This was a tough one to take as the Blitz were in clear first and a win would mean a nice step toward the playoffs. I figured no worse that a draw here… But, I forgot to take into consideration the opponent. They showed up… Big Time.

Board one looked like a sure win early. FM Griego pushed it to a two pawn advantage against grizzled veteran GM Larry Kaufman… no trouble here right… wrong! A truly mysterious draw.

Board two saw Vadim play beautifully. Black, IM Tegshuren Enkbaht, had an extra doubled pawn but no hope of development… again, I thought… Vadim the conqueror… but Ohhhh those Rook endgames… draw.

Board three, Ilya was my pick to win one and he held the advantage through to the endgame against NM Jared Defibaugh… certainly he had draw in hand , then boom! Those tricky Knights and a loss.

Board four really broke my heart… It’s not easy to play a gambit against the Queen’s Indian… but, gambit Chris did in a wonderful attacking game… if only he would have seen 22.Rd7… NM Ian Schoch would have been toast… instead, it was a champagne toast for the Kingfishers… The agony of defeat for Chris… lets take a look…

Christopher GU (BOS) vs NM Ian Schoch (BAL) – Board 4

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.0–0 0–0 7.d5 exd5 8.Nh4 c6 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Nf5 Nf6 11.e4 d5 12.Nc3 dxe4 13.Bf4 Re8
Would you believe, the first non-book move. Better was… [13...Nd5 14.Qg4 g6 15.Nxe4 White has compensation for the pawn.]

Position after 13… Re8

14.Nxe4 ?! This is just equal. During the game, I noticed a much more forcing line… and Fritz agrees… [14.Qxd8 Bxd8 15.Nd6 Re7 This is near winning for White. But, he must keep the pressure and complications with... 16.Rfe1 Ba6 17.Ndxe4…

Analysis Position after 17.Ndxe4…

White has many threats and Black is behind in development and running out of moves.. For example... 17...Nbd7 18.Nd6 Rxe1+ 19.Rxe1 Nc5 20.Bxc6 Nd3 21.Rd1 Rb8 22.Nxf7 Nxf4 23.Rxd8+ Rxd8 24.Nxd8 And White is a pawn up... +/- (+1.30) ] 14…Nxe4 15.Bxe4 Bf8 16.Qf3 Qf6 = 17.Rad1 Na6 18.Be3 ? A mistake. Black now has an advantage. [18.Bd2 !! this move is hard for Black to handle and keeps an advantage. For example... 18...Qe6 19.Rfe1 g6 20.Nd4 Qxa2 21.Nxc6 Nc7 (21...Nc5 22.Bd5 wins) 22.Bf4 Rac8 23.Ra1 Qc4 24.Ne7+ Rxe7 25.Bxb7 Rxe1+ 26.Rxe1 Re8 27.Rc1 Qxc1+ 28.Bxc1 Re1+ 29.Kg2 Rxc1 White has an advantage with Queen for Knight, Rook and pawn. But Black may hold.] 18…Qe6 19.Nh6+ Fritz likes this as best. It should give an equal game. 19…gxh6 20.Bf5 Qxa2 ?! a mistake, but this probably won the game for Black. [20...Qe5 21.Rd7 Nc5 22.Bxc5 bxc5 23.Rxb7 Re7 24.Rxe7 Bxe7 25.Rd1 Rd8 26.Rxd8+ Bxd8 Black's pawns are a mess... but Bishops of opposite give him chances to hold.] 21.Qg4+… Better was… [21.Rd7 Bg7 22.Rxb7 and Black has trouble due to weak White squares. 22...Nc5 23.Bxc5 bxc5 24.Qxc6 +/=] 21…Bg7

Position after 21… Bg7

22.Bd4 ?? losing [22.Rd7! after this Black seems lost.

Analysis Position after 22.Rd7!…

22...Re6 (to defend 23.Bd4…) (22...Qxb2 23.Bd4 +- Should win for White.; 22...c5 may be better, but... 23.Rxb7 Qxb2 24.Bxh6 Qf6 25.Bg5 Qe5 26.Rd1 Nb4 27.Rdd7 And White is winning... 27...Rf8 28.Bf4 Qf6 29.Rd6 Qa1+ 30.Kg2 Qh5... is the end) 23.Rfd1 Rae8 24.Bxe6 Qxe6 25. Qxe6 Rxe6 26.Rxb7 Bxb2 What else? 27. Rdd7 Rf6 28.Rxa7… with the exchange and winning game. ] 22…f6 23.Bxf6 Qf7 White’s attack is over 24.Bc3 Re7 25.Rd6 Rf8 26.Bd3 Bc8 27.Qh4 Nc5 28.Bc4 Be6 29.Be2 Bxc3 30.bxc3 Bd5 31.Bh5 Qg7 32.c4 Nb7 33.Rxh6 Re4 34.Qh3 Qxh6 35.cxd5 cxd5 White Resigns 0-1
Not a good first game to finish in a match… But, I must say, I liked Chris’s opening choice… Oh well… this win proved a loss… Boston (0 – 1)

But Board three was doing well… I thought… just get that Bishop free somehow.

NM Jared Defibaugh (BAL) vs NM Ilya Krasik (BOS) – Board 3

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 0–0 5.Nf3 d6 6.0–0 Nc6 7.Rb1 e5 8.b4 Bf5 9.d3 Qd7 10.e4 [10.b5 Nd8 11.Ng5 h6 12.Nge4 Nxe4 13.dxe4 Bh3 14.Ba3 is slightly better for White] 10…Bg4 = 11.Be3 Nh5 12.Nd5 Nd4 13.Bxd4 exd4 14.Qd2 c6 15.Nf4 Nxf4 16.Qxf4 Rae8 [Also good for Black is... 16...f5 17.exf5 Qxf5 18.Qxf5 Bxf5 =/+] 17.Qd2 f5 18.exf5 ? 18…Rxf5 Black is nearly winning.

Position after 18…Rxf5

White must move the Knight and Black’s Rook will get to the second rank. 19.Nh4 Rfe5 [19...Re2 20.Qc1 Rf8 -/+ Black is much better.] 20.f3 ? This is probably the worst of the not so good moves available. Black is now winning. [20.b5 Bf6 21.bxc6 bxc6 22.Rfe1 Bg5 23.f4 Rxe1+ 24.Rxe1 Bxh4 25.gxh4 and Black has a nice endgame advatage, but White has chances to hold.] 20…Re2 21.Qg5 Bh3 22.Rf2 R8e5 23.Qc1 Rxf2 24.Kxf2…

Position after 24.Kxf2…

Is Black winning? I think so.
24… Qe6 ?! a slight misplay… better was… [24...Re3 ! Threatening 25...g5, thus 25.Qf1 Be6 26.f4 Bf6 27.Nf3 d5 28.c5 Bf5 29.Rd1 Qe7 Black controls the game.

Analysis Position after 29… Qe7

He will advance on the Queenside and liberate his center pawns; after which the two Bishops and will guide them forward. For example, 30.Ne1 a5 31.a3 axb4 32.axb b6 33.cxb Qxb4 wins 34.Nc2 Qb2] 25.Qf1 Bxg2 26.Nxg2 Qh3 27.f4 Qf5 It’s equal now. [27...Re7 28.Re1 Bf6 29.Rxe7 Bxe7 30.Qe2 Kf7 =] 28.Kg1 Re7 29.Qf3 b5 = Black is fighting to win here when he should just wait. There is no win. 30.g4 Qf7 31.Rc1 bxc4 32.Rxc4 c5 33.bxc5 dxc5 34.Kf2 simpler and better was… [34.Rxc5 Qxa2 35.f5 still =] 34…h6 ?! Maybe trying to lure his opponent to advance. But, he should be playing to draw. [34...Rc7 35.Rc2 c4 36.dxc4 Rxc4 37.Rxc4 Qxc4 38.Qb3 =] 35.Kg3 [35.Rxc5 Qxa2+ 36.Kg3 = but Black must be careful as White has active pieces] 35…Rc7 36.h4 h5 ! advantage Black, but only slightly. 37.a4 Bf8 38.Kf2 Rb7 ! now Black has a good game. 39.Rc2 Rb3 not best. Better was… [39...hxg4 40.Qxg4 Kh7 41.Ne1 Bd6 42.Kg3 Re7 43.Nf3 Re3 =/+] 40.gxh5 gxh5 41.Qe4 Rb6 42.Re2 Rf6 43.Qe5 Bd6 44.Qe8+ Qxe8 45.Rxe8+ Kf7 46.Rh8 Bxf4 47.Rxh5…

Position after 47.Rxh5…

Do you see the winning move?
47… Bh6+ ?? missing a nice win. [47...Bh2+! 48.Ke2 Bg3

Analysis Position after 48… Bg3

Strangely, the Knight is lost
49.Rxc5 Rf2+ 50.Kd1 Rxg2 51.Rg5 Rg1+ 52.Kc2 Bh2 –+] 48.Kg3 Bf8 This is equal. Much better for Black is… [48...c4 49.Ne1 (49.dxc4 d3 50.Rd5 d2 Black will queen after ...Rf1) 49...Be3 -/+ 50.Kg4 Rf1 51.Nf3 c3 52.Rc5 Rf2 53.Rc4 c2 54.Ng5+ Ke8 55.Kg3 Re2 56.Kf3 Rh2 57.Kg3 Bd2] 49.Rh7+ Bg7 50.Nf4… with a very simple threat.

Position after 50.Nf4…

Tell me, can you see the threat?
50… Kg8 ?? Wow! this is a real stinker. [50...c4 51.dxc4 d3 52.Nxd3 Kg6 53.Rxg7+ Kxg7 is Better for Black. But, the Rook pawn makes it hard to win. At least it's better than this simple loss.]
The rest is easy.
51.Rxg7+ Kxg7 52.Nh5+ Kg6 53.Nxf6 Kxf6 54.Kf4 Black resigns 1-0

A tough result to take for Ilya, no doubt. Boston (0 – 2)

Another win for the Blitz becomes a loss… You just can’t survive that in this league, especially since the wins on the top two boards became draws… starting with Blitz hero Vadim…

NM Vadim Martirosov (BOS) vs IM Tegshuren Enkhbat (BAL) – Board 2

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bf4 a6 7.Rc1 Bf5 8.Ne5 Rc8 9.e3 Nxe5 10.dxe5 Ne4 11.Nxe4 Rxc1 12.Qxc1 Bxe4 13.e6 Qa5+ 14.Ke2 fxe6 15.f3 Qb5+ [15...Bf5 16.Be5 h5 (16...Qxa2 17.Qc8+ Kf7 18.Qxb7 Qc4+ 19.Kf2 Qc2+ 20.Be2 Bd3 21.Re1 Rg8 What I would call dynamic equality. 22.Qb4 g5 23.Qd4 Bb5) 17.Kf2 Kf7 is better for White. 18.Be2 Rh7 19.Qc8 g5 20.Qxb7 Qxa2 21.Rc1 Bg7 22.Bxg7 Rxg7 23.e4 dxe4 24.fxe4 Bg4 25.Bxa6 Qa5 26.Ke3 +/= with a tough game ahead.] 16.Kd2 Qb4+ 17.Qc3 Qxc3+ 18.Kxc3 Bg6 19.Be5 +/-

Position after 19.Be5…

Although a pawn down, White is probably winning… but it’s not easy. 19…Rg8 20.Bd3 ?? This must be wrong… if only aesthetically. Black is two pieces down for quite a while after… [20.Kd4 Bc2 21.Be2 Ba4 (21...g5 22.Rc1 Bf5 23.e4 Bg6 24.Rc7 White is winning... 24...Bg7 25.Rxb7 Bxe5+ 26.Kxe5 Kf7 27.Bxa6 g4 28.exd5 exd5 29.Be2 +-) 22.Rc1 Bd7 23.Rc7 b5 24.Ra7]

Analysis Position after 24.Ra7…

I say White is winning easily. How about you?
20…Bxd3 21.Kxd3 g5 22.Rc1 g4 23.f4 Rg6 24.Rc7 Rh6 25.Ke2 =

Position after 25.Ke2…

any move is equal here. [25.Rxb7 Rxh2 26.f5 Rh6 27.fxe6 Rxe6 28.Kd4 h5 29.Kxd5 Rg6 =] 25…Kf7 26.Kf2 Rxh2 27.Kg3 Rh1 28.Kxg4 h5+ 29.Kf3 b5 30.Ra7 Bg7 ?! a slight error. Trading makes things worse here. [30...Rf1+ 31.Ke2 Rb1 32.Rxa6 Bg7 33.Bxg7 Kxg7 34.Rxe6 Rxb2+ 35.Kf3 Kf7 =] 31.Bxg7 Kxg7 32.Rxa6 Kf6 ?! This gives White good chances for a win.

Position after 32… Kf6?!

During the game I thought that Black should lose… I forgot the old axiom that all Rook endgames are draws. [32...Rf1+ 33.Kg3 e5 34.fxe5 Ra1 35.b4 Kf7 Black is only slightly worse. He is ready to attack White's center should the Rook move.] 33.Rb6 Rf1+ 34.Ke2 Rg1 35.Kf2 Rc1 36.Rxb5 Kf5 White is a pawn up with connected passers; but, Rook endgames are never easy. 37.Kf3 [37.Kg3 Re1 38.Rb3 Ra1 forced as White threatens (39.a4 ra1 40.Ra3...) and the pawn will march. 39.a3 e5 40.fxe5 Kxe5 41.Kf3 Rf1+ 42.Ke2 Rg1 43.Kf2 Ra1 44.Rb6 Kf5 45.Rb5 e6 It is difficult to make progress. For excample... 46.Rb4 e5 47.g3 Rb1 48.a4 Ra1 49.Kg2 e4 50.Rb5 Rxa4 51.Rxd5+ Kg6 52.Rd4 Ra2 53.Rxe4 Rxb2+ 54.Kf3 White can press here, but it is now drawish.
However, 37.a4!... puts the most pressure on Black and looks winning . For example,37… Kg4 38.Rb8 Rc2+ 39. Kf1…

Analysis Position after 39.Kf1...

39… Kg3 ( after 39…Rc1+ White fearlessly walks to the queenside, 40.Ke2 Rc2+ 41.Kd3 Rxg2 42.a5… White wins this race. 45… h4 43.a6 h3 44.a7 h2 45.Rh8) 40.a5 Rc1+ 41.Ke2 Ra1 (41...Kxg2 42.a6 Ra1 43.Ra8 Ra2 44.a7 Rxb2+ 45.Kd3 wins for White.) 42.Rg8+ Kh2 43.Kf2 and White will mate or Queen]

Analysis Position after 43.Kf2…

So 37.a4… wins? Not so fast, 37… Ra1 and we will probably transpose to the game.

37…Rf1+ 38.Ke2 Rg1 39.a4 Ra1 ?! [39...Rxg2+ 40.Kf3 Rg1 41.e4+ Kf6 42.exd5 e5 43.fxe5+ Kxe5 44.d6+ Kxd6 45.Rxh5 e5 =] 40.a5 h4 [40...Kg4 41.b4 Ra2+ 42.Kd3 h4 43.Rb8 Rxg2 44.b5 h3 45.b6 Rb2 46.Kd4 Rb5 47.b7 h2 48.Rh8 Rxb7 49.Rxh2 Rb4+ 50.Kc5 Ra4 51.Kb5 Ra3 52.a6 Kf5 53.Rb2 Ke4 54.Rb4+ Kxe3 55.Ra4 Rb3+ 56.Kc6 Rb8 57.a7 Ra8 58.Kb7 Rxa7+ 59.Rxa7 = Also equal is... (59.Kxa7 d4 60.Kb6 d3 61.Ra3 Ke2 62.Kc5 d2 63.Ra2 Ke1 64.Ra1+ d1Q 65.Rxd1+ Kxd1) 59...d4 60.Kc6 d3 etc...] 41.Kf3 Rf1+ 42.Ke2 Ra1

Position after 42…Ra1

43.Kd3…
Ok, I’ll give it one more try… What do you think of…
[43.Kf2 Kg4 44.Rb6 e5 45.Rg6+ Kf5 46.Rg5+ Kf6 47.b4 exf4 48.Rxd5 Ra2+ 49.Kf3 fxe3 50.Rh5 e2 51.Kf2 e5 52.Rxh4 Ke6 53.g4…]

Analysis Position after 53.g4…

I think White is winning and that’s all I will say… right?

43… Kg4 44.Rb8 Rxa5 45.Rg8+ Kf5 46.Rg5+ Kf6 47.Rg4 Rb5 48.Kc3 Rc5+ 49.Kd3 Rb5 50.Kc3 Rc5+ 51.Kd4 Rc2 52.Rxh4 Rxb2 = Nice defense by IM Enkhbat. 53.Rh6+ Kf7 54.g4 Rb4+ 55.Kc3 Rc4+ 56.Kd3 e5 57.Rh7+ Kg6 58.Rxe7 exf4 59.exf4 Rxf4 draw ½ – ½

A winning game drawn? You tell me.
God, how I hate Rook endgames… and Vadim must too. Why are they always so, so, frustrating. Boston (0.5 – 2.5)

The match was over and FM Griego was still struggling to win… maybe that’s why he agreed to a draw.

GM Larry Kaufman (BAL) vs FM David Griego (BOS) – Board 1

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 dxc4 6.Qxc4 0–0 7.e4 a6 8.Be2 b5 9.Qb3 c5 10.dxc5 Bb7 11.e5 Nfd7

Position after 11…Nd7

The Gruenfeld is one of the most analyzed openings (not that everything isn’t these days). So, I don’t understand White’s next.
Book and probably better is… [12.Be3 holding on to the passed pawn. 12...Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.0–0 Qc7 15.f4 Bg7 16.a4 with a decent advantage... +/- (–0.70)] 12.0-0 Nxc5 = 13.Qc2 [13.Qa3 = posing more problems... how to defend (or move) the Knight.] 13…Qc7 14.Be3 Ne6 15.Rac1 If White’s Queen were on a3, Black would have problems. 15…Nd7 16.Rfd1 Nxe5 ! winning a pawn. 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.Rxd5 Qxc2 19.Rxc2 Ng4 ! an excellent move. Black must quiesce the two Bishops. –+ (–1.40) 20.Bc1 Rac8 21.Rxc8 Rxc8 22.Rd1 Ne5 [Black could have eliminated the two Bishops with... 22...Bh6 23.Bxh6 Nxh6 24.g3 Kg7 Leaving White with grim prospects in a grind it out endgame a pawn down.] 23.Nxe5 Bxe5 24.g3 Nc5 25.b3 Ne4 26.Bf3 Nc3

Position after 26…Nc3

I believe that it is better to dull the two Bishops this way… [26...f5 daring White to give up the two Bishops 27.Be3 Kf7 28.Rd7 Rc7 29.Rxc7 Bxc7 30.a4 Ke6 31.axb5 axb5 -/+ (–1.00)] 27.Re1 ?! This is losing. (obviously an overstatement since the game ended in a draw) White had to play for activity… [27.Rd7 Nxa2 28.Bh6…

Analysis Position after 28.Bh6…

White will win at least one pawn back and the edge is not so great... -/+ (–0.75) for example... 28...Bg7 29.Bb7 Re8 30.Bxg7 Kxg7 31.Bxa6 b4 32.Ra7 Nc3 33.Rb7 Ra8 34.Bc4 Kf6 35.Rxb4 seems a draw.] 27…Nxa2 28.Bh6 Bg7 compare this to the variation above where White does not need to capture the e-pawn. [Possibly better is… 28...Bd6 29.Bb7 Rb8 30.Bg2 (30.Bxa6 Nb4 wins the Bishop.) ] 29.Bxg7 Kxg7 30.Rxe7 Kf6 31.Rd7 Ke6 32.Ra7 Nb4 Black has a winning advantage. White’s b-pawn will fall. 33.Bg4+ f5 34.Be2 h5 35.Rb7 ?! –+ (-2.40)

Postion after 35.Rb7?!…

[35.Rg7 Kf6 36.Rd7 Rc3 37.Rd6+ Kf7 38.Bd1 is hopeless too... but at least saves the b-pawn for a while.] 35…Rc3 36.Rb6+ Kf7 37.Kg2 Rxb3 38.h4 Rc3 39.Bf3 Rd3 Still winning, but… [39...Rc5 40.Rb7+ Kf6 41.Rb6+ Kg7 42.Rb7+ Kh6 43.Ra7… Black contols the game. –+ (-2.90)]

Analysis Position after 43.Ra7…

White’s Bishop has no way in.
40.Bb7 Rd7 41.Bc8 [41.Bxa6 Nxa6 42.Rxa6 Rb7 is hopeless, even for a Rook endgame.] 41…Rc7 42.Be6+ Ke7 43.Bb3 Rc6 44.Rb7+ Kd6 45.Bf7 Kc5 46.Be8 Re6 47.Bf7 Rf6 48.Be8 Re6 49.Bf7 Rd6 50.Be8 Nd5 51.Rg7 b4 !! excellent play.

Position after 51…b4!!

52.Bxg6 f4?! misses the point of his fabulous 51st move. [52...Rxg6! 53.Rxg6 b3 54.Re6 (54.Rxa6 b2 55.Ra5+ Kc4 56.Ra4+ Nb4 Queens) 54...a5 etc...] 53.Bxh5 fxg3 54.fxg3 b3 55.Rb7 Nb4 56.Bf3 Rd3 57.Be4 Re3 58.Bg6 a5 White has now evened the score in pawns and kept the Bishop, which defends these opposite side positions well. It is now difficult to win, but Black still has more advanced pawns… however, his play must now be perfect. 59.h5 Re6 60.Bf5 b2 ! wonderful… gaining time to advance is the way to go. 61.g4 a4 62.Ra7…

Position after 62.Ra7…

This is a great position and it calls for a great, but probably obvious (to a computer), move.
62… Na6 [62...Nc2 !! ends things.

Analysis Position after 62…Nc2!!

I just had to diagram this position… Black’s Knight, Rook, and a-pawn hang and none can be taken.
63.Rc7+ Kb6 64.Rxc2 b1Q 65.Rc6+ Kxc6 66.Bxb1 Re1 67.Bf5 a3 and the a-pawn Queens] 63.Rb7 Nb4 64.Ra7 Na6 (Nc2!!) 65.Rb7 Nb4 ½ – ½

Whether this was time trouble or David meant to repeat, knowing the match was already lost… perhaps he will let us know in a comment…. regardless, this was a nice chance to pick up a point… and a very nice game by IM Griego.
Boston (1 – 3)

Oh well, who thought the Blitz would go undefeated anyway… Me, that’s who. Chess is sure a funny game… and very often not funny Ha Ha.

CMC Academy
201 Wayland Ave.
Providence, RI

Come on down and wander among the boards… listen to some post-game analysis… and cheer on your favorite team. Believe me, the drive is worth it.

This week the Blitz are without Jorge and Marc. Does this remind you of your favorite baseball team… Hey guys, it’s too early to rest for the playoffs. Nonetheless, they field a formidible lineup. Let’s take a look…

       White			   Black
-------------------------------------------------
1.  GM Kaufman (BAL)		FM Griego (BOS)
2.  NM Martirosov (BOS)		IM Enkhbat (BAL)
3.  FM Defibaugh (BAL)		NM Krasik (BOS)
4.  NM Gu (BOS)			NM Schoch (BAL)

GM Larry Kaufman (BAL) vs FM David Griego (BOS) – Board 1

GM Kaufman is always well prepared and his experience gives the edge here. FM Griego will, I’m sure, be determined to rebound from his opening day jitters. I think maybe 1.d4… and a Semi-Slav… David, hope you read Larry’s book. Draw
Boston (0.5-0.5)

NM Vadim Martirosov (BOS) vs. IM Tegshuren Enkhbat (BAL) – Board 2

Vadim’s stellar play (2 wins) merits a bump up in board. Maybe his toughest matchup in his years with the Blitz. Another Semi-Slav?… You betcha… It’ll be theory all night at the CMC Academy. My gut says a draw. Boston (1-1)

FM Jared Defibaugh (BAL) vs NM Ilya Krasik (BOS) – Board 3

Ilya was making faces and slamming pieces last week. But, he is playing well. This is my pick to win the match in a wide open/crazy closed Siciliam. Boston (2-1)

NM Christopher Gu (BOS) vs NM Ian Schoch (BAL) – Board 4

Chris needs another week 1-like hold… nothing fancy… keep it under control… maybe 1.d4 d5 ? Well, who knows. I still say draw… Boston (2.5-1.5) in a squeeker.

And the Blitz sneak by on a week without their top guns… they’re that good.
Too much you say. Well, call me a homer, but don’t call me late for supper.
Go Blitz!

(IM) Hungaski, could have forced a completely benign and drawn endgame with 20.Nxc8 Rxc8 21.a3=
But either he got too greedy or he felt like Shankland(IM) was in some trouble(I don’t think he was at this point) Instead he played
20.a3?! Ba6! 21.Ne4 b4 22. ab4 c3! and all of a sudden White is in huge trouble .

23.b5!? Played instantly probably because White realized he is just lost.
Forgive me for overindulgence in the diagram usage but this is the position on which the Blitz’s hopes were resting and in one instant cruelly dashed.

After the game Jorge showed the winning like he saw 23…Rxa1! 24.Rxa1 cb2 25.Rb1 Bxb5 26.Kf3(Ke1 Bd3-+) Rb8! -+(Bc6 also wins) But on this night, Caissa for some reason had other ideas and did not look favorably upon us.
Analysis Diagram -+

The 2010 campaign comes to a close and with it a whole chapter in Blitz’s brief and illustrious history. As some of you have read, Matt Phelps, our tireless Manager/Assistant Manager is stepping down, he has threatened to leave us before but this time– even before he made it official– it was clear he had made up his mind. The off-season promises to be challenging, as Matt is hard to replace and in addition the Blitz will need to look for a new home. As we have been spoiled rotten the last 5 years, I very much doubt we would like to play in some
“dungeon”, another site at Harvard University or something in the vicinity is the only option I see at this point.
Another priority next year, if there is next year, is to find sponsors :i.e money to pay our top players. I think it is the most important aspect of running such a strong team for the long haul.
I want to thank everyone, who has donated to our team, you know who you are. I also want to thank all our fans, whether you’ve come to watch in person or watched online, I want to thank those who have brought us beer, wine, or chipped in for the pizza or made us coffee. To all those who followed us and shared in our happiness and disappointments, thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
Many of you have asked me to make the Finals predictions. Despite the fact that I wont be able to watch the finals in their entirety, maybe the first 1-2 hours as I have other obligations, its hard to turn down the opportunity to try my hand at this prediction craft(I almost spelled crap, I wonder if it was an accident)
First of all because I know certain people will interpret my predictions in a certain light, I want to make a DISCLAIMER:

My predictions, in no shape or form necessarily reflects my desires or hopes as to the outcome of this match.
I predict MIAMI to Win a tie-breaker after the initial 2-2 score and thus become the 2010 USCL Champions. Au Revoir

IM Marc Esserman (4 – 0 – 0) 4.0/4 pts.
Talk about spectacular, Marc is nothing but… as seen in his undefeated, untied season. His indefatigable spirit is what drove the team many nights. Let’s call him MVP 1a. Certainly, he will be missed next year. Marc, all the best, and congratulations on such a fine season. Oh!, and I think you should have had at least two GOTW’s…

NM Vadim Martirosov (2 – 4 – 1) 4.0/7 pts.
Vadim was definitely the work horse for the team playing in 7 games (+1) on 3rd board. He seemed to get better every week. Of course, every board is important, but somehow, I feel Vadim drew or won the important ones. A heartfelt thank you, Vadim, for all your work and great play.

NM Ilya Krasik (1 – 4 – 1) 3.0/6 pts.
You know, I wouldn’t have believed it, but Ilya finished the season undefeated (+1) and he didn’t even mention it to anyone. Of course, I’m not counting the disaster of week 1. Well, I guess now’s the time to blast it through the ethers, thanks, Ilya, for a great, great, UNDEFEATED season… (at least, from week 2 on.) and especially for that playoff GOTW. I will remember that game for a while… which is usually a couple of months at my age.

GM Eugene Perelshteyn (2 – 1 – 0) 2.5/3 pts.
From the start of the season, Eugene was in fine form. His play was solid and lethal. Give him the two Bishops and you are in trouble. Although Eugene was unable to play in the second half, his strong leadership by example kept the Blitz in the running. Congratulations on an undefeated season, Eugene.

SM Jorge Sammour-Hasbun (2 – 0 – 2) 2.0/4 pts.
Player/manager and poker enthusiast, Jorge Sammour-Hasbun, is the soul of this great team. His brilliant play and great sense of humor brighten any match he attends. He always brings the energy, both on the board and off. Well, Jorge, thanks for your great week 10 GOTW and for all the fun.

WGM Anya Corke (1 – 1 – 1) 1.5/3 pts.
Anya is one classy player. Her style is reserved, but poisonous. I always marvel at how she maneuvers and pressures her opponent. As you can tell, I am a big fan and would have liked to see her play more… as I am sure she will in the future. I will offer my congratulations for some fine play.. thanks Anya.

Grant Xu (1 – 1 – 1) 1.5/3pts.
Although Grant played sparingly, his game always seemed to be the critical one. His performance in week 2 got Boston rolling in the right direction. I can’t wait to see him next year. Thank you, Grant, for your great effort this season… and don’t let your rating get too high.

SM Denys Shmelov (0 – 2 – 3) 1.0/5 pts.
Not the best season Denys has ever had. But, I know one thing, there is no harder working player on the Blitz. Sometimes you need to roll with the punches… I know Denys will be back with a vengeance. Still I enjoyed watching Denys’s games. Thanks, Denys, for all your hard work and a nice week 7 draw.

NM Evan Rabin (0 – 1 – 1) 0.5/2 pts.
NM Evan (the Blog-meister) Rabin always showed up early still furiously searching through his preparation for the KO move. His record could have been a bit better with a little luck… but Caissa is a cruel mistress. Thanks, Evan, for all your energy and effort. See you next year, I’ sure.

Matt Phelps (0 – 0 – 0) 0.0/0 pts
As you can see, Matt never loses. Thanks Matt for all the effort. It has been a great 7 years. Now that you’re retired… will you be starting a team in Sun City?

I would leave with one last thought… Never…No… Always… carry a litter bag… you never know when someone is going to hand you some crap!
Go Blitz!

Phelps plans on increasing his playing and directing activities, both locally and nationally.

Team, and League officials could not be reached for comment.

The Blitz wish “Catdog” the best of luck with his future career.

When preparing for a playoff USCL opponent, what is the best preparation method?

A. use your own head and common sense.
B. Watch Inspirational videos like Rocky and Scarface.
C. Make a dummy that looks like your opponent’s head and riddle it with machine gun fire.
D. Use, higher rated players on YOUR team
E. Use, higher rated players on HIS  team.
F. Pray to God                                                      

Hint: The answer is somewhere below.

Wicked Witch of the East-erman

Well, it’s the Playoffs! And, as expected, Boston has put forth its magical lineup for this Monday’s round one match against the Baltimore Kingfishers with the Wizard on first board, the Wicked Witch of the East on second, and, of course, Dorothy and Toto on third and fourth respectively.

In a fine display of reverse logic, the Man behind the curtain (whomever that may be) has junked the Scarecrow (Jorge), the Cowardly Lion (Denys), and the Tin Man (Grant) who so valiantly gave them a week 9 win against the Kingfishers… in hopes that Dorothy and the Wicked Witch will shake up their opponents enough to allow Toto to bite his in the @#$%.

True, the Wicked Witch is Boston’s secret weapon here. He (not all witches are she) often intimidates, via ethereal comments before the game, and walks to the board with a Psycho advantage of the first order… hard to combat black magic. Look for the Wizard to play the same shaky stuff he has played all season, and perhaps pull off a nice trick at the end.

As for the girl and her dog, who knows… Vadim, are you wearing your Ruby Slippers?

Not to be overly dramatic, but this week is special as Blitz manager (and spiritual leader) Jorge Sammour-Hasbun returns to the lineup for a pivotal battle against the Carolina Cobras. If you remember, Jorge was severely battered last year in his battle with the Balrog… but, we all know he will bring back the magic as Jorge the White gathers the forces of Good to face the Dark Lord’s pit vipers.

Over the top?… nonsense!… We have our Mojo back.

This match is a must win for the Blitz if they hope to compete for the Eastern crown. So, strap on the Mithril guys… and take no prisoners.

Board 1 – IM Jonathan Schroer (CAR) vs. GM Larry Christiansen (BOS)
Expect a quiet 1.d4 d5 Semi-Slav here… Who am I kidding! But, Larry, for the sake of the fans… it wouldn’t hurt to see 20 moves of GM theory. Dream on… we will be out of the book by move 6… the over/under in Vegas… 1.d4 d6 and who knows.

Board 2 — SM Jorge Sammour-Hasbun (BOS) vs. NM Carlito Agner (CAR)
NM Agner will need the Dark Lord’s invisibility ring if he hopes to pull off a 1.e4 d6 hide behind my pawns defense against Jorge the White’s “What a @#$%?”, rip your heart out, attacking style. We know this one will be interesting… to say the least.

Board 3 — NM Udayan Bapat (CAR) vs NM Vadim Martirosov (BOS)
Strangely, I would say that Vadim has been the glue of the team this year. His steady play has brought the team some stability that is sorely needed. (Leave the craziness to Marc and Larry) Let’s say 1.e4 e5… and this time Vadim will press a little… a Center Counter… just kidding… steady as she goes.

Board 4 — NM Evan Rabin (BOS) vs. Richard Herbst (CAR)
Evan was a little nervous in his week 5 season debut and this showed in his advantage slipping away to a tough draw. You can bet that he is itching to prove himself and I fully expect a cleaner performance this time around. But, without much track record on his opponent… Let’s go with 1.e4 c5 and a quiet Sicilian… Not!!

No pressure guys… but the fate of Middle Earth is in your hands. Don’t drop the ball… or the Ring in this case… unless, of course, you drop it into the fire of Mount Doom.

If a draw is like kissing your sister, then what are the chances of eight people kissing their sisters on the same night? Not very good you say?… Well, you obviously had to be there to see such a disgusting puckering of the lips as the Boston Blitz and the New Jersey Knockouts played to a (2 – 2) match draw.

Really, you have to wonder, how often is a match draw made up of all four boards making a draw?… at least this is what I wondered. So, I went back and looked at this years previous encounters and this is what I found… of the 56 matches this season, 13 have been draws and only 2 were draws where all four boards ended peacefully. The other 4 draw match being Philly and Baltimore in week 4. This means nothing really… except that I got to see a very rare event.

USCL team chess is definitely not your typical GM tournament kiss your sister and say goodnight chess… 43 decisive matches and only 13 draws… and of those draws only two were draw draws, if you know what I mean.

And even this match was a knock-down, drag-out slugfest… as, I suspect, was Philly-Baltimore. There can be no more entertaining chess than a USCL match… That’s why I show up every week… just take a look, and I am sure you’ll agree as Boston’s top board plays inane and insane fantasy chess… and befuddles his GM opponent for our first draw of the night.


GM Larry Christiansen (BOS) vs. GM Joel Benjamin (NJ) – Board 1

“There are two types of sacrifices: correct ones and mine.” — GM Mikhail Tal

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 Qb6 4.Nc3 dxe4 5.fxe4 e5 6.dxe5 Bc5 7.Bc4…
I doubt that GM Benjamin saw this one coming… nor did anyone else out there in the ethers.
7.Nf3 Bf2+ 8.Ke2 Be6 9.Qd3 a5 (9…Na6 10.Na4 Qa5 11.Kxf2 Qxa4 12.b3 Qa5
13.Bd2) 10.Be3 Bxe3 11.Qxe3 Qxe3+ 12.Kxe3 Nd7 White is better.
7…Bxg1 8.Qf3 Be6 9.Bxe6 fxe6
Of course, no one could take their eyes off of Larry’s board at this point.
I had an image of people all over the internet focusing their attention to this game as
word spread of some insane chess going on in Boston.

Position after 9… fxe6

Now What?… was the question in our minds.
10.Bg5?!…
An unbelievable move… not the best… and even losing. Yet, no less astounding.

“You must take your opponent into a deep dark forest where 2+2=5, and the path leading out is only wide enough for one.” — GM Mikhail Tal

In the other room, Marc Esserman was raving about a move he found.
The following incredible analysis fully justifies Larry’s instincts…
10.Ne2!! Ne7 11.Rxg1 Rf8 12.Qe3 Na6 13.Rf1 Qa5+ 14.Bd2 Rxf1+ 15.Kxf1 Qxe5 16.Qd4… White is better.

Analysis Position after 16…Qd4

10…Qf2+?

“A good sacrifice is one that is not necessarily sound but leaves your opponent dazed and confused” — Rudolp Spielmann

Clearly shaken by the unorthodox position on the board, GM Benjamin misses a computer discovered win.
10…Nh6!! 11.0–0–0 Nf7 12.Rhxg1 Nxg5 13.Qg3 Nf7 14.Ne2 Nd7 15.Nf4 0–0–0 16.Nxe6 Rdg8 17.Rgf1 Nfxe5 Black is a solid piece up.

Analysis Position after 17…Nfxe5

I must say that this game is no less amazing to me for having this flaw. I find the art of chess sacrifice to be as much psychological as analytical… don’t you?
11.Qxf2 Bxf2+ 12.Kxf2 Nd7 13.Ne2 Nxe5= 14.Nd4 Nf6 15.Rhe1 Kf7 16.Nf3 Nxf3 17.gxf3 e5 18.Red1 Rhd8 19.a4 Ke6 20.Be3 Ne8 21.Ke2 Nd6 22.b3 Rd7 23.h4 a6 24.h5 Rf8 25.Rg1 Ne8 26.Rg3 Nf6 27.Rg5 h6 28.Rf5 Nh7 29.Rxf8 Nxf8 30.Bf2 Nh7 31.Bh4 Kf7 32.Rg1 Rd6 33.Ke3 Rd7 34.a5 Ke6 35.Rg6+ Kf7 36.Rg1 Ke6 37.b4 Kf7 38.c3 Ke6 39.Rg6+ [39.f4 exf4+ 40.Kxf4 Rf7+ 41.Ke3 Rd7 42.Rg4 Kf7 43.e5 Nf8 44.Ke4 Rd1 45.Rf4+ Kg8 46.Be7 Nd7 47.Rf5 Re1+ 48.Kd4 g5 49.hxg6 Kg7 50.Bd6 Kxg6 51.Rf4 h5 52.c4 White is only slightly better.] 39…Kf7 40.Rg1 Ke6 41.Ke2 Kf7 42.Ke3 Ke6 Game drawn by repetition ½–½

Another amazing game from Boston’s only GOTW winner this year.
Boston (0.5 – 0.5)

Now on to the more mundane… but no less combative, board 3 struggle as Vadim tries to strangle his opponent with a Maroczy thin wire… an ugly death for any chess player.

NM Vadim Martirosov (BBOS) vs. IM Albert Kapengut (NJ) – Board 3

“If your oponent cannot do anything active, then don’t rush the position; instead you should let him sit there, suffer, and beg you for a draw.” — IM Jeremy Silman

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4…
Yuck! The Maroczy.
5…Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Ng4 8.Qxg4 Nxd4 9.Qd1 Ne6 10.Rc1 b6 11.Be2 Bb7 12.Qd2 0–0 13.Nd5…
13.f3 f5 14.exf5 Rxf5 15.Nd5 =
13…Nc5 14.f3 a5
14…f5 15.b4 Ne6 16.0–0 is better for White as his queenside is rolling.
15.0–0 f5 16.exf5?!…
16.Bg5 Bxd5 17.cxd5 fxe4 18.d6 with the initiative
16…gxf5?!
I believe this is the root of all Black’s real problems… and possibly should be the losing move.

Position After 16…gxf5?!

The old Chess maxim… always capture toward the center… Strange how it just doesn’t apply in these complex strategical type openings… and it’s almost always a mistake when I do it in any game. Black is now forced to concede the two Bishops.
Better was… 16…Rxf5 17.Bg5 Bxd5 18.cxd5 Bxb2=
17.Bg5 Rf7 18.Rfe1 Bxd5 19.cxd5 Qb8 20.Bc4+- b5 21.Bf1 Qb6 22.Kh1 [22.Be3 d6 23.Bxc5 dxc5 24.Re6 Qa7 25.Bxb5 Is winning for White] 22…e5 23.dxe6 Nxe6 24.Qd5 Rb8 25.Be3 Qb7 26.Red1 [Better is... 26.Qd2 a4 27.Bc5 Rc8 28.Bd6] 26…Bxb2 27.Rb1 Qxd5 28.Rxd5 Bc3 29.Rbxb5 Rxb5 30.Rxb5 Kg7 31.Bd3 f4 32.Bb6 a4 33.Rd5 a3 [33...Bb4 34.Bb5 d6 35.Bxa4] 34.Bb5 Nf8 35.Bc5 Bb2
White has been torturing his opponent with his two Bishops… but, now becomes impatient.

Position after 35…Bb2

36.Bxf8+?…
This throws away the win. He needs to let him “sit and suffer”.
White should proceed with the two Bishop torture… 36.Bb4… (So that, if 36… Ne6 37.Rxd7… wins) 36…Rf6 37.Kg1 h6 38.Kf1 Kf7 39.Bxd7 Nxd7 40.Rxd7+ Ke6 41.Rd6+… is winning for White.(40…Kg8 41.Rd6)

Analysis Position after 41…Rd6+

“The tactician must know what to do whenever something needs doing; the stategist must know what to do when nothing needs doing”
– Savielly Tartakover

36…Kxf8 37.Bxd7 Re7 38.h4 Re1+ 39.Kh2 Ra1 40.Be6 Ke7 41.Bg8 Rxa2 42.Ra5 Ra1 43.Bxh7 Bf6 44.h5 a2 45.Bg8 Rh1+ 46.Kxh1 a1Q+ 47.Rxa1 Bxa1 48.h6 Kf6 49.h7 Kg7 50.g3 fxg3 51.f4 Bd4 52.Kg2 Be3 53.Kxg3 Bxf4+ Game drawn by mutual agreement ½–½

All in all, a very good game by Vadim. He was never in danger and played for a win from the good side of a draw.
Boston (1 – 1)

But, Denys has his own ideas about draws… he finds them in places no other player would even look.

GM Boris Gulko (NJ) vs. SM Denys Shmelov (BOS) – Board 2

“Some part of a mistake is always correct.” — Savielly Tartakover

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 b6 5.Nge2 c5 6.a3 Ba5 7.Rb1 Na6 8.d5 Bb7 9.g3 exd5 10.Bg2 0–0 11.0–0 Bxc3 12.Nxc3 Nc7 13.cxd5 d6 14.e4 Nd7 Black is worse. 15.Re1 b5 16.b4…

Black is struggling, no doubt… but, such is the nature of Denys as Black.
Position after 16.b4…

16…cxb4?!
I believe that after this move Black is losing.
16…c4 seems better, although White still has a large advantage. 17.f4…
17.axb4 Re8 18.Bf1 a6 19.Bb2 Ne5 20.f4 Nc4 21.Bxc4 bxc4 22.Qd4 f6 23.Qxc4 Nb5 24.Nxb5 axb5 25.Qd4 [25.Qxb5 Ba6 26.Qc6 Bd3] 25…Qd7
White is sitting on a wonderful position and he is a pawn up. But, he now becomes impatient and tries to force the win.

Position after 25…Qd7

This is the type of position that, in his younger days, GM Gulko would just suffocate his opponent.
26.Rbd1?!…
The beginning of a bad plan.
26.Rbc1 Rac8 27.Qd3 Re7 28.Kf2 Rxc1 29.Rxc1 Qh3 30.Kg1 Qd7 Makes progress. But the win is still a ways off.
26…Rac8 27.e5?!…
White is not ready for this. The game will be close to equal now.
27…fxe5 28.fxe5 dxe5 29.Rxe5 Rxe5 30.Qxe5 Re8 31.Qd4 Re7

Position after 31…Re7

“Before the endgame, the Gods have placed the middle game. ”
– Siegbert Tarrasch

White still has chances, but the technique is now difficult.
32.Qb6?…
32.Qd3 Preventing the Rook intrusion and keeping an eye on the b-pawn is best.
32…Re2= 33.Bc3 Bxd5 34.Qb8+ Kf7 35.Qf4+ Kg8 36.Qb8+ Kf7 37.Qf4+ Kg8 38.Qb8+ Game drawn by repetition ½–½

And another one bytes the dust… Another draw that is…
Boston (1.5 – 1.5)

Well that’s about it for my analysis. There was another game, I think. Oh yeah, on 4th board… Ilya vs Anna Matline… but, they played like Monkeys throwing poop at each other. Just remember, Ilya…

“The hardest game to win is a won game.” — Emanuel Lasker

And now for the philosophical part of our show…

“The chess-board is the world; the pieces are the phenomenon of the universe; the rules of the game are what we call the laws of nature. The player on the other side is hidden from us. We know that his play is always fair, just, and patient. But also we know, to our cost, that he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance.”
– T.H. Huxley
I think he’s talking about Kasparov… I’m not sure.