The atmosphere at the beginning of the second round seemed electric… of course, it could have been the static from David Harris’ hair. David had driven in with (soon to be) game of the week star Jorge Sammour-Hasbun. But, in any case, the team mood was light as always, though the players paced tensely at times awaiting the start of the round.

The final 3-1 score in favor of the Blitz was no indication of how tough this match with Queens Pioneers really was. Every board was a Korchnoi like, “on the edge” position. The diagrams I have chosen for each game show the tense struggle that each board had. Strangely, the only Blitz board to lose was the only one with a clear advantage… well maybe not so clear… but we’ll get to that.

First board, GM Larry Christiansen playing White against top notch GM Ildar Ibragimov seemed to effortlessly put more and more pressure on his opponent until, in the diagrammed position, Ibragimov played 25…exf5 grabbing the offered pawn. What’s the idea… can you guess Larry’s move?

position after 25.f5

After 25.f5 exf5, Larry uncorks… 26.Qb3!… pressurizing the game. Now the rook can’t move because of 27.Qxf7+ and the threat is 27. Nxc6 gaining back the pawn with complications favoring White. Later analysis (by me) with Fritz shows that 25…f6 would have been the way for Black to go, with a tough game still ahead.

In the game line, Ibragimov now faltered with 26…Rxe5 giving up the exchange to relieve the pressure and Larry proceeded to show impeccable technique in ending Black’s hopes by move 40. A fine game.
Now, on to the “Game of the Week.” Jorge was still shaking his head after the game… though he won, he had the “feeling that I was lost”… and no wonder. In my favorite position from the game, White has sacked a piece for a dangerous attack. Take a look…

position after 20…Bg7

No wonder Jorge was wondering “What if…” White can now settle for rook and two pawns and an attack with 21.Nxf7+… and, by the way, still keep the attack… or, as played in the game, he can continue to press for mate. Fritz prefers 21.Nxf7+ and based on how the game went, I would have to agree. Take the bird in the hand…

White continued… 21.Ng4 and after some great only moves… Jorge repulsed the attack and won the game… certainly a game worthy of its awarded title.

I was a bit worried for Denys in his game. Although he had been chasing Black’s king around quite a bit… in my favorite position of the game… it looked like Black was the only one with winning chances if he played… 53…Nxg5. As Denys, I’m sure, pondered on what to do next should Black play this, his opponent, in severe time pressure, shocked the world with 53…Qe7 giving up the queen and the game after 54.Bxe7. This was the famous “mouse slip” and the only major controversy, so far, this season. But, as Denys points out, any Queen move is a mistake and, even if his opponent meant to play 53…Qd7 then 54.Bf6+ gives White a big edge in the time scramble.

The league disallowed the “mouse slip” appeal… and the result of this final game gave Boston the match.

position after 53.Qf4

The third game to finish was fourth board, master Teddy Coleman vs Ilya Krasik. I truly enjoyed this game. Ilya, as always, played sharply and for a win to reach the incredible position (and my favorite of the match) below…

position after 25.Qa3

Black seems doomed… He is already an exchange down and another bishop for R\rook exchange is threatened. Fritz gives Black as better after 25…Nc7!! check this out…

If now 25.Bxf8 Bxf8! attacking the Queen. Now 26.Qa4 (forced) is followed by 26… Nb5!! which wins due to the double threat of 27…Nxc6 and the mate threat of 27. …Qb6+ and smothered mate after Whites forced 28.Kh1….

Who but a computer (or a GM) would see all this? Ilya played differently beginning with 25…Bxc6 and after a few mistakes by his opponent, wound up in this beautiful complex position…

position after 31.Kg1

White is losing his bishop and Black is winning after either 31…Nxh6 or 31…d3 (as 32.Rxc4 is answered by the pawn push and queens). Ilya played 31…Bb5 which still keeps a draw, but he eventually lost a tense struggle. A very exciting game marred by time pressure mistakes.

The loss here put Queens back in the match (for a possible draw) at 2-1 Boston. But… oh those mice are tricky things… thank you Denys.

I don’t think I can take much more excitement… But, I’m sure there’s more ahead with undefeated and Eastern Conference co-leader (tied with our Blitz) Philadelphia coming in next week… Oh well, see you there.