[Event "2025 National K-12 Chess Championship"] [Site "Spokane, WI USA, United State"] [Date "2025.12.14"] [Round "6.5"] [White "Shafer, Logan C"] [Black "Zhao, Erick"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2312"] [WhiteTeam "USA"] [BlackElo "2518"] [BlackTeam "USA"] [Annotator "Foisor,Sabina"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [StudyName "2025 National K-12 Grade Championships, Pt. 2"] [ChapterName "Shafer, Logan C - Zhao, Erick"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/NnKpzTbl/OTiPT0cf"] [FEN "7r/4R3/8/8/5p2/3k3p/6K1/8 w - - 0 45"] [SetUp "1"] [Orientation "white"] { Logan has impressed me with his tactical skills this event. This was overall a well-played game, but, being the higher-rated player, Erick played it though to the rook endgame where he was able to win two pawns. Now although this should be a draw, it got to a point where White had to be super-precise as those pawns have advanced quite a lot. The only drawing idea for White at this point is to get himself stalemated. } 45. Kh2?? (45. Kg1! { was the only way! } 45... Rg8+ (45... f3 46. Rf7 Ke3 47. Re7+) (45... h2+ 46. Kh1! { and now all White has to do is to get rid of the rook! } 46... f3 47. Re3+ Kxe3) 46. Kf2! Rg2+ 47. Kf3 (47. Kf1?? { not this as now White remains cut-off } 47... f3 48. Rd7+ Ke3 49. Re7+ Kd4 50. Rf7 h2 51. Rh7 Rg1+ $19) 47... Rg3+ 48. Kxf4 h2 49. Rh7 Rg2 50. Kf3 Ra2 51. Rd7+ Kc3 52. Rh7) 45... f3! { And now it is all over. A nice finish by Erik who got closer to the title with this win! } 46. Rd7+ Ke3 47. Ra7 Rf8 48. Ra3+ Kd4 49. Ra4+ Kc3 50. Kg1 h2+ 51. Kxh2 f2 52. Ra3+ Kb2 { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1