Open Chess 021317 - Action Tournament Concludes Next Week

#2 in the world - USA's Fabiano Caruana

We had open chess this week and it was a nice evening of chess and conversation.

Next week our Action Tournament will be concluded. But don't worry if you are looking for an opponent or a lesson. There are always other members around to offer either.

Here we have an entertaining game from our Action Tournament. Now this is a tournament in which each player has 30 minutes on his clock. This faster time limit usually leads to exciting games, with plenty of errors [according to the computer Grandmaster Igor3000], especially near the end of the game.

But those small errors do not mean the game was not well played or very spirited. This game was both!

Paul M vs Vince V, LCCC Action Tournament 2017, Round 2, 30 minute game - 5 second delay.
A05: Reti Opening - Notes by Igor3000

1. Nf3        Nc6
2. g3          Nf6
3. d3          e5
4. Bg2       Bg2
5. O-O       h6
6. e4          O-O
7. c3          d6
8. a4          a5
9. Nbd2     Re8
10. Re1      Be6
11. Nf1      Bg4
12. Ne3     Bh5
The game is even at this point.

13. Qb3        Qd7
14. h3         Bxf3
15. Bxf3      g6??

Position after Black played 16. ........g6??

This gives White strong winning chances. Better for Black was 15. ......Qxh3, 16. Qxb7 Ne7 which is much closer to even than the text move (+1.7 of a pawn lead for White).

16. Ng4       ..........
White avoids the poison pawn of 16. Qxb7??, Bxe3 17. Qb3, Bxc1 18. Rexc1, Rab8 and Black has a won game (-5).

16. ......        Nxg4
17. Bxg4     Qe7
18. Bxh6      Qf6
19. Be3       b6?
Needed was 19. ....Nd8. Now White is dominating with a (+3.8 pawn advantage). But now the moves come faster as time is winding down. White begins to give back the advantage he has built.

20. Qd1?      ..........
White missed 20. Bd7 which secures the win. Now a series of 2nd and 3rd best moves by both sides as clock time is winding down.

20. .......        Rad8
21. Qe2        Kg7
22. Kg2       Qe7
23. h4          Rh8?
24. Rh1?     Rdg8
25. Raf1      Qd8
26. Qd2        d5
27. d4          exd4
28. Bxd4=?  .........
This error throws away the last chance for a win. 28. cxd4 and is becomes clear that White will call all the shots after .....Be7, 29. e5. Instead the game is even with very little time on either clock.

28. ........      Nxd4
29. cxd4      dxe4
30. Rd1       Bb4
Draw agreed to. Exciting game gentlemen!