[Event "U.S. National Elementary School Championship 2024 K6"] [Site "Columbus, Ohio"] [Date "2024.04.28"] [Round "07"] [White "Zhao, Austin"] [Black "Ramesh, Nehanraj"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "1852"] [BlackElo "2010"] [TimeControl "5400+10"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "C05"] [Opening "French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Closed Variation"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ChessLifeOnline"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/RWJ340a8/btREJlzu"] [Orientation "white"] 1. e4 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 1... e6 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 2. d4 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 2... d5 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 3. Nd2 { [%clk 1:29:59] } 3... Nf6 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 4. e5 { [%clk 1:29:59] } 4... Nfd7 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 5. Bd3 { [%clk 1:29:59] } 5... c5 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 6. c3 { [%clk 1:29:56] } 6... Nc6 { [%clk 1:30:00] } 7. Ne2 { [%clk 1:29:56] } 7... Qb6 { [%clk 1:26:00] } 8. Nf3 { [%clk 1:29:44] } 8... Be7 { [%clk 1:20:22] } 9. O-O { [%clk 1:28:43] } 9... Qc7 { [%clk 1:14:38] } 10. Nf4 { [%clk 1:20:29] } 10... g6 { [%clk 1:06:03] } 11. h4 { [%clk 1:18:22] } 11... Nf8 { [%clk 1:02:41] } 12. Nh3 { [%clk 1:11:22] } 12... h6 { [%clk 0:59:07] } 13. Bf4 { [%clk 1:07:51] } 13... Qd8 { [%clk 0:54:41] } 14. Qd2 { [%clk 1:01:44] } 14... h5 { [%clk 0:53:31] } 15. Bg5 { [%clk 1:00:28] } 15... cxd4 { [%clk 0:52:40] } 16. cxd4 { [%clk 1:00:17] } 16... Nh7 { [%clk 0:52:30] } 17. Bxe7 { [%clk 1:00:06] } 17... Qxe7 { [%clk 0:52:07] } 18. Rac1 { [%clk 0:57:44] } 18... Bd7 { [%clk 0:51:59] } 19. Nf4 { [%clk 0:56:29] } 19... Nf8 { [%clk 0:46:47] } 20. Rfe1 { [%clk 0:54:07] } 20... Rh7 { [%clk 0:37:52] } 21. a3 { [%clk 0:46:02] } 21... Qd8 { [%clk 0:26:06] } 22. Ne2 { [%clk 0:38:57] } 22... a6 { [%clk 0:21:29] } 23. Ng5 { [%clk 0:37:13] } 23... Rg7 { [%clk 0:20:55] } 24. Nf3 { [%clk 0:36:23] } 24... Rh7 { [%clk 0:20:55] } 25. Rc2 { [%clk 0:28:04] } 25... Qb6 { [%clk 0:19:07] } 26. b4 { [%clk 0:26:25] } 26... Na7 { [%clk 0:16:36] } 27. Qf4 { [%clk 0:25:00] } 27... Qd8 { [%clk 0:16:17] } 28. Ng5 { [%clk 0:22:39] } 28... Rg7 { [%clk 0:16:17] } 29. Rec1 { [%clk 0:20:13] } 29... Bc6 { 1/2-1/2 The game is a draw. } { The next of two stunning draws. Here, the players agreed to a draw after 24. Qf3 in Khanbutaev's game, which is when the game was more level. So, it's at least possible that White thought all four top games would be drawn. Additionally, just like in You's game, Zhao is the lower rated player and is likely struggling to find a forcing (e.g., using only checks, captures, and direct threats) variation that wins. There isn't anything that wins on the spot, which can be disappointing because it does "feel" like White is on the verge of uncorking some spectacular tactic. But, still, White is winning. } { [%clk 0:15:59] } 30. a4! { was GM Troff and WGM Foisor's suggestion on the stream. Their point is to force b4-b5 through, even as a sac, in order to achieve Rc2-c7 and decisive pressure on the f7-pawn. } (30. Rc3 { Of course, White could also employ a sort of Karpovian shuffle and ask Black what they're going to do, and at least continue this until the other relevant games do for-sure end in draws. }) 30... Nc8 { It's hard to suggest a move for Black, which is the first sign that White should have continued pressing. } (30... Rc8? 31. b5 axb5 32. axb5 $18) (30... b5 31. Rxc6 { is also great, with various tactics to follow. } 31... Nxc6 32. Rxc6 bxa4 33. Bc2! $18 { is lights out. }) 31. b5 axb5 32. axb5 Bd7 33. Rc7 { doesn't win the f7-pawn yet, but clearly White has made even more progress! } 1/2-1/2