2018 Fischer Randon Tourney Continued 030518 - Kid's Night Next Week!

Chess is relaxing.....and challenging at the same time!

Another fun night of chess at the Club. We had ten players visit tonight - including the return of John R!, who has been missing due to a new house purchase and other life issues.
Glad to see you back 'home' at the club John!

Be sure to bring the young ones to the Club next Monday - as it is Kid's Night. All members will be available to coach or instruct beginner players - or just play chess games.It's always a good time for the kids and the parents! Stop on in.

Now for an interesting game played at the 2016 Washington International Chess Tournament. The 15 year old American International Master (IM) Nicolas Checa is facing Grandmaster (GM) Ilya Smirin of Israel in the third round!
The Belarus born and Russian trained Smirin moved to Israel, and has won an Olympic bronze medal. His rating peaked at 2701 in 2001, and has been a tough opponent at the highest level of chess competition.
This would be a daunting challenge for any player to face. Let's see what happens:

White: (IM) Nicolas Checa, USA
Black: (GM) Ilya Smirim, Israel
Opening: King's Indian Defense: Classical

1. d4            Nf6
2. Nf3          g6
3. c4            Bg7
4. Nc3         d6
GM Smirin is a legendary expert in the King's Indian Defense and has written a best selling book on this very opening!

5. e4            O-O
6. Be2         Nbd7
Smirin goes for a side line. The main line is 6. ...e5  7. O-O, Nc6 8. d5, Ne7

7. O-O         a5
8. Be3         h6?!
Not normal and not the best. Smirin may not have been eager to see how well his young opponent is prepared for his pet line. Never the less, Smirin is very well aware he is making a risky decision.  The move prevents an intrusion to g5, but it doesn't help Black's cramped position. 8. ....Qe7 was best. Will Checa see that? White has a lead of one pawn (+1).

9. dxe5        dxe5

Position after Black's 9th move.

This move by Black is forced or Smirin is in deep trouble. The other capture 9. ....Nxe5? 10. Nxe5, dxe5 11. Qc1!

10. h3?!          c6?
This move by White prevents ....Ng4 but it was a serious waste of time that should have cost him his advantage. But Black plays the wrong queen-side pawn forward. Correct was 10. ....b6 to free the bishop. The text move doesn't help Black's position. White's lead grows to (+1.6).

11. Qc1        Kh7
12. Rd1       Qe7
13. c5!         Nh5
14. Rd6?      Nf4?!
15. Bc4       Nf6
16. Bxf4      exf4
17. Qxf4      Nd7
18. Qe3       b6?

This is definitely a serious mistake by Smirin, which returns White's advantage to close to (+2). Necessary was 18. ....Ne5 to hold the game.

19. Rad1     Nxc5
There was nothing wrong with White playing 19. Rxc6, Bxc3 20. e5 and White is a healthy pawn up.

20. e5          Qc7
21. Ne4       Nxe4
22. Qxe4     Bf5?
The game is just over now. White has a (+2.5) lead, which is nuclear in the hands of a chess master. Smirin needed to play 22. .....Qe7.

23. Qh4!      Rae8
24. e6!         fxe6??
Panic in a lost position. White's advantage is now (+8.5).

25. Rd7       Qc8

Position after Black's 25th move

 The final blow is next in the form of a deflection of Black's queen.

26. Ba6!      Qxa6
27. Ng5+      Resigns

In lieu of
27. ......        Kh8
28. Rxg7!    Kxg7
29. Rd7+     Kf6
30. Nh7+     Ke5
31. Qd4 ++

A memorable game early in the career of this emerging American prodigy. It is not everyday a player of Smirin's caliber loses a game like this.