[Event "U.S. National Middle School Championship 2024"] [Site "Atlanta, Georgia"] [Date "2024.05.11"] [Round "05"] [White "Siddharth Singh"] [Black "Kyle Y Wang"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2204"] [BlackElo "2115"] [TimeControl "5400+10"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "C88"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Closed, Anti-Marshall"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ChessLifeOnline"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/O4mAGfsa/vB0TY6lu"] [Orientation "white"] { A great game that illustrates just how rich and complex these Anti-Berlin lines in the Ruy Lopez can be. Black does a better job in the middle game activating their pieces, but White keeps up just enough counterplay to keep things sharp until the end. } 1. e4 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 1... e5 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 2. Nf3 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 2... Nc6 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 3. Bb5 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 3... a6 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 4. Ba4 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 4... Nf6 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 5. O-O { [%clk 1:30:00] } 5... Be7 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 6. Re1 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 6... b5 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 7. Bb3 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 7... O-O { [%clk 1:30:00] } 8. a4 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 8... Bb7 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 9. d3 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 9... d6 { [%clk 1:29:59] } 10. Nbd2 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 10... Na5 { [%clk 1:29:25] } 11. Ba2 { [%clk 1:29:49] } 11... c5 { [%clk 1:29:11] } 12. Nf1 { [%clk 1:29:36] } 12... h6 { [%clk 1:28:03] } (12... b4 { is the most popular move. Black's plan is associated with a pawn sac to freeze White's center and blockade it from there. For instance: } 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 c4 15. Ng3 Bc8 16. dxc4 Qc7 17. Ba3 g6 18. Nf1 Nb7 19. Ne3 Nc5 { was a draw in Pundak – Morozov, ICCF, 2020. }) 13. Ne3 { [%clk 1:26:53] } 13... Re8 { [%clk 1:27:17] } 14. c3 { [%clk 1:17:39] } (14. Bd2 { was employed successfully by Kasparov in his "Anti-Berlin era" following the 2000 match against Kramnik. } 14... c4 15. Bc3 Qb6 16. Nd2 Nc6 17. Nd5! { A deep point. It proves surprisingly difficult to keep White's d-pawns static, as Leko learned in the following game: } 17... Nxd5 18. exd5 Na5 19. Bxa5 Qxa5 20. dxc4 Qxa4 (20... b4! { was necessary to keep White's pawns stuck on light squares. } 21. Qh5 Rf8 22. f4 $14 { Still, with Ba2-b1 and c2-c3 coming, Kasparov's position has hardly run out of steam. }) 21. c5! { Textbook Kasparov, finding energetic play in any position. } 21... Qb4 (21... dxc5 22. d6 $18) 22. Ne4 { with fantastic attacking chances. } 22... Qxb2?? 23. cxd6 Bf8 24. c3 f5 25. d7 Red8 26. d6+ Kh8 27. Nc5 $18 { and Black resigned nine moves later in Kasparov – Leko, Linares, 2001. }) 14... Bf8 { [%clk 1:26:24] } 15. b4 { [%clk 1:11:00] } 15... Nc6 { [%clk 1:24:39] } 16. bxc5 { Releasing the tension makes it easier for Black to find moves. } { [%clk 1:11:00] } (16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. Bxd5 { is slightly better for White, still. }) 16... dxc5 { [%clk 1:24:39] } 17. Nd5 { [%clk 1:11:00] } 17... Na5! { If White wanted to play Nc3-d5, why give up control of the a5-square with 16. bxc5? } { [%clk 1:23:06] } 18. c4 { [%clk 1:10:32] } 18... b4 { Contrast this position with the Kasparov game above. White's light-squared bishop is very sad. } { [%clk 1:20:32] } 19. Bb2 { [%clk 1:10:07] } 19... Nc6 { [%clk 1:19:20] } 20. Qd2 { [%clk 1:08:27] } 20... a5 { [%clk 1:17:42] } 21. Rf1 { [%clk 1:07:34] } 21... Nxd5?! { Just after locking down the position, Black gives White new hope on the queenside. } { [%clk 1:14:17] } (21... Nd7! 22. g3 Bc8 $17 { and it is still hard to suggest moves for White. }) 22. cxd5 { [%clk 1:05:53] } 22... Nd4 { [%clk 1:14:16] } 23. Nxd4 { [%clk 1:05:50] } 23... cxd4 { It's interesting how Black's decision to play ... Nc6-d4 after capturing on d5 mirrors White's earlier strategic error. Surely Black would rather White's pawn be on c4? } { [%clk 1:12:11] } 24. f4 { [%clk 1:05:50] } 24... Bd6 { [%clk 1:10:42] } 25. Bc4 { [%clk 1:00:58] } 25... Ba6! { Black's plan comes into focus, and it is a nice one. Now that White's light-squared bishop is not a mummy, Black is able to switch gears and find a plan to trade it off, improving his rook in the process. } { [%clk 0:59:10] } 26. Bxa6 { [%clk 0:57:15] } (26. Rac1 Bxc4 27. Rxc4 Qd7 $15) 26... Rxa6 { [%clk 0:57:24] } 27. Qf2 { [%clk 0:57:15] } 27... f6?! { Inconsistent with the rook on a6. } { [%clk 0:55:01] } (27... Qd7!? { Black did not want to lose the d4-pawn after } 28. fxe5 Bxe5 29. Bxd4 { But now } 29... Rf6! 30. Qe3 Bxd4 31. Qxd4 Rxf1+ 32. Rxf1 Qxa4 $15 { regains the pawn with a safer king and connected queenside passers. }) 28. fxe5 { [%clk 0:53:55] } 28... fxe5 { [%clk 0:55:01] } 29. Qf7+ { [%clk 0:51:12] } 29... Kh8 { [%clk 0:54:36] } 30. Qg6 { [%clk 0:51:12] } 30... Rb6 { [%clk 0:52:16] } 31. Rac1 { [%clk 0:46:48] } 31... Be7 { Black is ready to improve his worst piece, and White must act fast. } { [%clk 0:49:27] } 32. Qg4? { [%clk 0:46:28] } (32. Rc6! Rxc6 33. dxc6 Rf8 (33... Bg5?? 34. c7 Be3+ 35. Kh1 Qc8 36. Rf7 Rg8 $18 { and Black's queen and rook are both tied down, making White's invisible b2-bishop much less of a disadvantage. }) 34. Qe6 Bf6 $10 { and Black's bishop is tied down, too. }) 32... Bg5! { [%clk 0:48:49] } 33. Rc5 { [%clk 0:45:54] } 33... Be3+ { [%clk 0:47:04] } 34. Kh1 { [%clk 0:45:54] } 34... Rf6 { Black's bishop is a nuisance on the e3-square, preventing White's rooks from doubling on the c-file. } { [%clk 0:46:48] } 35. Rf3 { [%clk 0:38:08] } 35... Ref8 { [%clk 0:43:03] } 36. h3 { [%clk 0:37:04] } 36... Kh7 { [%clk 0:40:07] } 37. Rc6 { [%clk 0:23:17] } 37... Bd2 { [%clk 0:37:46] } 38. Rg3?? { [%clk 0:14:00] } (38. Rfxf6 Rxf6 39. Kh2 Bg5 40. Rxf6 Qxf6 41. Kg3! $10 { and White is worse, but it's hard to break through. Of course, to realize this, you'd have to see why Black does not win in the following line that appears to just win a bishop by force: } 41... Bf4+? { does not win: } 42. Kf3 Bc1+ 43. Qf5+! Qxf5+ 44. exf5 Bxb2 45. d6 Bc1 { thanks to the fantastic resource } 46. f6! b3 47. f7 b2 48. f8=Q b1=Q 49. Qf5+ Kh8 50. Qf8+ Kh7 51. Qf5+ $10) 38... R8f7? { Black definitely missed the idea associated with 38. ... Rf1+ below, but likely also underestimated White's counterplay and thought this move could be played quickly and confidently. } { [%clk 0:36:48] } (38... Rf1+ 39. Kh2 Qg5!! { Black first stops Qg4-g6+ and observes that there is no stopping an eventual ... Bd2-f4. For instance: } 40. Rf3 { appears to be the only way to not lose an Exchange, but } 40... Bf4+ 41. g3 Qxg4 42. hxg4 Rxf3 { wins the Exchange anyways! }) 39. Rf3 { [%clk 0:05:28] } 39... Bc3 { [%clk 0:34:40] } 40. Bc1 { [%clk 0:05:28] } 40... b3 { [%clk 0:34:25] } (40... Rxf3 41. gxf3 b3 42. Qg6+ Kg8 43. Qg4 Qd7 44. Qxd7 Rxd7 45. f4! exf4 46. Ba3! $10 { with an equal position thanks to threats of d5-d6. }) 41. Bxh6! { White is down 30 minutes on the clock and is not going to miss this chance! } { [%clk 0:05:12] } 41... b2 { [%clk 0:31:59] } 42. Bxg7 { [%clk 0:03:00] } 42... b1=Q+ { [%clk 0:31:54] } 43. Kh2 { Black is up a queen, but only has one move to not lose! } { [%clk 0:03:00] } 43... Rxg7 { [%clk 0:30:53] } 44. Qh5+ { [%clk 0:03:00] } 44... Kg8 { [%clk 0:30:51] } 45. Rcxf6 { [%clk 0:03:00] } 45... Bd2 { The critical moment. } { [%clk 0:26:31] } 46. Rf8+?? { [%clk 0:01:36] } (46. Rf7!! { White threatens to take on g7 and mate, so Black must act fast. } 46... Bf4+ (46... Rxg2+!? { Also draws, and White's path to hold is less forcing. } 47. Kxg2 Qg5+ 48. Qxg5+ Bxg5 49. Rc7 Bf4 50. d6! $13 { although Black might have losing chances as well, though the engine swears this is equal. }) 47. R3xf4 exf4 48. Rxg7+ Kxg7 49. Qg4+! { and White, down a queen still, forces a perpetual check! } 49... Kf7 50. Qe6+ Kg7 51. Qg4+ Kh8 52. Qh5+ Kg8 53. Qg6+ $10) 46... Qxf8 { [%clk 0:26:31] } 47. Rxf8+ { [%clk 0:01:36] } 47... Kxf8 { [%clk 0:26:31] } 48. Qf5+ { [%clk 0:01:36] } 48... Rf7 { There is no perpetual: } { [%clk 0:25:11] } 49. Qc8+ { [%clk 0:01:36] } 49... Kg7 { [%clk 0:25:11] } 50. Qg4+ { [%clk 0:01:36] } 50... Kh6 { [%clk 0:24:16] } 51. Qh4+ { [%clk 0:01:32] } 51... Kg6 { [%clk 0:24:02] } 52. Qg4+ { [%clk 0:01:21] } 52... Bg5 { [%clk 0:23:36] } 53. Qe6+ { [%clk 0:01:21] } 53... Kg7 { [%clk 0:23:35] } 54. Qxe5+ { [%clk 0:01:19] } 54... Bf6 { [%clk 0:22:56] } 55. Qg3+ { [%clk 0:01:12] } 55... Kf8 { [%clk 0:22:27] } 56. Qd6+ { [%clk 0:01:12] } 56... Be7 { [%clk 0:21:57] } 57. Qh6+ { [%clk 0:01:12] } 57... Rg7 { [%clk 0:20:59] } 58. Qh8+ { [%clk 0:01:03] } 58... Rg8 { [%clk 0:20:59] } 59. Qh6+ { [%clk 0:01:03] } 59... Ke8 { [%clk 0:20:51] } (59... Rg7! 60. Qh8+ Kf7 61. Qh5+ Kg8 62. Qe8+ Bf8 63. Qe6+ Rf7 64. Qg4+ Bg7 65. Qc8+ Kh7 { and the checks finally run out. }) 60. Qc6+ { [%clk 0:01:03] } 60... Kd8 { [%clk 0:19:19] } 61. Qa8+ { [%clk 0:01:03] } 61... Kd7 { [%clk 0:19:04] } 62. Qc6+ { [%clk 0:00:59] } (62. Qxg8 { does not regain enough material, as we will soon see. } 62... Bd6+ 63. e5 Bxe5+ 64. g3 Qc2+ $19) 62... Kd8 { [%clk 0:18:45] } 63. Qa8+ { [%clk 0:00:59] } 63... Kc7 { [%clk 0:18:39] } 64. Qxg8 { [%clk 0:00:54] } 64... Bd6+ { [%clk 0:18:39] } 65. g3 { [%clk 0:00:54] } (65. e5!? { was one last neat practical trick: } 65... Bxe5+ 66. g3 Qc2+ (66... Qxd3?? 67. Qf7+ { and Black cannot escape the checks without losing the loose bishop: } 67... Kb6 68. Qe6+ Kb7 69. Qxe5 $10) 67. Kg1 Qc1+ 68. Kg2 Qd2+ 69. Kg1 Qe1+ 70. Kg2 Qe2+ 71. Kg1 Qd1+ 72. Kf2 Qxa4 $19) 65... Qc2+ { [%clk 0:18:21] } 66. Kh1 { [%clk 0:00:48] } 66... Qd1+ { [%clk 0:18:11] } 67. Kh2 { [%clk 0:00:39] } 67... Qe2+ { [%clk 0:17:50] } 68. Kg1 { [%clk 0:00:39] } 68... Qe3+ { [%clk 0:17:08] } 69. Kh2 { [%clk 0:00:35] } 69... Qf2+ { [%clk 0:17:08] } 70. Kh1 { [%clk 0:00:35] } 70... Bxg3 { There is no perpetual here. } { [%clk 0:16:50] } 71. d6+ { [%clk 0:00:12] } 71... Bxd6 { [%clk 0:16:34] } 72. Qc4+ { [%clk 0:00:12] } 72... Kd8 { [%clk 0:16:22] } 73. Qg8+ { [%clk 0:00:12] } 73... Kd7 { [%clk 0:16:01] } 74. Qg4+ { [%clk 0:00:12] } 74... Kc7 { [%clk 0:15:56] } 75. Qg2 { Without queens, the bishop easily stops the lone pawns. Black wins easily from here. } { [%clk 0:00:12] } 75... Qe1+ { [%clk 0:15:45] } 76. Qg1 { [%clk 0:00:12] } 76... Qxg1+ { [%clk 0:15:43] } 77. Kxg1 { [%clk 0:00:12] } 77... Kc6 $19 { [%clk 0:15:43] } 78. h4 { [%clk 0:00:12] } 78... Kc5 { [%clk 0:15:28] } 79. Kg2 { [%clk 0:00:12] } 79... Kb4 { [%clk 0:15:28] } 80. Kf3 { [%clk 0:00:12] } 80... Kxa4 { [%clk 0:15:28] } 81. h5 { [%clk 0:00:12] } 81... Kb5 { [%clk 0:15:02] } 82. Kg4 { [%clk 0:00:12] } 82... Be5 { [%clk 0:14:15] } 83. Kf5 { [%clk 0:00:12] } 83... Bh8 { [%clk 0:14:14] } 84. e5 { [%clk 0:00:12] } 84... Kc6 { [%clk 0:13:47] } 85. Ke4 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 85... Kc5 { [%clk 0:13:32] } 86. e6 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 86... Kd6 { [%clk 0:13:32] } 87. e7 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 87... Kxe7 { [%clk 0:13:32] } 88. Kd5 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 88... Kd7 { [%clk 0:13:19] } 89. Kc5 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 89... Ke6 { [%clk 0:13:19] } 90. Kb5 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 90... Kf5 { [%clk 0:13:19] } 91. Kxa5 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 91... Kg5 { [%clk 0:13:19] } 92. Kb5 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 92... Kxh5 { [%clk 0:13:19] } 93. Kc4 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 93... Kg4 { [%clk 0:13:19] } 94. Kd5 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 94... Kf3 { [%clk 0:13:19] } 95. Kc5 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 95... Ke2 { [%clk 0:13:19] } 96. Kc4 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 96... Ke3 { [%clk 0:13:19] } 97. Kd5 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 97... Kxd3 { 0-1 Black wins. } { [%clk 0:13:19] } 0-1