[Event "U.S. Women's Chess Championship"] [Site "Saint Loui, US"] [Date "2024.10.22"] [Round "10"] [White "Lee, Megan"] [Black "Cervantes Landeiro, Thalia"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2253"] [WhiteTeam "USA"] [BlackElo "2302"] [BlackTeam "USA"] [Board "1"] [Annotator "WGM Katerina Nemcova"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "B32"] [Opening "Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation"] [StudyName "2024 U.S. Championships, Rds 10 and 11"] [ChapterName "Lee, Megan - Cervantes Landeiro, Thalia"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/lHUdefbC/JileaBB9"] [Orientation "white"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3 a6 7. Na3 Be7 8. Nd5 Nf6 9. Nxf6+ Bxf6 10. Nc4 O-O 11. Nxd6 Be6 12. c3 Qc7 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. exf5 e4 15. Be2 Qa5 16. O-O Qxf5 17. Bg4 Qa5 18. Qc2 Rfe8 19. Bd7 Re7 20. Bxc6 bxc6 21. Re1 Rae8 22. Be3 Be5 23. b4 Qc7 24. h3 f5 25. Bc5 Re6 26. Qb3 Qf7 27. Rad1 Bb8 28. Qc4 h5 29. Rd4 Kh7 30. Bd6 Ba7 31. Bc5 Bxc5 32. Qxc5 Qg6 33. Kh2 f4 { Black is pushing her pawns forward and this march looks quite dangerous. However, White still can keep the position balanced with precise play. } 34. Rdd1?? (34. Qc4! $13 { The best response for White as the queen attacks the a6-pawn and creates some counterplay on the queenside, while still being able to retreat to the f1-square. } 34... Re5 35. Qxa6 f3 36. Qf1 fxg2 37. Qxg2 Rg5 38. Qf1 $13) (34. a4?! { This move plans to push pawns on the queenside and somewhat ignores Black's opportunities. } 34... Re5 { Black is ready to transfer her rook to the kingside. } 35. Qc4 Rg5! 36. Qf1! (36. Rg1?! f3! { And this position becomes unbearable for White. Black's pawns are unstoppable and the white king becomes too exposed to danger on the second rank. } 37. g3 e3 38. fxe3 Qc2+ 39. Kh1 f2 $19) 36... Qf5 $17 { This position is still better for Black, but Cervantes would need to show some precise moves to win this game. }) 34... e3! { Black is ready to break through in the center. } 35. f3 { White wishes to keep the position closed and hope for survival. However, there are too many weaknesses on the kingside that Black can take advantage of. } (35. a4 { White cannot ignore the powerful pawns. } 35... f3!! 36. g3 (36. gxf3 Qc2 37. Qxh5+ Rh6 38. Qg4 Ree6 39. Rg1 Reg6 $19) 36... h4! 37. g4 e2 $19 { With a completely winning position. Black pawns secure a giant advantage. }) 35... e2 36. Rc1 Re3 { Cervantes may not be playing the best engine moves, but her plan is still very good and secures a win in this position. } (36... Qg3+ { This was another way to play for win in this situation. } 37. Kg1 Rg6 38. Qf2 Qxh3 39. Rxe2 Qxg2+ 40. Qxg2 Rxe2! 41. Qxg6+ Kxg6 $19 { With a completely winning endgame. }) 37. Kh1 R8e5 38. Qc4 Qg3 39. Qxa6 Qf2! 40. h4 Rxf3 41. Qxc6 (41. gxf3 Qxh4+ 42. Kg1 Rg5#) 41... Qxe1+ 42. Rxe1 Rf1+ { 0-1 Black wins. } (42... Rxf1 43. exf1=Q+ $19) (42... Kh2 43. Rxe1 Qf3 44. Rh1+! Kxh1 45. e1=Q+ $19) 0-1