R ank & File

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 VOLUME XXX, NO. 5 $3.00

IM Enrico Sevillano IM Jack Peters 6½-½ Julian Landaw

2007 SCCF State Championship IM Tim Taylor Ron Hermansen

Reynaldo del Pilar John Daniel Bryant

John Funderburg 5th Annual Western Pacific Open October 19-21, 2007 $10,000 Prize Fund (based on 200 players, 50% of each prize guaranteed) at the LAX Hilton Open 5711 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles CA 1st: $1600 90045 2nd-5th: $1000-$800-$400-$200 Five Rounds — Swiss System U2400: $300 3-day schedule 40/2, SD/1; 2-day schedule rounds 1-2 G/75 U2300: $200 U2200: $700-$500- $300 Entry Fees:  Open $83 if received by 10-18, $95 at door Premier (U2000) $83 by 10-18, $95 at door Premier Amateur (U1400) $67 by 10-18, $80 door (Under 2000) $700-$500-$300-$100 SCCF membership required of rated state residents ($14, U1800: $400-$200- $100 jr. $9) U1600: $400-$200- $100 Registration: 5:30-6:30 p.m. 10-19, 8:30-10 a.m. 10-20  Rounds: 3-day 7 p.m., 11-5:30, 10-4:30; 2-day 10:30- 1:30 Saturday (G/75), then merges Amateur (Under 1400/Unrated) Entries: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Place #1, Los Angeles, CA 90038 $$ T+400-$200-$100 U1200: T+$100 HR: $104 single or double. (310) 410-4000. Be sure to mention Western . Unrated: T+$100  Parking $9/day Best Game Prize: $25 (all sections On-line entry, advance entry lists: eligible) www.westernchess.com

2 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 AroundAround thethe NNationation

new titles, apparently as the result and value of these new offices re- Attention of a power-sharing compromise. Su- mains to be determined. Players san Polgar was named Chairman, Joel Channing Vice President for 2008 will bring a great new op- Business Development, Paul Tru- portunity for juniors. By playing ong Vice President for Marketing U.S. Senior Open in “adult” (also known as “mixed”) and Communications, and Randy The USCF held its 27th U.S. Se- tournaments that are announced in Hough Vice President (Vice Presi- nior Open Chess Championship at and pulling upsets, you’ll dent for Secretary?) The function the La Quinta Resort & Club lo- be able to earn points in a new Grand Prix. This competition will offer thousands of dollars worth of chess merchandise and other prizes. Look for details in Chess Life (prob- CONTENTSONTENTS ably the October issue) and the next issue of Chess Life for Kids. — Ran- dy Hough AROUNDAROUND THETHE NATIONNATION ...... 3 22007007 SSCCFCCF SSTATETATE CHAMPIONSHIPCHAMPIONSHIP ...... 5 ONTENTS USCF Election: Here 47TH47TH AANNUALNNUACL comes the new boss A ROUNDPPACIFICACIFI CTHE SOUTHWESTSO UNTATIONHWES T. . O. . . .PENP . . E. . N...... 11131 ST NNUAL MATEUR EAM Four new members were elected PPACI21ACIFICF IAC CCOASTOAST U.S.OOPENPEN A ...... T 1313 to the USCF’s Executive Board in WEST ...... 5 July. Results were as follows: TDTD CCORNORNERER 1414 Susan Polgar 3004 TACTICSTWAESTERNCTICS CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS ...... 10 Randy Bauer 2325 TACTICSbyby TIMIM HANKSANKS ...... 15 Paul Truong 2056 (all elected to 4-year terms) SSTATE T byAT ETim CHAMPIONSHIPCH HanksAMPION . S. .H . . .I .P . . . Q. . . .UALIFIERSU . . A. . L. . I. .F . .I . E. . R. . .S ...... 1219 Jim Berry 2026 (1-year term) HHEREEERERE && THERET THHEREERE Stephen Jones 1774 ClubCClublub news,new news,s, locallocal tournaments,t olocalurnam etournaments,nts, Mikhail Korenman 1648 scholscholaasticstic eeventsvents aandnd moremore ...... 2020 Don Schultz 1580 scholastic events ...... 15 Joe Lux 1231 THEHE LLONGONG VVIEWIEW Sam Sloan 677 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS ...... 19 byby JOHNOHN HILLERYILLERY ...... 2323 Mike Goodall 482 GAMES FROM RECENT EVENTS ...... 21 At its first meeting, the new EB GGAAMMESES FROMFROM REECENTCENT EEVENTSVENTS ...... 24 HE IGHTER IDE ...... re-elected Bill Goichberg as Presi- T L S 24 UUPCOMINGPCOMING EVENEVENTSTS ...... 26 dent, and Randy Hough as Secre- UPCOMING EVENTS ...... 26 tary. Randy Bauer is the new Vice CCHESSHESS QQUIZUIZ ...... 28 President for Finance (the office CHESS QUIZ...... 24 formerly known as Treasurer.) In addition, the Board created several

3 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 cated in La Quinta (Palm Springs), Class E: Gabriel Usher Tkach. California from August 14 19. Forty- 4-5. Southern California Chess five “over 50” players participated Below Class E & Unrated: Ian Federation from all across the United States. Morton and Donald Anthony Car- President Joel Johnson of Arizona, rated relli, 4½-4½. Joe Hanley Vice President Elliot Landaw 2243, took the title with a 5½-½ Top Southern California per- Secretary Chuck Ensey score. Five other masters tied for formers were IM Enrico Sevillano, Treasurer John Hillery second with 4½: James Eade, Stane Derek Tan, and John Rinaldo, with Executive Board Karafiloski, IM Walter Shipman, 6½-2½. Randy Hough Lester Van Meter and Robert Row- A complete list of the Final Mike Nagaran ley. Standings can be found at: http:// Rick Aeria Additional details may be found www.monroi.com/tournamentgate/ Jim Bullock at the official website, www.us- 07USOpen/standings.html. Ivona Jezierska chess.org/tournaments/2007/senior. — USCF news release Ron Rezendes Essam Mohamed Carol Jarecki directed, with the Takashi Iwamoto assistance of Charles Hatherhill. GM Alexander Shabalov – IM — USCF news release Amon Simutowe Rank & File US Open, Cherry Hill 2007 Editor John Hillery B12 CARO-KANN DEFENSE, Ad- 835 N. Wilton Pl. # vance Variation Los Angeles CA 90038 US Open: Lucky Seven 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nd2 e6 [email protected] The 2007 U.S. Open Chess took 5.Nb3 Nd7 6.Nf3 a5 7.a4 Bb4+ 8.c3 place at at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Be7 9.Be2 Qb6 10.0–0 h5 11.c4 dxc4 Publisher David Argall in Cherry Hill, New Jersey from 12.Nbd2 Bd3 13.Bxd3 cxd3 14.Nc4 Contributing Editors July 28 through August 5. This Qa6 15.b3 Nb6 16.Qxd3 Nh6 17.Bg5 Jack Peters year’s event drew 414 players. Nf5 18.Bxe7 Kxe7 19.Rac1 Kf8 Tim Hanks The 9 round event was won by 20.Qe4 Nd5 21.Ng5 Rd8 22.Qf3 Rd7 Al Pena seven co-champions who all tied 23.Rfd1 Kg8 24.Ne3 Nde7 25.Nxf5 Contributors with 7½-1½ scores. The 2007 U.S. Nxf5 Chuck Ensey Open plaque was awarded to GM Randy Hough XIIIIIIIIY Cyrus Lakdawala , who won on tie-break. Michael Angelo Purcell Congratulations to the “lucky” sev- 9-+-+-+ktr0 en: Boris Gulko, Alexander Sha- 9+p+r+pzp-0 Subscriptions/Address Changes balov, Sergey Kudrin, Benjamin 9q+p+p+-+0 Randy Hough, Membership Secretary Finegold, Michael Rohde, Michael P.O. Box 205 Mulyar and Anton Del Mundo. 9zp-+-zPnsNp0 Monterey Park CA 9754 Class prize winners were: 9P+-zP-+-+0 (626) 282-742 Master: Antonio Del Mundo, 7½- 9+P+-+Q+-0 [email protected] 1½. Rank & File — ISSN 8750-964 USPS Expert: Andy May and Abby 9-+-+-zPPzP0 738-230, published bimonthly by the Marshall, 7-2. 9+-tRR+-mK-0 Southern California Chess Federation, 300 Class A: Naor Brown, 7-2. xiiiiiiiiy Ballista, La Puente CA 9744. Periodical Class B: Lamont Rogers and Continued on page 14 ... postage paid at Industry, CA. POSTMAS- Evan B. Ames, 5½-3½. TER: Send changes of address to SCCF, Class C: Megan Lee, 5½-3½. Photos: Cover: Chris Roberts. p. 11: John PO Box 205, Monterey Park CA 9754. Class D: Michael Radler, Dean Hillery. Pp. 22, 23, 25: San Diego Chess Subscriptions: $4 adult, $9 junior. Club. Brown and Thomas Stanics, 4½- Copyright © SCCF 2007. One-time only 4½. publication rights have been obtained from signed contributors. All other rights are hereby assigned to the authors. The opinions Advertising Rates: Full page $80, half page expressed are strictly those of the contribu- $45, 1/4 page $25, 1/8 page $15, back cover (3/4 tors and do not necessarily reflect the views page) $80. (All rates are for camera-ready copy.) SCCF Online Flyer insert $50 (advertiser must supply flyers). The SCCF Web of the SCCF, its officers or members. 50% discount for tournaments requiring SCCF membership. Display ads should be sent to the page is located at: Editor, flyers to the Publisher (addresses at right). Payment should be sent with order to the Editor. www.scchess.com SCCF reserves the right to reject any advertising.

4 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 2007 sccf state championship

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 IM Enrico Sevillano * 1 1 1 1 ½ 1 1 6½ 2 Julian Landaw 0 * ½ 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 4½ 3 IM Jack Peters 0 ½ * ½ 1 0 1 1 4.0 4 IM Tim Taylor 0 0 ½ * 1 1 0 1 3½ 5 Ron Hermansen 0 ½ 0 0 * 1 1 1 3½ 6 John Daniel Bryant ½ 0 1 0 0 * 1 0 2½ 7 John Funderburg 0 0 0 1 0 0 * 1 2.0 8 Reynaldo del Pilar 0 ½ 0 0 0 1 0 * 1½

he 19th annual SCCF State Championship, held July 7-15 IM Tim Taylor (2441) – John Dan- Tat the Century City law offices of Cheong, Denove, Rowell & iel Bryant (2240) Bennett, once again brought together Southern California’s top SCCF State Championship, Los players and a selection of promising challengers. Angeles 2007 E79 ’S INDIAN DEFENSE, Four Taking clear with a dominating Be3 a6 5. Nf3 Nd7 6. Be2 b5 7. a4 Pawns Attack 6½-½ was last year’s co-champion b4 8. Nd5 c5 9. 0–0 e6 10. Nf4 Bb7 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 IM Enrico Sevillano. Notable this 11. dxc5 dxc5 12. Qd6 Rc8 13. Rad1 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 0–0 6. f4 c5 7. Nf3 year was the success of the younger Rc6 14. Qd2 Bxb2 15. Bc4 Qc7 16. cxd4 8. Nxd4 Nc6 9. Be3 Ng4 10. generation, as Julian Landaw, 16, Ng5 Ngf6 17. Nfxe6 fxe6 18. Nxe6 Bxg4 Bxg4 11. Nxc6 Qd7 12. Nxe7+ finished clear second with 4½, and Qb6 19. a5 Qxa5 20. Bg5 Bc3 21. Kh8 13. Nxg6+ fxg6 14. Qd3 Rac8 John Daniel Bryant, 15, also per- Qf4 Be5 22. Qh4 Qb6 15. 0–0 a6 16. Bd4 Be6 17. Nd5 b5 formed creditably. XIIIIIIIIY 18. cxb5 Qxb5 19. Bxg7+ Kxg7 20. John Hillery directed. Special 9-+-+k+-tr0 Qd4+ Kh6 21. Rac1 Bxd5 22. exd5 thanks are owed to John Rowell, who Qe2 23. Rc6 Rfe8 24. f5 Re4 25. Qc3 provided the playing site, and to all 9+l+n+-+p0 Rce8 26. Qc1+ Kh5 27. Rc3 Re3 28. who donated to support this event. 9pwqr+Nsnp+0 Rxe3 Rxe3 29. f6 Re8 30. Qd1 Qxd1 Happily, this year’s fund-raising ef- 9+-zp-vl-vL-0 31. Rxd1 Rf8 32. Rf1 Rf7 33. b4 g5 fort covered the cost of the Champi- 34. a4 Kg6 35. b5 axb5 36. axb5 h6 onship and left a modest surplus for 9-zpL+P+-wQ0 37. g4 Kh7 38. b6 Kg8 39. Rc1 1–0 next year, but a vigorous fund-rais- 9+-+-+-+-0 ing effort will still be essential. IM Enrico Sevillano (2567) 9-+P+-zPPzP0 – Julian Landaw (2307) Reynaldo del Pilar (2307) – Ron 9+-+R+RmK-0 SCCF State Championship, Los Hermansen (2295) xiiiiiiiiy Angeles 2007 SCCF State Championship, Los C96 , Chigorin De- Angeles 2007 23. Rxd7 Nxd7 24. Bd8 Rxe6 25. fense B06 PIRC-ROBATSCH DEFENSE Bxb6 Rxb6 26. Rd1 Rf6 27. Qh3 Bc6 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. 0–1 Ba4 Nf6 5. 0–0 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. Re1

5 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 d6 8. c3 0–0 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 16. Qb3 Nxe2+ 17. Kf1 Qxb3 18. XIIIIIIIIY 11. d4 cxd4 12. cxd4 Qc7 13. Nc3 h6 Nxb3 Rc3 19. Nbd2 Nxd4 20. Rxe7 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 e4 16. Bxe4 Nxf3 21. Nxf3 Bc6 22. Rd1 Bf6 23. 9-+-+-+-+0 f5 17. Bd3 Bb7 18. Qe2 Rf7 19. Qe6 Re3 d5 24. Be5 Rxe3 25. fxe3 Bxa4 9zp-+r+ptR-0 Raf8 20. Bd2 Nc4 21. Rac1 Qb8 22. 26. Rxd5 Rd8 27. Rxd8+ Bxd8 28. 9-+p+-zP-mk0 Bxc4 bxc4 23. Rxc4 Qa8 Bd4 a6 29. Bc3 Kf8 30. Kf2 Ke7 31. 9+-zP-zp-+p0 XIIIIIIIIY Ne5 Bb5 32. e4 b6 33. axb6 Bxb6+ 34. Kf3 Ke6 35. Ng4 a5 36. Nf6 9-zP-+N+-vl0 9q+-+-trk+0 XIIIIIIIIY 9+K+-+-+-0 9+l+-vlrzp-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9P+-+-+-+0 9p+-zpQ+-zp0 9+-+-+p+p0 9+-+-+-+-0 9+-+P+p+-0 9-vl-+ksNp+0 xiiiiiiiiy 9-+RzP-+-+0 9zpl+-+-+-0 38. Nd6 Rxd6 [38. ... Bxf6 39. 9+-+-+N+P0 Nf5#] 39. cxd6 Bxf6 40. Rxf7 9PzP-vL-zPP+0 9-+-+P+-+0 Kg6 41. Rf8 Kg7 42. Re8 h4 43. 9+-vL-+K+P0 d7 h3 44. d8Q Bxd8 45. Rxd8 9+-+-tR-mK-0 9-+-+-+P+0 e4 46. Rd2 Kf6 47. Rh2 Kf5 48. xiiiiiiiiy Rxh3 Kf4 49. Kc4 e3 50. Kd3 24. Rc6 Bxc6 25. dxc6 Qxc6 26. 9+-+-+-+-0 1–0 Ne5 Qc8 27. Nxf7 Qxe6 28. Nxh6+ xiiiiiiiiy Qxh6 29. Bxh6 Bf6 30. Bf4 Bxd4 31. 36. ... Bd8 37. Nd5 Bc6 38. Nf4+ Bxd6 Rd8 32. Ba3 Rc8 33. Re2 Kf7 Kd6 39. Ke3 Kc5 40. Nd3+ Kc4 41. IM Jack Peters (2450) – Reynal- 34. g3 g5 35. Kg2 Rc6 36. b3 Kf6 37. Bg7 Bb6+ 42. Kd2 Bxe4 43. Ne5+ do del Pilar (2307) Be7+ Kg6 38. Rd2 Be5 39. Rd5 Re6 Kb3 44. Nxf7 Bxg2 45. Ng5 a4 46. SCCF State Championship, Los 40. Bxg5 Bxg3 41. Kxg3 Kxg5 42. f3 Nxh7 a3 47. Ng5 a2 48. Ba1 Ba5+ Angeles 2007 Rb6 43. Ra5 Rd6 44. Ra4 Rb6 45. 49. Kd3 Bf1+ 50. Kd4 Kc2 51. Ne4 B66 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Richter- h4+ Kh5 46. Kf4 Kxh4 47. Kxf5+ Bxh3 52. Nc3 Bxc3+ 53. Bxc3 Kb1 Rauzer Variation Kh5 48. Re4 Rc6 49. Re2 Rc5+ 50. 0–1 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Re5 Rc2 51. Kf4+ 1–0 Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Julian Landaw (2307) – IM Tim Qd2 a6 8. 0–0–0 h6 9. Be3 Be7 10. Ron Hermansen (2295) – IM En- Taylor (2441) Be2 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. Bf3 e5 rico Sevillano (2567) SCCF State Championship, Los 13. Be3 Be6 14. h4 Qa5 15. a3 b4 SCCF State Championship, Los Angeles 2007 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 Rb8 18. Qd3 Angeles 2007 B00 IRREGULAR DEFENSE e4 19. Bxe4 bxa3 20. b3 0–0 21. Bd4 C77 RUY LOPEZ 1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Rfc8 22. Rhe1 Rc7 23. Bf3 Nxd5 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Nc3 Bg4 5. Be3 e5 6. Bb5 Nd7 7. 24. Bxd5 Qxd5 25. Qg3 g6 26. Rxe7 Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. Nc3 d5 Ncb8 8. h3 Bh5 9. g4 Bg6 10. Rxe7 27. Bf6 Qe4 28. Bxe7 Rc8 29. d6 8. Nd5 Na5 9. Nxe7 Qxe7 10. h3 h4 h5 11. g5 c6 12. Bf1 Nb6 13. Qd3 Qxe7 30. Qxa6 Qc7 31. Rd2 h6 11. Bd2 Nxb3 12. axb3 Nh7 13. Qd3 N8d7 14. 0–0–0 Be7 15. Bh3 Qc5 g4 Nf8 14. Qe2 c5 15. Be3 Ne6 16. 0–0 16. Nd2 Nc5 17. Bxc5 dxc5 XIIIIIIIIY Kf1 Bb7 17. Rg1 g6 18. Ne1 h5 19. 18. dxc6 Qxd3 19. cxd3 bxc6 20. g5 d5 20. Nf3 dxe4 21. Nxe5 Qc7 22. Nc4 Nxc4 21. dxc4 Rad8 22. Bf5 9-+r+-+k+0 f4 exf3 23. Nxf3 0–0 24. Nh4 Qe5 Rd4 23. b3 Bxf5 24. exf5 Rxh4 9+-+-+p+-0 25. Bc1 Qd4 26. Qf2 Rae8 27. Nf3 25. Rxh4 Bxg5+ 26. Kc2 Bxh4 9Q+-zp-+pzp0 Qxf2+ 28. Kxf2 f6 0–1 27. Ne4 Bd8 28. Nxc5 Bb6 29. Ne4 Bd4 30. c5 g6 31. f6 Kh7 9+-wq-+-+-0 John Funderburg (2174) – IM 32. Rg1 Kh6 33. b4 Rd8 34. Kb3 9-+-+-+-zP0 Jack Peters (2450) Rd7 35. Rg2 g5 36. Rxg5 Bxf2 37. 9zpP+-+-+-0 SCCF State Championship, Los Rg7 Bh4 Angeles 2007 9-+PtR-zPP+0 A48 9+-mK-+-+-0 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. e3 Bg7 4. xiiiiiiiiy Nf3 0–0 5. h3 d6 6. Be2 c5 7. c3 Nc6 8. Bh2 Bd7 9. 0–0 Rc8 10. Nbd2 32. Qxd6 Qc3 33. Qxa3 Re8 34. cxd4 11. exd4 Na5 12. a4 Nd5 13. Qa6 Re6 35. Qa8+ Kh7 36. Kd1 Re1 Qb6 14. b4 Nxc3 15. bxa5 Qb2 1–0

6 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Bf4 Nd5 12. Bg3 IM Tim Taylor (2441) – Ron Her- a6 13. Nbd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Qf6 15. John Daniel Bryant (2240) – John mansen (2295) Nb3 Ba7 16. Bf3 Rd8 17. Qe2 Nf4 18. Funderburg (2174) SCCF State Championship, Los Qe4 Nd3 19. Rad1 Nxb2 20. Rxd8+ SCCF State Championship, Los Angeles 2007 Qxd8 21. Qe2 Na4 22. Rd1 Qe8 23. Angeles 2007 E76 KING’S INDIAN DEFENSE, Four Qd2 f6 24. Bd6 Bb6 25. c4 Bd7 26. C04 FRENCH DEFENSE, Guimard Pawns Attack c5 Bd8 Subvariation 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6 4. e4 d6 5. f4 0–0 6. Nf3 Na6 7. Bd3 XIIIIIIIIY Ngf3 Nf6 5. e5 Nd7 6. Nb3 Be7 7. Bg4 8. 0–0 Nd7 9. Be3 e5 10. fxe5 c5 9r+-vlq+k+0 Bb5 a5 8. a4 Na7 9. Bd3 b6 10. 0–0 11. dxc5 dxc5 12. Be2 Bxf3 13. gxf3 c5 11. c4 Bb7 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. Nxe5 14. f4 Nc6 15. e5 g5 16. Bd3 9+p+l+-zpp0 Nxc5 Bxc5 14. Qe2 h6 15. cxd5 Bxd5 gxf4 17. Rxf4 Qg5+ 18. Kh1 Nab4 9p+-vLpzp-+0 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Qxe3 0–0 18. Rad1 19. Be4 Nxe5 20. Qe2 Qe7 21. Qh5 9+-zP-+-+-0 Qe7 19. Bb1 Nc6 20. Rfe1 Qb4 f5 22. Rxf5 Rxf5 23. Qxf5 Qh4 9n+-+-+-+0 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9+N+-+L+-0 9r+-+-trk+0 9r+-+-+k+0 9P+-wQ-zPPzP0 9+-+-+pzp-0 9zpp+-+-vlp0 9+-+R+-mK-0 9-zpn+p+-zp0 9-+-+-+-+0 xiiiiiiiiy 9zp-+lzP-+-0 9+-zp-snQ+-0 27. Bxb7 Ra7 28. c6 Bxc6 29. 9Pwq-+-+-+0 9-snP+L+-wq0 Bxc6 Qxc6 30. Bb8 Rf7 31. Qxd8+ 9+-+-wQN+-0 9+-sN-vL-+-0 Rf8 32. Qe7 Qe4 33. Bd6 Rc8 34. Nd4 Nc3 35. Nxe6 Qg6 36. Qd7 Re8 9-zP-+-zPPzP0 9PzP-+-+-zP0 37. Nxg7 Ra8 38. Re1 Ne2+ 39. Kf1 9+L+RtR-mK-0 9tR-+-+-+K0 Nd4 40. Re8+ Rxe8 41. Qxe8+ 1–0 xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy Ron Hermansen (2295) – John 21. Rxd5 exd5 22. e6 Qd6 23. 24. Rg1 Ng6 25. Bg5 Qh5 26. Bf3 Funderburg (2174) exf7+ Rxf7 24. Qd3 g5 25. h4 Nb4 Ne7 27. Qe6+ Qf7 28. Qxf7+ Kxf7 SCCF State Championship, Los 26. Qd4 Rf4 27. Qe3 Raf8 28. hxg5 29. Bxe7 1–0 Angeles 2007 hxg5 29. Nxg5 Rh4 30. g3 Rh6 31. C04 FRENCH DEFENSE, Guimard Ne6 Rxe6 32. Qxe6+ Qxe6 33. Rxe6 John Funderburg (2174) – Julian Subvariation Rc8 34. Bf5 Rc1+ 35. Kg2 Ra1 36. Landaw (2307) 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6 4. b3 Ra3 37. Rxb6 Rxb3 38. Be6+ Kf8 SCCF State Championship, Los Ngf3 Nf6 5. e5 Nd7 6. c3 f6 7. Nh4 39. Bxd5 Ra3 40. Bc6 Ra2 41. Bb5 Angeles 2007 g6 8. Qg4 Qe7 9. Qh3 Bg7 10. f4 Rb2 42. Rb8+ Kg7 43. Ra8 1–0 A48 LONDON SYSTEM Nf8 11. Nhf3 Bd7 12. a4 a5 13. Bd3 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. e3 Bg7 4. 0–0–0 14. 0–0 f5 15. b3 h6 16. Qg3 IM Enrico Sevillano (2567) – Rey- Nf3 d6 5. h3 0–0 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. Bh2 Qf7 17. Ba3 g5 18. b4 axb4 19. cxb4 naldo del Pilar (2307) Re8 8. 0–0 c5 9. c3 b6 10. a4 a6 11. g4 20. Ne1 h5 21. Nb3 h4 22. Qe3 SCCF State Championship, Los Na3 Bb7 12. Nd2 Qc7 13. Bf3 Rad8 Ng6 23. b5 Nb8 24. Rc1 Bf8 25. Bc5 Angeles 2007 14. Bxb7 Qxb7 15. Qf3 d5 16. Nac4 Bxc5 26. Rxc5 b6 27. Rc3 Kb7 28. B14 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Alapin b5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Na5 Qb6 19. a5 Rc8 29. Qc1 c6 30. axb6 Kxb6 31. Variation dxc5 Nxc5 20. Ndb3 Na4 21. Be5 Qa1 1–0 1. e4 c5 2. c3 g6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxb2 22. Rfb1 Na4 23. Nd4 Nxc3 cxd4 d5 5. exd5 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nxd5 7. 24. Rb3 Nfe4 25. Nac6 Nd2 26. Qf4 Julian Landaw (2307) – John Qb3 Nxc3 8. Bc4 Nd5 9. Bxd5 e6 10. Nxb3 0–1 Daniel Bryant (2240) Bxb7 Bxb7 11. Qxb7 Qxd4 12. Bd2 SCCF State Championship, Los Qd5 13. Qxd5 exd5 14. Bc3 d4 15. John Daniel Bryant (2240) – IM Angeles 2007 Bxd4 Bb4+ 16. Kf1 0–0 17. Rc1 Nd7 Jack Peters (2450) B06 PIRC-ROBATSCH DEFENSE 18. Nf3 Rfe8 19. g3 Rac8 20. Kg2 SCCF State Championship, Los 1. e4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. g3 d6 4. Bc5 21. Rhd1 Bxd4 22. Rxc8 Rxc8 Angeles 2007 Bg2 Nf6 5. d3 0–0 6. f4 Nc6 7. Nf3 23. Rxd4 Nb6 24. b3 Rc3 25. Ng5 B22 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Alapin e5 8. 0–0 Be6 9. Nh4 exf4 10. Bxf4 Rc2 26. a4 Ra2 27. Rd8+ Kg7 28. Variation Ng4 11. Nf3 Nd4 12. h3 Nxf3+ 13. Ne4 f5 29. Nd6 Kf6 30. Nc8 Ke5 31. 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 Qxf3 Bd4+ 14. Kh1 Qd7 15. Qe2 Nxa7 Nd5 32. Nc6+ 1–0 4. d4 e6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Be2 Be7 7. Nf6 16. g4 Ne8 17. Be3 c5 18. Bxd4 0–0 0–0 8. Na3 Nc6 9. Nb5 Qd8 cxd4 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 Rc8 21.

7 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 a4 Ng7 22. Rf4 f5 23. Rxd4 Rce8 24. IM Jack Peters (2450) – IM Enrico XIIIIIIIIY Qd2 fxg4 25. Rxg4 Re5 26. Be4 Rh5 Sevillano (2567) 27. Kg2 Nf5 28. Rf1 Qf7 29. Rff4 9r+-+-trk+0 SCCF State Championship, Los Qg7 30. Qf2 Kh8 31. Bxf5 Rhxf5 32. Angeles 2007 9+lwqpvl-zpp0 Rxf5 Rxf5 33. Qxf5 gxf5 34. Rxg7 C84 RUY LOPEZ, Lenzerheide 9-zpn+p+-sn0 Kxg7 Variation 9zp-+-zPp+-0 XIIIIIIIIY 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 9-+-zP-+-+0 9-+-+-+-+0 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0–0 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. d4 d6 8. c3 0–0 9. h3 Bb7 10. Nbd2 9zP-+L+N+P0 9zpp+-+-mkp0 Nd7 11. Re1 Bf6 12. Nf1 Ne7 13. 9-zP-sNQzPP+0 9-+-zp-+-+0 Ng3 g6 14. Bh6 Bg7 15. Qd2 c5 16. 9tR-vL-tR-mK-0 9+-+P+p+-0 Rad1 exd4 17. cxd4 c4 18. Bc2 Kh8 19. Bg5 f6 20. Bf4 d5 21. h4 dxe4 22. xiiiiiiiiy 9P+-+-+-+0 Nxe4 Nd5 23. Bd6 Re8 24. h5 N7b6 15. Nb1 a4 16. Bxh6 gxh6 17. d5 9+-+P+-+P0 25. Bc5 exd5 18. Nc3 Nd8 19. Nd4 Ne6 20. 9-zPP+-+K+0 XIIIIIIIIY Nxf5 Bc5 21. Qh5 Kh8 22. Qxh6 Rf7 23. Nb5 Qc6 24. Nbd6 Bxd6 25. 9+-+-+-+-0 9r+-wqr+-mk0 Nxd6 Rg7 26. Bb5 Qc7 27. Rac1 Nc5 xiiiiiiiiy 9+l+-+-vlp0 28. Qf6 Rag8 29. Rc3 Qxd6 30. exd6 35. Kf3 Kg6 36. Kf4 a5 37. c3 9psn-+-zpp+0 Ne4 31. Rxe4 1–0 Kf6 38. b4 Ke7 39. Kxf5 b5 40. bxa5 bxa4 41. a6 1–0 9+pvLn+-+P0 John Daniel Bryant (2240) – Ron 9-+pzPN+-+0 Hermansen (2295) Reynaldo del Pilar (2307) – IM 9+-+-+N+-0 SCCF State Championship, Los Tim Taylor (2441) Angeles 2007 SCCF State Championship, Los 9PzPLwQ-zPP+0 B22 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Alapin Angeles 2007 9+-+RtR-mK-0 Variation B00 IRREGULAR DEFENSE xiiiiiiiiy 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Nf3 1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Qc7 5. Bd3 g6 6. 0–0 Bg7 7. a4 b6 8. Nc3 Bg4 5. Bg5 g6 6. d5 Nb8 7. Qd2 25. ... c3 26. bxc3 Nc4 27. Qc1 g5 Na3 a6 9. b4 Bb7 10. bxc5 bxc5 11. Bxf3 8. gxf3 Nbd7 9. 0–0–0 c6 10. 28. Bb1 Qd7 29. Qc2 Bh6 30. Ng3 Bf4 Ngf6 12. d5 0–0 13. Nc4 Nb6 Kb1 Bg7 11. Bh6 Bxh6 12. Qxh6 Bf8 31. Nf5 Qf7 32. Bxf8 Rxf8 33. 14. Nxb6 Qxb6 15. Rb1 Qc7 16. c4 Qb6 13. Bh3 Ne5 14. f4 Neg4 15. h6 Na3 34. Qb3 Nxb1 35. Rxb1 Qg6 Nh5 17. Bd2 Bc8 18. a5 Bg4 19. h3 Bxg4 Nxg4 16. Qg7 0–0–0 17. dxc6 36. Nd6 Bc6 37. c4 Nf4 38. cxb5 axb5 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 Rab8 21. Bc2 Bd4 22. bxc6 18. Rd2 Rdf8 19. Na4 Qa5 20. 39. Nxb5 Qh5 40. Nh2 Bxg2 41. Nc3 Ba4 e5 23. Qd3 Rxb1 24. Rxb1 f5 25. Nc3 Nf6 21. e5 dxe5 22. fxe5 Qxe5 Bc6 42. Re3 Nh3+ 43. Rxh3 Qxh3 exf5 Rxf5 26. Be1 Rf8 27. Rb6 Qf7 XIIIIIIIIY 44. d5 Bd7 45. Ne4 Qxh6 46. Nc5 28. Qd2 Bf5 47. Rd1 Qh5 48. Rc1 Qe2 49. a4 XIIIIIIIIY 9-+k+-tr-tr0 Rac8 50. Nf3 Be4 51. Nd4 Qg4+ 52. 9zp-+-zppwQp0 Kf1 Bg2+ 53. Ke1 Qxd4 0–1 9-+-+-trk+0 9-+p+-snp+0 9+-+-+q+p0 John Funderburg (2174) - Rey- 9ptR-zp-+p+0 9+-+-wq-+-0 naldo del Pilar (2307) 9-+-+-+-+0 SCCF State Championship, Los 9zP-zpPzp-+n0 9+-sN-+-+-0 Angeles 2007 9L+Pvl-+-+0 A46 COLLE SYSTEM 9+-+-+-+P0 9PzPPtR-zP-zP0 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 c5 4. Bd3 9+K+-+-+R0 b6 5. Qe2 Nc6 6. c3 Bb7 7. Nbd2 Be7 9-+-wQ-zPP+0 xiiiiiiiiy 8. 0–0 0–0 9. Re1 Qc7 10. a3 a5 11. 9+-+-vL-mK-0 e4 cxd4 12. cxd4 Ng4 13. e5 f5 14. xiiiiiiiiy 23. Re2 Qf4 24. Rxe7 Rhg8 25. h3 Nh6 Qxf7 Rxf7 26. Rxf7 Qxf2 27. a4 Re8 28. ... e4 29. Qc2 Qf4 30. Bd7 e3 28. Ka2 Qd4 0–1 31. Rb2 exf2+ 32. Bxf2 Bxf2+ 33. Qxf2 Qc1+ 34. Kh2 Rxf2 35. Rxf2 Kg7 36. Bb5 Qe1 37. Ra2 Qg3+ 38. Kh1 Qb3 39. Ra1 Qb2 40. Ra4 axb5 41. cxb5 Qxb5 42. Ra1 Qa6 43. Kg1

8 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 Nf4 44. Kf2 Nxd5 45. g4 Nb4 46. 30. f5 f6 31. c3 h6 32. cxb4 Nxb4 d5 8. exd5 Nxd5 9. Qe2 Qd6 10. d4 Kg3 g5 47. h4 Qd3+ 48. Kg2 gxh4 XIIIIIIIIY exd4 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. cxd4 Bb7 49. a6 Nxa6 50. g5 Qg3+ 51. Kh1 13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. bxc3 0–0 15. Qg4 Qh3+ 52. Kg1 Qe3+ 53. Kg2 h3+ 9-+-+-+k+0 Qg6 16. Qxg6 hxg6 17. Bf4 Rac8 54. Kh2 Qe5+ 55. Kxh3 Qxa1 0–1 9zp-+lwq-zp-0 18. Rfe1 Rfe8 19. Re3 Bd6 20. Be5 9-+-+-zp-zp0 Bxe5 21. dxe5 c5 22. Rae1 c4 23. Bc2 Rcd8 24. R1e2 Bc8 25. f3 Bf5 IM Tim Taylor (2441) – IM Enrico 9+-+-+P+-0 26. Kf2 ½–½ Sevillano (2567) SCCF State Championship, Los 9-sn-zpN+P+0 Angeles 2007 9+-+P+-+P0 Reynaldo del Pilar (2307) – John E31 NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENSE, 9-zP-wQ-+L+0 Daniel Bryant (2240) Leningrad Variation SCCF State Championship, Los 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. 9+-+-+-mK-0 Angeles 2007 Bg5 h6 5. Bh4 c5 6. d5 d6 7. e3 g5 8. xiiiiiiiiy A45 OPOCENSKY OPENING Bg3 exd5 9. cxd5 Ne4 10. Bb5+ Nd7 33. Qf4 Nxd3 34. Qb8+ Kh7 35. 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 g6 3. Bxf6 exf6 11. Nge2 a6 12. Bd3 Nxg3 13. Nxg3 Qxa7 Nf4 36. Bf3 d3 37. Qe3 Qe5 4. Nc3 f5 5. e3 Bg7 6. Nge2 0–0 7. Ne5 14. 0–0 Bxc3 15. bxc3 g4 16. Bf5 38. h4 Bc6 39. Kf2 Bxe4 40. Qxe4 h4 c5 8. dxc5 Na6 9. Qd6 Qa5 10. h5 h5 17. Bxc8 Qxc8 18. Rb1 h4 19. Ne4 Qxb2+ 41. Kg3 Ne2+ 42. Bxe2 dxe2 Nxc5 11. 0–0–0 Be5 12. Qe7 d6 13. Ke7 20. f4 gxf3 21. Rxf3 b5 22. Rf6 43. Kf2 Qd2 44. Qxe2 Qf4+ 45. Kg2 hxg6 hxg6 14. Rd5 Bg7 15. Qxd6 b6 Rg8 23. Qf1 Qg4 24. Rf4 Qg6 25. a4 h5 46. Qf3 Qxg4+ 47. Qxg4 hxg4 48. 16. Nd4 Bb7 17. Bc4 Rfd8 Rab8 26. Qf2 bxa4 27. Rf1 a3 Kg3 g6 ½–½ XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY IM Enrico Sevillano (2567) – John 9r+-tr-+k+0 9-tr-+-+r+0 Funderburg (2174) 9zpl+-+pvl-0 9+-+-mkp+-0 SCCF State Championship, Los 9-zp-wQ-+p+0 9p+-zp-+q+0 Angeles 2007 C15 FRENCH DEFENSE, Winawer 9wq-snR+p+-0 9+-zpPsn-+-0 Variation 9-+LsN-+-+0 9-+-+NtR-zp0 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. 9+-sN-zP-+-0 9zp-zP-zP-+-0 Qd3 dxe4 5. Qxe4 Nf6 6. Qh4 Bd7 7. Bd3 Bc6 8. Nge2 Qd5 9. f3 Nbd7 10. 9PzPP+-zPP+0 9-+-+-wQPzP0 a3 Bxc3+ 11. Nxc3 Qh5 12. Qf2 9+-mK-+-+R0 9+-+-+RmK-0 XIIIIIIIIY xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy 9r+-+k+-tr0 18. Qxg6 Bxd5 19. Qh7+ Kf8 28. Rf6 Qxe4 29. Rxf7+ Ke8 9zppzpn+pzpp0 20. Nxf5 Ke8 21. Bb5+ Qxb5 22. 30. Rf4 Qxd5 31. e4 Qe6 32. Qxh4 9-+l+psn-+0 Nxg7+ Kd7 23. Nxb5 Kc6 24. Nd4+ Kd7 33. Qh7+ Qe7 34. Rf7 Nxf7 35. Kb7 25. Ngf5 Rac8 26. Qh2 Rc7 Rxf7 Rb1+ 36. Kf2 Rf8 37. Qf5+ 9+-+-+-+q0 27. Nd6+ Ka6 28. Qg3 Bxa2 29. e4 Ke8 0–1 9-+-zP-+-+0 Bb3 30. Nxb3 b5 31. Nxc5+ Kb6 32. 9zP-sNL+P+-0 Nc4+ bxc4 33. Rh6+ Rc6 34. Na4+ Julian Landaw (2307) – IM Jack Kb7 35. Qg5 Rxh6 36. Qxd8 Rh1+ Peters (2450) 9-zPP+-wQPzP0 37. Kd2 Rf1 38. Qd7+ Ka6 39. Qc6+ SCCF State Championship, Los 9tR-vL-mK-+R0 Ka5 40. Qc5+ 1–0 Angeles 2007 xiiiiiiiiy B23 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Closed IM Jack Peters (2450) – IM Tim Variation 12. ... e5 13. g4 Nxg4 14. fxg4 Taylor (2441) 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. exd5 Qxg4 15. d5 1–0 SCCF State Championship, Los exd5 5. Bg2 Nf6 6. Nge2 d4 7. Ne4 Angeles 2007 Nxe4 8. Bxe4 Nd7 9. 0–0 Nf6 10. Ron Hermansen (2295) – Julian B00 IRREGULAR DEFENSE Bg2 Bd6 11. d3 0–0 12. Bf4 Bg4 13. Landaw (2307) 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. h3 Bd7 15. Nf4 Rac8 SCCF State Championship, Los Nc3 Bg4 5. Bb5 a6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 16. Re1 b5 17. Nh5 Nd5 18. Qf3 Nb4 Angeles 2007 7. h3 Bd7 8. Qe2 g6 9. e5 Nh5 10. 19. Re2 Rfe8 20. a3 Rxe2 21. Qxe2 C78 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Rosso- Ne4 Qb8 11. 0–0 Bg7 12. g4 f5 13. Re8 22. Qd2 Nc6 23. Re1 Ne5 24. f4 limo Variation Nxd6+ cxd6 14. gxh5 0–0 15. h6 Nc6 25. Rxe8+ Bxe8 26. g4 b4 27. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bh8 16. Bg5 Re8 17. Rfe1 Qxb2 18. Ng3 Bd7 28. Ne4 Qe7 29. axb4 cxb4 Ba4 Nf6 5. 0–0 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. c3 Qc4+ e6 19. Rab1 Qa3 20. Re3 Qa5

9 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 21. exd6 f4 22. Bxf4 Qf5 23. Bg3 XIIIIIIIIY Kd6 35. h5 gxh5+ 36. Kxh5 Ke5 37. Qxh3 24. Rb7 Rad8 25. Bh4 Rb8 Kg6 f5 38. d6 Kxd6 39. Kxf5 Kc6 26. Rxb8 Rxb8 27. Rb3 Rf8 28. Be7 9r+l+-+k+0 40. Ke6 b6 41. a4 Kb7 42. Kd7 Ka6 Qg4+ 29. Kf1 Re8 30. Ke1 9+-zp-vl-zpp0 43. Kc6 Ka5 44. Kb7 ½–½ XIIIIIIIIY 9p+Pzppsn-tr0 9-+-+r+kvl0 9+-+-+p+q0 Ron Hermansen (2295) – IM Jack Peters (2450) 9+-+lvL-+p0 9-+QzP-+-+0 SCCF State Championship, Los 9p+pzPp+pzP0 9vL-sN-zP-zPP0 Angeles 2007 9+-+-+-+-0 9P+-+-zPL+0 B15 GURGENIDZE SYSTEM 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. f4 9-+QzP-+q+0 9+R+-+RmK-0 d5 5. e5 h5 6. Nf3 Nh6 7. Bd3 Bf5 8. 9+R+-+N+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 0–0 e6 9. b3 Nd7 10. Ne2 c5 11. c4 9P+P+-zP-+0 22. Rb7 Bd8 23. Rfb1 Bxb7 24. dxc4 12. bxc4 cxd4 13. Ba3 Qa5 14. cxb7 Rb8 25. Qxe6+ Qf7 26. Qc8 Bd6 Nc5 15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16. Qa4+ 9+-+-mK-+-0 Nd7 27. Bd5 Re6 28. Bc6 Qg6 29. b5 17. Qb3 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 bxc4 19. xiiiiiiiiy Qxd7 Rxe3 30. fxe3 Qxg3+ 31. Bg2 Qxd4 Rc8 20. Rab1 0–0 21. Rb7 a6 30. ... c5 31. Qxc5 Rc8 32. Qa7 Qxe3+ 32. Kh1 Bg5 33. Qc8+ Kf7 22. Rb6 Qa5 23. Qb2 c3 24. Qb4 Qe4+ 33. Kf1 Rxc2 34. Rb8+ Bc8 34. Qxc7+ Kg6 35. Qxd6+ Kh5 36. Qxb4 25. Rxb4 Rfd8 26. Rd4 Rxd4 35. Qxa6 Rc1+ 36. Kg2 Qg4+ 37. Qxb8 Bf4 37. Qxf4 Qxf4 38. b8Q 27. Nfxd4 Bf8 28. Rc1 Ba3 29. Rc2 Kh2 Qf4+ 38. Kg2 Qg4+ 39. Kh2 Qxd4 39. Qe8+ g6 40. Qe2+ Kg5 41. Bb2 Qf4+ 40. Kg2 ½–½ Be7+ Kh6 42. Rb4 Qxc3 43. Rh4+ XIIIIIIIIY Kg7 44. Bg5 Qa1+ 45. Kh2 Qe5+ 46. Qxe5+ 1–0 9-+r+-+k+0 John Daniel Bryant (2240) – IM 9+-+-+p+-0 Enrico Sevillano (2567) Julian Landaw (2307) – Reynaldo 9p+-+p+psn0 SCCF State Championship, Los del Pilar (2307) Angeles 2007 SCCF State Championship, Los 9+-+-zP-+p0 B32 SICILIAN DEFENSE, La Bour- Angeles 2007 9-+-sN-zP-+0 donnais Variation B23 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Closed 9+-zp-+-+-0 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Variation Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 a6 6. Nd6+ Bxd6 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. exd5 9PvlR+N+PzP0 7. Qxd6 Qf6 8. Qxf6 Nxf6 9. Nc3 exd5 5. Bg2 Nf6 6. Nge2 d4 7. Ne4 9+-+-+-mK-0 Nb4 10. Bd3 h6 11. a3 Nxd3+ 12. Nxe4 8. Bxe4 Nd7 9. 0–0 Nf6 10. Bg2 xiiiiiiiiy cxd3 d6 13. Be3 Be6 14. d4 Ng4 15. Bd6 11. c3 d3 12. Nf4 0–0 13. Nxd3 Kd2 Rc8 16. Rac1 0–0 17. f3 exd4 Bxg3 14. fxg3 Qxd3 15. Rf3 Qd8 30. h3 Rc4 31. Kf2 Nf5 32. Nxf5 18. Bxd4 Ne5 19. Bxe5 dxe5 20. Ke3 16. Rf4 Re8 17. d4 Qb6 18. d5 Bg4 gxf5 33. Ke3 h4 34. g3 hxg3 35. Rc4 21. Rhd1 Rfc8 22. Rd6 R4c6 23. 19. Rxg4 Nxg4 20. Qxg4 Re1+ 21. Nxg3 Ra4 36. Nh5 Rxa2 37. Kd3 Rxc6 Rxc6 24. Ne2 Rb6 25. b4 a5 Bf1 Rae8 22. Bh6 Rxf1+ 23. Rxf1 Kf8 38. Nf6 Ke7 39. h4 Ra1 40. h5 26. bxa5 Rb5 27. Rc3 Rxa5 28. Nc1 Qxh6 24. Qf4 Qxf4 25. Rxf4 Re5 26. Rd1+ 41. Ke3 Bc1+ 42. Kf3 Rd3+ Kf8 ½–½ c4 Kf8 27. Kf2 Ke7 28. Rf3 Re4 29. 43. Ke2 Rd2+ 44. Rxd2 Bxd2 45. h6 Re3 Rxe3 30. Kxe3 h5 31. Kf4 f6 Kf8 0–1 XIIIIIIIIY John Funderburg (2174) – IM Tim Taylor (2441) 9-+-+-+-+0 SCCF State Championship, Los 9zpp+-mk-zp-0 Angeles 2007 9-+-+-zp-+0 A98 DUTCH DEFENSE, Ilyin-Zhen- evsky Variation 9+-zpP+-+p0 1. d4 f5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. g3 9-+P+-mK-+0 Be7 5. Bg2 0–0 6. 0–0 d6 7. Nc3 Qe8 9+-+-+-zP-0 8. Qc2 Qh5 9. b4 Nc6 10. b5 Na5 11. Qa4 b6 12. Ba3 a6 13. Ne5 Rb8 14. 9PzP-+-+-zP0 Nc6 Nxc6 15. bxc6 b5 16. Qa5 Ne8 9+-+-+-+-0 17. e3 bxc4 18. Rab1 Ra8 19. Qa4 xiiiiiiiiy Rf6 20. Qxc4 Rh6 21. h3 Nf6 32. g4 hxg4 33. Kxg4 g6 34. h4

10 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 47th Annual Pacific Southwest Open

os Angeles Times chess colum- 6. c3 Nc6 7. Ne2 Qb6 8. Nf3 cxd4 Lnist IM Jack Peters has been 9. cxd4 f6 10. Nf4 less active in tournament play of Much more common is 10 exf6 late, but he made a strong come- Nxf6 11 0-0 Bd6 12 Nc3. back in the Pacific Southwest Open, 10. ... Nb4 held June 29-July 1 at the Burbank Prudently declining the offer to Airport Marriott. His 4½-½ score snatch a piece with the risky 10. ... was good for clear first in a field fxe5 11. Nxe6 Bb4+ 12 Kf1 Ke7 13 that included four IMs. Next at 4-1 Nxg7 e4. were top-rated IM Enrico Sevillano, 11. Bb1 fxe5 Julian Landaw, and top Expert XIIIIIIIIY Christopher De Sa of Arizona. In the Amateur (U1800) section, 9r+l+kvl-tr0 Austin Hughes took first place with 9zpp+n+-zpp0 4½-½. The one-day Scholastic saw 9-wq-+p+-+0 Dennis Neymit win the Open, and Minas Badikyan the Reserve. 9+-+pzp-+-0 A total of 100 players competed 9-sn-zP-sN-+0 in the main event, and an addition- 9+-+-+N+-0 al 69 in the Scholastics. John Hil- lery directed for Western Chess. 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 IM JACK PETERS 9tRLvLQmK-+R0 IM Jack Peters – IM Andranik xiiiiiiiiy Matikozyan 20. Bxg6 fxg6 21. f7+ Qxf7 22. Pacific Southwest Open, Bur- Rxf7 Kxf7 23. Rf1+ Kg8 24. Qf3 12. Ng5?! bank 2007 Re7 25. Bxc5 bxc5 26. Nf4 Rf7 Aggressive and imaginative, B84 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Najdorf 27. Qd3 Re8 28. Qc4 Bc8 29. Nfe2 though not sound. Simply 12. dxe5 Variation Rxf1+ 30. Kxf1 Nc6 31. Nd5 Kh8 keeps an edge. 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. 32. Nf6 Re7 33. Qd3 Rf7 34. Nf4 12. … Nb8?? Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. a4 Ne5 35. Qb3 Ng4 36. Nxg6+ hxg6 This time, Black must accept the b6 8. f4 Bb7 9. Bf3 Nbd7 10. 0–0 37. Qh3+ Nh6 38. Ke2 Bg7 39. Ne8 offer! The proper defense, 12. ... exf4 Qc7 11. Qe2 Rc8 12. Be3 Be7 13. Bf8 40. Nf6 Bg7 41. e5 1–0 13. Qh5+ g6 14. Bxg6+ hxg6 15. g4 Nc5 14. Qg2 0–0 15. g5 Nfd7 16. Qxg6+ Kd8, leaves Black on top af- Nde2 Nb8 17. f5 Rfe8 18. f6 Bf8 19. Three “Best Game” prizes were ter 16. Nxe6+ Ke7 17. Nxf8 Kxf8; or Bh5 g6 awarded, donated by chess patron 16. Nf7+ Ke7! 17. Nxh8 Qxd4; or 16. XIIIIIIIIY Bill Conrad. Tournament winner Bxf4 e5! 17. Nf7+ (Black welcomes Peters selected and annotated the 17. Ne6+ Qxe6 18. Qxe6 Nd3+ 19. 9-snr+rvlk+0 games. Kd1 Nxf4, with four pieces for the 9+lwq-+p+p0 ) Kc7 18. Nxe5 Bd6 19. Rc1+ 9pzp-zppzPp+0 Vardan Betikyan – Kelly Zhang Nc6 20. Nxd7 Qb4+! 21. Bd2 Qxd4 Pacific Southwest Open, Bur- 22. Bc3 Qf4. 9+-sn-+-zPL0 bank 2007 13. Qh5+ Kd7 14. Qf7+ Kc6 9P+-+P+-+0 C06 FRENCH DEFENSE, Tarrasch 15. Nfxe6 9+-sN-vL-+-0 Variation White obtains a tremendous 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 attack without yielding material. 9-zPP+N+QzP0 Tarrasch’s system against the Black has no hope of survival. 9tR-+-+RmK-0 French Defense. 15. … Bxe6 16. Nxe6 Nd7 17. xiiiiiiiiy 3. ... Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Bd3 c5 Be3 e4 18. 0-0

11 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 Clearing the way for the devas- Not 17. ... Kxf7? 18. Qd7+, mat- The plausible 22. ... c6 runs tating 19 Rc1+. ing. into 23. Nb6! (threatening 24. Be7 18. … Na6 18. Bh6+ Ng7 19. Qh4 Qb1+ mate) d5 24. exd5 Bxb6 25. d6, forc- If 18. ... Qb5 19 Rc1+ Kb6, White If Black kills the attack by 19. ... ing mate. ends resistance with 20 Nc7. Qc2+ 20. Ke1 Bf2+ 21. Qxf2 Qxf2+ 23. Bh6?? 19. Rc1+ Nac5 20. dxc5 Qxb2 22. Kxf2, White quickly regains Spoiling a brilliant attack. 21. Nd4+ Kc7 22. Bf4+ Kd8 23. material. For example, 22. ... b5 23. White should win with 23. Be3! Qe5 Ne6+ Kc8 24. Qe8 mate. Nxc7 bxc4 lets White secure an ex- 24. Nf6 bxc4 (worse are 24. ... Rd8 tra by 24. Rxa1 Kxf7 (avoiding 25. Nxh7+ Rxh7 26. Qxd8+ and Carlos Garcia – Julian Landaw 24. ... Rc8 25. Ne8! Kxf7 26. Nxd6+ 24. ... Qe7 25. Bg5! Qd8 26. Ng8!) Pacific Southwest Open, Bur- Kf6 27. Nxc8 Rxc8 28. Rxa6+) 25. 25. Nd7+ Kxf7 26. Nxe5+ dxe5 27. bank 2007 Nxa8 Rxa8 26. Bxg7 Kxg7 27. dxc4. Rxa1. C30 KING’S DECLINED 20. Ke2 Qb2+ 21. Kf3! 23. … Qf2+! 24. Qxf2 Bxf2 Winning. Instead, 21. Bd2?! g5 What a turnaround! Black’s ex- 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Bc5 22. Qxg5 Qe5 is still murky. tra material finally counts. 4. f4 d6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. d3 21. … g5 22. Bxg5 b5 25. Nxc7 bxc4 26. Nxa8 This position often arises from XIIIIIIIIY The last difficult calculation is the King’s Gambit Declined, 1. e4 26. Kxf2 Rc8 27. Ne6+ Kxf7 28. e5 2. f4 Bc5. 9r+-+-mk-tr0 Bxg7 Nxb3 29. Bxh8 Kxe6 30. Bg7 6. … a6 7 Nd5 9+-zp-+Psnp0 cxd3, when Black’s passers are de- Alternatives include 77 f5 and 77 9p+-zp-+-+0 cisive. Rf1. 26. … Bd4 27. Nc7 7. … Bg4 8. h3!? 9+pvlN+-vL-0 White can obtain a third pawn Offering a to create mind- 9-+L+P+-wQ0 by 27. bxc4 Kxf7 28. Nc7 Ne6 29. boggling complications. Usual is 8. 9+P+P+K+P0 Nxa6, but Black’s pieces swarm to- c3. ward the King with 29. ... Kg6 30. 8. … Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nd4 10. 9-wq-+-+P+0 Be3 Rf8+ 31. Ke2 Nc2. Qg3 9sn-+-+-+R0 27. … Nxb3 28. dxc4 Kxf7 29. White is committed. The “safe” xiiiiiiiiy Nxa6 Ne6 30. Rb1 Bb6 31. Be3 10. Qd1? fares badly against 10. ... Continued on page 19 ... Nxd5 11. Bxd5 Qh4+. 10. … Nh5 Black has several ways to pocket material. After 10. ... Prize Winners Nxd5 11. Bxd5 Nxc2+ 12. Kd1 Nxa1, White gets sufficient Open from 13. Qxg7 Rf8 14. Bxb7. 1st: IM Jack Peters, 4½-½; 2nd-3rd: IM Enrico Sevillano, Julian Landaw, 11. Qg4 Nxc2+?! 4-1; 4th-5th: IM Andranik Matikozyan, IM Tim Taylor, Gregg Small, Alaa- Probably Black should prefer 11. Addin Moussa, 3½-1½; U2200: 1st: Christopher De Sa, 4-1; 2nd-3rd: Vaish- ... c6! 12. Qxh5 cxd5 13. Bxd5 Nxc2+ nav Aradhyula, Marian Nita, 3½-1½; U2000: 1st-3rd: Pavel Savine, Kon- 14. Kd1 g6 15. Qh6 Nxa1, although stantin Kavutskiy, Vardan Batikyan. 2½-2½. 16. Bxb7 Ra7 17. Bc6+ Ke7 1.8 Rf1 remains dangerous for Black. Amateur 12. Kd1 Nxa1 13. fxe5! 1st: Austin Hughes, 4½-½; 2nd-3rd: Edward Moskala, Roger Aramayo, Black can survive 13. Qxh5?! Peter Joseph, Jose Gomez. 4-1; U1600: 1st: Maxwell Chou, 3½-1½;, 2nd: b5 14. fxe5 bxc4 15. e6 g6 16. exf7+ Excell Peoples, 3-2; 3rd: Grant Yosenick, David Karapetyan, Boris Kitap- Kd7. szyan, Robert Khachatryan, 2½-1½; U1400: 1st: Tyler Paras, 3½-1½; 2nd: 13. … g6 Armen Siwajian, 3-2; U1200: Dominic Avila, 2½-2½; Unrated: Brandon Now 13. ... b5 is too slow, as 14. Harris, 3-2. Bg5 Qc8 15. e6! bxc4 16. exf7+ Kf8 17. Qxh5, setting up 18. Be7 mate, Scholastic Open: Dennis Neymit, 4½-½; Shyam Gandhi, Alexander forces Black to give up his Queen by Kalianna, Albert Young, Orion Burl, 4-1. 17. ... Qd7 18. Be7+ Qxe7. Scholastic Reserve: Minas Badikyan, 5-0; Vartan Batmazyan, Daniel 14. Bg5 Qd7 15. e6! Mousseri, Gore Badikyan, Harrison Chen, 4-1. Seeing 15. ... fxe6? 16. Nxc7+! Qxc7 17. Qxe6+. Hexes: 1st/2nd: Antonio Martin, Henry Castro, 2½-½; 3rd-4th: Rich- 15. … Qa4+ 16. b3 Qxa2 17. ard Henderson, Gabriel Sison, Daniel Alvira, 2-1 exf7+ Kf8

12 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 22. ... Ne5 23. Qxe4! Qxe7 24. Nxf5 Qe6 but missed that 25. Re1! Rfe8 Pacific Coast (worse is 25. ... Nc4 26. Qg4 Qf6 27. Bxh6) 26. Qf4 Qd5 27. Bc3 wins material, as 27. ... Nc4 loses to 29. Qg4. 22. … a5 Open Also 22. ... cxd5 23. Qxd5 and 22. ... Ndxc5 23. Qxe4! are very uncom- irst place in the Pacific Coast native 14. ... Bb4 15. Ne4 favors fortable for Black. FOpen, held at the Agoura Hills White slightly. 23. d6 Qc8 24. Nd4! axb4 25. Renaissance Hotel July 19-22, went 15. 0-0 Ngf6 16. a4 Bxb4 Ndxc5 26. Bxc5 Nxc5 27. to GM Melikset Khachiyan with a Varying from the usual 16. Rfe1 Qxf5 Qxf5 28. Nxf5 Ra8 5-1 score. Although Khachiyan lost 0-0 17. Nf5, when 17. ... Rfe8 de- Black cannot White’s to GM Lars Bo Hansen in the fifth fends. active pieces. After 28. ... Rfe8 29. round, he defeated IM Andranik 16. … 0-0?! Rae1 Kf8 30. a5, White threatens Matikozyan in the last. Tied for sec- Khachiyan recommends 16. ... 31 Nxg7. ond at Next at 4½-1½ were Antonio, c5. 29. Rc1! Hansen, GM Suat Atalik, and IM 17. b4! Welcoming 29. ... Nxa4 30. Rxb7 Enrico Sevillano. Harutyun Akopi- Thwarting ... c6-c5 and threat- c5 31. Rc4. an took the U2400 prize with 4-2. ening to trap the Queen by 18. a5. 29. … Ra5 Other sections winners includ- 17. … Qb6 18. Rfe1 White refutes 29. ... b6 by 30. ed Barry Lazarus, U2100; Jim Y. Inviting 18. ... Bxb4?? 19. a5. Rc4! Rxa4 31. Rxa4 Nxa4 32. d7 Chao, U1900; Leonel Campoy and 18. … Rad8 Nc5 33. Nd4. Alfred Ong, U1700; Shirolly Anand, Once again, 18. ... Qc7 is safer. 30. Re5! Nb3 31. Rxa5 Nxa5 John Cachay, Howard Horwitz and 19. Nf5 exf5? 32. Rc5! Dennis Neymit, U1500; Giovanni The critical variation begins Efficiently maneuvering his Catalenello and Antonio Malapira, 19. ... Rfe8 20. Nxe7+ Rxe7 21. Bf4. Rook to g3. U1200; and David Alday, U800. Black cannot get away with 21. ... 32. … Nb3 33. Rc3 Na5 34. A total of 209 players participat- Nxh5?? because 22. Bd6 Ree8 23 a5. Rg3 c5 35. Nxg7 Kh7 36. d7 Rd8 ed in the event. Steve Immitt and Qa6 24. Bc7! sets up 25. b5, winning 37. Ne8 Kh8 38. Nf6 c4 39. Kf1?! Randy Hough directed for the Con- the Queen. But Black can survive Quicker is 39. Rg8+ Rxg8 40. tinental; Chess Association. 21. ... Qxb4! 22. Reb1 (not 22. Bc7? Nxg8 Nc6 41. Nxh6, when 41. ... Kg7 Nc5!) Qa5 23. Qa3 Ree8 24. Rxb7 42. Nf5+ Kf6 loses to 43. h6! Kg6 Among Khachiyan’s victims was Qa6, as the pawn at h5 will fall. 44. Ne7+, while 41. ... c3 permits 42. GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. of the Phil- 20. Rxe7 Ne4 Nxf7+ Kg7 43. Ne5! c2 44. Nd3. ippines. Notes by Los Angeles Times White refutes 20. ... Nxh5? clev- 39. … Nc6 40. Rg4 c3 41. Ke2 chess columnist Jack Peters. erly by 21. c5! Qc7 22. Qxf5 Nhf6 Ne5 42. Rg8+! Rxg8 43. Nxg8 23. Bxh6! gxh6 24. Qxf6. Nxd7 44. Nxh6 Kg7 45. Nf5+ GM Melikset Khachiyan – GM 21. c5! Qc7 Kf6 46. Nd6 Nc5 47. a5 Rogelio Antonio Jr. XIIIIIIIIY Threatening 48. Nxb7! Nxb7 49. Pacific Coast Open, Agoura Hills a6. 2007 9-+-tr-trk+0 47. … Nb3 48. Kd3 Nxa5 49. B19 CARO-KANN DEFENSE 9zppwqntRpzp-0 Kxc3 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 9-+p+-+-zp0 White’s pawns are unstoppable. 4. Nxe4 Bf5 49. … b6 50. g4 Nc6 51. f4 Kg7 The main line of the Caro-Kann 9+-zP-+p+P0 52. Kd3 Nd8 53. Ke4 Ne6 54. g5 Defense. 9PzP-zPn+-+0 Nf8 55. f5 Nd7 56. f6+ 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 9+-+Q+N+-0 Not fearing 56. ... Nxf6 57. gxf6+ Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Kxf6, as 58. h6 Kg6 59. Nf5 b5 60. Qxd3 e6 9-+-vL-zPP+0 Kd5 leaves Black helpless. Some prefer 10. ... Qc7. 9tR-+-+-mK-0 56. … Kg8 57. Kf5 Nf8 58. 11. Bf4 Qa5+ 12. Bd2 Bb4 xiiiiiiiiy Nxf7! Kxf7 59. g6+ Kg8 60. h6 Or 12. ... Qc7. Nd7 61. h7+ Kh8 62. Ke6, Black 13. c3 Be7 14. c4 Qa6 22. d5!? Resigns. Playable, but 14. ... Qc7 is more Powerful, but Khachiyan regret- popular and more solid. The alter- ted rejecting 22. Nh4. He analyzed

13 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 ... Continued from page 4 26.d5 Nh4 27.Qh3 Qe2 28.Qxh4 TD Corner exd5 29.Re1 Qg4 30.Qxg4 hxg4 1–0 Mutatis mutandis did. Instead, the Rules Committee source of contention over the recommended (and the Delegates IM Alex Lenderman – GM Boris A last year has been the change adopted) a sledgehammer approach, Gulko made at the 2006 Delegates’ Meet- requiring all players to move before US Open, Cherry Hill 2007 ing to USCF rule 15A. This change writing. The effect was somewhat B21 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Smith- required players to make their vitiated by the fact that the recom- Morra Gambit move on the board before writing mended penalty was a warning. 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 the move on the scoresheet. Over the following year, there 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Qe2 The background of the change were a number of complaints about Be7 8.0–0 Nf6 9.Rd1 e5 10.Bb5 Bg4 is a little complicated. There has this, from players who didn’t want 11.Qc4 0–0 12.Bxc6 Rc8 13.Qa4 always been a (minority) school of to change their habits and from bxc6 14.Qxa7 d5 15.Qa4 d4 16.Qc2 thought holding that writing a move TDs who didn’t want their time Nd7 17.Ne2 c5 18.b3 c4 19.bxc4 Qc7 down and then changing it, or even wasted with frivolous disputes. So, 20.Ng3 Qxc4 21.Qxc4 Rxc4 22.Nf5 writing the move before playing it, at the 2007 Delegates Meeting, the Bxf5 23.exf5 Ra8 24.Bb2 g6 25.fxg6 amounted to “use of written notes.” rule was changed yet again. The hxg6 26.Rdc1 Rb4 27.Rc7 Rxb2 Fischer made this argument back “basic” rule remains that one must 28.Rxd7 Raxa2 29.Rc1 Bf6 30.Rf1 in the 60s, though he didn’t have move before writing, but a “varia- e4 31.Rd6 Kg7 32.Nxd4 Rd2 33.Nb5 much success. tion” was added, which I suspect e3 34.Rxf6 Kxf6 35.Nc3 e2 36.Re1 In 2006 an electronic score- most TDs will use: Rd1 37.Kh1 0–1 keeping device called the “Mon- Roi” came on the market. Exactly 15.A. (Variation 1) Paper A. Balasubramanian – GM Ser- why one would prefer a $400 PDA scoresheet variation. The player gey Kudrin to a $.01 scoresheet is a good ques- using a paper scoresheet may first make the move, and then US Open, Cherry Hill 2007 tion, but some did. (The device was write it on the scoresheet, or vice originally intended for invitational A36 versa. This variation does not 1.g3 c5 2.Bg2 g6 3.d3 Bg7 4.c4 tournaments where the organizers need to be advertised in advance. Nc6 5.Nc3 e6 6.e4 Nge7 7.Nge2 a6 would supply them, but that’s an- TD Tip: TD’s may penal- 8.Be3 Nd4 9.h4 h6 10.Qc1 Nec6 11.0– other story.) On the MonRoi, “writ- ize a player that is in violation 0 d6 12.Rb1 Bd7 13.a3 a5 14.b3 Rb8 ing” a move meant moving the piece of 20C. “Use of notes prohibited” 15.Bxd4 Nxd4 16.Nxd4 Bxd4 17.Nb5 on a small digital board, so “chang- if the player is first writing the Bxb5 18.cxb5 g5 19.hxg5 hxg5 ing” one’s move really did amount move and repeatedly altering that 20.Bf3 Qf6 21.Kg2 Kd7 22.Qd2 to analyzing on another board. move on their scoresheet before completing a move on the board. XIIIIIIIIY The obvious solution would have been to make a special rule 9-tr-+-+-tr0 for electronic scorekeeping devic- So, we’re right back where we 9+p+k+p+-0 es, but that’s not what the USCF started. – John Hillery 9-+-zppwq-+0 XIIIIIIIIY 9zpPzp-+-zp-0 IM Amon Simutowe – GM 9r+-+-+-mk0 9-+-vlP+-+0 9zpl+-+-vlp0 9zPP+P+LzP-0 US Open, Cherry Hill 2007 A89 DUTCH DEFENSE, Leningrad 9-zp-+L+p+0 9-+-wQ-zPK+0 Variation 9+-+PzprvL-0 9+R+-+R+-0 1. d4 f5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 d6 4. g3 9P+-+-+-wQ0 xiiiiiiiiy g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. 0–0 0–0 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. d5 Ne5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. e4 f4 11. 9+q+-+-+-0 22...Rh2+ 23.Kxh2 Qxf3 gxf4 exf4 12. Bxf4 Nxe4 13. Qc1 e5 9-+-+-zP-zP0 24.Qxg5 Rh8+ 25.Qh4 Rxh4+ 14. Be3 Nd6 15. Bg5 Qe8 16. Nb5 26.gxh4 Be5+ 27.Kg1 Qg4+ 0–1 Rf7 17. Nxd6 cxd6 18. c5 dxc5 19. 9+-tR-+RmK-0 Qxc5 b6 20. Qc4 Bb7 21. Bh3 Kh8 xiiiiiiiiy 22. Be6 Rf5 23. Qh4 Qb5 24. a4 26. Rc7 Bxd5 27. Rxg7 Rxg5+ [27. IM Amon Simutowe led the field Qxb2 25. Rac1 Qb3 ... Kxg7 28. Bh6+ Kh8 29. Qe7] 28. until falling to Shabalov in round 8. Qxg5 Bxe6 [28. ... Kxg7 29. Qxe5+] 29. Qf6 1–0

14 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 TacticsTactics by NM Tim Hanks

ll chess games should be drawn. A In a recent instructional session a student found this perplexing. He What I like to do when helping insisted that White, opening with the , should theoretically have a others to seek out tactical combina- won game with correct play. I explained that perhaps this conception might tions and to improve their tactical “someday” be proven, but at this time, the notion remains that all chess play is to have them write down at games should be drawn when each side plays accurately. Black will always least three moves they have consid- have counterplay or counter-chances that offsets White’s opening initiative. ered in any given position. For each The initiative may be an advantage but does not necessarily equate to hav- move they are to consider at least ing a “won” game. one basic reply. For this example what are some choices? Most ama- The game of chess has been kept more games is understanding and teurs that I quizzed almost always alive over the centuries because improving your chess tactics. Tac- played 1. … b5, forcing the White there has been no mathematical tics account for just about every- to retreat to b3. Others proof of perfect play. There are so thing that goes on in a game. No played 1. … Re8, with White reply- many variations and intricacies, phase of the game is without tac- ing by . Finally, 1. … Bb4 many of which lead the game off tics. Understanding how to look for was suggested, attacking the White in new directions, with unknowns tactical motifs is one of the most Queen, and 2. c3 is the expected re- still to be discovered and resolved. important methods to discovering ply. I once read that the total possible game winning combinations that All too often they did not really moves in a game of chess are 10 often are missed and this is best consider any strategic plan. They to the power (10 to the 50th). The accomplished with lots of practice. simply played the game one move idea that any computer can or will How many times do you play over at a time and reacted based on ever be able to calculate all of these your games using a chess program what their opponent did. You see moves and therefore discover a fi- to help you analyze and improve this same kind of playing style with nite solution is, frankly, incompre- only to discover combinations that amateur pool players. They hardly hensible—at least in this century. you neglected to play and even ever pocket a ball to set up their What has occurred in recent years worse never knew existed? Take a next shot. Most will hit the balls re- is statistical accounts of what open- look at Problem No. 1 with Black to ally hard and hope something will ings and defenses offer the better play. What would you do? go in. Many times they have easier prospects for winning (or drawing) shots right in front of them but in- and thus help chess players to bet- XIIIIIIIIY stead take longer shots and miss ter focus and refine their attention 9r+-wq-trk+0 – scattering balls that may have al- in game preparation. Even here the 9+pzplvlpzpp0 ready been set up for easy pocket- amount of time it takes to memo- ing. Still others overlook the eight rize the tremendous variety and 9p+n+p+-+0 ball’s proximity to a pocket and ac- amount of material or even to study 9+-+pzP-+-0 cidentally hit it in – losing instantly and understand the basic strategic 9L+-zP-+-+0 even though they may be way ahead principles for any given line is over- with pocketed balls. whelming for just about everyone, 9+-+-vLN+-0 This same kind of “unaware- even the world elite. 9PzPPwQ-zPPzP0 ness” and careless play happens Because of this, I often empha- 9tR-+-mK-+R0 in chess. Many play with reckless size that what’s truly paramount abandon, ignoring fundamental for playing chess well and winning xiiiiiiiiy principles such as developing pieces

15 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 before attacking, castling early, do- XIIIIIIIIY method of pressing for an advan- ing their safety , fighting for tage can be discussed at length, I’m control of the center or for control 9r+lwqk+-tr0 sure. Most amateur players simply of key squares. Some people go 9zppzp-sn-vlp0 do not think to put tactical combi- through life never understanding 9-+nzp-+p+0 nations together. They play ultra- any of this. When faced with an conservatively or simply cannot experienced chess player they are 9+-+-+p+-0 calculate accurately to foresee an quickly crushed and left baffled as 9-+PsNP+-+0 outcome. Thus, their play is riddled to what they did wrong – especially 9+-sN-vL-+-0 with mistakes and/or missed win- since “they” have many years of ning opportunities throughout the playing experience? 9PzP-wQLzPPzP0 game. It’s clear that studying tacti- Back to Problem No. 1, with 9tR-+-mK-+R0 cal problems works to improve your Black to move. Black has two supe- xiiiiiiiiy play. It also helps to force you to rior choices that instantly win ma- After spending several minutes consider other moves in any given terial. Neither was even considered here’s what they chose: position. Many of my students have by the amateurs. Both 1. … Nxe5 1. … 0-0 expecting White to play demonstrated exceptional advance- and 1. … Nxd4! are acceptable 2. 0-0 ment within only a few months of moves that employ a “discovered 1. … fxe4 expecting White to focusing only on tactics. For begin- attack” motif. Did you look or even play 2. Nxe4 ners this can prove to be more ben- consider one of these choices? Let’s 1. … Nxd4 expecting White to eficial than learning or spending review. play 2. Bxd4 much time on opening variations. After 1. … Nxe5 Black is attack- In the featured game this month ing the White Bishop on a4. Thus None of these choices are blun- I focus on how a player’s style and if White replies 2. … dxe5 or 2. … ders. However, there is a better reputation can work against him Nxe5 Black responds 2. … Bxa4 move (that will win material) which in practical play. If you look at the and he has won a pawn. Also if 1. … was not even considered. tournament results with less expe- Nxe5 2. Bxd7 Black can play either So what did you choose? The rienced players you’ll discover very Nxf3+ 3. gxf3 Qxd7 or 2. … Nxd7. best move is 1. … f4!, employing few draws. It’s not surprising since In either case Black has won a solid a tactical motif via the most amateurs always feel they have pawn and White has no compensa- White Bishop to move away from to win, even when trying to hold a tion for his material loss. defending the White on may be the best they can ex- After 1…. Nxd4, which is my d4. So let’s review. If after 1. … f4 pect. These days the strongest play- preference, the line is a bit more White responds: ers have learned as White the impor- complicated and requires further 2. Bxf4, then Nxd4 wins the tance of being patient. When facing insight, as it appears White has a Knight and Black has won a piece an aggressive opponent, known for refutation. The main line continues for a pawn and is clearly winning. mostly winning (or losing) games, 2. Qxd4 c5 3. Qg4 and up to now it One student went on to argue that and not willing to accept a draw … looks like White is holding the piece. White has compensation. He offered this can work against him. There However, Black responds 3… Qa5+ a few moves explaining White has a is nothing wrong with accepting a (double-attack motif) 4. Bd2 Qxa4 good initiative for the material defi- draw. So many players feel draws regaining the piece and retaining a cit. But his analysis was quickly re- are cowardly and thus prefer to go pawn advantage with a continued futed. For example, If 3. Bh6 Bxh6! down in flames. It is always best to initiative (via the attack on c2). 4. Qxd4 0-0 5. c5 Be6! 6. Bc4 Qc8! 7. fight hard to win – and these kinds Although none of the moves con- cxd6 cxd6 8. Qxd6? Qxc4 9. Qxe7?? of games are certainly the best to sidered by the amateurs was an and then after Rxf2!! he realized learn from. However, watch how actual , clearly there were White is totally lost and can resign. Kramnik takes on Topalov using better choices in the position that 2. Nxc6 then fxe3 3. Nxd8 the strategy of simply “waiting” for provided a solid material gain with exd2+ 4. Kxd2 Kxd8 and White is Topalov to try and make something no risk and improved the long-term down a piece and has a lost game. happen and then taking advantage winning chances. Sometimes in lines like this, play- of this. It’s this kind of keen and ers may not even realize they are shrewd psychological awareness In our next problem, I again losing material. Then later in the that makes for a true great player asked a group of amateurs to ana- game they wonder, “Hey … when or and genuine chess champion. lyze the position and list 3 moves where did I lose a piece? Kramnik – Topalov, Wijk aan they would consider making. It’s Zee 2003 Black to move. What would you do? Why none of the players con- 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. sidered the deflection motif as a cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bxa6

16 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 7. g3 d6 8. Bg2 Nbd7 9. Nf3 Bg7 and, more important, a truly dead- XIIIIIIIIY 10. Rb1 0–0 11. 0–0 Qa5 12. Bd2 ly tactician! His tactics, generally, Rfb8 13. Qc2 are long-term in concept – and may 9rtr-+-+k+0 XIIIIIIIIY be considered a kind of positional 9+-+nzpp+p0 tactics. But that’s just one part of 9lwq-zp-+p+0 9rtr-+-+k+0 it. Kramnik is playing the board as 9+-+nzppvlp0 well as his opponent’s style. 9+-zpn+-+-0 9l+-zp-snp+0 A serious aspect of gambit play is 9P+-+-+-+0 9wq-zpP+-+-0 knowing when to regain your sacri- 9+PvL-+NzP-0 ficed material. Often, gambit play- 9-+Q+PzPLzP0 9-+-+-+-+0 ers are too anxious to regain their 9+-sN-+NzP-0 material so as to prove the sound- 9+R+-tR-mK-0 9PzPQvLPzPLzP0 ness of the game (or line) and to re- xiiiiiiiiy gain “equality.” In doing so, if timed 18. Ne5! This grabs the initia- 9+R+-+RmK-0 incorrectly, they may actually give tive for Kramnik and sets the pace xiiiiiiiiy up their advantage. In this game for the rest of the game. In one move, So here we have the Benko Topalov is anxious to make some- Topalov’s entire strategy to attack Gambit. Lively. Fun to play and thing happen and miscalculates the the Black Queenside is demolished. deadly if White is not constantly on ensuing subtle endgame difficulties Kramnik now demonstrates his alert. Black has sacrificed a pawn for Black. The thing is ... it’s all his true strength and expertise -- win- for a strong Queenside initiative. own doing, as Kramnik probably ning in the endgame. Let’s watch. White does best to play solidly and knew he would eventually lose his Play continued 18. … Nxe5 If 18. remain patient. One slip and the patience with this defense. … dxe5 19. Bxd5 Bb7 20. a5! () entire White Queenside could fall. XIIIIIIIIY Qf6 (Black must guard his e-Pawn Black has full compensation for the and beware of double-attacks. ) 21. sacrificed pawn and thus needs to 9rtr-+-+k+0 Red1 and White will continue to sustain his own level of patience 9+-snnzppvlp0 build and remain in total control. and work to build up further pres- 9lwq-zp-+p+0 Note also that if 18. … Nxc3 loses to sure on the Queenside or create a 19. Nxc7 and Black will lose at least weakness there (or in the center) to 9+-zpP+-+-0 a piece. 19. Bxd5 Bb7 20. Bxb7 attack. Play continued 13. ... Ne8 9P+-+-+-+0 Rxb7 21. Bxe5 dxe5 A standard maneuver –the Black 9+PsN-+NzP-0 Material is equal as the heavy forces build up for a Queenside as- artillery remains. However, White sault. 14. Rfe1 This defends the e- 9-+QvLPzPLzP0 has an outside , while Pawn. White is slowly building his 9+R+-tR-mK-0 Black has several pawn weakness- position and avoiding complications xiiiiiiiiy es. This is not the kind of endgame as well as possible. White is almost players expect at all. saying, “Come on, Black. Do some- 16. ... Bxc3!? In this critical po- It’s amazing how Kramnik set this thing!” 14. … Nc7 Hitting the d5 sition, a more patient plan was for all up. pawn? Or is the pawn bait for some- Black to play 16. … Ra7, and then XIIIIIIIIY thing else? Let’s see. 15. a4 Qb6 if 17. e4 Bc8 with intentions of de- XIIIIIIIIY ploying a Knight to b4. But Topalov 9r+-+-+k+0 wants action and he wants it now. 9+r+-zpp+p0 9rtr-+-+k+0 White has no attack and is not 9-wq-+-+p+0 9+-snnzppvlp0 really threatening anything directly. 9lwq-zp-+p+0 In any event Black has taken the 9+-zp-zp-+-0 “bait” and the game enters phase 9P+-+-+-+0 9+-zpP+-+-0 II. Play continued 17. Bxc3 Nxd5 9+P+-+-zP-0 9P+-+-+-+0 regaining the pawn – but at what 9+-sN-+NzP-0 cost? 9-+Q+PzP-zP0 9-zPQvLPzPLzP0 9+R+-tR-mK-0 9+R+-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy So now what? Black must defend – not the kind of game Topalov likes 16. b3! This kind of subtle move at all. Meanwhile, Kramnik just is what makes Kramnik so great loves to squeeze wins out of posi-

17 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 tions like this. Notice how he takes must be pushed. 26. … Kf7 27. Ra1 34. Kg2 Kf7 35. Kf3 Ke6 36. his time not allowing any counter- Rooks belong behind passed pawns. g4 Kd6 37. h4 h6 38. g5! Every play. This is absolutely amazing. See 27. … Rxb3 What else? 28. Rxb3 move must be precise. Black can if you can guess the moves he makes Qxb3 29. Qxc5 Maintaining mate- only wait and hope for an error. 38. to win this endgame. rial equality – but with positional … hxg5 39. hxg5 f5 40. e4 e6 41. 22. Rec1 f6 23. Qe4! Not 23. superiority. 29. … Qb2 30. Qc4+ Ra5! Now the Black e5 Pawn is the Qxc5, as after Qxc5 24. Rxc5 Rxa4! Kg7 31. Qa2 Again defending as target. 41. … Kc7 42. Ke3 Kb8 43. and Black can draw easily. 23. … well as preparing to push the pawn Rxe5 Rxa6 44. Rc5 Kb7 45. Kf4 Kg7 24. Rc3 Rab8 25. Qc2 Qe6 forward. 31. … Qxa2 Perhaps 31. … Kb6 46. Rc8 fxe4 47. Kxe4 Kb7 See Qd4 improves. Time pressure may 48. Rg8 Kc6 49. Rxg6 White fi- Notice how White has re-orga- have played a part at this stage. 32. nally wins a clear pawn. The rest nized his forces to attack as well Rxa2 Ra8 33. a6 Ra7 is very instructional technique. 49. as defend. With this accomplished, Material is equal, but White has … Kd6 50. f4 Ra4+ 51. Kf3 Ke7 how do you proceed for White? an outside passed pawn and Black 52. Rg7+ Kf8 53. Rb7 Rc4 54. g6 XIIIIIIIIY has . Rc1 55. Kg4 Rc5 56. Rf7+ Ke8 XIIIIIIIIY 57. f5 1–0 Black resigns, as the 9-tr-+-+-+0 White g-pawn will cost Black his 9+r+-zp-mkp0 9-+-+-+-+0 Rook in order to stop. 9-+-+qzpp+0 9tr-+-zp-mkp0 This was a truly great and very 9P+-+-zpp+0 instructional game. Kramnik em- 9+-zp-zp-+-0 ployed one key subtle move that 9P+-+-+-+0 9+-+-zp-+-0 led to a series of middlegame tac- 9+PtR-+-zP-0 9-+-+-+-+0 tics. In the end Topalov sustained 9+-+-+-zP-0 a serious positional weakness that 9-+Q+PzP-zP0 offered very little hope for equality 9+R+-+-mK-0 9R+-+PzP-zP0 as Kramnik simply took his time to xiiiiiiiiy 9+-+-+-mK-0 reel in the full point. xiiiiiiiiy 26. a5! Yes … Passed pawns

Improving your ability to calculate and visualize tactical combinations takes practice. Tactical problem solving will help in this development. Avoid moving the pieces when solving problems so as to strengthen your over-the- board play. Be alert, play sharp and always remember to do your safety check. Good luck and happy solving! Solutions on page 27.

Position No. 1. White to move. Problem No. 2. White to move. XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY Problem No. 3. White to move. 9r+-+-+rmk0 9-+-+-mkr+0 XIIIIIIIIY 9+q+P+Rzpp0 9+p+-tr-zpR0 9rwq-+-+k+0 9p+-+-+-+0 9pwq-+-zp-+0 9zpp+ntrpzpp0 9+p+-+-+-0 9+lzp-vlP+L0 9-+-+lsn-+0 9-+-vL-+-+0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-tR-0 9+L+-+-+-0 9zPQ+-+-+-0 9-+-wQP+-+0 9PzPP+-+PzP0 9KzPPvL-+P+0 9zP-+-+PsN-0 9+-+-+-mK-0 9+-+-+-+R0 9-+-+L+PzP0 xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy 9+-vL-+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy a) Black is winning. a) 1. c4 is correct and White will b) The position is nearly equal. win a) Black is winning. c) White is winning. b) 1. c4 is incorrect b) The game is a roughly equal. Prove your answer with analysis Validate your move selection c) White is winning. and a variation. with analysis. Prove your answer with a varia- tion.

18 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 ... Continued from page 12 20. Ne2 h5 21. Ref1 Rf6 22. g3 XIIIIIIIIY Raf8 23. fxg4 f3 24. Nc3 hxg4 25. 9r+-+-trk+0 Bxe3 32. Kxe3 Nbc5 33. Rb6 Qg5 Kh7 26. Rd1 Bh6 27. Qxe5 Be3 Ra8 34. Nxc5 dxc5 35. Rb3 Ra5 28. Kf1 Bxf2 29. Kxf2 Rh6 30. Qd4 9zppwq-zppvl-0 36. Kf3? Rxh2+ 31. Ke3 Rh6 32. Nd5 Qc6 9-+n+l+p+0 A time pressure blunder, but 36. 33. c4 Qc5 34. b4 Qxd4+ 35. Rxd4 9+-+-+-+-0 e5 Ra1 37. Ke4 Re1+ 38. Kd5 Rd1+ f2 36. Rd1 f1Q 37. Rxf1 Rxf1 38. a4 would not alter the result. Rh3 0–1 9-+-zP-+-+0 36. … Nd4+, White Resigns. 9+QzPL+-+-0 Just another draw ... 9P+-+-zPP+0 Brandon Harris – Harry Fassett IM Enrico Sevillano – IM Jack Pacifi c Southwest Open, Bur- Peters 9tR-vL-mK-sNR0 bank 2007 Pacifi c Southwest Open, Bur- xiiiiiiiiy B34 SICILIAN DEFENSE bank 2007 14. Bxg6 Bxb3 15. Bh7+ Kh8 16. 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. B14 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Alapin Bc2+ Kg8 17. Bh7+ Kh8 18. Bc2+ d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 g6 6. Bb5 Bd7 7. Variation ½-½ Be3 Bg7 8. 0–0 Nf6 9. Qd2 Nxd4 10. 1. e4 c5 2. c3 g6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 11. Bxd4 0–0 12. Rae1 cxd4 d5 5. exd5 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nxd5 7. e5 13. Be3 Ng4 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 Qb3 Nxc3 8. bxc3 Bg7 9. h4 Qc7 10. g5 16. Bg3 f5 17. f3 f4 18. Bf2 Nxf2 Bc4 0–0 11. h5 Nc6 12. hxg6 hxg6 19. Rxf2 g4 13. Bd3 Be6 XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0 2007-2008 State Championship 9zpp+q+-vl-0 eeded into the Championship are 2007 champion Enrico Sevillano, up 9-+-zp-+-zp0 Sto three players selected on the basis of rating, and four from the 2008 9+-+-zp-+-0 . 9-+-+Pzpp+0 July 29-July 1 Pacific Southwest Open Andranik Matikozyan Gregg Small 9+-sN-+P+-0 Alaa-Addin Moussa 9PzPPwQ-tRPzP0 July 7-15 State Championship Jack Peters 9+-+-tR-mK-0 Tim Taylor Julian Landaw xiiiiiiiiy Ron Hermansen John Daniel Bryant John Funderburg Problem No. 4. White to move. Reynaldo del Pilar July 19-22 Pacific Coast Open Melikset Khachiyan XIIIIIIIIY Joel Banawa 9r+-+kvl-tr0 Jouaquin Banawa 9zp-+-zppzpp0 Harutyun Akopyan August 11-12 San Diego County Open Adam Corper 9-+p+-+-+0 Ulric Aeria 9wq-+-+-+-0 Leonard Sussman 9-+-zP-+-+0 Upcoming September 1-3 Southern California Open LAX 9+Qsn-+P+-0 September 15 San Luis Obispo Cty. Champ. San Luis Obispo 9PzP-+-zP-zP0 October 19-21 Western Pacific Open LAX 9tR-vL-mK-+R0 November 22-25 American Open LAX xiiiiiiiiy Each event qualifies two players (highest scoring Southern California residents not previously qualified) except that 1) In the event of a tie, all a) 1. Qb7 is incorrect tied players will advance; 2) A score of 60% is required to qualify; 3) The b) 1. Qb7 is correct and White is SCCF Amateur, SCCF High School and any one-day event will each have better. one qualifying spot; and 4) All one-day tournaments shall require a 75% Prove your answer with a varia- score and only one player shall qualify on tiebreak. tion.

19 RANKANK & FILEILE SEPTEMBEREPTEMBER-O-OCTOBERCTOBER 20072007 (C), and Alvin Huang and Varton Dan Alvira, Show Kitagami and Ghazarian (D-E). Jeremy Stein. In July, Gregg Fritchle, Dave The Los Angeles Matson, Ike Miller and Jeremy meets on the second floor of Stein tied for first in the 47-player 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., above Summer Open. Class prizes went Javan restaurant. For informa- to Wendell Salverson and Roel tion, call Mick Bighamian at (310) Sanchez (B), Robert Head, Hubert 795-5710 or send a message to Jung, Eduardo Linsangan, Richard [email protected]. Web site: Luchetta and Richard Yang, (C), www.lachessclub.com. Pasadena Chess Club and Jeffrey Ding, Joel Pasternack The 26-player Mount Wilson and Zheng Zhu (D-E-unrated). Open was won by Ike Miller, 5-1, The Arcadia Chess Club meets Exposition Park with Tianyi He and Randy Hough a at 6:30 p.m. Mondays in the Senior Chess Club half-point behind. Winners of class Citizens building, 405 S. Santa Ani- prizes included Gordon Brooks, ta Ave. For information, call Fred On July 1, Auluvance Tillmon, Greg Hall, and Dave Matson (tied Brock at (626) 331-1638 or Mel Clark David Alday and Johnny Sears for Under 2000), Jerry Harrison and at (626) 447-9355. Web site: www. topped sections in the monthly free Bill Kiplinger (tied for Under 1800), geocities.com/arcadiachessclub. tournament at the Exposition Park Jason McKeen and Tai Yoon (tied Chess Club. Winners on August 5 for Under 1600), and Guanyang Yu were Auluvance Tillmon, Jose Go- (Under 1400). In August, The Lib- Diversity Educational mez, Davetta Range, Reynaldo Cruz erty Open, with 36 players, was won Center and Daniel Dudley. For photos of by Larry Stevens and Dave Matson the club, see chess.expoparkla.com. at 5-1. Ike Miller and Tianyi He On June 24, Shyam Gandhi, The club meets every Sunday after- trailed by a half point. Class win- Henry Wang, Rianne Sanchez, Bry- noon in the public library, 3665 S. ners included Gregg Fritchle (under an Tiu, Shelley Anthopoulos, Vince Vermont Ave. in Los Angeles. 2000), Rolando Tenoso and Robert Ho and Roderick Law finished first Xue (under 1800), Isidoro Can (un- in the Diversity Summer Quads in der 1600), Guanyang Yu and Jared Arcadia. On July 14, Simone Liao San Diego Chess Club Ogassian (under 1400), and Ray- won the Summer Scholastics, with The San Diego Chess Club com- mond Law (unrated). other prizes going to Henry Wang, pleted the 2007 Capablanca Chal- The club meets Friday nights at Aaron Householder, Justin Tay, Da- lenge in June with 61 players trying Throop Memorial Church, 300 S. vid Chen, Evan Anthopoulos, Jona- to emulate the great Jose Raul Ca- Los Robles. For details, call Randy than Meaglia and Matthew Ung. pablanca, one of the most revered Hough, (626) 282-7412 or e-mail See diversityeducationalcenter.com and popular World Champions ever [email protected]. – Ran- for further information. to hold the crown. The Cuban won dy Hough the title in 1921 by defeating Eman- uel Lasker, a German titan of the Los Angeles Chess chess world in the early part of the Arcadia Chess Club Club 20th century. The match had been The B.T. McGuire Memorial, delayed for over 10 years due to ending in June, had a fine turnout IM Tim Taylor won the Los An- an inability to agree to terms and, of 58 players. Ike Miller took first geles Chess Club Championship, later by World War 1. Jose Raul place with 6-0. Class prize winners held on July 4, with a 6-0 score. The was known for his clean, crisp style, included Randy Hough (X), Ryan tournament of 25-minute games at- unlike his predecessor, Lasker and Yeung (A), Roger Aramayo (B), Rob- tracted 18 players. Mick Bighamian also the man who followed him, Al- ert Head and Eduardo Linsangan finished second at 5-1, followed by exander Alekhine, both of whom

20 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 liked to complicate things as much Kishinevsky, who came in with 8½. 7. ... c5! 8. d5 e6 transposes back as possible. “Capa” was also known The Class A prize was split between to a normal KID Four Pawns Attack as an incredible talent who did not Hercules Madriaga and Ben Bar- where theory says Black is equal. ] seem to need study the game much quin, both with 7½ points while Ron 8. e5 at all; it just came to him naturally Soto placed 3rd U1800. The Class B 8. d5 Nb4 9. Be2 a5 10. 0–0 c6 11. with little effort. At least that is the prize was won by Chuck Ensey with a3 Qb6+ 12. Kh1 Na6 13. Bd3 Nc5 myth, how much truth is in this 6 points, followed by Fausto Robles, 14. Bc2 cxd5 15. e5! dxe5 16. fxe5 myth is open to debate. What is Shaun Sweitzer and Damani Fair, Nfd7 17. Nxd5 Qd8 18. Bg5 (18. Be3) known is that he was employed as a all with 5½. Then there was a 3- f6 19. exf6 exf6 20. Bf4 leaves Black diplomat by the Cuban government way tie for the Class C prize among very uncomfortable in the open cen- and had a well dressed and dashing Rocio Murra, Ryan Nichols and ter. appearance with a charming and Robert Samuel, all with 4½ points. 8. ... dxe5 9. fxe5 Ng4 10. Be4! cosmopolitan manner. He also had Manuel San German captured the f5? a reputation as a ladies man. The top Class D prize with 4 points, and 10. ... f6 11. h3 Nh6 12. Bxc6 bxc6 night before a tournament he was Anthony Arciga, Karen Kaufman 13. Bxh6 Bxh6 14. Qe2 is slightly more likely to be romancing the lo- and Monica Ness tied for second better for White. cal beauty rather than preparing place with 3 points. 11. Bd5+! e6 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. an opening line for his opponents. The club meets on Wednesday Na4! As today’s athletes want to “be like nights at 7 p.m. in Balboa Park at Excellent positional play by Zei- Mike” (Michael Jordan), with total 2225 Sixth Avenue and is open ev- gler. White has achieved a massive dominance over their chosen sport, eryday for casual play. The club is bind on the Queenside and center. so do chess players in the past and also known for hosting a four round 13. ... Nh6 14. Bg5 Qe8 15. Qd2 even still today aspire to be like G/45 event on Saturdays, the “Gam- Nf7 16. h4 h6 17. Bf4 Qe7 18. Nc5 Raul. bito Open,” now up to #333 (6½ a5 19. a4 Rd8 20. 0–0–0!? The Capablanca Challenge was years worth) in the history books. He wants to be a hero. I would a 6 round event using the McMa- See our website at http://Groups. have played a bit more cowardly as hon pairing system, where every- msn.com/sandiegochess for more White and tried to keep up the stra- one plays in one large section, but stories, games and photos – Chuck tegic pressure with 20. Qf2 Rb8 21. the higher rated players start with Ensey b3 Bf8 22. Bd2. bye points: Masters and Experts 20. ... Ba6 21. b3 Rdb8 22. started with 4 points, Class A play- George Zeigler (2125) – Dimitry Rhg1! ers with 3, Class B with 2, Class C Kishinevsky (2189) White’s attack is faster. with 1 and Class D and below with Capablanca Challenge, San 22. ... Rb4! 0. It is a fair system as long as your Diego 2007 A practical decision. Black’s only have enough players in each class B00 IRREGULAR DEFENSE chance is to sac on c4. 22. ... h5!? is so that most players end up play- (Notes by IM Cyrus Lakdawala) strategic misery for Black. ing someone fairly close to their George and Dimitry always seem 23. g4 own rating most of the time. One of to play these psycho games, but this XIIIIIIIIY the advantages of a McMahon sys- one topped them all. Zeigler played tem over a 5 section separate Class one of the best games I have seen 9r+-+-+k+0 event is that you don’t have the played at the club in several years 9+-zp-wqnvl-0 problem of an uneven number (and and then on the verge of victory, 9l+p+p+pzp0 thus unpaired players) in each sec- blundered twice to get mated him- tion, so at most you will only need self! 9zp-sN-zPp+-0 one house player with the McMa- 1. e4 a6!? 9PtrPzP-vLPzP0 hon, instead of possibly as many as Here we go, some provocation on 9+P+-+N+-0 5 house players needed in the worse the first move! case scenario with a regular Class 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. d4 d6 9-+-wQ-+-+0 event. It is a little strange getting 5. f4! 9+-mKR+-tR-0 used to the McMahon at first, but The KID Four Pawns Attack is xiiiiiiiiy we have found it works extremely probably the best way for White to well and are very proud to be one try and exploit Black’s move order. Also good was 23. Qc2!?. of the few clubs using this excellent 5. ... Nf6 6. Nf3 0–0 7. Bd3 23. ... Bxc4 24. gxf5! Bxb3! system. Perhaps 7. Be3! to discourage If 24. ... exf5 25. Rxg6 Bxb3 26. Bruce Baker won clear first ... c5. Then 7. ... Ng4 8. Bg1 gives Rdg1 Rc4+ 27. Kb1 Rb8 28. Rxg7+ place with 10 points, ahead of Ale- White the advantage. Kh8 29. Qb2! Rcb4 (29. ... Bc2+? jandro Garamendi and Dimitry 7. ... Nc6!? 30. Ka1 Rxb2? 31. Rg8+) 30. Nxb3!

21 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 Rxb3 31. Rg8+ Rxg8 32. Rxg8+ Nestor Dagamat, Kxg8 33. Qxb3, White is winning. Pejman Sagart, 25. Rxg6! Rc4+ 26. Kb2! Aaron Ibarra and Bxd1 Jesse Orlowski. No good is 26. ... Rc2+ 27. Qxc2 Tom Kuhn won Bxc2 28. Kxc2 Nh8 29. Rg3! (29. BU1600 ($100) Rxe6?! Qf7 30. f6 Qg6+ 31. Kc1 Qh5 with 2 points 32. fxg7 Ng6 33. Bd2 Qxf3 34. Rxg6 while Ryan Nich- Rb8 35. Rdg1) 29. ... Kh7 30. Nxe6 ols, Gene Arnaiz, Bf8 31. Rdg1 Nf7 32. Rg8! Rb8 33. and Harold Gon- Nxf8+ Rxf8 34. R1g7#. zalez tied for 2nd 27. Rxg7+! Kh8 28. f6?? U1600. After superb play Zeigler stum- The August bles at the end. He wins with 28. Super Gambito Qxd1! Rb8+ 29. Ka2. (#332) drew a 28. ... Rb8+ 29. Ka2?? more modest 30 ELLIOTT LIU AND BRUCE BAKER 29. Ka1 Qxc5! 30. dxc5 Rxa4+ players, but still with 13 4. Bc4 e6 31. Qa2 Rxa2+ 32. Kxa2 Bxf3 33. of them over 1900. Cyrus 5. Nf3 a6 6. Rxf7 Bd5+ 34. Ka1 Rb4 35. Bxh6 Lakdawala won first place, scor- Nxd4 cxd4 7. Ne2 b5 8. Bb3 Bc5 9. Rxh4 is probably a draw. ing a perfect 4 points. Leonard d3 Ne7 10. c3 dxc3 11. bxc3 Bb7 12. 29. ... Qxc5! 0–1 Sussman and Carey Milton once 0–0 0–0 13. d4 Bb6 14. Qd3 f5 15. Nice. What a turnaround. Bravo again tied for BU2200, while John f3 Kh8 16. Ba3 Rf6 17. Bd6 Bc7 18. to both players! One of the most Funderburg, Rick Aeria and Raoul e5 Rf7 19. Bc5 Nd5 20. a4 bxa4 21. entertaining games played at the Crisologo split the 2nd U2200 prize. Bxa4 Bb6 22. Bd6 a5 23. Rfb1 Qg5 SDCC in a long time! Daniel Felix won his first major vic- 24. c4 Ne3 tory at the Gambito Open, taking XIIIIIIIIY the BU2000 prize all for himself. Gambito Open News Three players tied for 2nd U2000: 9r+-+-+-mk0 The July Super Gambito Open Hercules Madriaga, Chuck Ensey 9+l+p+rzpp0 (#328) had a strong showing of 38 and Peter Hodges. In the Reserves 9-vl-vLp+-+0 players, including 4 Masters and (U1800), William Delaney won First with the top 14 players all with a rat- Place with 3½ points while Nestor 9zp-+-zPpwq-0 ing over 1900. IM Cyrus Lakdawala Dagamat tied with Pejman Sagart 9L+PzP-+-+0 won $200 with a 3½ score, despite for 2nd U1600 with 3. Gene Arnaiz, 9+-+QsnP+-0 allowing a draw to US Cadet champ Tom Kuhn and Darren Chow tied NM Elliott Liu in Rd 3. Another for BU1600 with 2. 9-+-+N+PzP0 rising young star, 9 year old Varun The Gambito Open has been go- 9tRR+-+-mK-0 Krishnan beat NM Bruce Baker ing strong now for almost 7 years xiiiiiiiiy in Round 1. These kids are killing and once a year we play a Super us old fogies! Bruce still came in Double Gambito Open, consisting of 25. Nf4 Qxf4 26. Rxb6 Bxf3 27. 2nd Place with 3 for $75. Also scor- 8 rounds of G/45 over a 2 day period. Rab1 h5 28. gxf3 Qxf3 29. R6b2 ing 3 (out of 4) were Carey Milton This year the Super Double will be Qg4+ 30. Kf2 Qf4+ 31. Ke1 Ng4 32. and Leonard Sussman, who tied on November 3 instead of the usual Bd1 Nxh2 33. Qh3 Qe4+ 34. Be2 for BU2200 for $75 each and Ben December date, because we think g6 35. Qxh2 Qxd4 36. Qf2 Qc3+ 37. Barquin who won $100 for BU2000. we can get a bigger turnout in No- Kf1 f4 38. Qf3 1–0 Varun tied for 2nd U2000 with Ed vember with less holiday conflicts Baluran with 2 points. than in the last month of the year. William Delaney (1708) – Nestor In the Reserve Section, another See our website http://groups.msn. Dagamat (1667) youngster, Alan Tsoi, took first com/sandiegochess for details on the August Super Gambito, San Di- place with a 3½ score, for a $100 generous prize fund. – Chuck Ensey ego 2007 prize. Alan was featured on the cov- B01 Center Counter Defense er of the Reader magazine recently, Bruce Baker (2277) – Elliott Liu 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 although unfortunately they got (2320) Qd8 4. d4 h6 5. h3 Nf6 6. Nf3 e6 his name wrong. Ironically the title 328th Gambito, San Diego 2007 7. Bf4 Bb4 8. Qd3 0–0 9. a3 Ba5 10. of the article was “You can’t hide B23 SICILIAN DEFENSE, Rossolimo Be2 Nd5 11. Bh2 c6 12. 0–0 Bc7 13. who you are when you play chess”! Variation Nxd5 Bxh2+ 14. Nxh2 exd5 15. Qg3 Tying for Second place with 3 were 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 Nd7 16. Rfe1 Nf6 17. Bd3 Nh5 18.

22 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 Qe5 Nf6 19. Qe7 Qb6 20. Qb4 Qc7 21. Re7 Qf4 22. Rae1 a5 23. Qc3 g6 The Long View 24. Qh4 Rde8 25. Nc3 Bd5 26. 24. R1e3 Qd6 25. Qe1 Ra7 26. Nf3 Nf2 Qc6 27. Rf1 b4 28. Ne2 Qa4 by John Hillery Be6 It seems that Black’s strategy XIIIIIIIIY In 1895 Harry Nelson Pillsbury has succeeded, for he must now ob- traveled to Europe to compete in tain a passed pawn on the Queen- 9-+-+-trk+0 his first international tournament side. But all the White pieces are 9trp+-tRp+-0 -- and he won, ahead of such lumi- poised for an attack on the Black 9-+pwqlsnpzp0 naries as Lasker, Tarrasch and King. Chigorin. Though a frequent and 29. Ng4 Nd7 9zp-+p+-+-0 successful tournament competitor Not 29. ... Qxa2? 30. Nxf6! and 9-+-zP-+-+0 over the next few years, he never wins. 9zP-+LtRN+P0 succeeded in obtaining the match 30. R4f2 Kg8 for the world championship he And now if 30. ... Qxa2 31. Nf4 9-zPP+-zPP+0 sought. His long illness and early Bf7 32. Ng6+ Bxg6 33. fxg6 h6 34. 9+-+-wQ-mK-0 death in 1906 deprived the world of Nxh6 gxh6 35. Qxh6+ Kg8 36. Rf5 xiiiiiiiiy one of its greatest players. Among wins. his other contributions to the game, 31. Nc1 c3 32. b3 Qc6 33. h3 27. R7xe6 fxe6 28. Rxe6 Qf4 29. Pillsbury demonstrated the worth a5 34. Nh2 a4 35. g4 axb3 36. Re7 Raa8 30. Qe6+ Kh8 31. Bxg6 of the Queen’s Gambit in an era axb3 Ra8 Rg8 32. Qxf6+ Qxf6 33. Rh7# 1–0 when anything other than 1. e4 e5 XIIIIIIIIY was often dismissed as “Irregular.” 9r+-+-+k+0 Pillsbury – Tarrasch 9+-+ntr-zpp0 San Diego County Hastings 1895 9-+q+-zp-+0 Championship D55 QUEEN’S GAMBIT DECLINED 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. 9+-+l+P+-0 State Champion IM Enrico Se- Bg5 Be7 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Rc1 0-0 9-zp-zPp+PwQ0 villano topped the field with 4½-½ 7. e3 b6 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bd3 Bb7 9+Pzp-zP-+P0 in this 74-player event, held at the 10. 0-0 c5 11. Re1 c4 San Diego Chess Club August 11-12. At the time most masters 9-+-+-tR-sN0 Next with 4-1 was John Daniel Bry- thought that Black’s Queenside 9+-sN-+RmK-0 ant. Tying for third, and earning pawn majority should give him the xiiiiiiiiy spots in the State Championship advantage—given time, he will qualifying cycle, were San Diego advanace his b- and c-pawns and 37. g5! Ra3 38. Ng4 Bxb3 39. regulars Adam Corper, Ulric Aeria, create a passed pawn on the c-file. Rg2 Kh8 40. gxf6 gxf6 41. Nxb3 and Leonard Sussman. Other sec- Pillsbury shows that White’s active Rxb3 42. Nh6 tion winners were Benjamin Bar- pieces are of greater import. Threatening 43. Rg8 mate. quin and Imre Barlay, tied at 4½-½ 12. Bb1 a6 13. Ne5 b5 14. f4 42. ... Rg7 43. Rxg7 Kxg7 44. in Under 2000, and Andrew Daniel- Re8 15. Qf3 Nf8 16. Ne2 Ne4 17. Qg3+! Kxh6 son and Yash Pershad, both with 4- Bxe7 Rxe7 18. Bxe4 dxe4 Forced, as 44. ... Kf8 45. Qg8+ 1 in U1600. Chuck Ensey and Bruce White does not object to ex- picks off the Rook at b3. Baker directed. changes, for the Black Bb7 cannot 45. Kh1! easily participate in the defense of A quiet but deadly move -- Black the Kingside. is helpless against the threat to 19. Qg3 f6 20. Ng4 Kh8 21. f5 close the mating net with 446. Rg1. Qd7 22. Rf1 Rd8 23. Rf4 Qd6 45. ... Qd5 46. Rg1 Qxf5 47. White has steadily strengthened Qh4+ Qh5 48. Qf4+ Qg5 49. his position while Black - Rxg5 fxg5 50. Qd6+ Kh5 51. rized. Qxd7 c2 52. Qxh7 mate

43rd Annual American Open LAX Renaissance Hotel November 22-25 A DETERMINED SEVILLANO $$40,000 b/400, $20,000 guaranteed! PONDERS HIS NEXT MOVE see page 26 for full details

23 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 Games From Recent Events

Top of the Class At this stage I made my first as- I would then have to wait for their sessment. I felt I had a winning po- games to finish before knowing Michael Angelo Purcell of Tor- sition. My Bishops are looking at a what place I would get. One way is rance tied for second in the U1800 King with no Knight guarding the 17. Bd4+ (or 17. Rf3 Bh4 18. Bd4+ section of the 2007 National Open. front door. e5 19. Qh5+ Kg7 20. fxe5 Bf2+ Here is his spectacular last-round 11. Nxd5 21. Rxf2 Rf8 22. e6+ Qf6 23. Rxf6 victory. Notes by the winner. Arrest the guardian of the gate. Rxf6 24. Qf7+ Kh6 25. Be3+ Rf4 11. ... cxd5 12. f4 26. Bxf4#) 17. ... e5 18. fxe5 Rf8 19. Michael Angelo Purcell (1747) I sensed my inexperienced oppo- Rxf8+ Qxf8 20. e6+ Bf6 21. Bxf6+ – Haochi Shi, (1788) nent would want to play d6 to try Qxf6 22. Qxf6+ Kh7 23. Qf7+ Kh6 National Open, Las Vegas 2007 to get me to exchange and fix his 24. Rf1 d4 25. Rf6+ Kg5 26. Qg7+ C45 pawns. Kh5 27. Rh6#] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 12. ... d6 13. e6 17. f5 My beloved Scotch Opening. I I spent a good 15 seconds check- He went into shock on this move. have had years of success with this ing out this move which I had seen Expecting I would play Qh6 and try opening. I play it different as of- a move earlier. It had to be good. It for the draw. ten as I can so as to get out of well forces Black to weaken his King 17. ... Bf6 18. Bh6+ 1–0 known lines early and make my op- even if he plays Rf8. Black resigned rather than face ponents think and play real chess. 13. ... fxe6?! 14. Qh5 g6?! the mate in two. 3. ... exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. XIIIIIIIIY Nxc6 I love playing positions with 9r+-wqr+k+0 many pawn problems for the other 9zplzp-vl-+p0 Fast and Slow side and this exchange creates an 9-+-zpp+p+0 The Gambito tournaments fea- , doubled pawns and ture a fast , but that three pawn islands for Black. 5. ... 9+-+p+-+Q0 proves no hindrance to the sort of bxc6 6. e5 is usually played now. 9-+-+-zP-+0 slow positional maneuvering at 5. ... bxc6 6. Bd3 Bb7 7. 0–0 9+-+LvL-+-0 which Lakdawala excels. Notes by Safety first. the winner. 7…Be7 9PzPP+-+PzP0 Or 7. ... d5?! 8. e5 Nd7 9. Bf4. 9tR-+-+RmK-0 IM Cyrus Lakdawala – John Fun- 8. Be3 xiiiiiiiiy derburg Now we are in new territory. Super Gambito #333, San Diego The are no games with this position Black underestimated my at- 2007 in my database. tack. He thought I was playing for A45 OPOCENSKY OPENING 8. ... 0–0 9. Nc3 Re8 the draw. No way Jose! On 14. ... h6 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 c5 3. d5!? A mistake that allows me to begin 15. Qg6 Bf6 16. Qh7+ Kf8 17. Bg6 Gambiting a pawn. Alternatives a march to take the Black . d4 18. Bd2 Ke7 19. Bxe8 Qxe8 20. are 3. Bxf6 gxf6 4. d5 Qb6 5. Qc1 f5 The Black Rook has removed the Rae1 White is much better, but it’s 6. g3 (Lakdawala-Nakamura, 2005 foundation to Black’s perfect house. not as bad as the game. US Championship), and 3. Nc3 cxd4 Now I can send the Knight packing 15. Bxg6 hxg6 16. Qxg6+ Kf8 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qh4 with a strange too. 9. ... d6 was much better. Mate in 5. On 16. ... Kh8 I saw Sicilian/Center Counter hybrid. 10. e5 so many ways to win this that I was 3. ... Qb6 4. Nc3 e5!? A kick in the shin with a big fat besides myself. Here it was the last An IM played this on me recently grin! round and I was going to end my on ICC. The idea is to play a Czech 10. ... Nd5 game ahead of the top two boards. Benoni where the White Bishop

24 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 on g5 is vulnerable to 33. gxf4 Rbe8 swaps and ... Nxd5 tac- 34. Re1 Ng8 35. Solutions to Chess tical shots. 4. ... Qxb2!? f5. Quiz 5. Bd2 Qb6 6. e4 d6 33. Nac2 (see page 28) 7. f4 e5! (Vaganian Bc8 34. f5! won several crushing Undermin- Domuls-Polyakov, Lat- games in the 70’s with ing h5. 7. ... g6?! 8. e5!) 8. fxe5 via 1980: White would like 34. ... Qe8 to the Black Knight at f7, dxe5 9. Nf3 gave me 35. Rhf1 good compensation for Also good the enemy King’s only defend- the pawn vs. GM Gil- was35. fxg6 er, but the key is to do so with berto Hernandez in Qxg6 36. Rhf1 check: 1. Rd8+ Nx8 2. Bh5+ the 2000 Dos Herma- Rhg8 37. Qf3 IM CYRUS LAKDAWALA Nf7 3. Rd8#. nos qualifier. Bf4 38. Kh2. 5. Rb1 Be7 6. e4 d6 7. 35. ... g5 36. Nf3 Nbd7 Rh1! Rfg8 Rohde-Liu, Cherry Hill If 7. ... Bg4?! 8. Be2 Bxf3 9. Bxf3 If he closed the Kingside I had 2007: Though they appear to h6 10. Be3 Nh7 11. h4, and White is planned 36. ... g4 37. a5! b5 38. b4!. be far apart, the White pieces clearly better. 37. hxg5 Bxg5 38. Kf1 Rh6 39. cooperate marvelously after 1. 8. Nd2 a6 9. Be3! Rfh2 Rgh8 40. Ne1! Qxd7! Qxd7 2. Rg8+ Kxg8 Weaker was 9. Be2?! Qd8! 10. a4 The key to victory is to elimi- Nxd5 11. Bxe7 Nxe7 12. Nc4 0–0 13. nate Black’s “bad” Bishop, who 3. Nxf6+, and White will Qxd6 Nc6, with equality. isn’t so bad after all and covers all emerge a piece ahead. 9. ... Qc7 10. a4 the Kingside dark squares. White has a nagging space ad- XIIIIIIIIY Rogers-Toth, Adelaide vantage, but Black’s position is 2007: The Black King has lost weakness-free. 9-+l+q+-tr0 his pawn shelter, but the deci- 10. ... b6 11. Bd3 Nf8 12. f3 9+-sn-sn-mk-0 Ng6 13. g3 h6 14. Qe2 Nh7 15. 9pzp-zp-zp-tr0 sive blow comes from the oth- h4 er flank: 1. Rxa7!, and Black White is willing to loosen his 9+-zpPzpPvlp0 is helpless: 1. … Qxa7 2. Be6+ Kingside in exchange for more 9P+P+P+-+0 Qf7 (2. … Kf8 3. Qh8+ Ke7 4. space. 9+PvLLsN-zP-0 15. ... Nf6 16. Bf2 h5 17. Nc4 Qxg7+ loses even more mate- Nd7 18. Ne3 Bf8! 19. Kf1 Ne7 20. 9-+-+Q+-tR0 rial) 3. Bxf7+ Rxf7 4. Qg4+ Kg2 g6 21. Rbf1 9+-+-sNK+R0 Rg7 5. Qe6+ Kh8 7. Rxf6, 1. … Playing for an f4 pawn break. xiiiiiiiiy Qe8 2. Bh7+ Kh8 (2. … Kf8 3. 21. ... Bg7 22. b3 Nf6 23. Be1! Rxf6+) 3. Bg6+, or 1. … Qf8 Heading to c3, where the Bishop 40. ... Bxe3 will help with the f4 break. Or 40. ... Bd7 41. Nf3. 2. Be6+ Rf7 3. Bxf7+ Kg7 4. 23. ... Bh6 24. Bd2 Kf8 25. Rf2 41. Qxe3 b5 42. axb5 axb5 43. Qg6+ Kh8 5. Rf5. Kg7 26. Rhf1 Qd7! 27. Rh1 Nf3 Just testing. Also strong was 43. Ba5. 27. ... Ne8 28. Nb1! Nc7 29. 43. ... Bd7 44. g4 Na3 Rb8 30. c4 Now Black’s Kingside pawn shel- I wanted black to play ... a5 to ter crumbles. seal the Queenside. Then I can con- 44. ... bxc4 45. bxc4 Qf7 46. centrate on a Kingside break with- Bd2 Kf8 47. g5 out fear of Queenside counterplay. Also winning was 47. Qxh6+. But John carefully keeps the ten- 47. ... fxg5 48. Qxg5 Qf6 49. sion on the Queenside. Qxf6+ 30. ... Bb7 31. Bc3 f6 32. f4 Another was was49. Qh4. Rbf8 49. ... Rxf6 50. Rxh5 Rxh5 51. 32. ... exf4?! is tempting for Rxh5 Kg7 52. Bg5 1–0 Black because it looks like he may If he moves the Rook f5-f6+ will get some central counterplay, but follow. A heavy-duty maneuvering White can get a big advantage with game.

25 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 Upcoming Events

September 15 TheChessUnion.com. No checks or reg, $9 junior. Reg: 5:30-6:30 p.m. COSTA MESA OCTOS. 3-SS, credit card entries at door. NC. 10/19, 9-10 a.m. 10/20. Rds: 3-day 7 G/80. (Digital Clocks with delay p.m., 11-5:30, 10-4:30. 2-day: 10:30- G/75). 8 player sections by rating. October 13 1:30 (G/75), then merges. HR: $104, Odd Fellows/Rebekah Hall, 2476 COSTA MESA OCTOS. 3-SS, (310) 410-4000. Be sure to mention Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA. G/80. (Digital Clocks with delay Western Chess. Parking $9/day. EF: $27 advance, $32 at site, $2 disc. G/75). 8 player sections by rating. Info: [email protected]. to all Southern Calif. Chess Federa- Odd Fellows/Rebekah Hall, 2476 Web site: www.westernchess.com. tion members. $$ prizes per entries. Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 Reg. 9:45-10:15 a.m. Rds. 10:30- EF: $27 advance, $32 at site, $2 disc. N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles CA 1:45-5:00. (New times) Rounds to all Southern Calif. Chess Federa- 90038. NS. NC. F. GP: 40. State may start earlier if your opponent tion members. $$ prizes per entries. Championship Qualifier. is present and ready. Info/Ent: Reg. 9:45-10:15 a.m. Rds. 10:30- Takashi Iwamoto (takashi@cox. 1:45-5:00. (New times) Rounds October 21 net), 24275 Tama Lane, Laguna may start earlier if your opponent WESTERN PACIFIC HEXES. 3-SS, G/90. Niguel, CA 92677. Home: (949) 643- is present and ready. Info/Ent: LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd, 2981 Cell: (949) 689-3511. Web site: Takashi Iwamoto (takashi@cox. Los Angeles, CA 90045. 6-player http://members.cox.net/octochess/. net), 24275 Tama Lane, Laguna sections by rating. $$40-20-10 NS, NC. Niguel, CA 92677. Home: (949) 643- each section. EF: $20 if received 2981 Cell: (949) 689-3511. Web site: by 10/18, $25 door. Reg: 9:30-10:15 September 15 http://members.cox.net/octochess/. a.m. Rds: 10:30-2-5. Ent: SCCF, SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY CHAMPION- NS, NC. c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. SHIP. 4-SS, G/60. Mayr Gallery, 169 #1, Los Angeles CA 90038. On-line Granada #3, San Luis Obispo, CA October 19-21 ent: www.westernchess.com. 93401. EF: $30 in advance; $40 at 5TH ANNUAL WESTERN PACIFIC OPEN. site; less $5 SCCF; Cash only at site. 5-SS, 3-day 40/2, SD/1, 2-day rds. October 21 Prizes: 90% entries to be paid out. 1-2 G/75 then merges. LAX Hilton, WESTERN PACIFIC SCHOLASTICS. 5- Reg.: 9-9:30 a.m. Rds.: 10-12:15- 5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, SS, SD/45. LAX Hilton, 5711 W 2:45-5. One 1/2 pt. Bye any rd. with CA 90045. $$10,000 b/200, 50% of Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA entry. Ent: Payable to S.L.O. Chess each prize guaranteed. In 3 sec- 90045. Open to gr. 12-below. In Club, 234 Via La Paz, S.L.O., CA tions: Open: 1600-1000-800-400- two sections: Open: Trophies to 93401. Info: (Barbara) 805-540- 200, U2400 300-200, U2200 700- top 5, top 3 U1200, top 2 Unrated, 0747, [email protected]. State 500-300. EF: $83 if received by best each grade. Reserve (Grade Championship Qualifier 10/18, $95 door. Premier (U2000): 6/below U1000): Trophies to top $$ 700-500-300-100, U1800 400- 5, top 3 U700, top 2 Unrated. Reg: September 15 200-150, U1600 400-200-150. EF: 8:30-9:15. Rds: 9:30-11-1:00-2:30- CHESS UNION FALL OPEN. 3-SS, G/75. $83 if received by 10/18, $95 door. 4. EF: $16 if received by 10/18, No time delay allowed. Back to the Amateur (U1400/Unrated): $$400- $20 door. On-line ent: www.west- Grind Café (lower level), 3575 Uni- 200-100, U1200 100, Unr 100, unrat- ernchess.com. Info: John Hillery, versity Ave Riverside, CA 92501. ed may win unrated prize only. EF: [email protected]. Ent: Top 2 $$150-$75 Gtd., U1800 & $67 if received by 10/18, $80 door. SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wil- U1600 prizes b/20. EF: $24 on- On-line entry: www.westernchess. ton Pl. #1, Los Angeles CA 90038. line/mail received by Sept. 8, $30 com. No checks or credit card en- at door. Reg: 9:00-10:10 a.m. Rds: tries at door. All: $25 Best Game November 22-25 10:15-1:00-4:00. Ent: Mail checks prize, all sections eligible. One half 43RD ANNUAL AMERICAN OPEN. 8-SS, to the “Chess Union,” PO Box 1313, point bye if requested with entry, 40/2, SD/1. LAX Renaissance Hotel, Bloomington, CA 92316. Info: Call rds 4-5 cannot be revoked. SCCF 9620 Airport Bl, Los Angeles, CA (951) 990-7990. On-line entries at membership req. of S. Cal. res., $14 90045. $$40,000 b/o 400 entries, 50%

26 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 of each prize guaranteed. In 6 sec- 10:30-5, 10-4:30. 3-day schedule: Monterey Park, CA 91754. Info: tions (Unr. must play in U1400/Unr. Reg. closes 11:30 a.m. 11/23, Rds. Randy Hough (626) 282-7412. or Open). Open: $4000-2000-1000- 12-2:30-5-8 (G/1), schedules merge 700-600-500, U2450/Unr. $1000- in Rd 5 and compete for common November 24 500, U2300/Unr. $600-300. U2200, prizes. Byes (2 max) with advance AMERICAN OPEN QUICK CHESS CHAM- U2000, U1800: Each $3200-1600- notice. CCA minimum ratings and PIONSHIP. 5-SS (double round), G/10. 800-400. U1600: $2600-1300-650- TD discretion will be used to protect LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd, 350. U1400/Unr: $2200-1100-550, you from improperly rated players. Los Angeles, CA 90045.$1000: $250- U1200 $1000-500 (not a separate November Rating Supplement used. 150; U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, section; U1200s also eligible for Lectures and videos. HR: $99, (310) Unr. each $100 (Unrated eligible U1400 prizes), Unrated: $350-200 337-2800, mention chess. Parking only for Open and Unr. prize). EF: (Unrateds in this section eligible for $7. Info: Randy Hough (626) 282- $30 received by 11/20, $35 at site. these prizes only). EF: Open, U2200, 7412, [email protected]. Reg closes 8 pm. Rounds: 8:15-9- U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400 $120 if Ent: American Open, PO Box 205, 9:45-10:30-11:15. Double bye (1 pt) rec’d by 11/20, $50 more for players Monterey Park, CA 91754 or www. available for round 1. Enter: www. rated under 2000 playing in Open, americanopen.org. NS, W, F. GP: americanopen.org or American Unrated $40. All: $25 more at door. 100. State Championship Quali- Open, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, SCCF membership req’d, $14, $9 jrs fier. CA 91754. Info: Randy Hough (626) under 19 includes Rank & File mag- 282-7412. GP: 6 azine, OSA. Elegant trophy each November 24 section winner. Special $1000 gtd. AMERICAN OPEN SCHOLASTIC. 5-SS, prizes in memory of Joyce Jillson: G/45. LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century November 25 $100 (brilliancy), $100 (positional Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045.Open AMERICAN OPEN ACTION. 5-SS, G/30. win by player 1700+), $100 (posi- to HS/below. In 4 sections: K-12: LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd, tional win by player U1700), $100 trophies top 5, 2 each grades 9-12, 1 Los Angeles, CA 90045. EF: $20 re- (known true gambit); biggest rat- each K-8. K-8: trophies top 5, 2 each ceived by 11/20; $25 at door. 80% of ing gain by established player rated K-8. K-6: trophies top 5, 2 each K-6. entry fees returned in prizes Reg: over 1000: $400, $200 (latter fe- K-3: trophies top 4, 2 each K-3. EF: 11-11:45 a.m. Rounds: 12-1:15-3- male only). No checks at door – cash, $16 received by 11/20, $20 at door. 4:15-5:30. Enter: www.americano- credit card or money order only. 4- Reg: 9-9:45 Rounds: 10-11:30-1- pen.org or American Open, PO day schedule: Reg. closes noon 3-4:30. Enter: www.americanopen. Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. 11/22, Rds. 12:30-7:30, 12:30-7:30, org or American Open, PO Box 205, Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412.

Solutions to Tactics So what move did you choose? White Rc1 Nb6 5. Bf4 Nxa8 6. Bxc7 Nxc7 has a forced mate in four that in- and Black’s two pieces vs Rook will by Hanks cludes a Queen and Rook . dominate the endgame and win. (see page 18) 1. Qxg8+! (Did you even consider Better is simply 1. bxc3 with rough- this move?) Kxg8 2. Rh8+ Kxh8 ly an even game. Problem no. 1: b. The position 3. Bf7+ Bh2 4. Rxh2#. is nearly equal. White’s best try is Problem no. 3: c. White is 1. d8=N! Black has no time and winning. From a game Botvin- must continue 1. … Raxd8 (best -- nik – Keres, Hague- 1948. White threatened 2. Bxg7+ leading White unleashes a winning attack. to mate) 2. Rxb7 Rxd4 3. Bxg8 The main line goes 1. Rxg7+ Kxg7 Kxg8. White is up a pawn with an (if 1. … Kh8 then 2. Bg5 maintains advantage, but Black retains draw- winning pressure) 2. Nh5+ Kg6 3. ing chances owing to his active Qe3 and mate comes quickly. Rook. Try playing Black against Problem no. 4: a. Qb7 is in- your computer and see if you can correct. From the game Nimzov- hold a draw. ich – Alekhine, Bled 1931. The Problem no. 2: b. c4 is incor- game continued 1. Qb7 Nd5+ 2. rect. If White plays 1. c4??, Black Bd2 Qc7 3. Qxa8+ Kd7 – but now plays 1. … Bxc4, since if 2. Qxc4 (the the White Queen is trapped. The White Queen is pinned) then Qb2#. best White can achieve may be 4.

27 RANK & FILE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9rsn-+k+-+0 9R+-+-+-+0 9-+-tr-+k+0 9+-+-+n+-0 9zppzpr+pmk-0 9zp-+-wq-tr-0 9-+-+-vL-+0 9-+-+qvlpzp0 9-+p+-zp-+0 9+pzp-+-+-0 9+-+-zp-+-0 9+-+p+L+Q0 9-+p+PzpL+0 9-+-+P+N+0 9-zP-+p+-zP0 9+-+-+-+-0 9+-zPQ+-+P0 9tR-zP-zP-vl-0 9r+-tR-+PzP0 9PzP-+-zPP+0 9P+-+-+P+0 9+-+R+-mK-0 9+-+-+-mK-0 9+-+-+R+K0 xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy DOMUL-POLYAKOV ROHDE-LIU ROGERS-TOTH , 1980 CHERRY HILL, 2007 ADELAIDE, 2007 WHITE TO MOVE WHITE TO MOVE WHITE TO MOVE

Solutions on page 25

SCCF PO BOX 205 MONTEREY PARK CA 9754