“Play like a man… Die like a dog” was written on the chalk board when I first came into the room. (see picture on the website) “What was the meaning?”, I thought. “Play like a man” I understood… ruling out it’s sexist connotations and taking it as intended… “play bravely” made sense. But “die like a dog” kind of scared me… who wants to die like a dog? “Was it an omen?”, I thought once again. Yet, it was too late… it was the motto for the night. “Oh well, it’s only a joke”, I thought a third and last time.

Our first board match up was a good one, Jorge Sammour-Hasbun versus GM Hikaru Nakamura, two of the top tactical players in the country, and it didn’t disappoint. The first interesting position…

Position after 13…Qc8

GM Nakamura offers a pawn for some strong compensation. Fritz gives… 14…Rd8 15.Qa3 Rxd1+ 16.Nxd1 Nd7 17.Nc1 Nd4 as better for Black. And so, Jorge played the much superior 14.Nd5… giving White a dominant position and the struggle continued to my favorite… and the final position…

Position after 45…Rcc2

If White takes the Knight, the position is drawn by perpetual check. White’s only try is 46.Bf1… and the position will get very wild after 46…Nd3 47.Rf3 Ne1 48.Rg3 Rd2 49.e5 Rxa4 50.d6 Rf4 leading to this crazy position…

Analysis position after 50…Rf4

White still is on top and has winning chances. But, with only about a minute on his clock, Jorge didn’t risk it since we seemed, at the time, to be doing fine on the other boards. Boston (0.5 – 0.5)

On second board FM Bill Kelleher, as Black, ventured a unique accelerated dragon against GM Pascal Charbonneau reaching this position…

Position after 12.Be2

We’re out of the books here… I think. Now, Fritz gives 12…d5! With Black having the better side of equality after… 13.exd5 Rd8 14.Bf3 Be6… followed by the wild 15.dxe6… Queen sacrifice for Bishop and Rook. Bill played the safe 12…d6 and remained too cramped for the rest of the game becoming the first to “die” on this night of the ominous motto. Boston (0.5 – 1.5)

And now the pressure was on Boston’s all star 4th board, NM Chris Williams, playing Black against WFM Iryna Zenvuk. It was a wild Queen’s Gambit declined with both players playing well to reach this incredible position…

Position after 24.Rg5

White is threatening Black’s Queen and Rxg6+ but, Black can cope with the incredible 24…Bf5 and after 25.Rxf5 Qe7, Black actually has the advantage. Chris fell victim to the tension (a euphemism for “die”) and played 24…Bxb2+ and after 25.Kxb2 White is just a piece up.

This was the final spike… Boston going down… “Killed” by a woman? Coincidence? Boston (0.5 – 2.5)

In the last game to finish, NM Denys Shmelov, playing White against IM Jay Bonin, saved face, and tie break points, for the team playing this “Manly” (in keeping with our motto) Rook endgame. Just a quick look at it’s progression starting from the diagram below…

Position after 24.Rc4

Position after 41…Kg7

Position after 53.Rg3

Position after 60.a3!

Black is in zugzwang and should lose. But, it is late and both players were playing tired.

Position after 65…Kf4

Now, White can check to defend the f5 pawn and push e6 winning. Denys played instead 66.e6 Rxf5+ showing his fatigue and now the game should be a draw after 67.Kg6 Rg5+ 68.Kf6 Rf5+ 69.Kg6 Rg5+ 70.Kf6 Rf5+ (I believe this is a third repetition) 71.Ke7 Re5! And the game cannot be won by White. IM Bonin showed his own fatigue and played 51…c2? leading to the final position and some consolation for the team.

Position after 76.Kf7, Black resigns

Anatomy of a rook ending… they’re never easy for either the superior or inferior side. Another good game for Denys, a stalwart at third board. Boston (1.5 – 2.5)

What did we learn from this match? Never… no… always… no… just come up with a better motto and we’ll be fine.