[Event "US Open - Invitationals"] [Site "Middleton, WI, United States"] [Date "2025.07.31"] [Round "6.2"] [White "Rachels, Stuart"] [Black "Markzon, Gregory"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2505"] [WhiteTeam "USA"] [BlackElo "2200"] [BlackTeam "USA"] [Variant "Standard"] [Annotator "Foisor,Sabina"] [WhiteClock "0:33:31"] [BlackClock "0:25:43"] [ECO "C03"] [Opening "French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Morozevich Variation"] [StudyName "125th US Open Rds 1-4 and Invitationals"] [ChapterName "Rachels, Stuart - Markzon, Gregory"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/foytapOs/gDSEz5i9"] [Orientation "white"] { In the Irwin, GM Alex Fishbein displayed enterprising chess and goes home with another championship after his brilliant performance in the U.S. Senior Championship last week. But, after his second consecutive draw, this was the moment for the top seed of the event, IM Stuart Rachels, to catch up with him. } 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Be7 4. Ngf3 Nf6 5. Bd3 dxe4 6. Nxe4 Nbd7 7. Nxf6+ Nxf6 8. Qe2 { This opening choice gives White the possibility of castling long and attacking on the kingside, and that's exactly what Rachels needed to give himself the chance to tie for 1st. } 8... a6?! (8... O-O 9. Bf4 c5 { was a more solid choice for Black. }) 9. Bd2 b6 10. O-O-O Bb7 11. Kb1 Qd6 12. Ne5!? { An interesting and active choice, giving up the d-pawn for some initiative. } (12. a3 { This would have been my preference, solidifying the position first. White can follow it up with Rh1-d1 and, from there, they can wait and see which side Black chooses to castle. } 12... O-O 13. Rhe1 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Qxd4 15. Bf4 $16) 12... Qxd4 13. Bh6 (13. Rhe1 { is a nice prophylactic idea, again waiting to see where Black's king decides to take up residence. } 13... O-O 14. g4 { [%cal Yg4g5,Yf2f4,Yh2h4] }) 13... Qc5 14. Bxg7 Rg8 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Bxh7 Rxg2? (16... Qxe5 { This leads to a position where Black's chances to draw are much better. } 17. Qxe5 Bxe5 18. Bxg8 Ke7 19. Bh7 Bxg2 20. Rhg1 Bb7 $44) 17. Nd7! Qxf2 (17... Qe7 { This is another possible defensive resource for Black. } 18. Be4 Bxb2! { The key move! } 19. Kxb2 Qb4+ 20. Ka1 Qc3+ 21. Kb1 Qb4+ 22. Kc1 Qa3+ 23. Kd2 Qa5+ 24. c3 Rd8 25. Bxb7 Rxd7+ 26. Ke1 Qxc3+ 27. Kf1 Rxd1+ 28. Qxd1 Rg5 { with a complicated position. }) 18. Qc4! O-O-O 19. Be4! b5? (19... Rxd7 { may have held a bit longer. } 20. Bxb7+ Kxb7 21. Rxd7 Rg1+ 22. Rd1 Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Qxh2 24. Qe4+ Ka7 25. Qf3 $16 { but White is still in the driver's seat! }) 20. Bxb7+ Kxb7 21. Qe4+ c6 22. Rhf1 Qe2 23. Qxe2 Rxe2 24. Rxf6 { A nice way to finish the last round and earn a share of first place. Congratulations to both Fishbein and Rachels! I enjoyed following both of their enterprising styles, one tactical one positional. For the viewers, I hope they have enjoyed following along with this year's Irwin. This year, I would likely pick it as my favorite invitational because of the amount of fire they brought out on the board! } 1-0