.
 
3. Saturday morning class for KIDS with Coach Andy Trattner 11AM-1PM
Great class for beginner and intermediate players with an enthusiastic group of players and coaches. 
AndyT_coaching.jpg picture here
 
4. Sunday morning class for Women only with Coach Lina Kubrick and Sophie Adams 11AM-1PM
 
So there is really no reason not to get better in chess, right?
Go, visit, learn and share your experience with us! Send us some pictures, your stories and testimonials. Your feedback is helping us share our offerings and make our classes and events better!

More information: www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/mechanics-institute-sep-scholastic-swiss-2
Register online: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/Tournaments2019/MechanicsInstituteSeptemberScholasticSwiss2

 

Tony's Teasers

Last  week's problem: 

White to move, mate in 2; Heathcote 1891

Solution:

1. Be4!!   Rxa3

 2. Qd5#           

If Kxe4, Re3#

This week's problem:

Mate in 4 by Wolfgang Pauly, 1906, white to move

  

 


 

Wednesday Night Blitz Update

Visiting from Sweden, IM Axel Ornstein was dominant in the September 25th edition of the Wednesday Night Blitz, scoring a perfect 6-0. Clear second was Expert Felix Rudyak with 4.5-1.5. It was a crowd at 3rd place: Experts Carlos Davila and Joe Urquhart split the honors with Class D players Joey Flynn and Alex Cornell, all at 4-2. 15 players slugged it out under the watchful eye of organizer Jules Jelinek. See you next week!

      

 



19th JJ Dolan Memorial on October 5
3 SS G/75; d5


Next 1-day tournament is a 3 round, G/75;d5 time control Swiss tournament. New this year that we'll have two sections: 1800+ and under1800.

Prize Fund: $720 - based on 40 paid entries. 
2 Sections:
    1800+: $240, $120, $85
    under1800: $150, $65, $60

Entry Fee:  $30 for MI members, $35 for non-members.
Family discount: entry fee is $20 for each additional player besides the first (plus late fee if applicable).

Onsite Registration: 9:30AM-9:45AM
Round Times: 10AM, 1PM, 4PM
Time Control: G/75; d5  (Game in 75 minutes with 5 second delay)

More information online: www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/19th-jj-dolan-memorial-g75
Flyer: www.milibrary.org/sites/default/files/Dolan_G75.pdf

Please, register online!

Multiple benefits: can check your entry for accuracy in advance, will receive Welcome email the day before the tournament with importan information AND will receive a Thank you email with links to rating, pictures and survey. https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/Tournaments2019/19thJJDolanMemorialChampionship
 

GM Nick de Firmian’s Column

Magnificent Magnus 8: Magnus Attacks!

When you think of attacking chess players there are some who immediately come to mind from the past ages. Sizzling Tal sacrifices and attacks are my first thought, though not far behind are the superb games of Greco from 400 years ago. Alexander Alekhine had many games where flights of fantasy are turned into reality in the form of an attack. Capablanca could attack, but that’s not what made him World Champion. Perhaps the same could be said of Karpov, Petrosian and many other World Champions.

Magnus likes endgames, to be sure. He also likes to play middle games like Capablanca. Yet still he is perfectly in his element when required to press an attack. We have already seen in previous weeks the wonderful games Magnus played against Li Chao in 2013 and Hikaru Nakamura in 2011. Yet we must include below a couple of battles where Magnus was younger and slightly reckless. These games could have been played by Tal, and show another element of Magnus’ style.

(1) Magnus Carlsen (2581) - Nurlan Ibraev (2476) [E38]
36th Olympiad Calvia ESP (10), 25.10.2004

Chess Olympiads are always a great gathering of the chess world. Magnus has lead the Norwegian Team many times and seems to enjoy these team events. 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 This was Capablanca's favorite against the Nimzo-Indian. 4...c5 5.dxc5 Bxc5 6.Nf3 Qb6 7.e3 Qc7 8.b3 b6 Diagram

Magnus8_56
9.Bb2 Bb7 10.Nb5!? We have had a rather standard development for the first nine moves and if both sides had routinely developed and castled kingside there would be little special about this game. Magnus takes the opportunity to set his opponent with hard problems in the opening. 10...Qd8 11.0-0-0! 0-0?! This puts the black king on a definite postion and so allows White to focus on the kingside. 11...Nc6 would have been more flexible. 12.Ng5 Re8 Diagram
Magnus8_57
13.h4! It would be foolish to cash in all the positional trumps to gain a measly pawn after 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qxf7+ Kf8. 13...e5 14.Nd6 Bxd6 15.Rxd6 h6 Diagram
Magnus8_58
16.Qf5! This is a move one would expect from Tal. You leave pieces hanging and simply move forward towards the enemy king. Black is under pressure and can only survive now by "forcing" the intended sacrifice on f6: 16...Qe7! 17. Rxf6 Qxf6 18. Qh7+ Kf8 19. Bd3 would be good for White yet not decisive. Ibraev want to develop a piece with the same variation, but that unfortunately covers the e4 square. 16...Nc6? 17.Rxf6! Diagram
Magnus8_59
Ibraev resigned after realizing that 17...Qxf6 18. Qh7+ Kf8 19. Ba3+ d6 20. Ne4! sets up Bxd6+ and Qh8 mate. 1-0

 

(2) Magnus Carlsen (2528) - Geir Sune Tallaksen Ostmoe (2349) [E15]
Norwegian Championship Sandnes NOR (5), 05.07.2005

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.d4 b6 4.g3 The game starts out as a tame Queen's Indian Defense. One would hardly expect the battle that soon arises. 4...Ba6 5.b3 b5 6.cxb5 Bxb5 7.Bg2 d5 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.Nc3 Ba6 10.Re1 Bd6 11.Bb2 0-0 Diagram

Magnus8_60
Both sides have devoloped all their pieces and castled. All very principled, but now the game opens up. 12.e4 Nxe4 13.Nxe4 dxe4 14.Rxe4 Bb7 15.Rh4!? Be7 16.Rh3 Diagram
Magnus8_61
An unusual place for the rook! It has a blunt idea - to attack on the h-file. 16...Nf6 17.Qe2 Bd5 18.Re1 Qb8 19.Ne5 Qb7 20.Bxd5 Qxd5 21.Qc2 c5? Diagram
Magnus8_62
Defending the attacked pawn on c7 and attacking the center. Yet this move allows the attack to build quickly. 21...h6 was better. 22.Ng4! h6 23.Re5 Qf3 Diagram
Magnus8_63
24.Nxh6+! gxh6 25.Rxh6 White has a lot of pieces on the kingside, but Black has defenders too. It doesn't look that clear the attack will succeed. 25...Kg7 Diagram
Magnus8_64
26.Rg5+! Kxh6 27.Bc1 Diagram
Magnus8_65
A marvelous position. Magnus is down a rook and a knight, but the Black king is in mortal danger. 27...cxd4 28.Rg4+ Qe3 Forced. 28...Kh5 29. Rh4 is mate. 29.Rh4+ Nh5 30.Rxh5+ Kxh5 31.Qh7+ Kg4 32.fxe3 Diagram
Magnus8_66
Material is now even and White still has an attack. 32...Rac8 33.Kg2! Rxc1 34.h3+ Kg5 35.Qg7+ Kf5 36.g4+ Ke4 37.Qxd4# Diagram
Magnus8_67

1-0

 




Brandwein Memorial TNM Games Round 8

Annotations by GM Nick de Firmian 

 

(1) Stearman,Josiah P (2427) - Griffith,Kyron (2452) [E60]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (8.1), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 Stearman has expanded his repertoire 2x! 1...Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Ne2 0-0 6.Be3 c5 7.d5 a6 8.Nec3 e6 9.a4 Re8 10.Be2 exd5 11.cxd5 Nbd7 12.0-0 Rb8 13.Na3 Nb6N [13...h5 was previously played, but with no white knight at g3 it loses some of its kick. 14.Qc2 h4 15.Rae1 Nh5? (15...h3!=) 16.f4+- 1-0 (29) Iniyan,P (2380)-Deshmukh,A (2241) Barcelona 2017] 14.a5 [Stockfish 10 just develops with 14.Qd2 Nxa4? 15.Nxa4 b5 16.Nc3 b4 17.Nc4 bxc3 18.bxc3+-] 14...Na8 Following through, but [14...Nbd7 eyeing e5 again is probably more balanced.] 15.Nc4 with a positionally won game. 15...Nc7 16.Qd2 Nb5 17.Nxb5 axb5 18.Nb6 Bd7 19.Rae1 Qc7 20.Bd3 Re7 21.b4 c4 22.Bc2 Rbe8 23.Bd4 Nh5 24.g4 Bxd4+ 25.Qxd4 Ng7 26.Qf6 Bc8 27.Re3 Rf8 28.Rfe1 [28.h3 intending f3-f4] 28...Ne8 29.Qh4 f6 30.Qh6?! [30.f4 g5 31.Qg3] 30...Ng7?! [30...Rg7 31.R3e2 and h2-h4, no way to trap White's queen.] 31.h3 f5?! The proverbial "lashing out" -- or "an attempt to change the trend" if you prefer. 32.exf5 Rxe3 33.Rxe3 gxf5 34.Qg5 Qd8

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_834
35.Qxd8! White knows this locks up the win, so: off they come. 35...Rxd8 36.Re7 fxg4 37.hxg4 Ne8 38.Nxc8 Rxc8 39.Rxb7 The a-pawn's position finally hatches. 39...c3 40.a6 Ra8 41.a7 Kf8 42.Bxh7 Zugzwang. 1-0

 

(2) Li,Eric Yuhan (2282) - Melville,Cailen (1905) [C01]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (8.2), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.e4 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Bxd2+ 5.Qxd2 d5 6.Bd3 Bb7N [6...Nc6 7.Ne2 dxe4 8.Bxe4 Bb7 9.Nbc3 Nf6 10.Bf3 0-0 11.0-0 Rb8 1/2-1/2 (31) Ding, L (2805)-Rapport,R (2747) Saint Louis 2019; 6...dxc4!? 7.Bxc4 Bb7 8.Nc3 Nf6+/=] 7.cxd5 exd5 8.e5 Ne7 9.f4+/- c5 10.Nc3 c4?! 11.Bc2 Qd7 12.Nf3 [12.Nge2!] 12...h6 13.0-0 Nbc6 14.Rae1 Nd8?

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_835
15.f5! [or 15.e6! Nxe6 16.Ne5 Qd6 17.f5 Ng5 18.f6 gxf6 19.Nb5] 15...f6 [15...Nxf5? 16.e6 Nxe6 17.Bxf5] 16.exf6 gxf6 17.Nh4 This is really no better. 17...Rh7 18.Ng6 [18.Re6!] 18...Ndc6 19.Re6 Kf7 20.Rfe1 Ng8 21.Qf4 a6 22.Rd6 Qc8 23.Nxd5 Youn Eric is keeping the pressure on Josiah 1-0

 

(3) Shaw,Tenzing (2276) - Krishnakumar,Sriram (2056) [C88]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (8.3), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 b5 6.Bb3 Be7 7.0-0 Bb7 8.a4 d6 9.Nbd2 0-0 10.Re1 h6 11.Nf1 Re8 12.Bd2 Bf8 13.Ne3 Ne7 14.Nh4 d5?! 15.Ng4 Nc6 16.Nf5 dxe4 17.axb5 axb5 18.Rxa8 Bxa8

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_836
White has stuck himself out on a limb and leaps forward. But as it turns out, 19.Bxh6?! [19.Re3 is as close to an advantage as he'll end up getting.] 19...gxh6 20.Ngxh6+ Bxh6 21.Nxh6+ Kg7? [21...Kf8! was the winning defense. 22.Nxf7 Qd7 23.Qd2 Qg4] 22.Nxf7! [22.Qd2!? Nh7 23.Re3!?] 22...Qd7 23.Re3? [23.Qd2=; 23.Qc1=] 23...Nd4!-+ 24.Rg3+ Kf8 25.Qd2 Nf5 26.Qg5 Bd5 27.Nxe5 Qe6 28.Bxd5 Qxe5 29.Rh3 Nxd5 30.dxe4 Qf6 Snuffing out the attack 31.Qg4 [31.Qxf6+ Nxf6 32.Rh8+ Ng8 33.exf5? Re1#] 31...Ra8 32.Qd1 Qxb2 33.Rf3 Ra1 Another youngster takes out a veteran. 0-1

 

(4) Winslow,Elliott (2222) - Tsodikova,Natalya (2196) [E91]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (8.4), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Be3 Nbd7 7.Nf3 Ng4 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bd2 e5 10.d5 f5 11.h3 Ngf6 12.exf5 gxf5 13.Qc1 Kh7 14.Qc2 Nc5 15.g4 Nfe4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Be3 Kg8 18.0-0-0 c6 19.Rhg1 cxd5 20.cxd5 Bd7 21.Kb1 Rc8 22.Qb3 Nc5 23.Qa3 f4 24.Bxc5 Rxc5 25.Nd2 Be8 26.Ka1 Bg6 27.Bd3 Bf7 28.Be4 Qc7 29.Nb3 Rb5 30.Qxa7 Rb4 31.f3 Qd7 32.Qa5 Ra4 33.Qb6 Rfa8 34.a3 R8a6 35.Bf5 Rxb6 36.Bxd7 Rc4 37.Rd3 e4 38.fxe4 Rxe4 39.Ka2 Re2 40.Rb1 Re5 41.Be6 Bxe6 42.dxe6 Rxe6 43.a4?? Re4! 44.Rbd1 Rxa4+ 45.Kb1 Rab4 46.Kc2 Be5 47.Rf3 Rc6+ 48.Kb1 Re4 49.Nd4 0-1

(5) Walder,Michael (2011) - Ivanov,Aleksandr (2192) [C16]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (8.5), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 Ne7 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 b6 7.Qg4 Ng6 8.h4 h5 9.Qd1 c5 10.Bg5 Qc7 11.Bd3 Ba6 12.Ne2 Bxd3 13.Qxd3 Nc6 14.f3 Na5 15.g4 cxd4 16.cxd4 Rc8 17.c3 Qc4 18.Qxc4?! White should stay in the middlegame 18...Rxc4 19.a4 Kd7 20.Ra3 Ne7 21.Nf4 g6 22.Bxe7 Kxe7 23.gxh5 gxh5 24.Rg1 Rcc8 25.Kf2 Nc4 26.Ra2 Rcg8 27.Rg5 Rxg5 28.hxg5 Rg8 29.Nh3 Kd7 30.Re2 a5 31.Kg3 b5 32.axb5 a4 33.Kh4 a3 34.Nf4 Ra8 35.Ra2 Ne3 36.Nd3 Kc7 37.Nb4 Kb6 38.Na6 Nc4 [38...Nf5+! forces White back since 39.Kxh5?? Rh8+ 40.Kg4 Rh4#] 39.Kxh5 Rh8+ 40.Kg4 Kxb5 41.Nc5 Rh1 42.f4 Rb1 43.Kf3 Rb2? [43...Rc1!-/+] 44.Ra1 a2

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_837
45.f5!= exf5 46.e6 fxe6 47.g6 Kc6? [47...Nd2+ would hold 48.Kg3 Nf1+!] 48.g7+- Rb8 49.Rxa2 Rg8 50.Nxe6 Kd6 51.Ra6+ Ke7 52.Nf4 Rxg7 53.Ra7+
MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_838
1-0

 

(6) Yan,Rui Yang (2139) - Davila,Carlos (2079) [B93]
MI Brandwein TNM: Extra Rated San Francisco (8.6), 24.09.2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 Qc7 7.a4 g6 8.Be2 Bg7 9.g4 h6 10.Be3 Nc6 11.g5 hxg5 12.fxg5 Nd7 13.h4 e6 14.h5 gxh5 15.g6 Nf6 16.gxf7+ Kxf7 17.Qd2 Ne5 18.0-0-0 Bd7 19.Nf3 Neg4 20.Ng5+ Ke7 21.Bxg4 hxg4 22.Bf4 e5 23.Nd5+ Nxd5 24.Qxd5 Raf8 25.Be3 Qc6 26.Qd3 b5 27.Nh7 Rf3 28.Bg5+ Ke6 29.Be3 Ke7 30.Ng5 Rff8 31.a5 Be8 32.Kb1 Rxh1 33.Rxh1 Rh8 34.Qf1 Qc4 35.Qg2 Bd7 36.Rxh8 Bxh8 37.Bc1 Qg8 38.Nh3 Bf6 39.b3 Be6 40.Ng1 Kd7 41.Qf2 Bd8 42.Qa7+ Bc7 43.Qxa6 Qb8 44.Ne2 Ke7 45.Ng3 Bc8 46.Qc6 Bxa5 47.Bg5+ Kf7 48.Bc1 Be6 49.Nf5 Bc7 50.Ba3 Bxf5 51.exf5 Qd8 52.Qd5+ Kg7 53.Bc1 Qg8 54.f6+ Kh7 55.f7 Qf8 56.Qe6 d5 57.Bg5 Bd6 58.Qf5+ Kg7 59.Qf6+ Kh7 60.Qe6 g3 61.Bf6 g2 62.Qf5+ Kh6 63.Bg5+ Kg7 64.Qf6+ Kh7 65.Qf5+ Kg7 66.Qf6+ Kh7 1/2-1/2

(7) Askin,David Benjamin (2053) - Rudyak,Felix (1900) [D02]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (8.7), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bf4 Nf6 4.e3 Bg4 5.Be2 e6 6.Nbd2 Be7 7.0-0 0-0 8.c4 Nh5 9.cxd5 Nxf4

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_839
10.dxc6! Nxe2+ 11.Qxe2 bxc6 12.Qc4 Qd5 13.Rfc1 The two knights have great outposts due to the poor Black pawn structure, so White has the advantage. 13...Qxc4 14.Rxc4 c5 15.dxc5 Bxf3 16.Nxf3 Bf6 17.Rb1 Rfd8 18.Kf1 a5 19.b3 Rd5 20.Ke2 Be7 21.Rbc1 Rb8 22.e4 Rh5 23.h3 Rb5 24.Nd4 Rbxc5
MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_840
25.Nc6! Rxc4 26.Nxe7+ Kf8 27.Rxc4 Kxe7 28.Rxc7+ Kf6 29.a4 g6 30.f4 1-0

 

(8) Marcus,Joel (1835) - Kuczek,Kevin (1987) [A80]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (8.8), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 f5 2.Bg5 h6 3.Bh4 Nf6 4.Bxf6 exf6 5.e3 Qe7 6.Qh5+ Kd8 7.Qxf5 Nc6 8.c3 d6 9.Qf3 g5 10.Nd2 Bg7 11.0-0-0 h5 12.h3 f5 13.Bd3 Qf6 14.h4 g4 15.Qg3 Ne7 16.Ne2 Ng6 17.f4 d5 18.Kb1 Bd7 19.c4 c6 20.Nc3 Ne7 21.Nb3 b6 22.Qf2 Ke8 23.g3 White is still up a pawn and should play on. 1/2-1/2

(9) Jia,Derek (2040) - Jensen,Christian (1881) [B78]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (8.11), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.f3 Bg7 7.Be3 0-0 8.Bc4 Nc6 9.Qd2 Bd7 10.0-0-0 Rc8 11.Bb3 Nxd4 [11...Ne5 still is the main line, when a recent game by Wesley So went down the most critical variation and showed just how well prepared the Philippine-American is: 12.Kb1 (12.h4 h5 (12...Nc4) ) 12...Nc4 (12...Re8) 13.Bxc4 Rxc4 14.g4 (14.b3!?) 14...b5 15.b3 b4 16.bxc4 bxc3 17.Qxc3 Qc7 18.g5 Nh5 19.Ka1! (19.Kc1 Rc8) 19...Rc8 Other moves have been played: (19...f5; 19...Be5; 19...Be6; 19...Bh3) 20.Rb1 Be6 (20...Be5) 21.Rb2! Bxc4 22.Rhb1 d5 23.exd5 Nf4 24.Rb7 Qe5 25.R1b4! (25.Rb8? Rxb8 26.Rxb8+ Qxb8 27.Qxc4 Qe5-+ but ½-½ (108) Alboredo,J (2158)-Coppola,C (2223) Foz do Iguacu 2018) 25...Nxd5 26.Rxc4! Rf8 27.Rc5 Nxc3 (27...Qxe3 28.Qxe3 Nxe3 29.c3) 28.Rxe5 Bxe5 29.Nc6 1-0 55, So - Duda, Moscow 2019] 12.Bxd4 b5 13.Bxa7 A dangerous grab, although one could wonder how Black will ever make use of the a-file with that great defense of a2. [13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.exd5 a5 16.a3] 13...b4 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 Qa5 16.Bd4

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_841
You have to have a certain sort of heightened alertness to see what Black has now! 16...Ba4 [16...Rxc2+!! 17.Bxc2 (17.Qxc2 Rc8 18.Qxc8+ (18.Bc4? Bf5! 19.Qb3 (19.Rd3 Bxd3 20.Qxd3 Qxa2 21.b3 Bxd4 22.Qxd4 Qxb3) 19...Bh6+) ) 17...Qxa2 18.Qe3 Rc8 19.Kd2
MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_842
19...Rxc2+!! Not again! 20.Kxc2 Qc4+ 21.Kd2[] Bxd4 22.Qxe7 Bf5 when White might - *might* - have a draw.] 17.Qe3! An excellent defensive move, coordinating White's forces. 17...Rc5?! [17...Bxb3 18.Qxb3 Rc7 Black has some play for the pawn which is hard to make anything of.] 18.Bxg7 [18.Bxc5!+-] 18...Kxg7 19.Kb1 [19.c4!+/-] 19...Ra8 20.Rd2= Qc7? 21.Qd4+ f6 22.Qxb4+- Bd7 23.Re1 Bf5 24.g4 Rb8 25.Qa4 Ra5 26.Qc6 Bxc2+ 27.Qxc2 Rc5 28.Qe4 e5 29.Rc2 1-0

 

(10) Busch,Jonah M (1871) - Lehman,Clarence (1900) [A13]
MI Brandwein TNM: 2000+ San Francisco (8.12), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.b3 d4 4.e3 c5 5.exd4 cxd4 6.Bb2 Nc6 7.d3 Nf6 8.g3 Bb4+ 9.Nbd2 0-0 10.Bg2 e5 11.0-0 Bf5 12.Qe2 Re8 13.Nh4 Bd7 14.a3 Bc3

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_843
15.Ne4 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 Bxb2 17.Qxb2 g6 18.b4 Rb8 19.b5 Ne7 20.f4 Bh3 21.Bg2 Bxg2 22.Nxg2 Nf5 23.fxe5 Rxe5 24.Rae1 Rxe1 25.Rxe1 Qg5 26.Re4 Rd8 27.Nf4 h5 28.Ne2 h4 29.g4 h3 30.Qc1 Qxc1+ 31.Nxc1 Nh4 32.Kf2 f5 33.gxf5 Nxf5 34.Kf3 Rf8 35.Kg4 Ne3+ 36.Kxh3 Rf3+ 37.Kh4 Nc2 38.a4 Re3 39.Rxe3 dxe3 40.Ne2 b6 41.Kg5 Kf7 42.h4 Kg7 43.d4 Na3 44.c5 bxc5 45.dxc5 Nc4 46.c6 Nd6 47.Kf4 Nf5 48.a5 Ne7 49.Kxe3 Kf6 50.Kd4 Nf5+ 51.Kd5 Ke7 52.Nf4 Nxh4 53.b6 1-0

 

(11) Heidari,Ako (1856) - Acharya,Venkatagiri (1706) [A20]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (8.9), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d3!? e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c4 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 d6 5.g3 Nf6 6.Bg2 0-0 7.0-0 h6 8.Nc3 a6 9.Nd5 Bc5 10.b4 Ba7 11.a4 Be6 12.Ne1 Rb8 13.e3 Bf5 14.b5!

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_844
Black is under pressure, with no good retreat. 14...Nxd5 15.bxc6! Ne7 16.cxb7 c6 17.Rb1 Qd7 18.Qb3 The b-pawn is worth fighting over! 18...Bh3 19.Ba5? [19.Bxh3 Qxh3 20.c5!+- Bxc5 21.Qc4 heading for two connected passers] 19...Bxg2 20.Kxg2 c5 21.f4 Nf5? [21...Nc6=] 22.Nc2! Rfe8 23.e4 Qc6 24.fxe5 Rxe5 25.Bc3 Nd4 26.Bxd4 cxd4 27.c5 d5 28.Nb4 Qxb7 29.c6 Qc8 30.Qc2 Rh5 31.Nxd5 Qh3+ 32.Kg1 Re8 33.Nf4 Rc5 34.Qxc5 Qxf1+ 35.Kxf1 Bxc5 36.c7 Bd6 37.Rb7 Rc8 38.Nd5 Kh7 39.Ke2 h5 40.Rb6 Bxc7 41.Rc6 Rb8 42.Nxc7 Rb2+ 43.Kf3 Rd2 44.Nxa6 Rxd3+ 45.Ke2 Ra3 46.Nc5 h4 47.gxh4 Rh3 48.a5 d3+ 49.Nxd3 Rxh2+ 50.Ke3 Rxh4 51.a6 Rh2 52.Ne5 f6 53.Nd7 Ra2 54.Nc5 Ra5 55.Kd4 Kg6 56.Kc4 Kh5 57.Kb4 Ra1 58.Na4 Rb1+ 59.Ka5 Re1 60.a7 Rxe4 61.a8Q f5 62.Qh8+ Kg4 63.Rg6+ Kf3 64.Qh3+ Kf4 65.Qg3# 1-0

 

(12) Clemens,Kristian (1944) - Mohammed,Mansoor (1885) [D45]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (8.13), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 c6 4.Nc3 a6 5.e3 e6 6.Bd3 Be7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe2 Re8 9.Rd1 Nbd7 10.a4 Bd6 11.Bc2 Qe7 12.e4 dxe4 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 c5 15.Bg5 Qf8 16.Bc2 f5 17.Be3 Bc7 18.dxc5 f4 19.Bd4 e5 20.Bc3 Qxc5 21.Ng5 Nf6

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_845
22.Nxh7! Nxh7 23.Bxh7+ Kf8 [23...Kxh7 24.Qh5+ Kg8 25.Qxe8+] 24.Bg6 Re7 25.b4 Qb6 26.Qh5 Qe6 27.Be4 Qf7 28.Qh8+ Qg8 29.Qxg8+ Kxg8 30.Bd5+ Kh7 31.b5 a5 32.Bb2 Bg4 33.f3 Bb6+ 34.Kf1 Bf5 35.Ba3 Ree8 36.c5 Bd8 37.Bxb7 Rb8 38.Be4 Bxe4 39.fxe4 Rc8 40.Rd5 Re6 41.Rad1 Be7 42.R1d3 Rh6 43.Kg1 Bh4 44.c6 1-0

 

(13) McKellar,Daniel (1854) - Maser,Thomas F (1902) [A70]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (8.14), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 [8...a6 9.a4 Nbd7!? 10.Bd3 Nh5!?] 9.Bd3 This system (Nf3/Bd3/h3) almost takes the fun out of playing the Benoni. 9...a6 [9...b5!? 10.Nxb5! Re8 11.0-0! Nxe4 12.Re1! White doesn't shoot for much, but it is something and has proved to be annoying for Black.; 9...Nh5] 10.a4 Re8 Both sides play "natural moves" -- and in short time Black is lost. [10...Nbd7; 10...Nh5] 11.0-0 Qc7 12.Bf4 Nfd7 principled, but nothing is done for the stagnant queenside. [12...Nbd7] 13.Qd2 Ne5 14.Nxe5 Bxe5 15.Bxe5 Rxe5 16.f4 Re8 17.Rae1 c4 18.Bc2 Qb6+ 19.Re3 f5?! [19...Qxb2? 20.Rb1 Qa3 21.e5 White's knight is ready to wreak havoc.; 19...Nd7 20.Kh2 White is completely mobilized, and typically employs the "sealer-sweeper" device here: e5 dxe5; f5!] 20.Kh1 Nd7

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_846
21.Rg3! fxe4 22.Nxe4 [22.f5!] 22...Qxb2 23.Rb1 Qg7 24.Nxd6 Rf8 25.Re1 Nf6 26.Nxc4 Nh5 27.Rf3 Qc7 28.d6 Qd8 [28...Qxc4 29.Bb3] 29.Qd5+ Kg7 30.Re7+ Kh8 31.Qe5+ Nf6 32.Ne3 1-0

 

(14) Drane,Robert (1800) - Robeal,Rafik (1800) [C23]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (8.15), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.d3 c6 5.f4 d6 6.Nf3 Qb6 7.fxe5 dxe5 8.Bd2 Nd7 9.Ng5 Nh6 10.h3 Qxb2 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rb1 Qa3 13.Rb3 Qe7 14.Qc1?? b5! 15.Bxb5 cxb5 16.Nxb5 Nc5 17.Rb1 a6 18.Na3 f6 19.Nf3 Nf7 20.Nc4 Be6 21.Na5 Rfc8 22.d4 Nxe4 23.Bb4 Qe8 24.dxe5 Nxe5 25.Nxe5 fxe5 26.Qe3 Nf6 27.a3 Nd5 28.Qe2 Nxb4 29.axb4 Qb5 30.Qf3 Rf8 31.Qe4 Bd5 32.Qg4 e4 33.c4 Rxf1+ 34.Rxf1 Bxc4 35.Qxe4 Re8 36.Qxc4+ Qxc4 37.Nxc4 Bd4+ 38.Kh1 Bc3 39.Rb1 Re1+ 40.Rxe1 Bxe1 41.Kg1 Bxb4 42.Kf2 Kf7 43.Ke3 Ke6 44.g4 Bc5+ 45.Ke4 Bg1 46.h4 Bf2 47.h5 g5 48.Ne5 a5 49.Nf3 h6 50.Kd3 a4 51.Kc4 a3 52.Kb3 Bc5 53.Nd2 Ke5 54.Nf3+ Kf4 55.Nxg5 Kxg5 0-1

(15) Mercado,Adam (1699) - Xu,Jayden (1797) [C01]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (8.16), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Be7 6.h3 Bf5 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 dxc4 10.Qxc4 Nbd7 11.0-0 c6 12.Re1 Nb6 13.Qb3 Qc7 14.Bg5 [14.Bf4!? anyway] 14...Nbd5 15.Ne5 h6 16.Bh4 [16.Bxf6 Nxf6] 16...Rfe8? [16...Bd6!?] 17.Bxf6! Bxf6 18.Nxd5 cxd5 19.Rac1! Something's going to give. [19.Qxd5 Rad8 20.Qe4 Qb6 is the other side of the coin.] 19...Qa5 20.Qxb7 Bxe5 21.Rxe5 Qd2?! [21...Reb8 22.Qxd5 Qxd5 23.Rxd5 Rxb2 is difficult to assess. 24.a3 (24.Ra5) ] 22.Rxe8+ [22.Rc7!?+- Qxd4 (22...Rxe5 23.Qxa8+ Kh7 24.dxe5 Qe1+ 25.Kh2 Qxe5+ 26.g3 Qxc7 27.Qxd5 is a (winning) position only a computer could love.) 23.Rf5! sees White nicely combining attack and defense.] 22...Rxe8 23.Rc8 Kh7? [23...Rxc8 24.Qxc8+ Kh7 25.Qc3 does hold onto the pawn, but still a long way to go.] 24.Qxf7! Re1+? [24...Rxc8 25.Qf5+ Kg8 26.Qxc8+ Kh7 27.Qc3 and now it's two pawns.] 25.Kh2 Qg5

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_847
26.g4? An inexplicable move. [White has the goods right now! The king can be flushed out with 26.Qg8+! Kg6 27.Rc6+ Kh5 (27...Kf5 28.Qxd5+ Kf4 29.Qf3#) 28.Qf7+ g6 29.Qf3+] 26...Qf6 It is a lost ending, but it beats getting mated! 27.Qxf6 gxf6 28.Rc7+ Kg6 29.Rxa7 Re2 [29...Rd1] 30.Kg3 Rxb2 31.f4 h5 [31...f5 32.Ra6+ Kg7 33.g5!] 32.a4 [32.f5+ Kh6 33.Rf7] 32...Rb4 33.Ra8?! [33.f5+ Kh6 34.Rf7 (34.a5) ] 33...Rxd4 34.a5 h4+ 35.Kxh4 Rxf4 36.a6 Ra4 37.a7 Kg7
MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_848
Black has to stop check and queen 38.Rd8?? That's a big downtrade! [White should take advantage of Black's situation with 38.Kg3 and only play Rd8 when his king is at b6 (!) 38...d4 39.Kf3 d3 40.Ke3 Ra3 41.h4 Black is going to have his hands full.] 38...Rxa7 39.Rxd5 Ra3 40.Rf5 Kg6 41.Rf2 Kg7 42.Rg2 Kh6 43.Rg3 Ra5 44.Rf3 Kg6 45.Kg3 f5! 1/2-1/2

 

(16) Perlov,Alexander (1770) - Porlares,Teodoro (1766) [E01]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (8.17), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Bb4+ 4.Nd2 0-0 5.Bg2 d5 6.Ngf3 c5 7.a3 Bxd2+ 8.Bxd2 cxd4 9.Nxd4 dxc4 10.Bc3 Nd5 11.Qc2 Nc6 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.0-0 Qb6 14.Rfd1 Qb3 15.Qxb3 cxb3 16.Bd4 a5 17.Rac1 Ba6 18.e4 Nf6 19.Rxc6 Rfd8 20.Rcc1 Be2 21.Rd2 e5 22.Bc3 Rxd2 23.Bxd2 Ne8 24.Be3 a4 25.Bh3 Nd6 26.Rc5 Nc4 27.Bc1 Kf8 28.Rc8+ Rxc8 29.Bxc8 Nd6 30.Bd7 Bb5 31.Bxb5 Nxb5 32.Be3 Ke8 33.Kf1?

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_849
33...Nxa3! 34.Bc1 Nc4 35.Ke2 a3 36.bxa3 b2 37.Bxb2 Nxb2 38.Kd2 Nc4+ 39.Kc3 Nxa3 40.Kb4 Nc2+ 41.Kc3 Nd4 42.Kd3 Ke7 43.f4 f6 44.f5 g5 0-1

 

(17) Cortinas,Martin A (1697) - Tamondong,Cesar (1617) [A45]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (8.18), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 g6 3.Bxf6 exf6 4.e4 d5 5.exd5 Qxd5 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Qd2 Bxc3 8.Qxc3 Nc6 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Nf3 Qxa2 11.Bb5 Qa1+ 12.Kd2 Qa5 13.Bxc6 Qxc3+ 14.Kxc3 bxc6 15.Rhe1 Bg4?! [15...Be6!] 16.Re7 Bxf3 17.gxf3 White's doubled pawns don't matter because they're defensive pawns. But the rook on the seventh is big trouble. 17...Rfc8 18.Rde1 a5 19.b3 a4 20.bxa4 Rxa4 21.R1e3 Kg7 22.Rd7 Ra3+ 23.Kc4 Rxe3 24.fxe3 f5 25.e4 fxe4 26.fxe4 Kf6 27.Kc5 Ke6 28.Kxc6 f5 29.d5+ Ke5

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_850
30.Rxc7! Ra8 31.Re7+ Kf6 32.d6 f4 33.e5+ Kf5 34.d7 Rd8 35.Kc7 Rxd7+ 36.Kxd7 h5 37.e6 g5 38.Rf7+ Ke5 39.e7 1-0

 

(18) Kaplan,Glenn (1651) - Rakonitz,David (1639) [A17]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (8.19), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg2 c6 6.Nf3 Bd6 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 Re8 9.Bg5 Nbd7 10.Re1 h6 11.Bxf6 Nxf6 12.e4 dxe4 13.dxe4 Bg4 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 Be5 16.Qb3 Qc7 17.Rac1 a6?! 18.Nd5

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_851
18...Qd7?! An interesting thought for play, but not good enough. 19.Nb6 Qxh3 20.Nxa8 Rxa8
MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_852
21.Qxb7?? [21.Bg2 stops most tomfoolery.] 21...Rb8 22.Qxc6 Rxb2?? Black probably didn't notice (or make his way through the maze) that he could in fact get a perpetual! [22...Bxg3! 23.fxg3 (23.Bg2 Qh2+ (or 23...Bxf2+ 24.Kxf2 (24.Kf1?? Qh4-+) 24...Rxb2+ 25.Rc2 Ng4+ 26.Kf1 Qd3+ 27.Rce2 (27.Ree2?? Qd1+ 28.Re1 Ne3+) 27...Ne3+ 28.Kf2 Nd1+) 24.Kf1 Bxf2! (or 24...Ng4) 25.Kxf2 Rxb2+ 26.Rc2 only! 26...Ng4+ 27.Kf1 (27.Kf3?? Ne5+) 27...Qf4+ 28.Kg1 Qh2+) ] 23.Qc8+ Qxc8 24.Rxc8+ Kh7 25.Re2! Rxe2 26.Bxe2 Nxe4?! 27.Bd3?! [27.Re8] 27...f5 28.Bxe4 fxe4 29.Re8 Bc3 30.Rxe4 a5 31.Kg2 Kg6 32.f3 Kf6 33.Rc4 Bb4 34.g4 Kg5 35.Kh3 Bd6 36.Rd4 Bb4 37.f4+ Kf6 38.Rd5 Kg6 39.Kg3 Kf6 40.Kf3 Ke6 41.Ke4 Bc3 42.Rb5 Kd6 43.Kf5 Kc6 44.Rb3 Bf6 45.g5 hxg5 46.fxg5 Bd4 47.g6 [47.Kg6] 47...Ba1 48.Ke6 Bf6 49.Kf7 Ba1 50.Rb8 1-0

 

(19) Tuck,Drew (1490) - Barreyro,Romeo (1657) [B07]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (8.20), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 e6 5.Bc4 Be7 6.0-0 0-0 7.a4 d5 8.Bd3 dxe4 9.Nxe4 Nb4 [9...Nxd4! does *not* lose a piece.] 10.Nxf6+ Bxf6 11.Be2 b6 12.c3 Nd5 13.Qc2 Bb7 14.Bd3 h6 15.Be4 a5 16.Re1 Rc8 17.Qd1 Ba8 18.Bc2 Qd6 19.Qd3

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_853
19...g6? [Better to just let him in! 19...Rfd8!] 20.Bxh6+- Bg7 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Ne5 Rh8 23.h3 [23.Qg3] 23...f5 24.Qg3 Rh6 25.Qg5 Rf8 26.Bb3 Rf6 27.Bxd5 Bxd5 28.c4 Rh5 29.Qg3 Bb7 30.Rad1 Be4 31.Re2 f4 32.Qg4 Bb7 33.Nf3 [33.Nxg6! Rxg6 34.Qxh5 Bxg2 35.Kh2!+- Just the sort of combination a computer would like.] 33...Rff5 34.Rde1 Bc8 35.d5 exd5 36.Re7+ Kf6 37.cxd5 Rh8 38.R1e6+ Bxe6 39.Rxe6+ Qxe6 40.dxe6 Kxe6 41.Nd4+ Kf6 42.Nxf5 gxf5 43.Qxf4 Rh7 44.Qd4+ Ke6 45.Qd8 Rd7 46.Qg8+ Kf6 47.f4 Rg7 48.Qd8+ Ke6 49.Qd4 Rf7 50.h4 Ke7 51.h5 c5 52.Qe5+ Kf8 53.Qb8+ Kg7 54.Qxb6 1-0

 

(20) Mays,Jerry (1700) - Khamkar,Susheel (1470) [C06]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (8.22), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ne2 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9.Nf4?! [9.exf6 Nxf6 10.Nf3 Bd6 11.0-0 0-0!? is still interesting, although some think White is just better allowing that exchange sacrifice on f3... (11...Qc7 12.Nc3 a6) ] 9...Qe7?! [9...Nxd4! 10.Qh5+ Ke7 11.Ng6+ hxg6 12.exf6+ Nxf6 (12...Kxf6!?) 13.Qxh8 Kf7] 10.Qh5+? [10.Nf3!] 10...Kd8 [10...Qf7] 11.0-0?! Nxd4 12.Nb3 Nxb3 13.axb3 Nxe5 Two pawns? Well his king is stuck center... 14.Re1 Nxd3?! 15.Nxd3 e5?

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_854
VERY loose 16.Bd2? Down two pawns you better grab every shot you can: [16.Nxe5+-; 16.Rxe5+-] 16...b6? [16...Qe8 17.Ba5+ Ke7 18.Qf3 e4 19.Rac1+/-] 17.Nxe5! THIS time he saw it! 17...g6? 18.Nc6+ Kd7 19.Rxe7+ Bxe7 20.Qxd5+ Bd6 21.Bb4 Bb7 22.Qxd6+ Kc8 23.Ne7# 1-0

 

(21) Casares Jr,Nick (1600) - Chambers,Don (1367) [C30]
MI Brandwein TNM: 1600-1999 San Francisco (8.23), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6?! [2...exf4; 2...d5; 2...Bc5] 3.Nf3 d6 4.c3?! There are faster ways to proceed 4...exf4 5.d4 Qf6 6.Bc4 Not the computer move! Stupid computer, clearly doesn't appreciate the Double Muzio Gambit. 6...Qe7? [Now that the rook on h8 is guarded, Black could try 6...g5 7.h4 h6 (or even 7...g4! 8.Ng5 h6 9.Nxf7 Rh7 10.Nxd6+ Bxd6 11.Bxg8 Rg7 is a King's Gambit knightmare!) ] 7.0-0 Nf6??

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_855
[7...g5] 8.Bxf4! Nxe4? 9.Re1 Bf5 10.Bd5 Kd7 11.Nbd2 Qf6 12.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.Rxe4 Re8 14.Bxc6+ bxc6 15.Bg5 Qf5 16.Rxe8 Kxe8 17.Qe2+ Kd7 18.Re1 Qe6 19.Qa6 Qf5 20.Qxa7 f6 21.Qa8 Qg6 22.Ne5+? Just save your extra piece! [Or, if you *must* vie for the Brilliancy Prize... 22.d5 cxd5 23.Nd4] 22...dxe5 23.Be3 So White is still winning... 23...Qe4 24.Qa4 Bd6 25.d5?? [25.Bf2 Qg4 26.h3 Qf4 27.g3] 25...Qxd5?? [25...Qxa4!] 26.Rd1 Qe6 27.Bc5 e4 28.Bxd6 cxd6 29.Qa7+ Kd8 30.Qb8+ Kd7 31.Qxh8 e3 32.Qxg7+ Ke8 33.Qg3 e2 34.Re1 d5 35.Qf3 Qe4 36.Rxe2 1-0

 

(22) Albury,Sterling C (1117) - Chan,John (1515) [A50]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.10), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 h6 4.e3 d6 5.h3 Qc7 6.Nc3 e5 7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.0-0 Be7 9.Bc2 Nb6 10.Qd3 Bd7 11.b3 a6 12.a4 a5 13.Bb2 Rd8 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Ne4 Qc8 16.Nd6+ Bxd6 17.Qxd6 Bxh3 18.Qxe5+ Be6 19.Qg3 Ke7 20.Nd4 g5 21.Qe5 Nbd7 22.Nf5+ Ke8 23.Nd6+ Kf8 24.Nxc8 Nxe5 25.Bxe5 Rxc8 26.Bxf6 Rg8 27.Rfd1 Ke8 28.Rd6 Rg6 29.Bxg6 fxg6 30.Rxe6+ Albury has run away with the Under 1600 Section! 1-0

(23) Simpkins,Jerry (1426) - Bielec,John [B21]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.24), 24.09.2019

1.e4 c5 2.f4 d5 3.e5 Nc6 4.d3 g6 5.g3 Bg7 6.c3 e6 7.Na3 a6 8.Nc2 Nge7 9.Nf3 0-0 10.Qe2 Qc7 11.Ne3 f6 12.Ng4 fxe5 13.Ngxe5 Nxe5 14.fxe5 b5 15.Bf4 Bb7 16.Bh3 Nf5 17.0-0 d4 18.Ng5 Qd7 19.Bg2 Bxg2 20.Qxg2 h6 21.Ne4 Rac8 22.Rad1 Qc7 23.g4 Ne7 24.Nd6 Rcd8 25.h4 Rxf4 26.Rxf4 Bxe5 27.Nf7 Bxf4 28.Nxd8 Qxd8 29.Qe4 Be3+ 30.Kh2 Qd6+ 31.Kh3 Qd5 32.cxd4 Qxe4 33.dxe4 cxd4 34.Kg3 e5 35.Rd3 Kf7 36.Ra3 Bc1 37.Rxa6 d3 38.Kf3 Nc8 39.Rc6 d2 40.Ke2 Ne7 41.Rc5 Ke8 42.Rxb5 Nc6 43.Rb6 Nd4+ 44.Kd1 Nf3 45.a4 Nxh4 46.a5 Kd7 47.a6 Ng2 48.Rb3 Kc7 49.a7 Ne3+ 50.Rxe3 Kb7 51.Rd3 Kxa7 52.Rd5 Bxb2 53.Kxd2 Bd4 54.Rd6 h5 55.g5 Bf2 56.Rxg6 Bg3 57.Rg7+ Kb8 58.Rh7 Bf4+ 59.Kd3 Bxg5 60.Rxh5 Bf4 61.Kc4 Kc7 62.Kd5 Kd7 63.Rh7+ Ke8 64.Ke6 Kf8 65.Kf6 Ke8 66.Re7+ Kf8 67.Ke6 Bg3 68.Rh7 Bf4 69.Rh8+ Kg7 70.Rh5 Kf8 71.Rxe5 Bxe5 72.Kxe5 Ke7 73.Kd5 Kd7 74.e5 Ke7 75.e6 Ke8 76.Kd6 Kd8 77.e7+ Ke8 1/2-1/2

(24) Starr,Albert Mart (1575) - Reyes,Victor Hugo (1497) [A00]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.25), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.b4 d5 2.e3 Bf5 3.Bb2 e6 4.Nf3 f6 5.b5 Bd6 6.Nd4 Ne7 7.Nxf5 Nxf5 8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0 c5 10.c4 a6 11.Qc2 axb5 12.cxd5 c4 13.dxe6 Ne7 14.f4 Nbc6 15.Nc3 Bc5 16.Nxb5 Bb4 17.Bc3 Qd5 18.Bxb4 Nxb4 19.Qxc4 Qxd2 20.Qc3 Qxe2 21.Qxb4 Qxe3+ 22.Kh1 Nd5 23.Qd4 Qxe6 24.f5 Qd7 25.Nc3 Rfd8 26.Ne4 Ra4 27.Qd3 Qe7 28.Ng3 Ne3 29.Qb3+ Rc4 30.Rfe1 Qc5 31.Rxe3 h6 32.Rc3 b5 33.h3 Kh7 34.Rxc4 bxc4 35.Qc3 Rd3 36.Qe1 Re3 37.Qg1 Qa3 38.Nh5 Re2 39.Qd1 c3? 40.Qxe2 Qc5 41.Qg4 Qc7 42.Rf1 c2 43.Qxg7+ 1-0

(25) Sachs-Weintraub,J.. (1447) - Chen,Bryant Alan (1468) [D00]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.26), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.g3 Bf5 4.Bg2 e6 5.Bf4 c5 6.Nb5 Qa5+ 7.Nc3 c4 8.Bd2 Qc7 9.Nf3 Nc6 10.b3 Nb4 11.Rc1 a5 12.Bf4 Bd6 13.Bxd6?! [One more time! 13.Nb5!+-] 13...Qxd6 14.bxc4 dxc4 15.0-0 Rb8 16.a4 0-0 17.Nb5 Qb6 18.Ne5 Rfd8 19.Nxc4 Qa6 20.Re1 Rbc8 21.Ne3 Be4 22.Bxe4 Nxe4 23.c3 Na2 24.f3 Nexc3 25.Nxc3 Nxc3 26.Qd2 Nxa4 27.Ra1 b5 28.Rec1 Rxc1+ 29.Rxc1 b4 30.d5 Nc3 31.Kf2 Nxd5 32.Nxd5 Rxd5 Not much question here -- Black is winning. 33.Qf4 Qb7 34.Rc7 Qb6+ 35.Kg2 f6 36.Qc4 Rd4 37.Rc8+ Kf7 38.Rc7+ Ke8 39.Qc2 Rd7 [39...b3 40.Qc3 b2 puts the lights out.] 40.Rc8+ Kf7 41.Qxh7 Rd8 Black is still winning! But it's getting a bit problematic. 42.Qh5+ Kg8 43.Rc5 a4 44.Rb5 Qd6??= [44...Qe3; 44...Qa6] 45.Qg4?? [45.Rb7! Qf8 46.Qg4 draws] 45...Qe7?? [45...Rb8!] 46.Rxb4 a3 47.Qc4?! [47.Ra4] 47...Ra8 48.Ra4 Rxa4 49.Qxa4 Kf7 [49...g5!?] 50.Qb3 Qa7 51.Qa2 Qa4 52.Kf2 Qb4 53.Qc2 Qb2 54.Qc7+ Kg6 55.Qe7 Qb6+ [55...Qd4+ 56.Kg2 Qa4 57.Qxe6 a2] 56.Kg2 a2?= 57.Qe8+ Kg5 58.h4+ Kf5? [58...Kh6=] 59.g4+?? [59.Qh5+ g5 60.Qh7+ Ke5 61.Qe4+ Kd6 62.Qd3+ White has a bit of a game going!] 59...Ke5 60.Qa4 Black lost on time. [60.Qa4 Qb2 is won for Black.] 1-0

(26) Baer,Michael A (1430) - Radaelli,Lucas (1444) [B22]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.27), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.cxd4 d5 6.e5 Bg4 7.Be2 e6 8.h3 Bb4+ 9.Nc3 Bh5 10.0-0 Nge7 11.a3 Ba5 12.Nb5 0-0 13.Nd6 Qd7 14.b4 Bb6 15.g4 Bg6 16.Be3 a6 17.Bd3 f6 18.Be2 fxe5 19.dxe5 Bxe3 20.fxe3

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_856
20...Nxe5! 21.Nxe5 Rxf1+ 22.Bxf1 Qxd6 23.Qd4 Trying to make it tough, guarding the center squares. 23...Rf8 24.Ra2 h5 25.Nxg6 Nxg6 26.gxh5
MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_857
26...Ne5 [26...Qg3+ 27.Rg2 Qe1! 28.Qd3 and *now* 28...Ne5 29.Qe2 Rxf1+ 30.Qxf1 Nf3+ would finish it.] 27.Bg2 Nc6 28.Qg4 Qe5 29.Re2 Rf5 30.Qg6 Rxh5?! 31.Rf2 Rf5 32.Qe8+ Kh7 33.Rxf5 Qxf5 34.Qd7 Qd3 35.Qxe6 Qxa3 36.Bxd5 Qxb4? Now White gets the attack. 37.Be4+ g6 38.Qxg6+ Kh8 1-0

 

(27) Robertson,Wade (1249) - Ansari,Jahaan (1459) [C10]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.28), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 c5?! 4.exd5 exd5 5.dxc5 d4 6.Bb5+ Nc6 7.Bxc6+?! [7.Qe2+!+/- disrupts and annoys.] 7...bxc6 8.Nce2?! [8.Ne4] 8...Bxc5 9.Nf3 Bb4+?! [9...Bg4] 10.c3! d3? [10...dxc3 11.Qxd8+ Kxd8 12.bxc3+/=] 11.cxb4+- dxe2 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8 13.Kxe2 [13.Ne5! Ke8 14.Nxc6 Ba6 15.Nd4 just ends up two pawns up.] 13...Ba6+ 14.Kd1 Ne7 15.Re1 Nd5 16.Bd2 Rb8?! 17.Ne5 [17.Rc1! Nxb4? 18.Ne5+-] 17...Kc7 18.Rc1 Bb5 19.a3?! [19.b3] 19...f6?

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_858
20.Nf3? [20.Nxc6! Bxc6 21.Re6! Rb6 22.b5 Rxb5 23.Rcxc6+ Kb7 24.Rcd6 Nc7 25.Re7 Rxb2? 26.Ba5] 20...Ba4+ 21.Ke2 Bb5+ 22.Kd1 Ba4+ 23.Ke2 Bb5+ 24.Kd1 Ba4+ 1/2-1/2

 

(28) Ahmed,Enile - Cole,Tony (1400) [D40]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.29), 24.09.2019

1.d4 e6 2.c4 d5 3.Nc3 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Be2 Bd7 7.a3 Be7 8.Qc2 a6 9.0-0 Qc7 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.dxc5 Ne5 13.b4 a5 14.Bb2 Nxf3+ 15.Bxf3 Bf6 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Bxd5 Be6 18.Qe4 0-0-0 19.Bxe6+ fxe6 20.Qxe6+ Kb8 21.Qxf6 a4 22.Rac1 Rhf8 23.Qh4 Qc6 24.Qxh7 Rh8 25.Qe7 Qh6 26.Qe5+ Ka7 27.Rc4 Rde8 28.Qg3 Reg8 29.Qc7 Qh3 30.Qg3 Rxg3 31.fxg3 Qxh2+ 32.Kf2 Rf8+ 33.Rf4 Rxf4+ 34.gxf4 Qh4+ 35.g3 Qh2+ 36.Kf3 Qa2 37.f5 Qxa3 38.f6 Qb3 39.g4 Qd5+ 40.Kf4 Qc4+ 41.Kg5 Qxf1 42.Kg6 Qd3+ 43.Kg7 Qxe3 44.f7 Qg5+ 45.Kh8 Qf6+ 46.Kg8 a3 47.f8Q Qxf8+ 48.Kxf8 a2 49.g5 a1Q 50.g6 Qh8+ 51.Kf7 Ka6 52.g7 Qh7 53.Kf8 Qxg7+ 54.Kxg7 Kb5 55.Kf6 Kxb4 0-1

(29) Serra,Owen (829) - Roberts,Joseph (1369) [C50]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.30), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.0-0 Nf6 5.d3 h6 6.Nc3 d6 7.Bb5 Bd7 8.Nd5 Nxd5 9.exd5 Nd4 10.c4 c6 11.Ba4 Bg4 12.h3 Bh5 13.g4 Bg6 14.Bc2 0-0 15.Be3 Re8 16.Re1 Nxc2 17.Qxc2 e4 18.Nd4 exd3 19.Qc3 a5 20.Kh2 Bb4 21.Qb3 Bxe1 22.Rxe1 Re7 23.Nf5 Bxf5 24.gxf5 cxd5 25.Qxd3 dxc4 26.Qxc4 d5 27.Qf4 f6 28.Rg1 Qc7 29.Rc1 Qxf4+ 30.Bxf4 Re2 31.Kg2 Rxb2 32.a4 Re8 33.Kg3 Ree2 34.Be3 b5 35.Kh4 Rb4+ 36.Kh5 d4 37.Kg6 Rc4 38.Rd1 b4 39.Bf4 Rxf2 40.Re1 Rc8 41.Bd6 Rg2+ 42.Kh5 d3 43.Rd1 d2 44.Bf4 Rc3 45.h4 Rc2 46.Bxd2 Rcxd2 47.Rc1 b3?? 48.Rc8+! Kh7

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_859
[48...Kf7 49.Rc7+ Ke8 50.Re7+] 49.Rc5?? [49.Rh8+! Kxh8 Stalemate!] 49...b2 50.Rb5 Rg1 51.Rxb2 Rd5 52.Rb5 Rxb5 53.axb5 Rb1 54.b6 a4 55.b7 a3 56.b8Q Rxb8 57.Kg4 a2 58.Kh5 a1Q 59.Kg4 Qd1+ 60.Kf4 Qd4+ 61.Kg3 Rb3+ 62.Kg2 Qd2+ 63.Kf1 Rb1# 0-1

 

(30) Martin,Michael J (1574) - James,Charles (1458) [B56]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.31), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5?! 5.Nf3?! [5.Bb5+!; 5.Nb3!?] 5...a6 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.h3 Nc6 8.Bc4 Be7 9.Be3 0-0 10.Qd2 b5 11.Bd5 Bb7 12.0-0 b4 13.Na4 a5 14.Nb6 Ra6 15.Bxc6 Bxc6 16.Nd5 Nxe4 17.Qd3 Nc5 18.Nxe7+ Qxe7 19.Bxc5 Qb7 20.Ng5 f5 21.Qg3 f4 22.Qg4 dxc5 23.f3 Rf6 24.Qh4 h6 25.Ne4 Bxe4 26.fxe4 Qxe4 27.Rac1 Rad6 28.Rfe1 Qd4+ 29.Kh1 Qxb2 30.Qf2 c4 31.Rxe5?? Qxe5 0-1

(31) Hilliard,Michael (1429) - Thibault,William (1195) [A48]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.32), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.b3 Bg7 4.Bb2 d6 5.Nbd2 0-0 6.e3 c5 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Nxf3 Nc6 10.0-0 Qc7 11.Rc1 Rad8 12.c4 e5 13.Qc2 Rfe8 14.e4? exd4 [14...Nb4 first, 15.Qd2 Nxd3 16.Qxd3 exd4 gets rid of a defender of e4 (admittedly not the proudest bishop) with tempo.] 15.a3 Ne5 16.b4?! Nxf3+ 17.gxf3 Re5 [17...Nh5] 18.f4 Rh5 19.Kg2 Re8 [19...Rh4 20.Kg3? Bh6! 21.Kxh4? Bxf4 mates without any "major" help!] 20.Rce1 Qd7 21.Rh1 Bh6 22.Kg3?

MI_Brandwein_TNM_Rd8_860
[22.Bc1] 22...Qe7?! Giving White time to get more pieces into the defense. [22...Rxh3+! Sometimes you have to go out on a ledge a bit... 23.Rxh3 Qg4+ 24.Kh2 Bxf4+ 25.Rg3 Nh5 26.Reg1 a) 26.Bc1 Bxg3+ 27.fxg3 Qxg3+ 28.Kh1 Qxe1+; b) 26.Kg1 Bxg3 27.fxg3 Qxg3+ 28.Kf1 Qf3+ 29.Kg1 (29.Qf2 Ng3+ 30.Kg1 Qh1#) 29...Nf4; ; 22...Bxf4+! 23.Kxf4 Rxh3 isn't so easy to see either (that is, that it is mate in five!)] 23.Bc1 Nd7 Black still has an advantage (That extra pawn! Those doubled pawns! That king!), but just making one-move threats (that can be answered) isn't enough. [23...cxb4! 24.axb4 a5! is quite an unexpected new employment for that rook on h5!] 24.Be2?! [24.h4 Hold that line!] 24...Qh4+ 25.Kg2 Bxf4! Black might have thought he had made a tangled mess of his pieces on the kingside, but there are more important factors than losing the Exchange. [Actually even better is 25...Nf6 when the dark squares collapse to Black. 26.e5 dxe5] 26.Bxf4 Qxf4 27.Bxh5 Qg5+? A horrible oversight after doing so well! [27...gxh5 just so happens to radically favor Black.] 28.Bg4 h5 29.f3? [29.f4! Qxf4 (29...Qe7 30.Bxd7 Qxd7 31.Rhf1) 30.Bxd7 Re5 (30...Qg5+ 31.Kf1) 31.Rhf1 is just too many pieces defending.] 29...hxg4 30.hxg4 Ne5 Black has a great knight and an extra passed pawn; full compensation. 31.Kg3!? Re6 32.Qh2! Kf8 33.Qh6+ Qxh6 34.Rxh6 Nxc4 35.Rh8+ Ke7 36.bxc5 dxc5 37.Rc1 d3? [37...b5 38.Rc8 d3-/+ 39.Rxc5? d2 40.Rd1? Ne3-+ Black loses back a lot of pawns but is up a knight!] 38.Rxc4 d2 39.Rh1 Rd6 40.Rd1 1-0

 

(32) Capdeville,Barry (1226) - Badgett Jr,James (1084) [C77]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.34), 24.09.2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 7.c3 Bb6 8.0-0 d6 9.h3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.b3 b4 12.c4 Nc6 13.Re1 h5 14.Bg5 Bg4 15.hxg4 hxg4 16.Nh4 Nd4 17.Nd2 g6 18.Nf1 Rh5 19.Bxf6 Qxf6 20.g3 Bd8 21.Ne3 Qh8 22.Nxg4 Bxh4 23.gxh4 Rxh4 24.Kg2 Nxc2 25.Qxc2 Rxg4+ 26.Kf1 Rf4 27.Ke2 Qh5+ 28.Kf1 Qh3+ 29.Ke2 Qf3+ 30.Kf1 0-0-0 31.Rad1 Rh8 0-1

(33) Anderson,David (793) - Ahrens,Richard WI (1206) [D02]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.36), 24.09.2019

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 Bb4+ 5.c3 Bd6 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.c4 c5 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Be2 dxc4 11.Bxc4 a6 12.0-0 b5 13.Bb3 c4 14.Bc2 Bb7 15.b3 Bxf3 16.Qxf3 Qxf3 17.gxf3 cxb3 18.Bxb3 b4 19.Ne2 a5 20.a4 Nd7 21.Kh1 Nf6 22.e4 e5 23.f4 Nxe4 24.Bd5 Nd2 25.Rfd1 Rab8 26.Rxd2 exf4 27.Rc2 f3 28.Bxf3 Rfc8 29.Rxc8+ Rxc8 30.Rc1 Rb8 31.d5 b3 32.Nd4 b2 33.Rb1 Rb4 34.Nc6 Rb3 35.Bd1 Rc3 36.Rxb2 Rc1 37.Nxa5 Rxd1+ 38.Kg2 Rxd5 39.Nc4 Rg5+ 40.Kh1 Bc5 41.Ne3 Bxe3 42.fxe3 Ra5 43.Rb3 0-1

(34) Bryan,Robert R (390) - Acharya,Aravind (1084) [E30]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.37), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bg5 Nc6 5.e3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 d6 7.Nf3 e5 8.Bd3 Bg4 9.0-0 0-0 10.h3 Bh5 11.Qd2 e4 12.Bc2 exf3 13.gxf3 Bxf3 14.Rae1 Qd7 15.Bf5 Qxf5 16.Kh2 Qxg5 17.Rg1 Qh5 18.Rg3 Ne4 19.Rxf3 Nxd2 20.Rg3 Qf5 21.Re2 Ne4 22.f3 Nxg3 23.Rg2 Qxf3 24.Rxg3 Qxg3+ 25.Kxg3 f5 26.h4 And Black won 0-1

(35) Nicol,George R - Tabatabai,Ashkon (1074) [D35]
MI Brandwein TNM: U1600 San Francisco (8.39), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nf6 [2...e6; 2...c6; 2...dxc4; 2...Nc6; 2...e5] 3.Nc3 [3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.e4 (4.Nf3) ] 3...e6 4.Bf4 Bb4 5.e3 Ne4 6.Rc1 Qh4 7.Nh3 e5 8.Bxe5 Bxh3 9.g3 Qg5 10.Bxh3 Nc6 11.Bf4 Qf6 12.cxd5 g5 13.dxc6 bxc6 14.0-0 gxf4 15.Nxe4 0-0 16.Nxf6+ 1-0

(36) Frank,Robert H (1358) - Krezanoski,Paul [A90]
MI Brandwein TNM: Extra Rated San Francisco (8.50), 24.09.2019
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.Nf3 c6 5.0-0 d5 6.Nbd2 Bd6 7.c4 0-0 8.c5 Bc7 9.Ne5 Nfd7 10.f4 b6 11.b4 a5 12.bxa5 bxc5 13.Nxd7 Nxd7 14.Nb3 c4 15.Nc5 Nxc5 16.dxc5 Bxa5 17.Qd4 Bb4 18.Bb2 Qe7 19.Qf2 Bxc5 20.Bd4 Bb4 21.e3 Bd7 22.Bf3 c5 23.Be5 Ra7 24.Rfc1 Rfa8 25.g4 Bc6 26.gxf5 exf5 27.Qc2 Qe6 28.Qg2 Qf7 29.Rd1 Rd7 30.a4 c3 31.Qc2 Rda7 32.Bxc3 Bxc3 33.Qxc3 d4 34.exd4 Bxf3 35.Qxf3 cxd4 [35...c4] 36.Rxd4 h6 37.Qc6 Qb7 38.Qe6+ Qf7 39.Qe5 Ra5 40.Qe1 Kh7 41.Qb1 Qa7 42.Qb3 Qxd4+ 0-1

(37) Olson,David (1407) - Carron,Joel (1573) [A13]
MI Brandwein TNM: Extra Rated San Francisco (8.51), 24.09.2019

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 d4 5.0-0 Be7 6.d3 0-0 7.e4 c5 8.Nbd2 Nc6 9.e5 Nd7 10.Re1 Qc7 11.Ne4 Ndxe5 12.Bf4 Nxf3+ 13.Qxf3 e5 14.Bd2 Qd8 15.a3 f5 16.Nxc5 Bxc5 17.b4 Bd6 18.c5 Bc7 19.b5 Ne7 20.Bg5 Be6 21.Qxb7 Rb8 22.Qa6 Bc8 23.Qxa7 Rxb5 24.Qa4 Rxc5 25.Qb3+ Kh8 26.a4 Rc3 27.Qb4 Bd6 28.Qb1 Ba6 29.Rd1 Qb8 30.Qa2 Qb3 31.Qxb3 Rxb3 32.g4 h6 33.Bxe7 Bxe7 34.gxf5 Rxf5 35.Rd2 Rg5 36.f3 Rxd3 37.Rxd3 Bxd3 38.Kf2 Ba6 39.Rb1 d3 40.f4 Bc5+ 41.Kf1 d2+ 0-1

(38) Sullivan,George (873) - Chambers,Wolfe [A35]
MI Brandwein TNM: Extra Rated San Francisco (8), 24.09.2019

1.d4 c5 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.e3 Nf6 5.Nc3 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Nc6 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3 0-0 9.Rb1 Rb8 10.Qc2 d5 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Bd2 Nb4 13.Qa4 Nxd3+ 14.Ke2 Nxb2 15.Qxc6 Bb7 16.Qc5 Qd3+ 17.Ke1 Bxc3 18.Bxc3 Ba6 19.Rxb2 Rxb2 0-1

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