[Event "2026 National Elementary K-6 Championsh"] [Site "Baltimore, United States"] [Date "2026.05.03"] [Round "6.9"] [White "Karthik, Aarav"] [Black "Goel, Raben"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2025"] [BlackElo "2014"] [BlackTeam "USA"] [Annotator "Foisor,Sabina"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [StudyName "2026 National Elementary School Championships"] [ChapterName "Karthik, Aarav - Goel, Raben"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/7oZFKhAd/NBJ6Fcc8"] [FEN "r1b1r1k1/1p3pbp/6p1/2Pq4/1PpN4/4BP2/3Q2PP/3RR1K1 b - - 0 20"] [SetUp "1"] [Orientation "white"] { The two players were in the lead before the game, so saving this position was a great turn-around for Aarav, who went on to win the K-5 Championship title after winning in the final round! } 20... Ra3?! { Generally speaking, activating the rook to the enemy's sixth or seventh rank should lead to an advantage, but here, Black's biggest need is to complete their development. After } (20... Bd7! $17 { first, White struggles to further improve as the pressure on the d- and e-files keeps them pinned down to avoid losing material. }) 21. Nb5! { White finds the right way to untangle himself. } 21... Rd3 22. Nc7 Rxd2 23. Nxd5 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 c3 25. Kf2 { Now that the queens are off the board, White is able to hold on, despite having to deal with Black's c-pawn. } 25... c2 26. Rc1 Bf5 { Now White's main focus is to get rid of the c-pawn in order to focus or trading pieces en route to a likely draw. While other continuations may still keep the game balanced, in my opinion, when in some kind of trouble, it's best to focus on the culprit and make sure it is taken care of. In this case, White should not allow the rook to remain passive for too long. } 27. g4 Bd3 28. Nf4! { While on stream, I analyzed a few other options, but I like this the most! } (28. g5 { was an interesting alternative, attempting to trade the dark-squared bishop, but after } 28... h6 29. h4 Bb2 30. Nf6+ Bxf6 31. gxf6 Kh7 { followed by ... Re8-e6, allows Black to maintain the edge, as White's rook is still pacified. }) 28... Bh6 29. h4 Bxf4 30. Bxf4 { Black has chosen the best way to keep his chances alive, as the c-pawn is protected by the bishop, but contrasted to the line shown above, White has no weaknesses. } 30... Re2+ 31. Kg3 Kf8 32. Ra1 Ke8 33. Ra3 Bb5 34. Re3+ { The right way to force the draw! } 34... Kd7 35. Rxe2 Bxe2 36. Kf2 Bd1 37. b5 1/2-1/2