[Event "US Open - Invitationals"] [Site "Middleton, WI, United States"] [Date "2025.07.30"] [Round "4.1"] [White "Matros, Alexander"] [Black "Fishbein, Alexander"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2363"] [WhiteTeam "KAZ"] [BlackElo "2459"] [BlackTeam "USA"] [Variant "Standard"] [Annotator "Foisor,Sabina"] [WhiteClock "0:12:32"] [BlackClock "0:27:02"] [ECO "A58"] [Opening "Benko Gambit Accepted: Fully Accepted Variation"] [StudyName "125th US Open Rds 1-4 and Invitationals"] [ChapterName "Matros, Alexander - Fishbein, Alexander"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/foytapOs/y5WU14Ql"] [Orientation "white"] { GM Fishbein definitely came here to win another event after a beautiful performance in St. Louis, winning the U.S. Senior Championship. In this game he delivers one of my favorite examples of "seizing the initiative" as he takes advantage of a few mistakes from his experienced IM opponent. This game reminds us to be suspicious of capturing pawns when our king is not safe just yet. } 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 { Fishbein chooses a rarer approach to the Benko, but one that takes immediately control of the center. } 5... e6 (5... Bxa6 { is one of the top lines in this variation of the Benko or }) (5... g6 { to wait for White's move before deciding which piece would recapture on a6. Fishbein's choice resembles a Blumenfeld Countergambit, instead. }) 6. Nc3 exd5 7. Nxd5 Bxa6 (7... Nxd5 8. Qxd5) 8. Bg5 Be7 9. Nxe7 Qxe7 10. e3 (10. Nf3 { is an alternative, but eventually e2-e3 is a must for White to be able to complete kingside development. }) 10... Bxf1 11. Kxf1 h6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Qd2 O-O 14. Ne2 d5 15. f3 (15. Qxd5?! Qxb2 16. Re1 Na6 $17) (15. Qc3 Qa6 16. h4 { [%cal Yf1g1,Yg1h2,Yc3c2] }) 15... Nc6 16. Qxd5?? { The move that allows Black to claim a deadly initiative! I hope the viewers just enjoy how Black's pieces are easily coming into play without any resistance from White. } (16. Kf2 { had to be played, followed by Rh1-d1. White needs to find shelter for his king first! } 16... Ne5 17. Rhe1) 16... Rfd8! 17. Qxc5 Ne5! { Black is down three pawns! Yet he is in no rush to focus on regaining any material! } 18. Nd4 Rac8! 19. Qa7 Qg6 20. h4? (20. Qa3 { would have held on for just a bit longer. } 20... Re8 21. e4 Qb6) 20... Qd3+ { And now it is all over! } 21. Kf2 Rxd4! 22. exd4 Rc2+! 23. Kg3 Qg6+ 24. Kf4 (24. Kh3 Qxg2#) 24... Nd3+ 25. Ke3 Qe6+ (25... Nxb2) 26. Kxd3 Qe2# { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1