Chris Williams arrived well before the start of Wednesday’s match with Seattle. Studying intensely, he was searching for an answer to the Yugoslav move order.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0–0 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.0–0–0

position after 9.0–0–0

White does without 9.Bc4 in hopes of saving a tempo for the vaunted Yugoslav Attack. But, what to do if Black plays 9…d5 taking advantage of the fact that White has neglected to prevent this.

As the other players filtered in, Chris would show them the position and some further analysis and ask for any ideas on how to sharpen White’s play. The first to suffer through this was third board and Metrowest Champ, Denys Shmelov. His conclusion was a shoulder shrug, as if to say “There’s only about 50 years of Grandmaster analysis on this position, how should I know?”

Next it was GM Larry Christiansen, noted master of attack, who looked at the position and quickly suggested a switch to the classical 6.Be2 avoiding the issue. His final words… “Play whatever you want.”

Luckily, Chris did exactly that and in the position above his opponent, Michael Lee, played 9…Nxd4. The problem with this move for Black is lack of counter play after the dragon bishop is removed. However, Black did manage to get a complex and playable position (I thought); yet, when asked later, Chris, with all the confidence of youth, dismissed Black’s chances.

My favorite position of the game…

position after 25.c3

Here I thought “White can’t win this, can he?” Chris did a wonderful job from here on out and after a few mistakes by Black won the game and the match.

It can’t be overstated how important this win was. His game ended before the other three games, and each player now knew that he could keep the draw in hand and not overplay a position and risk losing.

Meanwhile, GM Christiansen was transposing a King’s Indian to a Benko type position against his opponent, GM Gregory Serper.

My favorite position…

position after 25.Bf4

Wow, try and win this for either side. Black’s bad bishop gives White an advantage. But, there just isn’t enough material left to cause concern. However, strangely this was the last game going and hopelessly drawn. However, GM Serper was compelled to play on as a draw meant the loss of the match. Finally, after many useless repetitions, the game ended and the match was over.

FM Bill Kelleher played his infamous c3 Sicilian as White against FM Slava Mikhailuk. Bill’s opponent must have known to prepare for this; yet, the game took no special turns and Bill got his usual attacking game.

My favorite position…

position after 21…Qxd4

Black has just played 21…Qxd4 and seems to have won a pawn and the exchange when Bill calmly plays 22.Nxf7! (not 22.Qxf4? Bxg5 23.Bxg5 Bxe4 24.Qxe4 Qxe4 25.Rxe4 Rd1+ with mate to follow.)

The game proceeded 22…Qxe4 23.Qxe4 Bxe4 24.Nxd8 Rxd8 25.Bxf4 with White having the better side of a draw due to the pawn structure.

Then there was FM Loren Schmidt vs. NM Denys Shmelov. Denys told me before that match that he had “special” preparation for a unique Queen’s Indian position. I begged him to show me…

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.Nc3 Ne4 7.Bd2 f5 8.0–0 0–0 9.Qc2

position after 9.Qc2

Alas, he would only say that this is the position he was looking for. Well, needless to say, I was following the opening anxiously awaiting the moment, when White hesitated on move nine for quite a bit of time and played 9.Rc1.

position after 9.Rc1

From here White rapidly assumed the advantage and reached an endgame that seemed to give him winning chances. However, in the greatest tradition of Russians whose last name ends in “ov,” Denys tenaciously defended to reach my favorite position…

position after 25…Nd8

Black’s pieces are on the back rank and undeveloped yet, he holds this position. Wow! Great job Denys.

So, that’s my report from the battlefield. I am looking forward to a great season. As you can see, we Boston fans have a “gutsy” group to root for… so, come on down and get the inside scoop for yourself. It’s great fun and Matt Phelps, team manager, has arranged a beautiful 4 screen display with plenty of seating for spectators. You can relax… have a non-alcoholic beverage, and watch the players sweat. You can’t beat it. See you there.