Saturday, August 13, 2022

GAME OF THE WEEK, by Alan Lasser

   It’s always a pleasure to honor a long-time reader of this letter who finally gains the master title.  Unfortunately, while the letter was on hiatus, I was unable to congratulate Rod Hajaj on his achievement.  Brandon Wang, however, had the good timing to wait until after I started writing again to become a master so I could feature his big accomplishment.  When we first met, he was a little kid who liked to play bughouse.  Soon he could beat me, and when he was eight years old, one of his wins against me appeared on this page.  He took first in the expert section at the recent Continental Open, which is a profitable way to earn the title.  It wasn’t easy for Brandon, he was losing for much of the final game;  but a master needs persistence and determination, and Brandon soldered on in a difficult position until he had a chance to turn the table.  Congratulations!
 
Brandon M. Wang(2217)-Evan Ling(2175)
7/25/22
Continental Open
Sturbridge, MA
3.c4 e6 
8.a4 c6 
40.Qf6+ 1-0
 
 
 
[Event "Continental Open"]
[Site "Sturbridge, MA"]
[Date "2022.07.25"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Brandon M. Wang"]
[Black "Evan Ling"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2175"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2217"]
 
1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Bf4 dxc4 6.e4 Bb4 7.Qc2 b5 8.a4 c6
9.Be2 Bb7 10.O-O a6 11.Bg5 ( 11.b3 cxb3 12.Qxb3 Bxc3 13.Qxc3 Nxe4 14.Qc2 Nef6
15.Bd6 Nb6 16.Bc5 Nfd7 17.Ne5 Nxc5 18.Qxc5 Nxa4 19.Rxa4 bxa4 20.Bf3
{ -0.36 Stockfish } ) 11...h6 12.Bh4 ( 12.Bd2 Bxc3 13.Bxc3 c5 14.axb5 axb5
15.b4 Bxe4 16.Qb2 cxd4 17.Nxd4 { -1.61 Stockfish } ) 12...Be7 13.Rad1 ( 
13.h3 O-O 14.Rad1 Nh5 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Qc1 Nhf6 17.Nh2 e5 18.dxe5 Qxe5
{ -1.35 Stockfish } ) 13...O-O 14.Ne5 ( 14.Nd2 Nh7 15.Bg3 Qb6 16.Kh1 Rac8
17.f3 Nhf6 18.b3 cxb3 19.Nxb3 Nh5 20.Bf2 { -1.37 Stockfish } ) 14...Nxe5
15.Bxf6 gxf6 ( 15...Ng6 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.Qc1 Rad8 18.Qe3 Rd7 19.Rd2 Rfd8
20.Rfd1 Qg5 { -2.39 Stockfish } ) 16.dxe5 Qc7 17.exf6 ( 17.f4 fxe5 18.f5 Bg5
19.Kh1 Rad8 20.fxe6 fxe6 21.Bg4 Rxf1+ 22.Rxf1 Qe7 { -2.89 Stockfish } )
17...Bxf6 18.Qc1 Kg7 19.Bg4 ( 19.Qe3 Rad8 20.Qc5 Rxd1 21.Rxd1 Rd8 22.Rxd8
Bxd8 23.g3 Bf6 24.axb5 axb5 { -3.08 Stockfish } ) 19...Rad8 20.Rde1 e5 ( 
20...b4 21.Ne2 c5 22.Ng3 Kh7 23.Re2 Rg8 24.Bh5 Rd4 25.Rc2 Bxe4 26.Nxe4 Rxe4
27.Rxc4 Bd4 { -3.80 Stockfish } ) 21.Ne2 Bg5 22.f4 ( 22.Qb1 Rd3 23.Ng3 Rfd8
24.Nf5+ Kh7 25.Be2 Rd2 26.h4 Bf6 27.Rd1 Bc8 28.Rxd2 Rxd2 29.Rd1 Qd8 30.g3
Rxd1+ 31.Qxd1 Qxd1+ 32.Bxd1 Be6 { -3.00 Stockfish } ) 22...exf4 23.Qc3+ $6 ( 
23.Nxf4 Qe5 24.Bf5 Rd6 25.Qe3 Qd4 26.e5 Qxe3+ 27.Rxe3 Rd4 28.Nh5+ Kh8
{ -3.62 Stockfish } ) 23...f6 $2 { 0.00/22 } ( 23...Kg8 { -1.60/22 } 24.Qh3
Qe5
{ 24...Rfe8 25. Nc3 Bc8 26. Bxc8 Qxc8 27. Qh5 Qc7 28. Kh1 Qe5 29. axb5 axb5
30. h4 Bf6 -5.77 Stockfish } 25.Qh5 Qxb2 26.h4 Bf6 27.Qxh6 Bg7 ) 24.h4 $2
{ -1.17/21 } ( 24.Nd4 { 0.00/22 } 24...Qb6 25.Rd1 Kg8 26.Kh1 c5 27.Ne6 Rxd1
28.Rxd1 Bc8 29.Qh3 Bxe6 30.Bxe6+ Kh8 31.Qg4 Rd8 32.Rxd8+ Qxd8 33.h4
{ 33.Bd5 = Stockfish } 33...f3 34.hxg5 fxg2+ 35.Kxg2 Qd2+ 36.Kh3 Qd3+ 37.Kh2
Qd2+ 38.Kh3 ) 24...Rd3 $6 { -0.82/24 } ( 24...Bxh4 { -1.17/21 } 25.Nxf4 Bc8
26.Bxc8 Qxc8 27.Re3
{ 27. g3 Bg5 28. e5 Bxf4 29. exf6+ Kh8 30. f7+ Kh7 31. Rxf4 Rd3 32. Qc2
-2.67 Stockfish } 27...Qg4 28.Rh3
{ 28. axb5 axb5 29. Ref3 Rfe8 30. Qe3 Kh7 31. b3 f5 32. e5 cxb3 33. Qxb3
Rxe5 -4.72 Stockfish } 28...Kh7 29.Qc2 Kg8 30.Ng6 Qxg6 31.Rxh4 Rd3 32.Rhf4
Rg3 33.Rf5 Rg5 34.R5f2 Kh7 35.Rd2 Re5 ) 25.Qc1 ( 25.Qc2 h5 26.Bf5 Bh6 27.e5
Rd5 28.Nxf4 Bxf4 29.Rxf4 Rxe5 30.Rd1 { -1.46 Stockfish } ) 25...Qb6+ $6
{ -0.35/21 } ( 25...Bc8 { -0.65/22 } 26.hxg5 hxg5 27.Bxc8
{ 27. Nxf4 gxf4 28. Qxf4 Qxf4 29. Rxf4 Rd4 30. Bxc8 Rxc8 -3.70 Stockfish }
27...Rxc8 28.Nc3
{ 28. a5 Rh8 29. Nxf4 gxf4 30. Qxf4 Qxf4 31. Rxf4 Re8 32. Re2 Re5 -5.21
Stockfish } 28...Qe5
{ 28... Qa7+ 29. Rf2 Re8 30. axb5 axb5 31. Ne2 Rxe4 32. Kf1 Ree3 -7.36
Stockfish } 29.axb5 Rh8 30.Rf2 f3 31.gxf3 Qg3+ 32.Rg2 Qh4 33.Kf1 ) 26.Kh1 Bc8
$2 { +1.75/22 } ( 26...Qc7 { -0.35/20 } 27.Rf3
{ 27. Nxf4 Bxf4 28. Rxf4 Qe5 29. Ref1 c5 30. Qe1 c3 31. bxc3 Qxc3 -0.08
Stockfish } 27...Qe5
{ 27... Qd6 28. axb5 cxb5 29. hxg5 hxg5 30. Ng1 Rh8+ 31. Rh3 Rhxh3+ 32.
Bxh3 Qd4 -0.70 Stockfish } 28.hxg5 hxg5 29.Ng1 Bc8 30.Bxc8 Rxc8 31.Rh3
{ 31. Rxd3 cxd3 32. Nf3 Rh8+ 33. Kg1 Qe7 = Stockfish } 31...g4 32.Rh2 Rcd8 )
( 26...Qc5 27.Nxf4 Bxf4 28.Rxf4 Qe5 29.Ref1 c5 30.Qe1 c3 31.bxc3 Qxc3 32.Qxc3
Rxc3 33.e5 Rc2 34.exf6+ Rxf6 35.Rxf6 Bxg2+ 36.Kg1 Bxf1 37.Rxf1 Rc4
{ -0.06 Stockfish } ) 27.Bxc8 Rxc8 ( 27...f3 28.hxg5 hxg5 29.gxf3 Rxc8 30.Ng3
Rh8+ 31.Kg2 Kg6 32.Nf5 Qa5 33.Re2 Qc7 34.Rh1 Rdd8 { +4.58 Stockfish } )
28.Nxf4 Bxf4 29.Qxf4 Rf8 ( 29...Qd8 30.Qg4+ Kh8 31.Qh5 Rd7 32.e5 Qe8 33.Qxh6+
Rh7 34.Qxf6+ Kg8 35.Rf5 Rg7 36.Rg5 Rc7 37.e6 Rxg5 38.Qxg5+ Rg7 39.Qf4 Qg6
40.Qf3 { +8.72 Stockfish } ) 30.e5 $2 { +0.02/23 } ( 30.Qg4+ { +1.53/23 }
30...Kh7
{ 30...Kh8 31. e5 Qd4 32. Qh5 Kh7 33. e6 Qd5 34. e7 Rg8 35. Qxd5 Rxd5 36.
e8=Q Rxe8 37. Rxe8 +18.89 Stockfish } 31.Qf5+
{ 31. e5 Qd4 32. Qf5+ Kh8 33. Qh5 Kh7 34. e6 Qd5 35. e7 Rg8 36. Qxd5 Rxd5
37. e8=Q Rxe8 38. Rxe8 +22.34 Stockfish } 31...Kh8 32.e5 Qc7 33.Qh5 f5
34.Qxh6+ Kg8 35.Rf4 Rg3 36.Qe6+ Rf7 37.Kh2 Rg7 38.Rxf5 Qe7 39.Qc8+ Qf8
40.Qxf8+ ) 30...Qd4 $4 { +6.13/25 } ( 30...f5 { +0.02/23 } 31.e6 Qc5 32.Qc7+
Kg8 33.h5
{ 33. axb5 axb5 34. Qf4 Kg7 35. Rf3 Qe7 36. Rfe3 Rd5 37. Ra3 Rd3 =
Stockfish } 33...Qd5 34.Kh2 Rd4 35.Rf4 Rd2 36.Rf2 Rxf2 37.Qg3+ Kh8 38.Qxf2
Re8 ) 31.Re4 Qd8 32.Qf5 $2 { +1.21/22 } ( 32.Qg4+ { +5.64/22 } 32...Kh7 33.e6
{ 33. Rxf6 Rxf6 34. exf6 Qxf6 35. Re8 h5 36. Qxh5+ Kg7 37. Qh8+ Kg6 38. h5+
Kg5 39. Rg8+ Kf5 40. g4+ Ke6 41. Re8+ Kd7 42. Qxf6 Kxe8 +24.99 Stockfish }
33...Qe7 34.Qf5+ Kh8 35.Qg6 Qg7 36.e7 Rg8 37.Qxg7+ Kxg7 38.Rg4+ Kf7 39.Rxg8
Kxe7 40.Rg7+ Ke6 41.Rg6 Ke5 42.Rxh6 Rd4 43.Rh8 c3 44.bxc3 Rxa4 45.h5 Rh4+
46.Kg1 a5 ) 32...Rd7 $4 { +10.05/25 } ( 32...Rg3 { +1.21/22 } 33.Rff4 Kh8
{ 33...Qd5 34. Rg4+ Rxg4 35. Qxg4+ Kh8 36. Qg6 f5 37. Qxh6+ Kg8 38. Re3
+7.71 Stockfish } 34.Rd4 Qe8 35.exf6
{ 35. e6 Qg6 36. e7 Rg8 37. Qxg6 R3xg6 38. Rd8 Kh7 39. e8=Q Rxe8 40. Rxe8
+22.89 Stockfish } 35...c5 36.Rd7 Qg6 37.Qxg6 Rxg6 38.Rd6 b4 39.Rxa6 c3
40.bxc3 bxc3 41.a5 c2 42.Rc4 Rgxf6 43.Rxf6 Rxf6 44.Rxc2 Rc6 45.Rc4 h5 46.g3
Kg7 47.Kh2 Kf7 48.Kg2 Ke7 ) 33.exf6+ Kh8 ( 33...Kg8 34.Qg6+ Kh8 35.Rd4 Rg8
36.Qh5 Qe8 37.Qxe8 Rxe8 38.Rxd7
{ Stockfish says that Black will be mated on move 57. } ) 34.Qg6 $6
{ +6.30/25 } ( 34.Re7 Rxe7 35.fxe7 Qxe7 36.Qxf8+ Qxf8 37.Rxf8+
{ Stockfish sees mate on move 56 } ) 34...Rh7 $2 { +23.43/26 } ( 34...c5
{ +6.30/25 } 35.Rf5
{ 35. Qxh6+ Rh7 36. Qg5 bxa4 37. Qxc5 Qc8 38. Qd4 Qd8 39. Qxc4  +16.83 
Stockfish } 35...Rd1+ 36.Kh2 Qc7+ 37.Ref4 Qh7 38.Qg7+ Qxg7 39.fxg7+ Kxg7
40.Rxf8 Rd7 41.R8f5 Rb7 42.Rxc5 Rb6 43.h5 ) 35.f7
{ It's time for a new master to close the deal. } 35...a5 36.Re8 Qxh4+ 37.Kg1
Qd4+ 38.Rf2 Qg7 39.Rxf8+ Qxf8 40.Qf6+ 1-0
 
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Wednesday, August 10, 2022

CHESS by SM Rick Bauer, ConnMan

People like to debate the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), so who is the Greatest Connecticut player Of All Time (GCOAT)?  Based on a lifetime body of work, it is definitely GM Sergey Kudrin.  Despite being "semi-retired" he is the current state champion AND Senior champion, both of which he has won many times.  He won the US Open in 1984 and 2007, an impressive span of years.
 
A July event at Sacred Heart University showcased his talents as a speaker.  The audience was enthusiastic and highly engaged when he started with questions.  For example:  
 
Has the Dragon ever been refuted?  Many times, but always revived.
Were you once the world's leading Sicilian Dragon player?  Yes.
 
Prior to his Simultaneous Exhibition, he presented his two favorite games, both from 1984, the year he achieved his GrandMaster (GM) title. In one he goes toe to toe with former World Champion Mikhail Tal, in the other his final attack seems to perplex Stockfish! I have added some of his comments (SK) and some of my own (ConnMan).  Note that this week's games are at the top of the study, with previous weeks listed below.
 
https://lichess.org/study/taIJzUtz
 
 
20220723_101351.jpg
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Members of the USCF

(U. S. Chess Federation)

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Tuesday, August 9, 2022

GAME OF THE WEEK, by Alan Lasser

   It’s almost the fiftieth anniversary of the most dramatic game from the Fischer-Spassky match.  You won’t find this one in the collections of Fischer’s top games;  the positions are complicated and intense, neither player can find the best moves.  As I remember 1972, we chess fans knew that our guy was crazy and there was always the chance that his insanity would prevent him from winning the title.  He forfeited the second game of the match like he didn’t even care.  Nobody does that in a world championship match where every point is precious.  Similarly confounding, he previously withdrew from the interzonal tournament while he was leading.  There was no guaranty that Fischer would complete the match;  even if he was winning, any perceived slight could drive him over the edge.  Could he really become the first American to win the World Chess Championship?  The thirteenth match game features an unusual unbalanced position, and the desperate Spassky couldn’t find the moves to hold back the final charge of the pawns.  Fischer’s victory put him up by three games and took the fight out of his opponent, the remaining games of the match seemed merely played out for the inevitable result.
 
GM Boris Spassky-GM Robert James Fischer
8/10/72
Game 13
World Championship MAtch
Reykjavik, Iceland
1.e4 Nf6 
2.e5 Nd5 
3.d4 d6 
4.Nf3 g6 
5.Bc4 Nb6 
6.Bb3 Bg7 
7.Nbd2 O-O
8.h3?! +0.10/24
8.exd6 +0.46/22 8...exd6 9.O-O Nc6 10.c3 Re8 11.Re1 Rxe1+
8…a5 
9.a4 dxe5 
10.dxe5 Na6 
11.O-O Nc5 
12.Qe2 Qe8 
13.Ne4 Nbxa4 
14.Bxa4 Nxa4 
15.Re1 Nb6 
16.Bd2 a4 
17.Bg5 h6 
18.Bh4 Bf5 
19.g4?! -0.73/23
19.Nd4 -0.32/22 19...Bxe4 20.Qxe4 c5 21.Nf3 Qd7 22.Rad1 Qc7 22...Qe6 23. Qxb7 g5 24. Bg3 Nc4 25. b3 Na5 26. Qd7 axb3 27. cxb3 Nxb3 28. Qxe6 fxe6 -1.00 Stockfish 23.c4 Rfd8 24.Rb1 Rd7 25.e6 f5 26.Qc2 Rdd8 27.Bg3 Qc6 28.Be5 Bxe5
19…Be6 
20.Nd4
20.Qd3 Rd8 21.Qc3 Nc4 22.b3 axb3 23.cxb3 Nd6 24.Nxd6 cxd6 25.Qb4 Rd7 -1.65 Stockfish
20...Bc4
20...Bxe5 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.c3 Ra5 -2.12 according to Stockfish, but the doubled e-pawns are likely to require some defending.
21.Qd2 Qd7 Stockfish still wants to take the pawn, 21.Bxe5 22. Nc5 Bxd4 23. Qxd4 g5 24. Bg3 Rd8 25. Qe4 Qb5 26. Nxa4 Nxa4 27. b3 Bd5 28. Qxa4 Qxa4 29. bxa4 -1.22 Stockfish
21...Bxe5 22.Nc5 Bxd4 23.Qxd4 g5 24.Bg3 Rd8 25.Qe4 Qb5 Stockfish still takes the pawn -1.23
22.Rad1 Rfe8?! 0.00/22
22...Rfd8 -0.64/22 23.f4 23. Qc1 Bd5 24. e6 Qe8 25. Nc5 f5 26. Bg3 Bc6 27. Nd7 Nxd7 28. exd7 Rxd7 29. Be5 Bxe5 30. Rxe5 -0.52 Stockfish 23...a3 24.bxa3 Rxa3 25.Kh2 Rda8 26.Nc5 Qe8 27.Nxb7
22...Bd5 23.Nf6+ exf6 24.exf6 Rfe8 24...Bh8 25. Re7 Qd6 26. Nf5 gxf5 27. Qxh6 Rfe8 28. gxf5 Rxe7 29. Qg5+ Kh7 30. Qh5+ Kg8 31. Qg4+ Kh7 = 25.fxg7 Kxg7 26.Nf3 Rxe1+ 27.Rxe1 Re8 -0.75 Stockfish
23.f4?! -0.77/23
23.b3 0.00/22 23...axb3 23...c5 24. Nxc5 Qc7 25. Qb4 Rec8 26. Ne4 Bd5 27. e6 Bxe6 28. c4 axb3 29. Nxe6 fxe6 +0.06 Stockfish 24.cxb3 Bd5 25.Nc5 Qd8 26.e6 Qd6 27.Qc1 Be5 28.Nf3 Bg7 29.Nd4
23...Bd5
23...a3 24.b3 c5 25.Nxc5 Qc7 26.Ne4 Bd5 27.Nb5 Qc8 28.c4 Bxe4 29.Rxe4 Nd7 30.Qxd7 Qxd7 31.Rxd7 a2 32.Re1 a1=Q 33.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 34.Kf2 -0.43 Stockfish
24.Nc5 Qc8 
25.Qc3
25.e6 Nc4 26.Qe2 Ra5 27.b4 Rxc5 28.bxc5 fxe6 29.f5 e5 30.Nb5 c6 31.Nc3 gxf5 32.gxf5 Qxf5 33.Nxd5 cxd5 34.Rxd5 Qf4 = Stockfish
25...e6
25...a3 26.bxa3 c6 27.Qd3 Na4 28.Nxa4 Rxa4 29.f5 Bc4 30.Qe4 g5 31.Bf2 Rxa3 -1.77 Stockfish
26.Kh2
26.Nb5 Nc4 27.Ne4 a3 28.Nxa3 Nxa3 29.bxa3 Ra4 30.Rd4 Qa8 31.Rxa4 Qxa4 -1.21 Stockfish
26...Nd7
26...c6 27.Bf2 Qc7 28.Ra1 Red8 29.Nd3 Nd7 30.Nb4 Rdc8 31.Re2 Nb6 32.Nxd5 Nxd5 -.2.60 Stockfish
27.Nd3?! -1.49/25
27.Nb5 -0.90/24 27...Nxc5 28.Qxc5 Ra5 29.c4 Bc6 30.Qb4 b6 31.Nd4 Qb7 Stockfish spots a much stronger line -2.62 here. 31...Qa8 32. Qa3 Bf8 33. Qd3 a3 34. b3 Be7 35. Bxe7 Rxe7 36. Nxc6 Qxc6 32.Rd2 Bf8 33.Qc3 a3 34.b3 Rea8 35.Ra2 Be8
27.Nxd7 Qxd7 28.Qd3 Ra5 29.Bf6 Bxf6 30.exf6 Qd6 31.Qe3 b5 32.h4 a3 33.bxa3 Rxa3 34.Qe5 Rc3 35.Qxd6 cxd6 -1.91 Stockfish
27…c5 
28.Nb5 Qc6 
29.Nd6 Qxd6 
30.exd6 Bxc3 
31.bxc3 f6 
32.g5
32.Ra1 g5 33.Bf2 b6 34.h4 gxh4 35.Ra3 Kf7 36.Bxh4 Rg8 -4.82 Stockfish
32.Bf2 b6 33.g5 hxg5 34.fxg5 Kf7 35.gxf6 e5 36.Bg3 Bf3 37.Ra1 e4 -4.82 Stockfish
32...hxg5?! -1.91/28
32...c4 -2.28/27 33.Nb4 hxg5 34.fxg5 f5 35.Nxd5 exd5 36.Rxe8+ Rxe8 37.Rxd5 Ra8 37...Re2 38.Kg1 Rc2 39.Ra5 Rc3 40.Ra4 Kf7 41.Be1 Bc1 -6.64 Stockfish 38.Bf2 a3 39.Rd1 Kf7 40.h4 a2 41.Ra1 Ke6 42.Kg3 Kxd6 43.h5
32...Bf3 33.Ra1 c4 34.Nb2 b5 35.gxf6 Kf7 36.Bf2 Red8 37.Nd1 Nxf6 38.Be3 Rxd6 -5.66 Stockfish
33.fxg5 f5
33...c4 34.Nf4 Bf3 35.Ra1 Kf7 36.gxf6 Bc6 37.Ne2 e5 38.Ng3 Rh8 39.Bg5 Ke6 40.Ne2 Kxd6 41.Rad1+ Kc7 -4.68 Stockfish
34.Bg3 Kf7
34...a3 35.Ne5 Nxe5 36.Bxe5 Red8 37.Rd3 a2 38.c4 Bxc4 39.Rf3 b5 40.Rf4 Ra3 41.Ba1 Kf7 -4.94 Stockfish
35.Ne5+ Nxe5 
36.Bxe5 b5
36...Red8 37.c4 The point of this move is to make the passed d-pawn more powerful with the rook behind it. 37...Bxc4 38.h4 a3 39.h5 gxh5 40.g6+ Kxg6 41.Rg1+ Kh6 42.Rg7 Be2 43.Re1 Bg4 44.Re7 f4 45.Bxf4+ Kg6 46.Be5 a2 47.Rg7+ Kh6 48.d7 Ra4 49.Bf6 Rda8 50.Be5 Rd4 51.Bxd4 cxd4 52.Re7 Rd8 53.Ra1 Kg6 54.Rxa2 Kf6 55.Re8 Rxd7 56.Rf8+ Ke5 57.Ra1 Bf5 58.Re8 Kd5 -4.00 Stockfish
37.Rf1
37.c4 Bxc4 38.d7 Red8 39.Bf6 a3 40.Rd6 b4 41.Kg3 a2 42.h4 Bb5 43.Rb6 Bxd7 44.Bxd8 a1=Q 45.Rxa1 Rxa1 46.Bf6 Rd1 -0.12 Stockfish
37...Rh8?! -0.89/29
37...Red8 -1.22/28 38.Rb1 Bc4 39.Rf4 Ke8 40.Rh4 Kd7 41.Rh7+
37...a3 38.Ra1 Rg8 39.Rf4 Ke8 40.Rh4 Kd7 41.Rh7+ Kc6 42.Rc7+ Kb6 43.h4 a2 44.Rh7 f4 45.Bxf4 Rgf8 46.Bg3 Be4 47.d7 Kc6 48.Re7 Bxc2 -4.74 Stockfish
38.Bf6?! -1.17/28
38.Bxh8 -0.89/29 38...Rxh8 39.Rfe1 Rd8 40.Rb1 Rb8 41.Kg3 a3 42.Rbd1 Ra8 43.Kf4 a2 44.h4 Rh8 45.Kg3 Bc4 46.Re5 Rd8 47.Ree1 Bd5 48.Rd2 Re8 49.Rg1 Rh8 50.Re1 Rd8 51.Ra1 Ra8 52.Rdd1 If Spassky goes into this variation, the likely result is a draw, which is bad for his match situation; probably why he doesn't play this line, opting to try and make something of his d-pawn.
38…a3 
39.Rf4?! -1.54/29
39.Ra1 -1.13/27 39...a2 40.Rfd1 Rhb8 40...Rhd8 41. Bxd8 Rxd8 42. Rxd5 exd5 43. Rxa2 Rxd6 44. Kg3 Re6 45. Kf2 Rb6 46. Kf3 Ke6 -0.35 Stockfish 41.d7 Rd8 42.Bxd8 Rxd8 43.Rxd5 exd5 44.Rxa2 44. Kg3 Rxd7 45. Rxa2 Re7 46. Kf2 f4 47. Kf3 Re3+ 48. Kxf4 Re4+ 49. Kf3 Rc4 -0.08 Stockfish 44...Rxd7 45.Ra5 Rb7 46.Kg3 Re7 47.Kf3 Re4 48.Rxb5 Rc4 49.Rb3 Ke6 50.Ke2 f4 51.Kd3 Kf5 52.Rb6 Re4 53.Rd6 Re5 54.Rc6 c4+ 55.Kd4 Re6 56.Rc8 Kxg5 57.Kxd5 Re3 58.Rc5 Rxh3 59.Kxc4+ Kg4
39…a2 
40.c4 Bxc4 
41.d7 Bd5
41...e5 42.Bxe5 Rhd8 43.Bf6 Be2 44.Re1 Rxd7 45.Rxe2 a1=Q 46.Bxa1 Rxa1 47.Rh4 Kg7 48.Rf4 Rad1 49.Rff2 Kf7 50.Kg3 R7d5 51.Re3 Rg1+ 52.Kh2 Rxg5 -6.66 Stockfish
42.Kg3 Ra3+ 
43.c3 Rha8 
44.Rh4 e5 
45.Rh7+ Ke6 
46.Re7+ Kd6 
47.Rxe5 Rxc3+ 
48.Kf2 Rc2+ 
49.Ke1 Kxd7 
50.Rexd5+ Kc6 
51.Rd6+ Kb7 
52.Rd7+ Ka6 
53.R7d2 Rxd2 
54.Kxd2 b4 
55.h4 Kb5 
56.h5 c4
56...gxh5 57.g6 c4 58.Ra1 h4 59.g7 h3 60.Kc1 h2 61.Kb2 f4 62.Be5 Kc5 63.Bxf4 Re8 64.Rh1 Re2+ 65.Ka1 Rg2 66.Rxh2 Rxg7 67.Kxa2 Ra7+ 68.Kb1 Kd4 -0.15 Stockfish
57.Ra1 gxh5
58.g6 h4 
59.g7 h3 
60.Be7?! -4.14/31
60.Kc1 -2.50/30 The Hiarcs software comes to the wrong conclusion. Stockfish looks deeper and says that 60.Kc1 was Spassky's first chance to hold the position. 60...h2 61.Kb2 b3 61...f4 62. Be5 Kc5 63. Bxf4 Re8 64. Rh1 Re2+ 65. Ka1 Rg2 66. Rxh2 Rxg7 67. Kxa2 Ra7+ 68. Kb2 c3+ 69. Kb1 Rd7 70. Be5 Kc4 71. Bxc3 bxc3 = Stockfish 62.Be5 Rd8 63.Ka3 Rg8 64.Kb2 f4 65.Rh1 Rd8 66.Bxf4 66. Bd6 f3 67. Bxh2 Rd2+ 68. Ka3 Rg2 69. Be5 f2 70. Rf1 Rg1 71. Ba1 b2 72. Kxb2 Rxf1 73. g8=Q Rb1+ 74. Kc2 Rc1+ 75. Kb2 c3+ 76. Kb3 Rb1+ 77. Kxa2 Rxa1+ 78. Kb3 Rb1+ 79. Kxc3 Rc1+ 80. Kb2 f1=Q 81. Qb8+ Kc6 = Stockfish 66...Kb4 67.Be5 Rd2+ 68.Ka1 Rg2 69.Bd4 Rg4 70.Kb2 Ka4 71.Rxh2 Rxd4 72.g8=Q c3+ 73.Kxc3 a1=Q+ 74.Rb2 Qc1+ 75.Kxd4 Qxb2+ 76.Kc4 Qc2+ 77.Kd4 Qd2+ 78.Kc4 Qc1+ 79.Kd4 b2
60…Rg8 
61.Bf8 It looks like five pawns for a rook but the bishop still controls some important squares that could allow White to hold. If it really was the five pawns versus the rook, Black on the move, would win by 61...c3 62.Kd3 h2 63.Kd4 c2 64.Kd3 Ka4 65.Ra2 Kb3 66.Ra1 Kb2 67.Rh1 c1Q 68.Rh2 Kb3 69.Rg2 Qe1 If, in this hypothetical ending, it were White's move instead, the position could be held 62.Ra2 f4 63.Kc1 Kc5 64.Rf2 h2 65.Rxh2 Kd4 66.Rh3 c3 67.Kd1 b3 68.Rf3 b2 69.Kc2 Ke4 70.Rf1(also drawing is71.Rc3 f3 72.Kb2 f2 73.Rc1 Kf3) Ke3 71.Kxc3 Ke2 72.Rb1 f3 73.Rxb2+ Ke3 74.Rc2 f2 75.Rc1 Ke2 76.Kc4 f1=Q 
61...h2
61...c3+ 62.Kd3 h2 63.Rf1 f4 64.Rh1 f3 65.Rf1 f2 66.Rd1 c2 67.Rf1 67.Kc2 loses to 67... Kc4 68. Kb2 b3 69. Rc1+ Kd3 70. Rh1 Ke4 71. Rf1 Kf3 72. Bc5 Kg3 73. Bxf2+ Kg2 74. Ra1 Rxg7 75. Kxb3 Rb7+ 76. Kc4 h1=Q 77. Rxh1 Kxh1 67...b3 68.Kc3 Kc6 69.Kxb3 Kd5 70.Kxc2 Ke4 71.Kb2 Ke3 72.Bc5+ Kd3 73.Kxa2 Rxg7 -0.10 Stockfish This is a theoretical draw after the two pawns come off.
62.Kc2 Kc6?? -0.01/30
62...f4 63.Kb2 b3 64.Rf1 Kc6 65.Rd1 f3 66.Rd6+ It is this use of the bishop to protect the rook that allows the position to be held. 66...Kc7 67.Rd1 f2 68.Kc3 Kc8 69.Kb2 Kb7 70.Kc3 Ka6 71.Rd6+ Ka7 72.Rd7+ = Stockfish
63.Rd1?? -4.14/39 A bad evaluation by Hiarcs. As the note to the next move shows, White can still draw.
63.Kb2 -0.01/30 63...b3 64.Rh1 Kd5 64...f4 65. Rxh2 Kd5 66. Rh3 Ke5 67. Ka1 Ke4 68. Rc3 f3 69. Rxc4+ Kd3 70. Rf4 Ke2 71. Re4+ Kd2 72. Rf4 = Stockfish 65.Rxh2 c3+ 66.Ka1 Ke4 67.Rh8 Kd3 68.Rh4 Kd2 69.Rh2+ Ke3 70.Rh8 c2 71.Rh1 Kd2 72.Kb2
63...b3+
63...f4 64.Kb2 b3 65.Rd6+ The bishop helps again! 65...Kb7 66.Rd1 f3 67.Rd7+ Kb8 68.Rd8+ Kc7 69.Rd1 f2 70.Kc3 Kb7 71.Rd7+ Kc8 72.Rd1 Kc7 73.Kb2 Kc6 74.Rd6+ Kb5 75.Rd1 Ka5 76.Rf1 Kb6 = Stockfish
64.Kc3 h1=Q
64...Kb6 65.Rh1 Kc6 66.Kb2 Kd5 67.Rxh2 c3+ 68.Ka1 Ke4 69.Rh8 Kd3 70.Rh4 Kc2 71.Rh2+ Kd1 72.Rh1+ Ke2 73.Rh3 c2 74.Rh2+ Kf1 75.Rh1+ Kg2 76.Rc1 f4 77.Kb2 f3 78.Kxb3 f2 79.Kxa2 f1=Q 80.Rxf1 Kxf1 81.Kb2 c1=Q+ 82.Kxc1 = Stockfish
64...f4 65.Kb2 f3 66.Rd6+ Kc7 67.Rd1 f2 68.Kc3 Kc6 69.Rd6+ Kb5 70.Rd5+ Kb6 71.Rd6+ Ka7 72.Rd1 = Stockfish
65.Rxh1 Kd5 
66.Kb2
66.Rd1+ Ke4 67.Re1+ Kf3 68.Kb2 Kg2 69.Rc1 f4 70.Rxc4 f3 71.Rg4+ Kh3 72.Rf4 Kg2 = Stockfish Also a draw is 72...Kg3 73. Rf7 Kg2 74. Bc5 Kh1 75. Ra7 Kg2 76. Kxb3 f2 77. Rxa2 Rxg7 78. Rxf2+
66…f4 
67.Rd1+
67.Rh3 Kd4 68.Rf3 c3+ 69.Ka1 c2 70.Rxf4+ Kc3 71.Rf3+ Kd2 72.Ba3 Rxg7 73.Rxb3 c1=Q+ 74.Bxc1+ Kxc1 75.Rb2 = Stockfish
67…Ke4 
68.Rc1 Kd3 
69.Rd1+?? -15.99/31 This is the blunder that decided the game and, some might say, the match.
69.Rc3+ 0.00/39 69...Kd4 70.Rf3 c3+ 71.Ka1 c2 72.Rxf4+ Kc3 73.Rf3+ Kd2 74.Ba3 Rxg7 75.Rxb3 Rc7 76.Rh3 c1=Q+ 77.Bxc1+ Kxc1 78.Kxa2 Rb7 79.Rh2 Rb5 80.Ka3 Rb6 81.Ra2 Rb7 82.Rh2 Rb5 83.Ra2 Rb7
69…Ke2 
70.Rc1 f3 
71.Bc5
71.Rxc4 f2 72.Re4+ Kf3 73.Rb4 a1=Q+ 74.Kxa1 f1=Q+ 75.Kb2 Ke3 76.Kxb3 Qd3+ 77.Ka4 Qa6+ 78.Kb3 Kd3 79.Kb2 Qf6+ Black can now give up the rook next 80...Rg7 81.Bg Qg7 and win this well known ending.
71…Rxg7 
72.Rxc4 Rd7 
73.Re4+ Kf1 
74.Bd4 f2 
0-1
Unfortunately for Spassky, 75.Rf4 is no defense,  75...Rd4 76.Rd4 Kg2 77.Rg4 Kf3 78.Rg8 f1Q 79.Rf8 Ke2 80.Rf1 Kf1 81.Ka1 Ke2 82.Kb2 Kd3 83.Ka1 Kd4 84.Kb2 a1=Q+ 85.Kxa1 Kc3 86.Kb1 b2 87.Ka2 Kc2 88.Ka3 b1=Q 89.Ka4 Qb6 90.Ka3 Qa5#
 
 
 

 

 
[Event "1972 World Championship Match"]
[Site "Rejkavik, Iceland"]
[Date "1972.08.10"]
[Round "13"]
[White "GM Boris Spassky"]
[Black "GM Robert James Fischer"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2660"]
 
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 g6 5.Bc4 Nb6 6.Bb3 Bg7 7.Nbd2 O-O 8.h3 $6
{ +0.10/24 } ( 8.exd6 { +0.46/22 } 8...exd6 9.O-O Nc6 10.c3 Re8 11.Re1 Rxe1+
) 8...a5 9.a4 dxe5 10.dxe5 Na6 11.O-O Nc5 12.Qe2 Qe8 13.Ne4 Nbxa4 14.Bxa4
Nxa4 15.Re1 Nb6 16.Bd2 a4 17.Bg5 h6 18.Bh4 Bf5 19.g4 $6 { -0.73/23 } ( 
19.Nd4 { -0.32/22 } 19...Bxe4 20.Qxe4 c5 21.Nf3 Qd7 22.Rad1 Qc7
{ 22...Qe6 23. Qxb7 g5 24. Bg3 Nc4 25. b3 Na5 26. Qd7 axb3 27. cxb3 Nxb3
28. Qxe6 fxe6 -1.00 Stockfish } 23.c4 Rfd8 24.Rb1 Rd7 25.e6 f5 26.Qc2 Rdd8
27.Bg3 Qc6 28.Be5 Bxe5 ) 19...Be6 20.Nd4 ( 20.Qd3 Rd8 21.Qc3 Nc4 22.b3 axb3
23.cxb3 Nd6 24.Nxd6 cxd6 25.Qb4 Rd7 { -1.65 Stockfish } ) 20...Bc4 ( 
20...Bxe5 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.c3 Ra5
{ -2.12 according to Stockfish, but the doubled e-pawns are likely to
require some defending. } ) 21.Qd2 Qd7
{ Stockfish still wants to take the pawn, 21.Bxe5 22. Nc5 Bxd4 23. Qxd4 g5
24. Bg3 Rd8 25. Qe4 Qb5 26. Nxa4 Nxa4 27. b3 Bd5 28. Qxa4 Qxa4 29. bxa4
-1.22 Stockfish } ( 21...Bxe5 22.Nc5 Bxd4 23.Qxd4 g5 24.Bg3 Rd8 25.Qe4 Qb5
{ Stockfish still takes the pawn -1.23 } ) 22.Rad1 Rfe8 $6 { 0.00/22 } ( 
22...Rfd8 { -0.64/22 } 23.f4
{ 23. Qc1 Bd5 24. e6 Qe8 25. Nc5 f5 26. Bg3 Bc6 27. Nd7 Nxd7 28. exd7 Rxd7
29. Be5 Bxe5 30. Rxe5 -0.52 Stockfish } 23...a3 24.bxa3 Rxa3 25.Kh2 Rda8
26.Nc5 Qe8 27.Nxb7 ) ( 22...Bd5 23.Nf6+ exf6 24.exf6 Rfe8
{ 24...Bh8 25. Re7 Qd6 26. Nf5 gxf5 27. Qxh6 Rfe8 28. gxf5 Rxe7 29. Qg5+
Kh7 30. Qh5+ Kg8 31. Qg4+ Kh7 = } 25.fxg7 Kxg7 26.Nf3 Rxe1+ 27.Rxe1 Re8
{ -0.75 Stockfish } ) 23.f4 $6 { -0.77/23 } ( 23.b3 { 0.00/22 } 23...axb3
{ 23...c5 24. Nxc5 Qc7 25. Qb4 Rec8 26. Ne4 Bd5 27. e6 Bxe6 28. c4 axb3 29.
Nxe6 fxe6 +0.06 Stockfish } 24.cxb3 Bd5 25.Nc5 Qd8 26.e6 Qd6 27.Qc1 Be5
28.Nf3 Bg7 29.Nd4 ) 23...Bd5 ( 23...a3 24.b3 c5 25.Nxc5 Qc7 26.Ne4 Bd5 27.Nb5
Qc8 28.c4 Bxe4 29.Rxe4 Nd7 30.Qxd7 Qxd7 31.Rxd7 a2 32.Re1 a1=Q 33.Rxa1 Rxa1+
34.Kf2 { -0.43 Stockfish } ) 24.Nc5 Qc8 25.Qc3 ( 25.e6 Nc4 26.Qe2 Ra5 27.b4
Rxc5 28.bxc5 fxe6 29.f5 e5 30.Nb5 c6 31.Nc3 gxf5 32.gxf5 Qxf5 33.Nxd5 cxd5
34.Rxd5 Qf4 { = Stockfish } ) 25...e6 ( 25...a3 26.bxa3 c6 27.Qd3 Na4 28.Nxa4
Rxa4 29.f5 Bc4 30.Qe4 g5 31.Bf2 Rxa3 { -1.77 Stockfish } ) 26.Kh2 ( 26.Nb5
Nc4 27.Ne4 a3 28.Nxa3 Nxa3 29.bxa3 Ra4 30.Rd4 Qa8 31.Rxa4 Qxa4
{ -1.21 Stockfish } ) 26...Nd7 ( 26...c6 27.Bf2 Qc7 28.Ra1 Red8 29.Nd3 Nd7
30.Nb4 Rdc8 31.Re2 Nb6 32.Nxd5 Nxd5 { -.2.60 Stockfish } ) 27.Nd3 $6
{ -1.49/25 } ( 27.Nb5 { -0.90/24 } 27...Nxc5 28.Qxc5 Ra5 29.c4 Bc6 30.Qb4 b6
31.Nd4 Qb7
{ Stockfish spots a much stronger line -2.62 here. 31...Qa8 32. Qa3 Bf8 33.
Qd3 a3 34. b3 Be7 35. Bxe7 Rxe7 36. Nxc6 Qxc6 } 32.Rd2 Bf8 33.Qc3 a3 34.b3
Rea8 35.Ra2 Be8 ) ( 27.Nxd7 Qxd7 28.Qd3 Ra5 29.Bf6 Bxf6 30.exf6 Qd6 31.Qe3 b5
32.h4 a3 33.bxa3 Rxa3 34.Qe5 Rc3 35.Qxd6 cxd6 { -1.91 Stockfish } ) 27...c5
28.Nb5 Qc6 29.Nd6 $6 Qxd6 30.exd6 Bxc3 31.bxc3 f6 32.g5 ( 32.Ra1 g5 33.Bf2 b6
34.h4 gxh4 35.Ra3 Kf7 36.Bxh4 Rg8 { -4.82 Stockfish } ) ( 32.Bf2 b6 33.g5
hxg5 34.fxg5 Kf7 35.gxf6 e5 36.Bg3 Bf3 37.Ra1 e4 { -4.82 Stockfish } )
32...hxg5 $6 { -1.91/28 } ( 32...c4 { -2.28/27 } 33.Nb4 hxg5 34.fxg5 f5
35.Nxd5 exd5 36.Rxe8+ Rxe8 37.Rxd5 Ra8
{ 37...Re2 38.Kg1 Rc2 39.Ra5 Rc3 40.Ra4 Kf7 41.Be1 Bc1 -6.64 Stockfish }
38.Bf2 a3 39.Rd1 Kf7 40.h4 a2 41.Ra1 Ke6 42.Kg3 Kxd6 43.h5 ) ( 32...Bf3
33.Ra1 c4 34.Nb2 b5 35.gxf6 Kf7 36.Bf2 Red8 37.Nd1 Nxf6 38.Be3 Rxd6
{ -5.66 Stockfish } ) 33.fxg5 f5 ( 33...c4 34.Nf4 Bf3 35.Ra1 Kf7 36.gxf6 Bc6
37.Ne2 e5 38.Ng3 Rh8 39.Bg5 Ke6 40.Ne2 Kxd6 41.Rad1+ Kc7 { -4.68 Stockfish }
) 34.Bg3 Kf7 ( 34...a3 35.Ne5 Nxe5 36.Bxe5 Red8 37.Rd3 a2 38.c4 Bxc4 39.Rf3
b5 40.Rf4 Ra3 41.Ba1 Kf7 { -4.94 Stockfish } ) 35.Ne5+ Nxe5 36.Bxe5 b5 ( 
36...Red8 37.c4
{ The point of this move is to make the passed d-pawn more powerful with
the rook behind it. } 37...Bxc4 38.h4 a3 39.h5 gxh5 40.g6+ Kxg6 41.Rg1+ Kh6
42.Rg7 Be2 43.Re1 Bg4 44.Re7 f4 45.Bxf4+ Kg6 46.Be5 a2 47.Rg7+ Kh6 48.d7 Ra4
49.Bf6 Rda8 50.Be5 Rd4 51.Bxd4 cxd4 52.Re7 Rd8 53.Ra1 Kg6 54.Rxa2 Kf6 55.Re8
Rxd7 56.Rf8+ Ke5 57.Ra1 Bf5 58.Re8 Kd5 { -4.00 Stockfish } ) 37.Rf1 ( 37.c4
Bxc4 38.d7 Red8 39.Bf6 a3 40.Rd6 b4 41.Kg3 a2 42.h4 Bb5 43.Rb6 Bxd7 44.Bxd8
a1=Q 45.Rxa1 Rxa1 46.Bf6 Rd1 { -0.12 Stockfish } ) 37...Rh8 $6 { -0.89/29 }
( 37...Red8 { -1.22/28 } 38.Rb1 Bc4 39.Rf4 Ke8 40.Rh4 Kd7 41.Rh7+ ) ( 
37...a3 38.Ra1 Rg8 39.Rf4 Ke8 40.Rh4 Kd7 41.Rh7+ Kc6 42.Rc7+ Kb6 43.h4 a2
44.Rh7 f4 45.Bxf4 Rgf8 46.Bg3 Be4 47.d7 Kc6 48.Re7 Bxc2 { -4.74 Stockfish } )
38.Bf6 $6 { -1.17/28 } ( 38.Bxh8 { -0.89/29 } 38...Rxh8 39.Rfe1 Rd8 40.Rb1
Rb8 41.Kg3 a3 42.Rbd1 Ra8 43.Kf4 a2 44.h4 Rh8 45.Kg3 Bc4 46.Re5 Rd8 47.Ree1
Bd5 48.Rd2 Re8 49.Rg1 Rh8 50.Re1 Rd8 51.Ra1 Ra8 52.Rdd1
{ If Spassky goes into this variation, the likely result is a draw, which
is bad for his match situation; probably why he doesn't play this line,
opting to try and make something of his d-pawn. } ) 38...a3 39.Rf4 $6
{ -1.54/29 } ( 39.Ra1 { -1.13/27 } 39...a2 40.Rfd1 Rhb8
{ 40...Rhd8 41. Bxd8 Rxd8 42. Rxd5 exd5 43. Rxa2 Rxd6 44. Kg3 Re6 45. Kf2
Rb6 46. Kf3 Ke6 -0.35 Stockfish } 41.d7 Rd8 42.Bxd8 Rxd8 43.Rxd5 exd5 44.Rxa2
{ 44. Kg3 Rxd7 45. Rxa2 Re7 46. Kf2 f4 47. Kf3 Re3+ 48. Kxf4 Re4+ 49. Kf3
Rc4 -0.08 Stockfish } 44...Rxd7 45.Ra5 Rb7 46.Kg3 Re7 47.Kf3 Re4 48.Rxb5 Rc4
49.Rb3 Ke6 50.Ke2 f4 51.Kd3 Kf5 52.Rb6 Re4 53.Rd6 Re5 54.Rc6 c4+ 55.Kd4 Re6
56.Rc8 Kxg5 57.Kxd5 Re3 58.Rc5 Rxh3 59.Kxc4+ Kg4 ) 39...a2 40.c4 Bxc4 41.d7
Bd5 ( 41...e5 42.Bxe5 Rhd8 43.Bf6 Be2 44.Re1 Rxd7 45.Rxe2 a1=Q 46.Bxa1 Rxa1
47.Rh4 Kg7 48.Rf4 Rad1 49.Rff2 Kf7 50.Kg3 R7d5 51.Re3 Rg1+ 52.Kh2 Rxg5
{ -6.66 Stockfish } ) 42.Kg3 Ra3+ 43.c3 Rha8 44.Rh4 e5 45.Rh7+ Ke6 46.Re7+
Kd6 47.Rxe5 Rxc3+ 48.Kf2 Rc2+ 49.Ke1 Kxd7 50.Rexd5+ Kc6 51.Rd6+ Kb7 52.Rd7+
Ka6 53.R7d2 Rxd2 54.Kxd2 $6 b4 55.h4 Kb5 56.h5 c4 ( 56...gxh5 57.g6 c4 58.Ra1
h4 59.g7 h3 60.Kc1 h2 61.Kb2 f4 62.Be5 Kc5 63.Bxf4 Re8 64.Rh1 Re2+ 65.Ka1 Rg2
66.Rxh2 Rxg7 67.Kxa2 Ra7+ 68.Kb1 Kd4 { -0.15 Stockfish } ) 57.Ra1 gxh5 58.g6
h4 59.g7 h3 60.Be7 $6 { -4.14/31 } ( 60.Kc1
{ -2.50/30 The Hiarcs software comes to the wrong conclusion. Stockfish
looks deeper and says that 60.Kc1 was Spassky's first chance to hold the
position. } 60...h2 61.Kb2 b3
{ 61...f4 62. Be5 Kc5 63. Bxf4 Re8 64. Rh1 Re2+ 65. Ka1 Rg2 66. Rxh2 Rxg7
67. Kxa2 Ra7+ 68. Kb2 c3+ 69. Kb1 Rd7 70. Be5 Kc4 71. Bxc3 bxc3 = Stockfish
} 62.Be5 Rd8 63.Ka3 Rg8 64.Kb2 f4 65.Rh1 Rd8 66.Bxf4
{ 66. Bd6 f3 67. Bxh2 Rd2+ 68. Ka3 Rg2 69. Be5 f2 70. Rf1 Rg1 71. Ba1 b2
72. Kxb2 Rxf1 73. g8=Q Rb1+ 74. Kc2 Rc1+ 75. Kb2 c3+ 76. Kb3 Rb1+ 77. Kxa2
Rxa1+ 78. Kb3 Rb1+ 79. Kxc3 Rc1+ 80. Kb2 f1=Q 81. Qb8+ Kc6 = Stockfish }
66...Kb4 67.Be5 Rd2+ 68.Ka1 Rg2 69.Bd4 Rg4 70.Kb2 Ka4 71.Rxh2 Rxd4 72.g8=Q
c3+ 73.Kxc3 a1=Q+ 74.Rb2 Qc1+ 75.Kxd4 Qxb2+ 76.Kc4 Qc2+ 77.Kd4 Qd2+ 78.Kc4
Qc1+ 79.Kd4 b2 ) 60...Rg8 61.Bf8
{ It looks like five pawns for a rook but the bishop still controls some
important squares that could allow White to hold. If it really was the five
pawns versus the rook, Black on the move, would win by 61...c3 62.Kd3 h2 63.Kd4 c2 64.Kd3 Ka4 65.Ra2 Kb3 66.Ra1 Kb2 67.Rh1 c1Q 68.Rh2 Kb3 69.Rg2 Qe1
If, in this hypothetical ending, it were White's move instead, the position could be held 62.Ra2 f4 63.Kc1 Kc5 64.Rf2 h2 65.Rxh2 Kd4 66.Rh3 c3 67.Kd1 b3 68.Rf3 b2 69.Kc2 Ke4 70.Rf1(also drawing is71.Rc3 f3 72.Kb2 f2 73.Rc1 Kf3) Ke3 71.Kxc3 Ke2 72.Rb1 f3 73.Rxb2+ Ke3 74.Rc2 f2 75.Rc1 Ke2 76.Kc4
f1=Q } 61...h2 ( 61...c3+ 62.Kd3 h2 63.Rf1 f4 64.Rh1 f3 65.Rf1 f2 66.Rd1 c2
67.Rf1
{ 67.Kc2 loses to 67... Kc4 68. Kb2 b3 69. Rc1+ Kd3 70. Rh1 Ke4 71. Rf1 Kf3
72. Bc5 Kg3 73. Bxf2+ Kg2 74. Ra1 Rxg7 75. Kxb3 Rb7+ 76. Kc4 h1=Q 77. Rxh1
Kxh1 } 67...b3 68.Kc3 Kc6 69.Kxb3 Kd5 70.Kxc2 Ke4 71.Kb2 Ke3 72.Bc5+ Kd3
73.Kxa2 Rxg7
{ -0.10 Stockfish This is a theoretical draw after the two pawns come off.
} ) 62.Kc2 Kc6 $4 { -0.01/30 } ( 62...f4 63.Kb2 b3 64.Rf1 Kc6 65.Rd1 f3
66.Rd6+
{ It is this use of the bishop to protect the rook that allows the position
to be held. } 66...Kc7 67.Rd1 f2 68.Kc3 Kc8 69.Kb2 Kb7 70.Kc3 Ka6 71.Rd6+ Ka7
72.Rd7+ { = Stockfish } ) 63.Rd1 $4
{ -4.14/39 A bad evaluation by Hiarcs. As the note to the next move shows,
White can still draw. } ( 63.Kb2 { -0.01/30 } 63...b3 64.Rh1 Kd5
{ 64...f4 65. Rxh2 Kd5 66. Rh3 Ke5 67. Ka1 Ke4 68. Rc3 f3 69. Rxc4+ Kd3 70.
Rf4 Ke2 71. Re4+ Kd2 72. Rf4 = Stockfish } 65.Rxh2 c3+ 66.Ka1 Ke4 67.Rh8 Kd3
68.Rh4 Kd2 69.Rh2+ Ke3 70.Rh8 c2 71.Rh1 Kd2 72.Kb2 ) 63...b3+ ( 63...f4
64.Kb2 b3 65.Rd6+ { The bishop helps again! } 65...Kb7 66.Rd1 f3 67.Rd7+ Kb8
68.Rd8+ Kc7 69.Rd1 f2 70.Kc3 Kb7 71.Rd7+ Kc8 72.Rd1 Kc7 73.Kb2 Kc6 74.Rd6+
Kb5 75.Rd1 Ka5 76.Rf1 Kb6 { = Stockfish } ) 64.Kc3 h1=Q $4 ( 64...Kb6 65.Rh1
Kc6 66.Kb2 Kd5 67.Rxh2 c3+ 68.Ka1 Ke4 69.Rh8 Kd3 70.Rh4 Kc2 71.Rh2+ Kd1
72.Rh1+ Ke2 73.Rh3 c2 74.Rh2+ Kf1 75.Rh1+ Kg2 76.Rc1 f4 77.Kb2 f3 78.Kxb3 f2
79.Kxa2 f1=Q 80.Rxf1 Kxf1 81.Kb2 c1=Q+ 82.Kxc1 { = Stockfish } ) ( 64...f4
65.Kb2 f3 66.Rd6+ Kc7 67.Rd1 f2 68.Kc3 Kc6 69.Rd6+ Kb5 70.Rd5+ Kb6 71.Rd6+
Ka7 72.Rd1 { = Stockfish } ) 65.Rxh1 Kd5 66.Kb2 ( 66.Rd1+ Ke4 67.Re1+ Kf3
68.Kb2 Kg2 69.Rc1 f4 70.Rxc4 f3 71.Rg4+ Kh3 72.Rf4 Kg2
{ = Stockfish Also a draw is 72...Kg3 73. Rf7 Kg2 74. Bc5 Kh1 75. Ra7 Kg2
76. Kxb3 f2 77. Rxa2 Rxg7 78. Rxf2+ } ) 66...f4 67.Rd1+ ( 67.Rh3 Kd4 68.Rf3
c3+ 69.Ka1 c2 70.Rxf4+ Kc3 71.Rf3+ Kd2 72.Ba3 Rxg7 73.Rxb3 c1=Q+ 74.Bxc1+
Kxc1 75.Rb2 { = Stockfish } ) 67...Ke4 68.Rc1 Kd3 69.Rd1+ $4
{ -15.99/31 This is the blunder that decided the game and, some might say,
the match. } ( 69.Rc3+ { 0.00/39 } 69...Kd4 70.Rf3 c3+ 71.Ka1 c2 72.Rxf4+ Kc3
73.Rf3+ Kd2 74.Ba3 Rxg7 75.Rxb3 Rc7 76.Rh3 c1=Q+ 77.Bxc1+ Kxc1 78.Kxa2 Rb7
79.Rh2 Rb5 80.Ka3 Rb6 81.Ra2 Rb7 82.Rh2 Rb5 83.Ra2 Rb7 ) 69...Ke2 70.Rc1 f3
71.Bc5 ( 71.Rxc4 f2 72.Re4+ Kf3 73.Rb4 a1=Q+ 74.Kxa1 f1=Q+ 75.Kb2 Ke3 76.Kxb3
Qd3+ 77.Ka4 Qa6+ 78.Kb3 Kd3 79.Kb2 Qf6+
{ Black can now give up the rook next 80...Rg7 81.Bg7 Qg7 and win this well
known ending. } ) 71...Rxg7 72.Rxc4 Rd7 73.Re4+ Kf1 74.Bd4 f2
{ Unfortunately for Spassky, 75.Rf4 is no defense, Black finally plays RXB
to force a queen.  75...Rd4 76.Rd4 Kg2 77.Rg4 Kf3 78.Rg8 f1Q 79.Rf8 Ke2
80.Rf1 Kf1 81.Ka1 Ke2 82.Kb2 Kd3 83.Ka1 Kd4 84.Kb2 a1=Q+ 85.Kxa1 Kc3 86.Kb1 b2 87.Ka2 Kc2 88.Ka3 b1=Q 89.Ka4 Qb6 90.Ka3 Qa5# }
0-1
 
 
 

 

 
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Thursday, August 4, 2022

NEW BRITAIN CHESS CLUB

This Week’s News Items:

  • Summer Open 2022 - Register Here

  • Upcoming Events: Mentor matches & Summer Show-up

  • July Knockout and Anniversary Tournament Recap

  • MVL in CT!

  • Chess at Firefly - 8/8 at 6pm

  • Upcoming Lectures on “Phases of the Game” - Derek Meredith for 8/9

  • Saturday Study Group - 5pm Saturday 

 

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Summer Open - Sunday August 28th at Wickham Pavilion

 

It’s time for our annual outdoor tournament - the Summer Open. We will be returning to the beautiful Wickham Park on the last Sunday in August. 

 

You can register on CaissaChess for one of the three sections: Open (minimum rating of 1500), U1622, and Scholastic. Early entry of $40 ends on 8/21, so register early. Barbeque lunch is included as part of your entry.

 

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Upcoming Events - Mentor Matches & Summer Show-up

 

Mentor Match - 8/9

 

We will be trying something new next week - an unrated mentor match. One thing I cherished while growing up was the ability to discuss my game with my opponent after the end of the game. I never encountered anyone saying no to post-game analysis. Even after a tough loss, and maybe even knowing my mistake, I’d still want a discussion with my opponent. Oftentimes, they would point out things I never even considered! 

 

In addition to being educational, it was an opportunity to make new friends and get to know our chess community. At NBCC, there isn’t a tradition of post-game analysis. I see some of the stronger players doing it, but a lot of newer players have never had this opportunity. With this event, we hope to encourage players to take this up!

 

We will pair a strong player with a weaker player and have the two of them play two games of G/20;d5. After each game, we want the players to spend 10-20 mins talking about the game played in the skittles area, with the stronger player giving insights into the games, and the weaker player asking questions about their moves. 

 

  • Tuesday, August 9, 2022

  • Quick time controls: 2 games of G/25;d5

  • Match Opponent - Pair top and bottom half

  • Entry Fee: Free for members; $5 for non-members

  • Prizes: Post-game analysis

  • Unrated

  • Regular Ratings used for pairing determination

  • Registration 7:00-7:15 P.M

  • Pairings and matches will start at 7:15

 

Summer Show-up

 

Summer is a time when many of us can’t commit to multi-week tournaments. The Summer Show-up tournament allows you to get in a classical time control game any of the three weeks you show up.

 

  • Tuesday, August 16, 23, 30, 2022

  • Time controls: G/75;+30; G/60;d5 for Scholastic

  • Single game each week, pairings will be close in rating

  • Entry Fee: $5 for all three weeks; $5 per week for non-members

  • Prizes: Medals

  • USCF Rated

  • Regular Ratings used for pairing determination

  • Registration 7:00-7:15 P.M

  • Pairings and matches will start at 7:15

 

==================================================================

July Knockout and Anniversary Tournament Recap

 

Knockout Tournament

Congrats to Niloy Ray Chauduri for winning the July Knockout. It was an epic final game with FM Nelson Castaneda, which went the distance, where Niloy won the blitz tiebreaker. Congrats also to Joe Bihlmeyer for winning the Swiss portion of the tournament. Results are available on US Chess. 

 

Games played during the Knockout are analyzed on Lichess. If you want to add your games and have them analyzed, join the Saturday Study Group.

 

Bob’s 35th Anniversary Tournament

 

Last Tuesday, we celebrated Bob’s 35th anniversary. Congrats to FM Rick Bauer for winning the open section of the tournament. Full results for the open section can be viewed here. Congrats to Yonatan Axelrad for winning the U1600 section of the tournament. In the final round of the tournament, Yonatan bested Bob in a match of youth vs experience to clutch the tournament victory. 

 

==================================================================

MVL in CT!

 

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave is the current world blitz champion and a top 10 chess player in the world. DIG partnered with Bridgeport to bring MVL to Connecticut on August 19-21th. It will be a festival, with tournaments, simul and lessons from the man with three names! Check out DIG for more information on how you can meet, learn, play in a simul, and maybe even a 1 on 1 blitz match with MVL! Sign up early, as only the first 20 in each section can play in the simul.

 

There are lots of prizes and the advanced entry list can be viewed here. If you are looking to stay overnight in Bridgeport, DIG negotiated hotel rates of $159 plux tax with Homewood Suites by Hilton Stratford. Reserve before 8/8 for this guaranteed rate. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to interact with the chess elite, here in our backyard! Don’t miss it.

 

==================================================================

Chess at Firefly

 

Mark Bourque will be hosting a chess night at Firefly in Bristol. Grab a beer and play some chess. It will start at 6pm on Monday 8/8.

==================================================================

Phases of the Game - NM Derek Meredith

 

We will chart a different series of lectures for the next few weeks on the phases of the game. Derek, next Tuesday, will continue to cover opening to middlegame phases of the game. We hope to see you by 6:15 PM for the start of the lectures!

 

==================================================================

Saturday Study Group at 5pm

 

The Saturday Study group will meet on Saturdays. It will start at 5pm and run for two hours. 

 

FM Rick Bauer will send the zoom links on Saturday to those on his email list. If you are interested in attending the Saturday Study Group, please email the club and we will get you on that distribution list.



Cheers,

Suhas Kodali

President

New Britain Chess Club

newbritainchessclub.com

 

newbritainchessclub@gmail.com

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Saturday, July 30, 2022

CHESS by SM Rick Bauer, ConnMan

The dramatic last-round upset by Niloy Ray Chaudbury over Nelson Castaneda is made even better by Nelson's comments. Two other last-round games, Justin - Jithu, battle of the J's, and Lisa - George Himes.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89546934763...
Knockout/Swiss Games: https://lichess.org/study/3em7x2O3
The Olympiad has started, with the US fielding a powerhouse team. They struggled in their second round. I am not sure of the best way to view this early morning (here) games, so I will wait for advice before providing a link.
I hope to see you at 5,
Rick Bauer "ConnMan" on lichess
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