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DoubleUpset
A nine-year-old B-player beats a master using two knights to stand up to a queen. By GM LEV ALBURT
WE USUALLY ASSOCIATE POSITIONAL sacrifices, and especially queen sacrifices, with grandmasters and masters. But in the game below, young Robert Shlyakht- enko did indeed sacrifice his queen for two knights as a defensive tool—not lost, not blundered, but voluntarily sacrificed! (My further comments will be in italics).
French Defense (C00) Reuben Ondangan (2236) Robert Shlyakhtenko (1682) LACC—Saturday & Sunday G/61 III (1), Los Angeles, California, 06.14.2014
This game was my first win against a master. I was out of book on move two (!), and thought I was in a totally losing situ- ation on move 14. However, in huge time- trouble, my opponent blundered.
1. e4 e6 The French Defense. 2. Qe2
Totally new for me. Chigorin’s anti-French line, which often
leads to positions that are similar, some- times even identical, to King’s Indian Attacks (see my August 2014 column.)
I am not a master, but I think this is
too weakening, as the plan h5-h6 is not advisable. At worst, I’d give 8. h4 a “?!”—more
likely, “!?”. And if Robert thinks the plan (h4)-h5-h6 isn’t good, why not allow it— e.g., by playing a useful move like 8. ... Nc6 now?
8. ... f6
What is a better defense to a flank attack than a central thrust? 9. exf6 Nxf6 10. 0-0 Nc6 11. c3 Just gaining central control.
11. ... d4!?
Black gains control of e3 and c3, but White now has the e4-square. This “exchange” clearly favors White. I’d prefer 11. ... Bd6, preparing ... e6-e5.
12. c4 Ng4 Preparing 13. ... e5.
13. Ng5 (see diagram top of next column)
2. ... Be7 Breaking the pin. Later I found out that
the main moves also include 2. ... Nf6 and 2. ... c5.
18 November 2014 | Chess Life
13... e5?? A blunder—but Black’s position is already much worse.
14. Bd5+ Kh8 15. Be6
3. Nf3 d5 4. d3 Nf6 5. g3 c5 6. Bg2 0-0 7. e5 Nfd7 8. h4??
I don’t see what is wrong with 15. Nf7+,
e.g. 15. Nf7+ Rxf7 16. Bxf7 Bxh4 17. gxh4 Qxh4 18. f3.
15. ... Nh6 16. Qe4
Black’s pieces are very disorganized, so White stands better. Add also Black’s inferior pawn structure as well!
16. ... g6 17. Kg2 Qd6 I want to exchange the Be6.
18. Bxc8 The bishop, which has made four moves,
exchanges itself for a bishop that has never moved.
18. ... Raxc8 19. Qe2
Clearing e4 for the knight. 19. ... Nf5 20. Nd2
My bishop on e7 doesn’t have a future, so I exchanged it. 20. ... Bxg5
I offered a draw here.
21. Ne4 (see diagram top of next column) 21. ... Bxc1!?
Here, I just went crazy. Objectively, Black’s best here is to defend
stubbornly, e.g., 21. ... Qd7 22. Bxg5 (not 22. Nxc5? Qe7, winning) 22. ... b6 and
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