Ho Hum, just another night at the office as the Boston Blitz posted match win number four over the San Francisco Mechanics (2½-1½). Are you kidding me!?… I can’t take it; I swear, next match I will wait outside until its over and never look at the boards… pieces hanging… advantages shifting back and forth… it’s… it’s… chess at it’s best.

The night began well with Larry handing Bill Kelleher a mysterious bag and wishing him a happy birthday (September 30 was his !@#$ birthday) as he told him not to drink it before his game. That mysterious gift would become the impetus for a post match celebration… check out the unauthorized, uncensored pictures hidden somewhere on the website I’m sure. Now, on to the match…

Chris Williams, playing black on board 4 against young Gregory Young, really made my hair stand on end with a spectacular swindle in my favorite position of the season.

Position after 17.Nxe6

Of course, Black cannot play 17…fxe6 because of 18.Bg6 Kf8 19.fxe5+ and White is winning. But, in reality, it is Black who is winning in the above position. Would you believe it? The game ended with the forcing 17… Ng3+! 18.hxg3 hxg3+ 19.Kh1 Bc5+ 20.Nxc5 Rh1+! 21.Kxh1 Qh4+ 22.Kg1 Qh2#. Boston (1-0)

Again Chris gives Boston draw odds, and they needed it. With a 4-0 record this season, Chris is making a strong bid for team MVP. Finishing first with an early win is his specialty.

However, there is one person that most team members would point to as the MVP and that is GM Larry Christiansen. Playing White against former New Englander GM Patrick Wolff, Larry never let up the pressure offering a pawn in my favorite position…

Position after 20.g3!?

Larry is offering a pawn… and, of course, threatening to trap the Queen with Bf4… but, the position is pretty level if Black just retreats the Queen to any of the available three squares. GM Wolff accepts the poison and quickly gets into trouble from which he never recovers after 20…Qxg3 21.Rg1 Qh3 22.Bxh6 Nxh5 Larry’s attack is too strong and he quickly wins back his pawn and keeps the pressure in the following fantastic position…

Position after 27.Nd5!

There is no hope for Black now… 27…exd5 is out of the question because of the Bishop check on f5, forking the Black Queen… and so Black plays 27…Rd8 (why not develop the rook?) struggling on after 28.Nf6+ Kc8 29.Qxh5… White has won a piece. Eventually, Larry decided to sac the piece back reaching a very nice zugzwang type position.

Can you see the one move that forces Black to resign immediately? Check it out…

Position after 37…Qb7

Black has no useful moves and White can win rather easily with any move. However, I think it was Alekhine who said that the mark of the true master is to always play the “best” move. Do you see it? 38.c4!… Black resigns as the pawn cannot be taken and will march to c6 winning everything. Another great game by our unofficial unanimous MVP. Boston (2-0).

Now, a draw on any board gives Boston the match win. Yet, the chess Gods are cruel and stole one from us on Board 2, where Boston’s FM Bill Kelleher (Black) was playing a very nice game against League MVP candidate IM Vinay Bhat… reaching a fairly even position.

Position after 29.Bb3

The game is very drawish if Black plays defensively with moves like 29…Qd6 followed by …e4 and …Bd5. But, I’m sure Bill felt that he could keep the better half of a draw with what he played in the game 29… Rd2. However, this allows White’s Rook into the game and IM Bhat shows his MVP form with 30.Re1 e4? After this White is winning. Boston (2-1)

That left everything up to our third board and team MVP candidate, Denys Shmelov, playing White against a formidable opponent, IM John Donaldson. My favorite position, the final one…

Position after 47…Nc6

White has more space and the better pawn structure. Black has been shuffling his knight from c6 to a7 to b5 and back again. White will again defend his b-pawn. With a draw meaning a win in the match, Denys, very unselfishly, refuses to weaken his position and a draw is agreed. Great game Denys. Boston wins the match (2½-1½)

Well, with so many MVPs to choose from… Jorge Sammour-Hasbun at 3-0 on second board being another one… Boston has a problem. Who really is the team MVP?

MVP? We don’t need no stinkin’ MVP… now pass the birthday present.