Connecticut Chess Magazine: February 2018

Monday, February 26, 2018

Alan Lasser column - BONUS - 2 games this week !

The third highest rated nine year old in the country dropped by the UMass Chess Club on his way to a Boston tournament. He certainly impressed the locals in these games, I had a bad endgame and our first board had a bad middlegame.

Liam Henry Putnam-Alan Lasser

2/22/18

UMass Chess Club

game/15

1.Nf3 d5

2.d4 Nf6

3.e3 Bf5

4.c4 e6

5.Nc3 c6

10.e4 O-O

12.Bh4 Rc8

15.Nd2 e5?! +1.23/24

15...Qh5 +0.34/20 16.Nf3 Red8 17.Qc2 Nb6 18.Rfe1 Rd7 19.a3 Rcd8 20.h3 Rc8 21.Ne2

15...Bf8 16.Rfe1 c5 17.Bxf6 Nxf6 18.Nb3 Qc7 19.Nxc5 Bxc5 20.dxc5 Red8 21.Qb5 a6 22.Qb6 Qxb6 23.cxb6 Kf8 24.Rxd8+ Rxd8 25.f3 Rd2 +0.10 Stockfish

16.Nc4 Qc7

17.Bg3 Bd6?! +1.66/22

17...b5 +1.26/21 18.Nxe5 Qb7 19.Nxd7 Qxd7 20.Be5 b4 21.Ne2 c5 22.Ng3 Qe6 23.Nf5 Bf8

17...Ng4 18.f3 b5 19.fxg4 bxc4 20.Qxc4 Rf8 21.Kh1 Bd6 22.d5 Nb6 23.Qb3 cxd5 24.Nxd5 Nxd5 25.Rxd5 Qb8 +0.77 Stockfish

18.Nxd6? +0.51/17

18.Qc2 +1.66/22 18...Bf8 18...Bb4 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Rxe5 21. Nd5 Nxd5 22. Bxe5 Qxe5 23. exd5 Bf8 24. Qb3 Qc7 25. dxc6 Qxc6 +2.37 Stockfish 19.dxe5 Nxe5 20.Nxe5 20. Bxe5 Rxe5 21. Nxe5 Qxe5 22. f4 Qc7 23. Rf3 Nd7 24. e5 Nc5 +2.92 Stockfish 20...Rxe5 21.Nb5 Qb8 22.Nd4 Nh5 23.Bxe5

20.Rxd3 Nxe5

22.f3 Ree8

24.Kf2 Ke7?! +1.25/25

24...Rc7 +0.50/22 25.Ne2 g6 26.Rd6 Ke7 27.e5 Nd5 28.Nc3 Nxc3 29.bxc3 Kf8 30.f4 b5 31.c4 bxc4 32.Rc1 c5

24...h5 25.Rd6 Re6 26.R6d4 g6 27.b3 Kg7 28.Ra4 Ra8 29.Ke3 Re7 30.g3 Nd7 31.Rad4 Nf6 32.h4 Rae8 +0.37 Stockfish

25.e5 Nd5

26.Nxd5+ cxd5

27.Rxd5 Rc2+

28.R1d2 Rxd2+

29.Rxd2 Ke6 Going into the endgame, he was ahead of me by six minutes on the clock.

30.g4?! +0.85/25

30.f4 +1.33/25 30...Rc8 31.Kf3 Rc6 32.g3 f6 32... h5 33. h3 Rc1 34. Rd6+ Ke7 35. Rd3 Ke6 36. Ke4 g6 37. g4 Re1+ 38. Re3 Rf1 39. Rb3 b6 40. Ra3 hxg4 41. hxg4 Rf2 +1.04 Stockfish 33.exf6 Kxf6 34.h4 h5

30.Rd6+ Ke7 31.Rd3 Ke6 32.f4 f6 33.exf6 Kxf6 34.Kf3 Re6 +1.32 Stockfish

30...Rc8?! +1.29/26

30...g5 +0.85/25 Not falling for the trap, 30...Ke5 31.Re2 31.Rd6+ 31. Kg3 Rc8 32. Rd6+ Kxe5 33. Rd7 f5 34. gxf5 Rc5 35. Rxb7 Ra5 36. a3 Kxf5 +0.73 Stockfish 31...Kxe5 32.Rd7 f5 33.Rxb7 fxg4 34.fxg4 34. Rxa7 Rd8 35. Re7+ Kf5 36. b4 gxf3 37. Kxf3 Rd4 +0.20 Stockfish 34...Rc8 35.Kg3 Rd8 36.Re7+ Kf6 37.Re2 Rd3+ 37... Rd4 38. Re3 Rd2 39. Ra3 Rxb2 40. Rxa7 Rc2 41. Ra3 Ke5 42. h4 Rd2 43. hxg5 hxg5 +0.07 Stockfish 38.Kg2 Kg6 39.Rc2 Rd6 40.Kf3 h5 41.gxh5+ Kxh5 42.Ke4 Rf6 43.b3 Kg6 44.Kd5 Rf5+ 45.Kc6 g4 46.b4 Rf6+ 47.Kb5 Rb6+ 48.Kc5 Rf6

31.f4 g5?! +1.67/29

31...Rc4 +1.14/26 32.Kg3 32. Kf3 Rc1 33. Rd6+ Ke7 34. Rd3 Rc2 35. Rb3 b6 36. h4 g5 37. fxg5 hxg5 38. hxg5 Ke6 39. Ra3 Rxb2 40. Rxa7 b5 41. Rb7 Rxa2 42. Rxb5 +1.27 Stockfish 32...g5 32... Rc1 33. f5+ Kxe5 34. Rd7 h5 35. gxh5 Rg1+ 36. Kh4 Rg2 37. h3 Kf6 38. Rxb7 a5 39. h6 gxh6 40. Kh5 Rg5+ 41. Kxh6 +0.73 Stockfish 33.Rd6+ Ke7 34.Rxh6 Rxf4 35.Rh5 Rb4 36.b3 f6 37.h4 gxh4+38.Kxh4 a6 39.exf6+ Kxf6 40.Rh6+

31...Rc6 32.Kf3 Rc1 33.Rd6+ Ke7 34.Rd3 Rf1+ 35.Ke4 g5 36.f5 Rf4+ 37.Kd5 Rxg4 38.Rb3 b6 39.Ra3 a5 40.f6+ +0.67 Stockfish

31...Rc1 32.h4 f6 33.exf6 Kxf6 34.h5 Ke6 35.Kf3 b5 36.Re2+ Kf6 37.Re5 a6 38.Rd5 Ke6 39.Rd3 b4 40.a3 Rf1+ 41.Ke4 Re1+ 42.Re3 Rb1 43.Rb3 bxa3 44.Rxa3 Rxb2 45.Rxa6+ Kf7 Stockfish has it +1.30 but this position is a theoretical draw.

32.Rd6+ Ke7

33.fxg5? 0.00/31

33.Rxh6 +1.53/27 33...gxf4 34.Kf3 Rc2 35.a3 35. h4 Rxb2 36. a3 Rb3+ 37. Kxf4 Rxa3 38. Rh8 Ra1 39. Rb8 Rf1+ 40. Kg5 Re1 41. Rxb7+ Kf8 42. h5 Rxe5+ +3.17 Stockfish 35...Rxb2 36.h4 Ra2 37.Kxf4 Rxa3 38.Rh8 Ra4+ 39.Kf5 Ra2 40.h5 Rf2+ 41.Kg5 Re2 42.Rb8 Rxe5+ 43.Kf4 Re1 44.Rxb7+ Ke6 45.Rxa7 Rf1+ 46.Ke3 Re1+

33…hxg5

34.Ke3 Rc2

35.Rd2 Rc4?! +0.68/29

35...Rxd2 0.00/28 36.Kxd2 Ke6 37.Ke2 Kxe5 38.Ke3 a5 39.a4 Kd5 39...f6 40. b3 b6 41. h3 f5 42. gxf5 Kxf5 43. Kf3 Ke5 = Stockfish 40.Kd3 Ke5 41.Ke3

36.h3 Ke6

37.Rd6+ Kxe5

38.Rd7 Rb4?! +0.52/25

38...f5 +0.23/26 39.Rxb7 f4+ 40.Kf3 Rd4 41.Re7+ Kf6 42.Rxa7 Rd3+ 43.Ke4 Re3+ 44.Kd4 Rxh3 45.Ra6+ Kg7 46.b4 Rg3 47.a4 Rxg4 Stockfish also plays 38.Rb4 =

39.Rxf7 Rxb2

40.Rf5+ Ke6

41.a4?! 0.00/35

41.Rxg5 +0.38/26 41...Rxa2 42.h4 Ra3+ 43.Kd2 a5 43...Kf6 44. Rf5+ Kg7 45. h5 Rg3 46. Rg5+ Kh6 47. Rg6+ Kh7 48. Ke2 a5 49. Kf2 Rb3 50. g5 Rb2+ 51. Kg3 a4 52. Rd6 a3 53. Rd7+ Kg8 54. Rd8+ Kg7 55. Rd7+ Kg8 = Stockfish 44.h5 a4 45.Kc1 Rh3 46.Ra5 a3 47.Kb1 Rh4 48.Ra4 Rh3 49.Ka2 Rg3 50.Rf4 Ke5 51.Rf5+ Ke6 52.h6 Rxg4 53.Rh5 Rg8 54.Kxa3 Rh8 55.h7 Kf6 56.Rh1 Kg7 57.Ka4 Rxh7

41...Rb3+

42.Kf2 Rxh3

43.Rxg5 Ra3

44.a5 Kf6

45.Rb5 b6

46.axb6 axb6

47.Rxb6+ Kg5 ½-½

Yixin Li-Liam Henry Putnam

2/22/18

UMass Chess Club

game/15

1.e4 c5

2.Nf3 Nc6

3.d4 cxd4

4.Nxd4 Nf6

5.Nc3 d6

6.Be2 e5

7.Nb3 Be7

8.Be3 O-O

9.O-O Be6

10.f4 a5?! +0.17/21

10...exf4 -0.10/19 11.Bxf4 Re8 12.Kh1 12. Nd4 Nxd4 13. Qxd4 Rc8 14. Kh1 d5 15. e5 Ng4 16. Bd2 Bc5 -0.23 Stockfish 12...d5 13.exd5 13.Nb5 +0.06 Stockfish 13...Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.c3 Bf6 16.Qb1 Rac8

11.f5 Bd7

12.Nd2 Nd4

13.Nf3?! -0.27/20

13.a4 0.00/21 13...Bc6 14.Bd3 4. Bc4 Rc8 15. Kh1 Qd7 16. b3 d5 17. exd5 Bxd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Qxd5 20. Nc4 +0.18 Stockfish 14...Re8 15.Bxd4 exd4 16.Nb5 Bf8 17.Re1 Qb6 18.Nc4 Qd8 19.Qf3 d5 20.exd5 Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Bxd5 22.Qf4 Bc5 23.Ne5 Qb6 24.Qf2 Re8 25.Nc4 Bxc4

13...Nxe2+

14.Qxe2 Rc8

15.Rad1 Qc7?! -0.09/21

15...Rxc3 -0.42/21 16.bxc3 Nxe4 17.Qd3 Nf6 18.Nd2 Bc6 19.c4 Re8 20.c3 d5 21.Rfe1 Qc8

15...a4 16.Rd3 Qa5 17.Rb1 Bb5 18.Nxb5 Qxb5 19.Bg5 Qc5+ 20.Kf1 Qxc2 21.Qxc2 Rxc2 22.Bxf6 gxf6 23.Ne1 Rc4 24.Rg3+ Kh8 25.Re3 d5 26.exd5 Rd8 27.Rd1 Bc5 -0.56 Stockfish

16.h3?! -0.54/22

16.Kh1 -0.09/21 16...Rfd8 16... h6 17. Bf2 b5 18. Bh4 Bc6 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Rf2 Qb6 21. g4 b4 22. Nd5 Bxd5 23. Rxd5 Rc6 -0.27 Stockfish 17.Bg5 Qb6 18.Rb1 Bc6 19.a3 a4 20.Be3 Qa5 21.Bg5 Qa7 22.Qd3 Qc5 23.Qe2

16.a4 h6 17.Nd2 Bc6 18.Rf2 d5 19.exd5 Bxd5 20.Nxd5 Nxd5 21.Ne4 Nxe3 22.Qxe3 Rfd8 23.Rdd2 Rxd2 24.Rxd2 Qc6 -0.33 Stockfish

16…a4

17.a3 Qc4?! +0.03/24

17...Bc6 -0.46/21 18.Bf2 18. Nd2 h6 19. Kh2 b6 20. Rg1 d5 21. exd5 Nxd5 22. Nxd5 Bxd5 23. c3 Qc6 -0.67 Stockfish 18...b5 19.Rfe1 19. Bh4 b4 20. axb4 Qb6+ 21. Kh2 Qxb4 22. Rd3 Bb5 23. Nxb5 Qxb5 24. Rb1 d5 25. Bxf6 Bxf6 26. Rd2 Qxe2 27. Rxe2 d4 -0.57 Stockfish 19...Rb8 20.Qd2 Qb7 21.Qd3 Rfc8 22.Rb1 Nh5 23.Kh2 b4 24.axb4 Qxb4 25.Be3 Nf4 26.Bxf4 exf4 27.Nd5 Bxd5

18.Qxc4 Rxc4

19.Bg5 Bc6

20.Bxf6 gxf6

21.Nd2 Rd4?! +0.71/27

21...Rxc3 +0.15/26 22.bxc3 d5 23.exd5 Bxd5 24.Kh2 Bc6 24...Kg7 25. Rfe1 Bc6 26. Ra1 Rc8 27. Re3 Bc5 28. Re2 Be7 = Stockfish 25.Rfe1 Bxa3 26.Nc4 Bc5 27.Na5 a3 28.Nxc6 bxc6 29.g4 Rb8 30.Rb1 Rd8 31.Re2 Kg7 32.Kg3

22.Ne2 Rxe4

23.Nxe4 Bxe4

24.Nc3?! 0.00/31

24.Rd2 +0.59/24 24...Bc6 25.Nc3 Rc8 26.Nd5 26. Rfd1 Kg7 27. Kh2 h5 28. Kg3 Bd7 29. Nd5 Bd8 30. Rf1 Rc4 31. Ne3 +1.14 Stockfish

24…Bxc2

25.Nd5 Bd8

26.Rd2 Bb3

27.Nb4?! -0.82/27

27.Kh1 0.00/25 27...Re8 28.Nc3 28. Rc1 Kg7 29. Nc3 Be7 30. Nd5 Bd8 = Stockfish 28...Be7 29.Nd5 Kf8 30.Rc1 Bd8 31.Nc3 Ke7 32.Nb5 d5 33.Nc7 Bxc7 34.Rxc7+ Kf8 35.Rxb7 h5 36.g4 hxg4 37.hxg4 Kg7 38.Kg2 d4 39.Kg3 Rc8

27.Rc1 Kg7 28.Kf1 b5 29.Rd3 Ba5 30.Rg3+ Kh8 31.Rxb3 axb3 32.Rc6 Ra8 33.Ke2 Kg7 34.h4 = Stockfish

27...Bb6+

28.Kh1?! -1.21/27

28.Kh2 -0.83/26 28...e4 28...Bd4 29. Rf3 Re8 30. Kg3 b5 31. Nc6 Bc5 32. Rxb3 axb3 33. Kf3 Kf8 34. Na5 b4 35. a4 e4+ 36. Ke2 Ra8 37. Nxb3 Rxa4 38. Nxc5 dxc5 -1.12 Stockfish 29.Re1 e3 30.Rd3 Re8 31.Nd5 Bxd5 32.Rxd5 Bc5 33.g4 Re5 34.Rxe5 fxe5 35.Kg2 d5 36.Kf3 h6 37.h4 f6 38.Rc1 b6 39.Re1 Kf7 40.Rc1

28…Bd4

29.Rxd4

29.Kh2 Kg7 30.Rf3 Rc8 31.Rfd3 Re8 32.Kg3 b5 33.Rxd4 exd4 34.Kf3 Re5 35.Kf4 Re1 36.Nc6 d3 37.Rxd3 Re2 38.Nd4 Rf2+ 39.Ke3 Rxg2 40.Rd2 Rxd2 41.Kxd2 -1.51 Stockfish White spent five minutes on his clock here to play the exchange sac, which seems like the only way to keep the bishop pair from working with the two connected passed pawns

29…exd4

30.Rf4 d3?! -0.57/27

30...Re8 -1.09/26 31.Rg4+ 31. Rxd4 Re2 32. Nd5 Bxd5 33. Rxd5 Rxb2 34. Rd4 b5 35. Rxd6 Rb3 36. Rb6 Kf8 -1.16 Stockfish 31...Kh8 32.Rxd4 Re2 33.Rxd6 33. Nd5 Bxd5 34. Rxd5 Rxb2 35. Rd4 b5 36. Rxd6 h5 37. h4 Re2 38. Rxf6 Kg7 -1.14 Stockfish 33...Rxb2 34.Rb6 Kg7 35.Nd5 Rf2 36.Nxf6 Rxf5 37.Ne8+ Kf8 38.Nc7 Rf1+ 39.Kh2 Ra1 40.Rxb7 Rxa3 41.g4 Ra1 42.Rb6 Bc4 43.Rb4 Bf1 44.Rb8+ Ke7 45.Nd5+ Kd6 46.Ne3

31.Nxd3 Rc8

32.Rg4+?! -0.97/26

32.Kg1 -0.70/23 32...Kf8 33.Rh4 33. Nb4 Rc1+ 34. Rf1 Rc5 35. Rf4 Ke7 36. Kf2 Rc1 37. Re4+ Kd7 38. Rh4 Rb1 39. Nd3 b5 40. Rxh7 Bc4 -1.35 Stockfish 33...Rc2 34.Rb4 Rd2 34... Bc4 35. Nf2 Rc1+ 36. Kh2 b5 37. Ne4 d5 38. Nd2 Ke7 39. Kg3 Kd6 40. Nxc4+ bxc4 -3.37 Stockfish 35.Nf2 d5 36.Rxb7 Rxb2 37.Ng4

32.Kh2 Kf8 33.Nb4 d5 34.Kg3 Bc4 35.Rd4 Rd8 36.Nc2 Re8 37.Kf3 Re5 38.Ne3 b5 39.Kf4 Ke7 -1.15 Stockfish

32…Kf8

33.Rd4?! -1.50/24

33.Kg1 -0.97/26 33...b5 34.Rd4 Rc2 35.Rxd6 Bc4 36.Nc5 Rxb2 37.Rd4 Ra2 38.Nxa4 bxa4 39.Rxc4 Rxa3 40.Rd4 Ra1+ 41.Kf2 a3 42.Ra4 Kg7 43.Ra7 h6 44.Ra4

33.Kh2 Rc2 34.Rb4 Rd2 35.Nf4 Rxb2 36.Rxb7 Ra2 37.h4 h6 38.Rb6 Rxa3 39.Rxd6 Ra1 40.Rb6 Bc2 41.Ra6 a3 42.Ra5 a2 43.Ra8+ Ke7 44.Nd5+ Kd6 45.Nb4 Bb3 46.Ra5 h5 47.Kg3 Bc4 -2.15 Stockfish

33.Nb4 Rc1+ 34.Kh2 Rb1 35.Rd4 Rxb2 36.Rxd6 Bc4 37.Rxf6 Bf1 38.Kg3 Rxg2+ 39.Kf4 Rf2+40.Kg3 Rb2 41.Rb6 Rb3+ 42.Kf2 Bxh3 43.f6 h6 44.Rxb7 Kg8 45.Ra7 Rxa3 -2.50 Stockfish

33...d5?! -1.06/26

33...Rc2 -1.50/24 34.Rb4 34. Nb4 Rxb2 35. Rxd6 Kg7 36. Kg1 b5 37. Rd3 Bc4 38. Rg3+ Kh6 39. Kh2 Rb3 40. Nc2 Rxg3 41. Kxg3 Kg5 -3.19 Stockfish 34...Rd2 34... Bc4 35. Ne1 Rc1 36. Kh2 b5 37. Nf3 Rd1 38. Kg3 Ke7 39. Nh2 d5 40. Ng4 d4 41. Nf2 Re1 42. Kf4 d3 43. b3 axb3 44. Nxd3 Bxd3 45. Rxb3 -5.46 Stockfish 35.Nf4 Rxb2 36.Rxb7 Ra2 37.Kh2 Rxa3

34.Kh2 Rc2

35.Rb4 Rd2?! -0.83/25

35...d4 -1.21/23 36.h4 36. Kg3 Rd2 37. Nc5 Bd5 38. Nxa4 Bc6 39. Kh4 Bxg2 40. Nc5 Rc2 41. Nd7+ Ke7 -1.76 Stockfish 36...Rd2 36... b5 37. Rxb5 Bc4 38. Rb8+ Ke7 39. Ne1 d3 40. Rb7+ Kd6 41. Rb8 Kd7 42. Rb4 d2 43. Nxc2 d1=Q 44. Rxc4 Qc1 45. g3 Kd6 46. Kg2 Qxb2 -3.30 Stockfish 37.Nf4 Bc2 38.Rxb7 Bxf5

36.Nc5 Rxb2? +0.64/31

36...Bc4 -0.80/24 37.Nd7+ 37. Nxa4 Bf1 38. Kg3 Rxg2+ 39. Kf4 Rd2 40. h4 h5 41. Ke3 Rh2 42. Kf3 d4 43. Rxd4 b5 44. Nc3 Rxb2 45. Rb4 Rh2 46. Nxb5 Bxb5 47. Rxb5 Rh3+ 48. Kg2 Rxa3 -0.64 Stockfish 37...Ke7 38.Rxb7 Bf1 39.Kg3 Rxg2+ 40.Kf3 Rh2 41.Nb6+ Kd6 42.Rxf7 Ke5 43.Nd7+Kxf5 44.Rxf6+ Kg5

37.Nxa4 Rb1

38.Nc3 Rb2?! +1.32/31

38...Re1 +0.45/29 39.Rxb3 Re3 40.a4 d4 41.Rxb7 dxc3 42.Rc7 Kg7 42...h5 43. a5 Re5 44. Rxc3 Rxa5 45. g4 h4 46. Kg2 Ra4 47. Kf3 Ke7 48. Rc7+ Kf8 49. Rc3 = Stockfish 43.a5 Re5 44.a6 Ra5 45.Rxc3 Rxa6 46.Rc4 Ra3 47.Rd4 Ra2 48.Kg3 h5 49.Rc4 Kh6 50.h4 Ra3+ 51.Kf4 Kg7 52.Rb4 Ra1 53.Kg3 Rf1 54.Rf4 Ra1

39.Nxd5 Bxd5? +4.94/36

39...Rd2 +1.32/30 40.Nxf6 Bd5 40...Bc2 41. Nxh7+ Kg7 42. Ng5 Bxf5 43. Rxb7 Ra2 44. Ra7 Kg6 45. h4 Rc2 46. Nxf7 Be4 +1.81 Stockfish 41.Nxd5 Rxd5 42.f6 Rd6 43.Rxb7 Rxf6 44.Ra7 h5 45.h4 45. Ra8+ Ke7 46. a4 h4 47. Rg8 Rf5 48. Rg4 Rh5 49. Kg1 f6 50. Rf4 Ke6 51. Kf2 Ke7 52. Re4+ Kf7 +2.04 Stockfish 45...Rb6 46.Ra5 Rb3 47.Rxh5 Rxa3 48.g3 Kg7 49.Rc5 f6 50.h5 Kh6 51.Kh3 Rd3

40.Rxb2 Ke7

41.Rb4 Kd6?! +8.18/35

41...Bc6 +5.13/33 42.a4 Kf8 43.a5

42.Rh4 Kc5? +19.85/25

42...Ke7 +8.00/34 43.Rxh7 Kf8 44.Rh8+ Kg7 45.Rb8 Bc6 46.g4 Be4 47.Kg3 Bd5 48.Kf4 Bh1 49.h4 Bg2 50.h5 Bd5 51.Rc8 Kh7 52.Rc5 Bh1 53.Rc7 Kg8 54.Rd7 Bg2 55.h6

42...b6

43.Rxh7 Kd4

44.Rh4+ Ke5

45.g4 Bc6

46.Rh7 Bd5

47.Rh8 b5

48.Kg3 Bc4

49.h4 Ke4

50.Re8+ Kd3

51.h5 1-0

Sunday, February 25, 2018

2018 EASTERN CONNECTICUT OPEN - Results

Derek Meredith and Joe Bihlmeyer, each a national expert, tied for first place at the Eastern Connecticut Open held Feb 24 in Coventry CT.

Three players finished with 2-1 scores: Art Nagel, Jonathan Smucker, and Rob Roy.

We wish to acknowledge all of our volunteers who make this event possible:

Liz Glick for allowing us to use her home to host this USCF tournament. Liz also helps with 3 days of site preparations before each event and lunch.

We thank Rob Roy for creating the chess center, and for organizing the tournament program here.

We wish to thank Juan Sanchez, a world-famous naturalist who lives locally, for grilling our hamburgers, and for bringing his homemade fruit salad.

We are thankful for the $15 in anonymous donations made into the jar this time. Liz and I were gifted with Munson's chocolates from Derek Meredith.

Thanks for support from the Norwich Chess Club who sent Juan Sanchez. Art Nagel, and Mark Denihan. We thank Todd Berkun for driving his son Joshua to our tournaments.

Joshua is our 3rd most frequent player with 8 tournaments attended. Juniors benefit greatly from competing against adults versus other juniors.

Bihlmeyer is now leading the Chess Center Grand Prix, with 5 tournament wins to his credit. FM Nelson Castaneda and Derek Meredith are tie for 2nd place, each with 4 tournament wins.

Bihlmeyer also tops the most frequent player list with 13 tournaments attended. Derek Meredith in 2nd place with 9 attended. Hugh James, Joshua Berkun, and Rob Roy tie for 3rd with 8 attended.

We have now converted over to offering guaranteed prizes of $160-1st, $80-2nd, at every tournament. We seek to breakeven in the long run. Poor turnouts will no longer result in prizes being cutback.

In an effort to increase attendance at our future events, we would like to offer these special discounts as incentives: $5 off for Carpool. $5 off for retired or unemployed. $5 off for those driving from more than 65 miles away. $5 off for first-time USCF players. No multiple discounts applied.

On-Site volunteers needed: Grill Cook. Lunchtime Server and Helper. Chess Houseman (1000-1400 rating).

Our next tournament is March 17 - GREATER HARTFORD OPEN.

Then, on April 21 - NATHAN HALE OPEN.

Rob Roy no longer posts about national and international chess on Facebook. Connecticut Chess Magazine is now the state's official chess publication. Our mail subscription service is FeedBurner, you can subscribe/unsubscribe here.

Top Tournament Winners

in Coventry Connecticut:

5 Joe Bihlmeyer

4 FM Nelson Castaneda

4 Derek Meredith

3 IM Jan Van de Mortel

2 Mark Bourque

2 Dave Herscovici

Most Frequent Players:

13 Joe Bihlmeyer

9 Derek Meredith

8 Hugh James

8 Joshua Berkun

8 Rob Roy

7 Mark Bourque

7 Gary Cote

5 Nelson Castaneda

5 Suhas Kodali

-----------------------------------------------------------------
 Pair | Player Name                     |Total|Round|Round|Round| 
 Num  | USCF ID / Rtg (Pre->Post)       | Pts |  1  |  2  |  3  | 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
    1 | MATTHEW DEREK MEREDITH          |2.5  |W   6|W   3|D   2|
   CT | 10031443 / R: 2199   ->2197     |     |     |     |     |
      |            Q: 2026   ->2025     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
    2 | JOSEPH E BIHLMEYER              |2.5  |W   4|W   6|D   1|
   CT | 12686352 / R: 2015   ->2026     |     |     |     |     |
      |            Q: 1900   ->1911     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
    3 | ARTHUR C NAGEL                  |2.0  |W   7|L   1|W   5|
   CT | 10264669 / R: 1721   ->1728     |     |     |     |     |
      |            Q: 1487   ->1502     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
    4 | JONATHAN SMUCKER                |2.0  |L   2|W   7|W   9|
   NY | 16150138 / R: 1521P10->1537P13  |     |     |     |     |
      |            Q: 1521P10->1530P13  |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
    5 | ROB ROY                         |2.0  |W  10|W   8|L   3|
   CT | 10574790 / R: 1400   ->1400     |     |     |     |     |
      |            Q: 1186   ->1187     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
    6 | CORNEL N OSADSA                 |1.0  |L   1|L   2|W  10|
   MA | 12452255 / R: 1712   ->1706     |     |     |     |     |
      |            Q: 1578   ->1571     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
    7 | JOSHUA BERKUN                   |1.0  |L   3|L   4|W   8|
   CT | 16080502 / R: 1393   ->1376     |     |     |     |     |
      |            Q: 1337   ->1314     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
    8 | JUDY J SIMONDS                  |1.0  |W   9|L   5|L   7|
   CT | 13745435 / R:  755   -> 782     |     |     |     |     |
      |            Q:  752   -> 777     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
    9 | JUAN SANCHEZ                    |1.0  |L   8|W  10|L   4|
   CT | 16071321 / R:  927P3 -> 775P6   |     |     |     |     |
      |            Q:  808P3 -> 762P6   |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
   10 | JANICE ELAINE JENKINS           |0.0  |L   5|L   9|L   6|
   MA | 16175144 / R:  758   -> 726     |     |     |     |     |
      |            Q:  776P24-> 739     |     |     |     |     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Alan Lasser's Game of the Week

Yixin Li is currently the strongest player at the UMass Chess Club and he played in his first rated tournament last weekend, receiving the phenomenal provisional rating of 2461 by going 5-0 in a field where the highest rated foe was 2066. Perhaps Mr. Elo has yet to peg him accurately, but in his last round game, Li's counterattack 22…Ne2, comes out of nowhere to turn around the game.

Ian Dudley-Yixin Li

2/11/18

93rd Western Mass Championships

1.c4 c5

2.Nc3 Nc6

3.d3 g6

4.g3 Bg7

5.Bg2 d6

6.e4 e5

7.Nge2 Nge7

8.O-O O-O

9.h3 Be6

10.Kh2 Nd4

11.f4 f5

12.Be3?! -0.25/18

12.fxe5 +0.06/18 12...Bxe5 12...dxe5 13. exf5 gxf5 14. Bxb7 Rb8 15. Bg2 Kh8 16. Rb1 f4 17. gxf4 Ng6 18. Nd5 Nxe2 19. Qxe2 Bxd5 20. cxd5 Nxf4 21. Qg4 Nxg2 22. Rxf8+ Qxf8 23. Qxg2 Qd6 +0.10 Stockfish 13.Bh6 Rf7 14.Bf4 14. Qd2 Nxe2 15. Qxe2 Kh8 16. Qd2 Nc6 17. Rae1 Qd7 18. exf5 Rxf5 19. Nd5 Rxf1 20. Rxf1 Bf5 +0.55 Stockfish 14...Qb6 15.Nxd4 cxd4

12…Nec6

13.Nd5 Rb8

14.Rb1?! -0.24/17

14.Nxd4 +0.08/17 14...Nxd4 15.Bxd4 cxd4 16.exf5 Bxf5 17.a4 exf4 18.Nxf4 Stockfish thinks Black is winning by 0.10 after 18...Be5 19. Qd2 Kh8 20. Rf2 Qg5 21. Raf1 Rf6 22. h4 Qh6 23. a5 Bd7

14.fxe5 Bxe5 15.Nxd4 Nxd4 16.exf5 Rxf5 17.Qd2 b5 18.Rxf5 Nxf5 19.Bf4 Kg7 20.Re1 Bxd5 21.Bxe5+ dxe5 22.Bxd5 +0.07 Stockfish

14…b5

15.a3?! -0.58/17

15.fxe5 -0.25/16 15...dxe5 16.cxb5 Rxb5 17.Nxd4 cxd4 18.Bd2 fxe4 19.Rxf8+ Bxf8 20.dxe4 Rb7 21.Qa4 Nb8 22.b4 Rf7

15.b3 bxc4 16.dxc4 Qa5 17.exf5 gxf5 18.fxe5 dxe5 19.Nec3 e4 20.Na4 Bxd5 21.cxd5 Nb4 -0.17 Stockfish

15...Kh8?! -0.23/15

15...bxc4 -0.58/17 16.dxc4 Na5 17.Bxd4 cxd4 18.b3 Qd7 18...Kh8 19. Ng1 Qd7 20. Re1 fxe4 21. Bxe4 g5 22. Nf3 gxf4 23. gxf4 Bh6 -1.32 Stockfish 19.h4 Kh8 20.Qd3 Rfc8 21.Kg1

16.cxb5 Rxb5

17.Nec3 Rb8

18.Qa4?! -1.00/18

18.b4 -0.14/17 18...fxe4 19.dxe4 exf4 20.Rxf4 a5 20...Ne5 21. Bxd4 cxd4 22. Ne2 d3 23. Rxf8+ Qxf8 24. Nef4 Bxd5 25. exd5 Rc8 26. Nxd3 Nxd3 27. Qxd3 Rc3 28. Qe4 Rxa3 -0.15 Stockfish 21.bxc5 Rxb1 22.Qxb1 dxc5 23.Qf1 Ne5 24.Qa6 Qc8 25.Rxf8+ Qxf8

18…fxe4

19.dxe4 Bxd5?! -0.07/20

19...exf4 -0.78/18 20.Rxf4 Rxf4 21.Bxf4 g5 22.Be3 g4 23.hxg4 23. Qd1 Ne5 24. Bf4 gxh3 25. Bxh3 Nef3+ 26. Kg2 Bxh3+ 27. Kxh3 Qc8+ -1.50 Stockfish 23...Ne5 23... Bxg4 24. Qa6 Be5 25. Nf4 Qg5 26. Ncd5 Nf3+ 27. Bxf3 Bxf3 28. Qxc6 Bxe4 -5.46 Stockfish 24.Bf4 a5 25.g5 Bd7 26.Qd1 Bg4 27.Qf1 Ndf3+ 28.Bxf3 Nxf3+ 29.Kg2 Nxg5 30.Bxg5 Qxg5 31.Qf4 Qg6 32.b3 Be5

20.Nxd5 Rb3?! +0.88/20

20...Ne7 -0.07/19 21.Qc4 a5 22.b3 22. Bd2 exf4 23. Nxf4 Nec6 24. Bc3 g5 25. Ne6 Nxe6 26. Qxe6 Bxc3 27. bxc3 Rxb1 28. Rxb1 Rf6 -0.08 Stockfish 22...Nxd5 22... Nb5 23. Nxe7 Qxe7 24. Qc1 exf4 25. Bxf4 Nd4 26. Qd2 Rb5 27. Bg5 Qe8 28. Bf4 Qe6 -0.32 Stockfish 23.Qxd5 Ne2 24.Qc4 exf4

20...exf4 21.Nxf4 Qa5 22.Qd1 Ne5 23.Qc1 Nb3 24.Qc2 Qb6 25.Nd5 Qb5 -0.31 Stockfish

21.Bxd4?! -0.10/21

21.f5 +0.88/20 21...a5 21...gxf5 22. exf5 e4 23. Bxe4 Qe8 24. Nc3 Qb8 25. Bxc6 Nxc6 26. Qxc6 Bxc3 27. Bf4 Bd4 28. Bxd6 Rb6 29. Bxb8 Rxc6 30. Bf4 Rxf5 +0.82 Stockfish 22.Rf2 gxf5 23.exf5

21…Nxd4

22.Qxa7? -1.27/20

22.f5 -0.14/20 22...a5 22... Qg5 23. Nc3 Bf6 24. h4 Qh5 25. fxg6 Qxg6 26. Qd7 Rg8 27. Qh3 Bd8 28. h5 Qg5 29. Rf5 Nxf5 30. exf5 Qd2 31. f6 Bxf6 -1.83 Stockfish 23.fxg6 hxg6 24.Rxf8+ Bxf8 25.Rf1 Rxb2 26.Qc4 Bg7 27.Rf7 Qe8 28.Qf1 g5 29.Ne7 Rb1 30.Qf2 Rb3 31.Ng6+ Kh7 32.Qf6

22.fxe5 Bxe5 23.Rxf8+ Qxf8 24.Rf1 Bxg3+ 25.Kg1 Qb8 26.Rf7 Rb7 27.Rxb7 Qxb7 28.Qe8+ Kg7 -1.45 Stockfish

22…Ne2

23.Rf3?! -5.38/21

23.Qa4 -3.22/19 23...Rxg3

23.Rf2 exf4 24.gxf4 Nxf4 25.Nxf4 Be5 26.Kh1 Bxf4 27.Qa4 Re3 28.Qd1 Kg7 29.Rf3 Rxf3 30.Qxf3 Be5 -1.88 Stockfish

23…Rxf3

24.Bxf3 exf4

25.Qe7 25.Be2 gets crushed by 25... fxg3+ 26. Kg2 Rf2+ 27. Kxg3 Qf8 28. Qxg7+ Kxg7 29. Rf1 Rxf1 30. Bxf1 Qxf1 -12.37 25.Nf4 Nf4 26.gf loses to 26... Qh4 27. Qxg7+ Kxg7 28. Rf1 Qxf4+ 29. Kg2 Qg5+ 30. Kf2 Qf6 31. Kg1 Qxb2 32. Rf2 Qxa3 -66.19 and 25.gf loses to 25... Qh4 26. Bg2 Qg3+ 27. Kh1 Nxf4 28. Nxf4 Be5 29. Qe7 Qxf4 30. Qxf8+ Qxf8 -13.82 25...Qxe7 26.Nxe7 fxg3+ 27.Kg2 Nd4

28.Bg4?! -6.21/25

28.Rf1 -5.21/26 28...Be5 29.Nd5 Rb8 30.b4 30. Rb1 Nxf3 31. Kxf3 Rf8+ 32. Ke2 Rf2+ 33. Kd3 g2 34. Ne3 Rxb2 -7.33 Stockfish 30...Ra8 31.bxc5 dxc5 32.Kh1 32. Bg4 Rxa3 33. Kg1 Ra2 34. Ne3 Ne2+ 35. Kg2 Nc3+ 36. Kf3 Nb5 -7.93 Stockfish 32...Rxa3 33.Bg2 Rb3 34.Re1 34. Nf6 Bxf6 35. Rxf6 c4 36. Bf1 c3 37. Rf8+ Kg7 38. Rc8 c2 39. Kg2 Rb1 40. Ba6 c1=Q 41. Rxc1 Rxc1 42. Kxg3 Kf6 -10.58 Stockfish 34...c4 35.Rc1 Ne2 36.Rf1 c3

28...Re8? -3.22/26

28...Be5 -6.21/25 29.Rf1 Rb8 30.Rb1 c4 31.Nd5 Nc2 32.Nb4 Nxb4 32...Rf8 33. Nc6 Ne3+ 34. Kg1 Bxb2 35. Re1 Bxa3 36. Rxe3 Bc5 37. Kg2 Bxe3 -8.20 Stockfish 33.axb4 Rxb4 34.Bd1 c3 35.Bc2 cxb2 36.Rf1 Rd4 37.Bb1 d5 38.exd5 Rxd5

29.Nd5 Rxe4?! -2.39/25

29...h5 -3.22/25 30.Bd1 Rxe4 30...h4 31. Bg4 Rxe4 32. Kh1 Kh7 33. a4 Nc6 34. Bf3 Rxa4 35. Nc3 Bxc3 36. Bxc6 Rb4 37. Kg2 Bxb2 -5.17 Stockfish 31.Kxg3 Nf5+ 32.Kf2 Bd4+33.Kf1 Re5 34.Nc3 Re3 35.Nb5 Rxh3 36.Nxd4 Rh1+ 37.Ke2 Nxd4+ 38.Kf2 Rh2+ 39.Ke3 Rh3+ 40.Kf2 Kg7 41.a4 Nc6 42.b3 g5 43.Bf3 Ne5 44.Bg2 Rc3

30.Kxg3 h5

31.Bd7? -12.89/28

31.Nc3 -2.39/23 31...Re8 32.Bd7 Rb8 32...Rd8 33. Ba4 Be5+ 34. Kg2 Kg7 35. Nd5 c4 36. Bd1 Nf5 37. Kf1 Rf8 38. Ke1 Ng3 39. Be2 Nxe2 40. Kxe2 Bd4 41. Rd1 Bxb2 -2.16 Stockfish 33.Kf2 33. a4 c4 34. Kg2 Rd8 35. Bb5 d5 36. Ra1 Nxb5 37. axb5 Rb8 -2.17 Stockfish 33...c4 34.a4 Rd8 35.Bb5 Nxb5 36.axb5 d5 37.Kf3

31...Re5? -2.35/24

31...Be5+ -12.89/28 32.Kg2 32. Kf2 Re2+ 33. Kf1 Bg3 34. Ba4 Rf2+ 35. Ke1 Rxb2+ 36. Kd1 Rxb1+ -17.25 Stockfish 32...Re2+ 33.Kg1 33. Kf1 Bg3 34. Ba4 Rf2+ 35. Ke1 Rxb2+ 36. Kd1 Rxb1+ 37. Kd2 Ra1 38. Be8 Be1+ 39. Kd3 Rxa3+ -36.30 Stockfish 33...Bh2+ 34.Kf1 Bg3 35.Ba4 Rf2+ 36.Ke1 Rxb2+ 37.Kd1 Rxb1+ 38.Kd2 Ra1 39.Be8 Be1+ 40.Kd3 Rxa3+ 41.Kc4 Nf3 41...Kg7 42. Bb5 Kf7 43. Bd7 Ba5 44. Nf4 Nf3 45. Bb5 Bd2 46. Nxg6 Nd4 47. Bd7 Kxg6 -50.77 Stockfish 42.Kb5 Ne5 43.Kb6 c4

32.Nc3 Re7

33.Bc8 Rc7

34.Ba6 Nf5+

35.Kf2?! -2.77/26

35.Kf4 -2.00/23 35...Rf7 35...Re7 36. Nd5 Re5 37. Bc4 Nh4 38. Kg3 g5 39. Kf2 Re4 40. b3 Bd4+ 41. Kf1 g4 42. hxg4 hxg4 43. Re1 g3 44. Rxe4 g2+ 45. Ke2 g1=Q 46. Rxh4+ -1.76 Stockfish 36.a4 Ne7+ 37.Kg3 d5 38.Kg2 Bd4 39.Rf1 Nf5 40.Kh2 Ra7 41.Bb5 Be5+ 42.Kg1 Bd4+ 43.Kh2

35.Kg2 Re7 36.Bb5 Re3 37.a4 Rg3+ 38.Kf2 Bd4+ 39.Ke2 Bxc3 40.bxc3 Rxc3 41.Bd3 Nd4+ 42.Kd2 Ra3 -1.59 Stockfish

35…Ra7

36.Bd3 Bxc3

37.bxc3 Rxa3 The scoresheet I compiled as the game was being analyzed ends here, but play continued for many moves as Black easily won the ending. 0-1

[Event "2018 WMA Championships"]

[Site "Amherst, MA"]

[Date "2018.02.11"]

[Round "5"]

[White "Ian Dudley"]

[Black "Yixin Li"]

[Result "0-1"]

[ECO "A35"]

1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.d3 g6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 d6 6.e4 e5 7.Nge2 Nge7 8.O-O O-O

9.h3 Be6 10.Kh2 Nd4 11.f4 f5 12.Be3 $6 { -0.25/18 } ( 12.fxe5 { +0.06/18 }

12...Bxe5

{ 12...dxe5 13. exf5 gxf5 14. Bxb7 Rb8 15. Bg2 Kh8 16. Rb1 f4 17. gxf4 Ng6

18. Nd5 Nxe2 19. Qxe2 Bxd5 20. cxd5 Nxf4 21. Qg4 Nxg2 22. Rxf8+ Qxf8 23.

Qxg2 Qd6 +0.10 Stockfish } 13.Bh6 Rf7 14.Bf4

{ 14. Qd2 Nxe2 15. Qxe2 Kh8 16. Qd2 Nc6 17. Rae1 Qd7 18. exf5 Rxf5 19. Nd5

Rxf1 20. Rxf1 Bf5 +0.55 Stockfish } 14...Qb6 15.Nxd4 cxd4 ) 12...Nec6 13.Nd5

Rb8 14.Rb1 $6 { -0.24/17 } ( 14.Nxd4 { +0.08/17 } 14...Nxd4 15.Bxd4 cxd4

16.exf5 Bxf5 17.a4 exf4 18.Nxf4

{ Stockfish thinks Black is winning by 0.10 after 18...Be5 19. Qd2 Kh8 20.

Rf2 Qg5 21. Raf1 Rf6 22. h4 Qh6 23. a5 Bd7 } ) ( 14.fxe5 Bxe5 15.Nxd4 Nxd4

16.exf5 Rxf5 17.Qd2 b5 18.Rxf5 Nxf5 19.Bf4 Kg7 20.Re1 Bxd5 21.Bxe5+ dxe5

22.Bxd5 { +0.07 Stockfish } ) 14...b5 15.a3 $6 { -0.58/17 } ( 15.fxe5

{ -0.25/16 } 15...dxe5 16.cxb5 Rxb5 17.Nxd4 cxd4 18.Bd2 fxe4 19.Rxf8+ Bxf8

20.dxe4 Rb7 21.Qa4 Nb8 22.b4 Rf7 ) ( 15.b3 bxc4 16.dxc4 Qa5 17.exf5 gxf5

18.fxe5 dxe5 19.Nec3 e4 20.Na4 Bxd5 21.cxd5 Nb4 { -0.17 Stockfish } )

15...Kh8 $6 { -0.23/15 } ( 15...bxc4 { -0.58/17 } 16.dxc4 Na5 17.Bxd4 cxd4

18.b3 Qd7

{ 18...Kh8 19. Ng1 Qd7 20. Re1 fxe4 21. Bxe4 g5 22. Nf3 gxf4 23. gxf4 Bh6

-1.32 Stockfish } 19.h4 Kh8 20.Qd3 Rfc8 21.Kg1 ) 16.cxb5 Rxb5 17.Nec3 Rb8

18.Qa4 $6 { -1.00/18 } ( 18.b4 { -0.14/17 } 18...fxe4 19.dxe4 exf4 20.Rxf4 a5

{ 20...Ne5 21. Bxd4 cxd4 22. Ne2 d3 23. Rxf8+ Qxf8 24. Nef4 Bxd5 25. exd5

Rc8 26. Nxd3 Nxd3 27. Qxd3 Rc3 28. Qe4 Rxa3 -0.15 Stockfish } 21.bxc5 Rxb1

22.Qxb1 dxc5 23.Qf1 Ne5 24.Qa6 Qc8 25.Rxf8+ Qxf8 ) 18...fxe4 19.dxe4 Bxd5 $6

{ -0.07/20 } ( 19...exf4 { -0.78/18 } 20.Rxf4 Rxf4 21.Bxf4 g5 22.Be3 g4

23.hxg4

{ 23. Qd1 Ne5 24. Bf4 gxh3 25. Bxh3 Nef3+ 26. Kg2 Bxh3+ 27. Kxh3 Qc8+ -1.50

Stockfish } 23...Ne5

{ 23... Bxg4 24. Qa6 Be5 25. Nf4 Qg5 26. Ncd5 Nf3+ 27. Bxf3 Bxf3 28. Qxc6

Bxe4 -5.46 Stockfish } 24.Bf4 a5 25.g5 Bd7 26.Qd1 Bg4 27.Qf1 Ndf3+ 28.Bxf3

Nxf3+ 29.Kg2 Nxg5 30.Bxg5 Qxg5 31.Qf4 Qg6 32.b3 Be5 ) 20.Nxd5 Rb3 $6

{ +0.88/20 } ( 20...Ne7 { -0.07/19 } 21.Qc4 a5 22.b3

{ 22. Bd2 exf4 23. Nxf4 Nec6 24. Bc3 g5 25. Ne6 Nxe6 26. Qxe6 Bxc3 27. bxc3

Rxb1 28. Rxb1 Rf6 -0.08 Stockfish } 22...Nxd5

{ 22... Nb5 23. Nxe7 Qxe7 24. Qc1 exf4 25. Bxf4 Nd4 26. Qd2 Rb5 27. Bg5 Qe8

28. Bf4 Qe6 -0.32 Stockfish } 23.Qxd5 Ne2 24.Qc4 exf4 ) ( 20...exf4 21.Nxf4

Qa5 22.Qd1 Ne5 23.Qc1 Nb3 24.Qc2 Qb6 25.Nd5 Qb5 { -0.31 Stockfish } ) 21.Bxd4

$6 { -0.10/21 } ( 21.f5 { +0.88/20 } 21...a5

{ 21...gxf5 22. exf5 e4 23. Bxe4 Qe8 24. Nc3 Qb8 25. Bxc6 Nxc6 26. Qxc6

Bxc3 27. Bf4 Bd4 28. Bxd6 Rb6 29. Bxb8 Rxc6 30. Bf4 Rxf5 +0.82 Stockfish }

22.Rf2 gxf5 23.exf5 ) 21...Nxd4 22.Qxa7 $2 { -1.27/20 } ( 22.f5 { -0.14/20 }

22...a5

{ 22... Qg5 23. Nc3 Bf6 24. h4 Qh5 25. fxg6 Qxg6 26. Qd7 Rg8 27. Qh3 Bd8

28. h5 Qg5 29. Rf5 Nxf5 30. exf5 Qd2 31. f6 Bxf6 -1.83 Stockfish }

23.fxg6 hxg6 24.Rxf8+ Bxf8 25.Rf1 Rxb2 26.Qc4 Bg7 27.Rf7 Qe8 28.Qf1 g5 29.Ne7

Rb1 30.Qf2 Rb3 31.Ng6+ Kh7 32.Qf6 ) ( 22.fxe5 Bxe5 23.Rxf8+ Qxf8 24.Rf1 Bxg3+

25.Kg1 Qb8 26.Rf7 Rb7 27.Rxb7 Qxb7 28.Qe8+ Kg7 { -1.45 Stockfish } ) 22...Ne2

23.Rf3 $6 { -5.38/21 } ( 23.Qa4 { -3.22/19 } 23...Rxg3 ) ( 23.Rf2 exf4

24.gxf4 Nxf4 25.Nxf4 Be5 26.Kh1 Bxf4 27.Qa4 Re3 28.Qd1 Kg7 29.Rf3 Rxf3

30.Qxf3 Be5 { -1.88 Stockfish } ) 23...Rxf3 24.Bxf3 exf4 25.Qe7

{ 25.Be2 gets crushed by 25... fxg3+ 26. Kg2 Rf2+ 27. Kxg3 Qf8 28. Qxg7+

Kxg7 29. Rf1 Rxf1 30. Bxf1 Qxf1 -12.37 25.Nf4 Nf4 26.gf loses to

26... Qh4 27. Qxg7+ Kxg7 28. Rf1 Qxf4+ 29. Kg2 Qg5+ 30. Kf2 Qf6 31. Kg1 Qxb2 32. Rf2 Qxa3 -66.19 and 25.gf loses to 25... Qh4 26. Bg2 Qg3+ 27.

Kh1 Nxf4 28. Nxf4 Be5 29. Qe7 Qxf4 30. Qxf8+ Qxf8 -13.82 } 25...Qxe7

26.Nxe7 fxg3+ 27.Kg2 Nd4 28.Bg4 $6 { -6.21/25 } ( 28.Rf1 { -5.21/26 }

28...Be5 29.Nd5 Rb8 30.b4

{ 30. Rb1 Nxf3 31. Kxf3 Rf8+ 32. Ke2 Rf2+ 33. Kd3 g2 34. Ne3 Rxb2 -7.33

Stockfish } 30...Ra8 31.bxc5 dxc5 32.Kh1

{ 32. Bg4 Rxa3 33. Kg1 Ra2 34. Ne3 Ne2+ 35. Kg2 Nc3+ 36. Kf3 Nb5 -7.93

Stockfish } 32...Rxa3 33.Bg2 Rb3 34.Re1

{ 34. Nf6 Bxf6 35. Rxf6 c4 36. Bf1 c3 37. Rf8+ Kg7 38. Rc8 c2 39. Kg2 Rb1

40. Ba6 c1=Q 41. Rxc1 Rxc1 42. Kxg3 Kf6 -10.58 Stockfish } 34...c4 35.Rc1 Ne2

36.Rf1 c3 ) 28...Re8 $2 { -3.22/26 } ( 28...Be5 { -6.21/25 } 29.Rf1 Rb8

30.Rb1 c4 31.Nd5 Nc2 32.Nb4 Nxb4

{ 32...Rf8 33. Nc6 Ne3+ 34. Kg1 Bxb2 35. Re1 Bxa3 36. Rxe3 Bc5 37. Kg2 Bxe3

-8.20 Stockfish } 33.axb4 Rxb4 34.Bd1 c3 35.Bc2 cxb2 36.Rf1 Rd4 37.Bb1 d5

38.exd5 Rxd5 ) 29.Nd5 Rxe4 $6 { -2.39/25 } ( 29...h5 { -3.22/25 } 30.Bd1 Rxe4

{ 30...h4 31. Bg4 Rxe4 32. Kh1 Kh7 33. a4 Nc6 34. Bf3 Rxa4 35. Nc3 Bxc3 36.

Bxc6 Rb4 37. Kg2 Bxb2 -5.17 Stockfish } 31.Kxg3 Nf5+ 32.Kf2 Bd4+ 33.Kf1 Re5

34.Nc3 Re3 35.Nb5 Rxh3 36.Nxd4 Rh1+ 37.Ke2 Nxd4+ 38.Kf2 Rh2+ 39.Ke3 Rh3+

40.Kf2 Kg7 41.a4 Nc6 42.b3 g5 43.Bf3 Ne5 44.Bg2 Rc3 ) 30.Kxg3 h5 31.Bd7 $2

{ -12.89/28 } ( 31.Nc3 { -2.39/23 } 31...Re8 32.Bd7 Rb8

{ 32...Rd8 33. Ba4 Be5+ 34. Kg2 Kg7 35. Nd5 c4 36. Bd1 Nf5 37. Kf1 Rf8 38.

Ke1 Ng3 39. Be2 Nxe2 40. Kxe2 Bd4 41. Rd1 Bxb2 -2.16 Stockfish } 33.Kf2

{ 33. a4 c4 34. Kg2 Rd8 35. Bb5 d5 36. Ra1 Nxb5 37. axb5 Rb8 -2.17

Stockfish } 33...c4 34.a4 Rd8 35.Bb5 Nxb5 36.axb5 d5 37.Kf3 ) 31...Re5 $2

{ -2.35/24 } ( 31...Be5+ { -12.89/28 } 32.Kg2

{ 32. Kf2 Re2+ 33. Kf1 Bg3 34. Ba4 Rf2+ 35. Ke1 Rxb2+ 36. Kd1 Rxb1+ -17.25

Stockfish } 32...Re2+ 33.Kg1

{ 33. Kf1 Bg3 34. Ba4 Rf2+ 35. Ke1 Rxb2+ 36. Kd1 Rxb1+ 37. Kd2 Ra1 38. Be8

Be1+ 39. Kd3 Rxa3+ -36.30 Stockfish } 33...Bh2+ 34.Kf1 Bg3 35.Ba4 Rf2+ 36.Ke1

Rxb2+ 37.Kd1 Rxb1+ 38.Kd2 Ra1 39.Be8 Be1+ 40.Kd3 Rxa3+ 41.Kc4 Nf3

{ 41...Kg7 42. Bb5 Kf7 43. Bd7 Ba5 44. Nf4 Nf3 45. Bb5 Bd2 46. Nxg6 Nd4 47.

Bd7 Kxg6 -50.77 Stockfish } 42.Kb5 Ne5 43.Kb6 c4 ) 32.Nc3 Re7 33.Bc8 Rc7

34.Ba6 Nf5+ 35.Kf2 $6 { -2.77/26 } ( 35.Kf4 { -2.00/23 } 35...Rf7

{ 35...Re7 36. Nd5 Re5 37. Bc4 Nh4 38. Kg3 g5 39. Kf2 Re4 40. b3 Bd4+ 41.

Kf1 g4 42. hxg4 hxg4 43. Re1 g3 44. Rxe4 g2+ 45. Ke2 g1=Q 46. Rxh4+ -1.76

Stockfish } 36.a4 Ne7+ 37.Kg3 d5 38.Kg2 Bd4 39.Rf1 Nf5 40.Kh2 Ra7 41.Bb5 Be5+

42.Kg1 Bd4+ 43.Kh2 ) ( 35.Kg2 Re7 36.Bb5 Re3 37.a4 Rg3+ 38.Kf2 Bd4+ 39.Ke2

Bxc3 40.bxc3 Rxc3 41.Bd3 Nd4+ 42.Kd2 Ra3 { -1.59 Stockfish } ) 35...Ra7

36.Bd3 Bxc3 37.bxc3 Rxa3

{ The scoresheet I compiled as the game was being analyzed ends here, but

play continued for many moves as Black easily won the ending. } 0-1

Alan Lasser

blacklightmazes@icloud.com

website: blacklightmazes.com

-----------------

GUARANTEED CASH PRIZES $160-1ST. $80-2ND. USCF

TOURNAMENT ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2018

EASTERN CONNECTICUT OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

http://www.uschess.org/tlas/9307.tla

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Alan Lasser's Game of the Week

The Chess World Champion, Magnus Carlsen, is currently playing Hikaru Nakamura in a Fischer-Random chess match. The non-traditional starting positions generate opening moves unlike what they play on the grandmaster circuit, but it doesn’t seem to make any difference, the second game of the match is a common everyday sort of chess position after 18…0-0. It certainly sounds like a good idea, throw out the preparation and see who is really the best at moving the pieces around, but the first two games of the match have shown that at the elite level, it’s just as difficult to gain a winnable advantage at Fischer-Random. Two games is too small for a sample, but the worst case scenario for the future of Fischer-Random would be if it actually made draws a bit more likely, by removing the decisive results that come from bad opening preparation.

The starting position has the Black knights at a8 and b8, the queen at c8, rooks at d8 and h8, the bishops are at e8 and f8, and the King is at g8(ready to complete the castling maneuver allowed in Fischer-Random).

The White starting position is the mirror, knights at a1 and b1, queen on c1, rooks on d1 and h1, bishops on e1 and f1, and the King on g1.

GM Hikaru Nakamura-GM Magnus Carlsen

2/9/18

2018 Fischer-Random Match

Berum, Norway

1.e4 c5

2.d4 cxd4

3.Rxd4 d6

4.c4 b5

5.Nb3 Nc6

6.Rd1 bxc4

7.Bxc4 Nb6

8.Be2 g6?! +0.39/19

8...f5 +0.07/21 9.exf5 Qxf5 10.f4 e6 11.Nc3 Be7 12.Bg3 Bf6 13.Bd3 Qg4 14.Kf2 Nb4

8...Qb8 -0.17 Stockfish

8...h5 9.Nc3 h4 10.h3 Qb8 11.Bd2 d5 12.Bf4 e5 13.Bg5 f6 14.exd5 Nb4 15.Be3 N6xd5 -0.19 Stockfish

9.Bc3 f6

10.h4 h5

11.Rh3 Bf7

12.Rg3 Ne5

13.Bxe5 dxe5

14.Rc3 Rxd1+

15.Qxd1 Qa8

16.N1d2 Bh6

17.Rc7 Qb8

18.Qc2 0-0

The software programs just stop here, they do not yet recognize the Fischer-Random castle, where the rook on h8 hops to f8. At this point I had to start a new game with the remaining moves and combine the two sections for the notation to the whole game. The moves played are numbered correctly, but the moves in the analysis are not.

19.Ba6 Bxd2

20.Nxd2 Rd8

21.Nf1 Rd7

22.Rxd7 Nxd7

23.Bc4 Qd6

24.Ne3 Qd4

25.b4?! -0.23/27

7.Qb3 +0.29/25 7...Bxc4 8.Qxc4+ Qxc4 9.Nxc4 Nc5 10.f3 Nd3 11.a3 Kf7 12.Kf1 12. b4 Ke6 13. Kf1 Kd7 14. Ne3 Nf4 15. a4 +0.21 Stockfish 12...Ke6 13.g3 g5 14.hxg5 fxg5

7.Bxf7+ Kxf7 8.Qc7 Nb6 9.Qxa7 Qxb2 10.a4 Qb1+ 11.Kh2 Qxe4 12.Qxb6 Qxh4+ 13.Kg1 Qxa4 +0.25 Stockfish

26…Nb6

27.Bxf7+ Kxf7

28.Qb3+ Kf8

29.Qb1 Nc8

30.Nf1 Nd6

31.Ng3 Nb5

32.a3 Qc4?! -0.19/26

13...Qc3 -0.69/26 14.a4 Na3 14...Nd4 15. b5 Qd2 16. Kf1 Kf7 17. Kg1 Ke8 18. Kf1 Qc3 19. Kg1 Qc4 20. Qd1 Ne6 21. Kh2 Nf4 -0.76 Stockfish 15.Qd1 Qxb4 16.Qd8+ Kg7 17.Ne2 Nb1 18.Qe8 Qd6 19.Kh2 Qe6 20.Kh1 a6 21.Kg1 Nd2 22.Nc3 Nc4 23.Qa8 Qb6 24.Qc8 Nd2 25.Qe8 Qc5 26.Qd8 Nb3

33.Qd1 Nd4

34.Qd2 Kg7

35.Kh2 Qc2

36.Qe3 a6

37.f4?! -0.55/26

18.f3 -0.14/28 18...Qc4 19.Qd2 Qb3 20.Qc1 Kf7 21.Nh1 Qd3 22.Ng3 Qc2 23.Qf1 Kg7 24.Qxa6 Nxf3+ 25.Kh3 Ne1 26.Qe2 Qc3 27.Kh2 Nc2 28.Qb5 Qd4 29.Qe8 Qd6 30.Qa4

18.Nf1 Nb5 19.f3 Nd4 20.Ng3 Kf7 21.Nf1 Ke8 22.Nd2 Kd7 23.f4 Nc6 24.Nb3 exf4 25.Nc5+ Kd8 26.Qxf4 Ne5 -0.09 Stockfish

37…exf4

38.Qxd4 fxg3+

39.Kxg3 Qb3+?! 0.00/28

20...Qe2 -0.71/26 21.Kh2 21. a4 Qg4+ 22. Kh2 Qxh4+ 23. Kg1 Qe1+ 24. Kh2 h4 25. e5 fxe5 26. Qc5 Qg3+ 27. Kg1 Kf8 28. b5 h3 29. Qc8+ Kf7 30. Qxh3 Qxh3 31. gxh3 axb5 32. axb5 Ke6 33. Kg2 Kd5 34. Kf3 Kc5 35. Ke4 Kxb5 36. Kxe5 Kc4 37. Ke6 Kd4 38. Kxe7 Ke5 39. Kf7 g5 40. Kg6 Kf4 41. Kf6 g4 42. hxg4 Kxg4 = Stockfish 21...Qg4 22.Qd5 Qxh4+ 23.Kg1 Qe1+ 24.Kh2 Qc3 25.Qe6 Qc7+ 26.Kg1 Qc1+ 27.Kh2 Qf4+ 28.Kg1 Qe3+ 29.Kh2 Qf4+

40.Kh2 Qxa3

41.Qc5 Kf8

42.Qc8+ Kf7

43.Qc4+ ½-½

Your pgn reader may be unable to play through the game because it has not been programmed for the Fischer-Random castling move.

[Event "2018 Fischer-Random Match "]

[Site "Berum, Norway"]

[Date "2018.02.09"]

[Round "2"]

[White "Hikaru Nakamura"]

[Black "Magnus Carlsen"]

[Result "*"]

[FEN "nnqrbbkr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NNQRBBKR w - - 0 1"]

[SetUp "1"]

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.Rxd4 d6 4.c4 b5 5.Nb3 Nc6 6.Rd1 bxc4 7.Bxc4 Nb6 8.Be2 g6

$6 { +0.39/19 } ( 8...f5 { +0.07/21 } 9.exf5 Qxf5 10.f4 e6 11.Nc3 Be7 12.Bg3

Bf6 13.Bd3 Qg4 14.Kf2 Nb4 ) ( 8...Qb8 { -0.17 Stockfish } ) ( 8...h5 9.Nc3

h4 10.h3 Qb8 11.Bd2 d5 12.Bf4 e5 13.Bg5 f6 14.exd5 Nb4 15.Be3 N6xd5

{ -0.19 Stockfish } ) 9.Bc3 f6 10.h4 h5 11.Rh3 Bf7 12.Rg3 Ne5 13.Bxe5 dxe5

14.Rc3 Rxd1+ 15.Qxd1 Qa8 16.N1d2 Bh6 17.Rc7 Qb8 18.Qc2 0-0

19.Ba6 Bxd2 22.Nxd2 Rd8 21.Nf1 Rd7 22.Rxd7 Nxd7 23.Bc4 Qd6 24.Ne3 Qd4 25.b4 $6

{ -0.23/27 } ( 7.Qb3 { +0.29/25 } 7...Bxc4 8.Qxc4+ Qxc4 9.Nxc4 Nc5 10.f3 Nd3

11.a3 Kf7 12.Kf1

{ 12. b4 Ke6 13. Kf1 Kd7 14. Ne3 Nf4 15. a4 +0.21 Stockfish } 12...Ke6

13.g3 g5 14.hxg5 fxg5 ) ( 7.Bxf7+ Kxf7 8.Qc7 Nb6 9.Qxa7 Qxb2 10.a4 Qb1+

11.Kh2 Qxe4 12.Qxb6 Qxh4+ 13.Kg1 Qxa4 { +0.25 Stockfish } ) 26...Nb6 27.Bxf7+

Kxf7 28.Qb3+ Kf8 29.Qb1 Nc8 30.Nf1 Nd6 31.Ng3 Nb5 32.a3 Qc4 $6 { -0.19/26 } (

13...Qc3 { -0.69/26 } 14.a4 Na3

{ 14...Nd4 15. b5 Qd2 16. Kf1 Kf7 17. Kg1 Ke8 18. Kf1 Qc3 19. Kg1 Qc4 20.

Qd1 Ne6 21. Kh2 Nf4 -0.76 Stockfish } 15.Qd1 Qxb4 16.Qd8+ Kg7 17.Ne2 Nb1

18.Qe8 Qd6 19.Kh2 Qe6 20.Kh1 a6 21.Kg1 Nd2 22.Nc3 Nc4 23.Qa8 Qb6 24.Qc8 Nd2

25.Qe8 Qc5 26.Qd8 Nb3 ) 33.Qd1 Nd4 34.Qd2 Kg7 35.Kh2 Qc2 36.Qe3 a6 37.f4 $6

{ -0.55/26 } ( 18.f3 { -0.14/28 } 37...Qc4 38.Qd2 Qb3 39.Qc1 Kf7 40.Nh1 Qd3

22.Ng3 Qc2 23.Qf1 Kg7 24.Qxa6 Nxf3+ 25.Kh3 Ne1 26.Qe2 Qc3 27.Kh2 Nc2 28.Qb5

Qd4 29.Qe8 Qd6 30.Qa4 ) ( 18.Nf1 Nb5 19.f3 Nd4 20.Ng3 Kf7 21.Nf1 Ke8 22.Nd2

Kd7 23.f4 Nc6 24.Nb3 exf4 25.Nc5+ Kd8 26.Qxf4 Ne5 { -0.09 Stockfish } )

37...exf4 38.Qxd4 fxg3+ 39.Kxg3 Qb3+ $6 { 0.00/28 } ( 20...Qe2 { -0.71/26 }

21.Kh2

{ 21. a4 Qg4+ 22. Kh2 Qxh4+ 23. Kg1 Qe1+ 24. Kh2 h4 25. e5 fxe5 26. Qc5

Qg3+ 27. Kg1 Kf8 28. b5 h3 29. Qc8+ Kf7 30. Qxh3 Qxh3 31. gxh3 axb5 32.

axb5 Ke6 33. Kg2 Kd5 34. Kf3 Kc5 35. Ke4 Kxb5 36. Kxe5 Kc4 37. Ke6 Kd4 38. Kxe7 Ke5 39. Kf7 g5 40. Kg6 Kf4 41. Kf6 g4 42. hxg4 Kxg4 = Stockfish

} 21...Qg4 22.Qd5 Qxh4+ 23.Kg1 Qe1+ 24.Kh2 Qc3 25.Qe6 Qc7+ 26.Kg1 Qc1+ 27.Kh2

Qf4+ 28.Kg1 Qe3+ 29.Kh2 Qf4+ ) 40.Kh2 Qxa3 41.Qc5 Kf8 42.Qc8+ Kf7 43.Qc4+

1/2-1/2

Alan Lasser

blacklightmazes@icloud.com

website: blacklightmazes.com

ConnecticutChess@gmail.com

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FOR CHESS PLAYERS SINCE MARCH 18, 2012

Monday, February 5, 2018

Monthly Chess Club in Coventry CT Boasts of Strong Players

Top Tournament Winners

in Coventry Connecticut:

4 Joe Bihlmeyer

4 FM Nelson Castaneda

3 IM Jan Van de Mortel

3 Derek Meredith

2 Mark Bourque

2 Dave Herscovici

Most Frequent Players:

12 Joe Bihlmeyer

8 Derek Meredith

8 Hugh James

7 Mark Bourque

7 Gary Cote

7 Joshua Berkun

7 Rob Roy

5 Nelson Castaneda

5 Suhas Kodali

Next Tournament is Sat. Feb 24

Eastern Connecticut Chess Open

Our top 12 regular players

have an average rating = 2000.

8 of which are from the NBCC.

Among our regular players are

1 IM, 1 FM, and 5 National Experts.

Our top 6 tournament winners

have an average rating of 2198.

Here is why we have strong players:

We are relatively close to the New Britain

Chess Club, historically the best chess club

in Connecticut.

We award prizes to 1st and 2nd place only.

We spend no money on hall rental, trophies etc....

Our 1st place prize is a good sum of cash.

We feel $30 is a very reasonable entry fee

for our events, even for those with little

chance to win prizes.

All players enjoy their 3 rated games and free

refreshments. All players may have the chance to

play masters and experts.

Lower-rated players wanting class prizes should

play at Goichberg's events held in Sturbridge,

Stamford and Windsor Locks.

The chess center cost $10,000 to furnish, donated

by Rob Roy. It also took hundreds of hours of his

free labor. Rob is not seeking reimbursement.

Rob is seeking to break-even with current

expenses. Nobody is being paid for work,

we are all 100 percent volunteer.

OUR LIST OF VOLUNTEERS: Rob Roy,

Liz Glick, Mark Denihan, Derek Meredith,

Joe Bihlmeyer, Mark Bourque.

Other than the $30 per person entry fee

per event, we charge no other dues nor

fees of any kind.

Rob Roy has been elected an officer of the

Connecticut State Chess Association.

He maintains the membership database

and publishes the official newsletter.

Anybody can subscribe. It is free.

Next Tournament is Sat. Feb 24

Eastern Connecticut Chess Open

Active Player List for this affiliate

Events for "Rob Roy Chess Center"

Saturday, February 3, 2018

GM wins all 21 games in Simul at New Britain Chess Club

Dear NBCC officers and chess friends:

Thank you all for being a part of the historic GM Alexandsr Lenderman visit to the NBCC. It was so wonderful that GM Lenderman provided the three-hour master/expert training classes on Friday and then gave a very nice lecture and simultaneous chess exhibition on Saturday.

Twenty-one players from our community participated in the simul. Our competitors gave the GM a good battle on the chess board, with many challenging games, according the GM. Despite our players attempts to slow him down, the GM emerged victorious on all boards - a perfect 21-0 in exactly three hours to the minute!

Afterwards, a few of our members (FM Nelson Castaneda, Mario Guevara, Laxma Dendi, and Bob Cyr) went to lunch with Mr. Lenderman at the Olive Garden. Nelson paid for the GM's lunch, a very touching gesture. We also owe Mario a deep gratitude for coordinating Mr. Lenderman's visit our to family and who provided him with transportation to and from Milford. I got a nice picture of our lunch gathering that Laxma took on his camera.

I also want to thank Rob Roy for helping us promote this two-day event and for taking so many pictures (he brought in four Iphones!). The NBCC sincerely thanks Rob for his continual efforts for promoting our club and chess in Connecticut for 40+ years. Amazing! Thank you, sir!

Of course, last, but not least, a special token of appreciation to our club officers, who continue to work so tirelessly and so passioniately to provide a social and friendly environment at the club and for their steadfast efforts to expand programs throughout our thriving community for the betterment of all chess enthuasists - young and old, beginner or master, friend and friend.

A television reporter from CT FOX 61 was onsite for the GM lecture and simul. I usually watch FOX 61 news at 10:00 and perhaps coverage of this historic visit by one of the United States top chess played will be aired tonight. I was able to finally get in contact with the New Britain Herald to publish this event. Maybe our club can start using this media resource to promote more NBCC activities.

The highlights of GM Lenderman's visit to the club will be published in the 2018 newsletter, along with about four photos.

With best regards,

Bob Cyr

NBCC Historian