Kid's Night 031218 - A Success!

A game of chess at your favorite pub is always a good time.

Fourteen players were on hand for this week's Kid's night - including newcomers - Jack, Moe, Kathee and Doug. Welcome to LCCC!

Our Fischer Random 960 tournament - Round 3 will continue next week (we hope). Two games yet to be played in Round 3:

Board 1: Vince V vs Don M
Board 2: Jake P vs Ken T

We look forward to those big games! Be at the club to watch first hand or play the other members hanging around waiting for Round 4.

Here is the end of an entertaining game played by a club member against Niko from Russia - on line. The loser shall go nameless due to the un-grandmaster like moves played. Even the initials (MN) of the loser will not be disclosed.
Nope, sorry, begging won't help. Journalist never reveals any information about their sources.

Position after Black's 17th move.

18. b4?          ........
The first outright blunder of the game. White had maintained his positional advantage based on having the first move - up until this point. But now Black has the equivalent of a one pawn lead positionally (-1).
White would have served himself well to take the time to move his King out of the X-ray pin of Black's rook on g8 with 18. Kh1 and equality.

18. ......          cxb4
19. cxb4        Bxb4
20. Rec1        Kb7
21. Rab1        Bd6
Black misses the better 21. Bxd2, 22. Qxd4, Nf5. But time pressure has both players missing the best moves here.

22. Nb3           Ka8
23. Nc5           bxc5
24. dxc5          Be7
25. c6              Qe8??
This move spoils Black's game and a sure draw or possible win due to time pressure and a slightly better position. Now White cleans up quickly (+4).

26. Rb7           Bd6??
Black obviously shaken, does not find the only hope in 26. .....Rb8.

27. Rxa7         Kb8
And 27. .......Kxa7 will not save Black either - mate in twelve.

28. Qb2+         Black resigns

Oh well. Set them up again!