[Event "Olympiad for People with Disabilities"] [Site "Samarkand, Uzbekistan"] [Date "2026.09.17"] [Round "7.54"] [White "Mukha, Mykola"] [Black "McConnell, Griffin"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2087"] [WhiteTitle "FM"] [WhiteTeam "Ukraine"] [WhiteFideId "14125455"] [BlackElo "2058"] [BlackTeam "United States of America"] [BlackFideId "30942551"] [TimeControl "90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with anincrement of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "E05"] [Opening "Catalan Opening: Open Defense, Classical Line"] [StudyName "3rd FIDE Olympiad for People with Disabilities"] [ChapterName "Mukha, Mykola - McConnell, Griffin"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/pZmA0a5Q/I7MK9cri"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ChessLifeOnline"] [Orientation "white"] 1. Nf3 { [%clk 1:30:57] } 1... Nf6 { [%clk 1:30:30] } 2. g3 { [%clk 1:31:14] } 2... d5 { [%clk 1:30:49] } 3. Bg2 { [%clk 1:31:20] } 3... e6 { [%clk 1:30:48] } 4. O-O { [%clk 1:31:31] } 4... Be7 { [%clk 1:30:58] } 5. c4 { [%clk 1:30:59] } 5... O-O { [%clk 1:31:06] } 6. d4 { [%clk 1:31:03] } 6... dxc4 { [%clk 1:31:17] } 7. Qc2 { [%clk 1:31:07] } 7... b6!? { One of several tries in this position. } { [%clk 1:31:13] } (7... a6 { is by far the main line. But if Black wants to avoid heavy theory, there's no shortage of options. }) (7... b5 { is also interesting. } 8. a4 b4 { garnered some attention after GM Magnus Carlsen used it to defeat his eventual successor in 2019: } 9. Nfd2 Nd5 10. Nxc4 c5 11. dxc5 Ba6 12. Ne3 Nd7 13. Nxd5 exd5 14. c6 Rc8 15. Bf4 Nc5 16. c7 Qd7 17. Nd2 g5! 18. Be5 f6 19. Bd4 Rxc7 { With a complex, but roughly balanced game, that Black won 40 moves later in Ding – Carlsen, Zagreb, 2019. }) 8. Nbd2 { Not the critical line. But this is modern chess. White doesn't need to play the best line to fight for an edge. If anything, it's more prudent not to! } { [%clk 1:29:48] } (8. Ne5 { is the engine's favorite move, leading to sharp lines after } 8... Qxd4 (8... Nd5 9. Nxc4 Ba6 { is still a playable position, too. }) 9. Bxa8 Qxe5 10. Bf3 Nd5 11. Qxc4 Ba6 { when } 12. Qa4 $14 { is the way to fight for any advantage. }) (8. Bg5 { is the main move, but } 8... Nd5 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Nbd2 b5 11. b3 c3 12. Ne4 b4 13. a3 { is all relatively forcing, and now Black has a decision. } 13... Nc6 (13... f5!? 14. Nc5 Nc6 15. axb4 Ncxb4 16. Qc1 Bd7 $13 { is a bit more lively. }) 14. axb4 Ncxb4 15. Qc1 Ba6 16. Re1 c2 $13 { is fairly balanced. }) 8... Bb7 { [%clk 1:29:44] } 9. Nxc4 { [%clk 1:29:22] } 9... Nc6 { [%clk 1:28:55] } 10. Be3 { [%clk 1:21:31] } 10... Nd5 { Curiously, this is slightly inaccurate. } { [%clk 1:25:48] } (10... Nb4 { is better, introducing the possibility of ... c7-c5 and retaining the d5-square for the queenside knight! } 11. Qb3 (11. Qc1 Rc8 $10 { [%cal Gc7c5] }) 11... a5 12. a3 a4 13. Qd1 Nbd5 14. Bd2 { Now, after } 14... Ne4 $15 { Black has two central knights instead of one! With a better grip in the center, ... f7-f5 will be more justified. } { [%cal Gf7f5] }) 11. Bd2 { [%clk 1:16:04] } 11... Ndb4 { [%clk 1:20:37] } (11... Ncb4 { would transpose after } 12. Qb3 a5 13. a3 a4 14. Qd1 Nc6 { . }) 12. Qb3 { [%clk 1:14:39] } 12... a5 { [%clk 1:16:32] } 13. a3 { [%clk 1:14:17] } 13... a4 { [%clk 1:14:32] } 14. Qd1 { [%clk 1:14:22] } 14... Nd5 { Black's knights are less central compared to the 10. ... Nb4 variation. } { [%clk 1:13:25] } 15. Rc1 { An uncomfortable moment. Black's position is by no means bad. The b7-bishop is nice. The e7-bishop has long-term potential. The rook on a8 is well-placed behind an advanced pawn. However, White appears to be able to gain space with e2-e4. Plus, it's hard to suggest a way to improve any of Black's pieces. } { [%clk 1:14:12] } 15... f5!? { Black decides to grab space, and it's hard to disagree with the assessment that Black needs to do something. But the engine has a different opinion: } { [%clk 1:05:10] } (15... Nf6 { Anticipating e2-e4 makes sense, revealing an attack on the d4-pawn as well. } 16. e3 { But, again, it's hard to suggest a move for Black. The engine suggests the innovative } 16... Qb8 { to connect the rooks! But it's easy to see why Black would be worried about this cramped position, especially if they don't find this maneuver. } { [%cal Gb8a7,Ga8d8] }) (15... h6 { Black can also do nothing, but now } 16. e3 { puts them in the same conundrum. The engine also likes moves such as } 16... Ra7 17. Re1 Nf6 { with the point that } 18. Nfe5 Nxe5 { does not hang the b7-bishop, and } 19. Nxe5 Ne4 { grabs the e4-square! } 20. Nc6 Bxc6 21. Rxc6 Nxd2 22. Qxd2 e5! { even strikes back in the center. } 23. Rd1 exd4 24. Qc2 Bf6 25. exd4 Qe7 $13 { Again, it takes some wizardly from Black just to reach this position. }) (15... b5!? 16. Nce5 Ra6 { is also very interesting! }) 16. Re1 { [%clk 1:10:42] } 16... b5 { Compared to a move ago, the e5-square is now an outpost. } { [%clk 0:57:05] } 17. Nce5 { [%clk 1:08:29] } 17... Nxe5 { [%clk 0:56:05] } 18. Nxe5 { [%clk 1:08:17] } 18... Bf6 { [%clk 0:55:03] } 19. Bb4 { [%clk 1:00:46] } (19. e4!? { Far from preventing e2-e4, the f5-pawn also serves as a hook for White to rip open the center! } 19... fxe4 20. Qg4 $16 { Black's weaknesses outnumber White's IQP. } { [%csl Re6] }) 19... Re8 { [%clk 0:51:58] } 20. Bc5 { Calmly improving pieces and occupying the strong c5- and e5-squares. } { [%clk 0:59:55] } 20... Bxe5 { Something has to give. } { [%clk 0:43:41] } (20... Rb8 21. e3 $16 { Again, it's hard to find decent moves for Black! The engine's top alternatives to taking on e5 include 21. ... Qc8, 21. ... Ba8, and 21. ... h6, which means it agrees with our assessment. }) 21. dxe5 { [%clk 1:00:02] } 21... Ra6 { We've seen this idea in previous variations, but now it's too late. } { [%clk 0:38:08] } (21... Rb8 22. e4 { and White is having all the fun, explaining again why Black had to search for something more ambitious. }) 22. Qd3 { [%clk 0:58:09] } 22... Qd7 { [%clk 0:36:20] } 23. e4!? { [%clk 0:53:44] } (23. Red1! { The engine likes this clever move, tying Black's knight down before committing to e2-e4. }) 23... Nf6 { [%clk 0:31:25] } (23... Nb6! { could transpose to the game. But, what's different is that } 24. Bf1 { is not nearly as good due to } 24... Qxd3 25. Bxd3 { when Black's knight is not attacked on f6, giving them time for } 25... Rd8 $16 { or } (25... Nc4 $16 { with some semblance of counterplay. })) 24. Qxd7?! { The first step towards letting Black into the game. } { [%clk 0:53:51] } (24. Bf1! { Forcing the queen trade under even more optimal conditions. } { [%cal Gf1b5,Re5f6] } 24... Qxd3 25. Bxd3 Nxe4 { Black can't defend the b5-pawn as the knight was hanging. } 26. Bxb5 Ra5 27. Bxe8 Nxc5 28. Re3 $18 { leaves White up an Exchange with better attacking chances. }) 24... Nxd7 { [%clk 0:31:43] } 25. exf5 { [%clk 0:54:11] } 25... Bxg2 { [%clk 0:26:42] } 26. Kxg2 { [%clk 0:54:39] } 26... exf5 { [%clk 0:26:14] } 27. f4 { White has the better rooks and safer structure, but at least Black can make a meaningful case for having the better minor piece now. } { [%clk 0:55:07] } (27. Bb4! { is much better, trading weaknesses rather than further cramping the bishop on the dark squares. }) 27... Kf7 { [%clk 0:25:59] } 28. Bb4?! { [%clk 0:53:31] } (28. Red1 { Black doesn't want to trade minor pieces, so it's better to try and provoke a favorable trade rather than take the possibility off the board! } 28... Ke6 29. Bf2 { [%cal Gc1c7] } 29... Rc8 30. Rc3 $16 { White should be able to win a pawn while retaining better attacking chances. } { [%cal Gd1c1] }) 28... Rc8 { [%clk 0:25:18] } 29. Bd6?! { White correctly assesses that simply improving a rook is not sufficient to win. But, White then incorrectly assumes there must be a better move. The result is trying to force things through and running into a concrete wall: } { [%clk 0:34:17] } (29. Red1 Ke6 30. Rc2 { Now we can see why the bishop was misplaced here. The extra turn for Black allows } 30... c5 $14 { with a decent position. }) 29... Nb6! { Black says thank you for the c4-square. Not only will Black have the dominant minor piece, but, with a firm grip of the c-file, Black can also make the case that they don't have inferior rooks anymore, either. } { [%clk 0:25:02] } 30. e6+ { Realistically, the only try. } { [%clk 0:32:53] } (30. Rxc7+ Rxc7 31. Bxc7 Nc4 32. Re2 Ke6 $10 { The badness of the bishop is very pronounced here. }) (30. Bxc7 Nc4 31. Bd6 Nxd6 32. exd6 Rxc1 33. Rxc1 Rxd6 $10) 30... Ke8 { [%clk 0:23:38] } 31. Be5 { [%clk 0:33:03] } (31. Bxc7 Nc4 32. Be5 g6 $10 { [%cal Ga6e6] }) 31... Nc4! { Black can definitely afford to give up the g-pawn. } { [%clk 0:23:41] } 32. Bxg7 { [%clk 0:33:00] } 32... Ke7 { Very precise. White needed something like Bg7-f6 and g3-g4-g5 (or f4-f5) before Black won back the pawn in order to retain winning chances. } { [%clk 0:23:49] } 33. Kh3 { [%clk 0:28:34] } 33... c5 { [%clk 0:20:52] } 34. Rcd1 { [%clk 0:23:19] } 34... Rxe6 { [%clk 0:20:27] } 35. Rxe6+ { [%clk 0:23:24] } 35... Kxe6 { [%clk 0:20:49] } 36. Bc3 { [%clk 0:20:42] } 36... Rb8 { [%clk 0:18:31] } 37. Kh4 { [%clk 0:18:36] } 37... b4 $10 { From here, if anything Black is the one who has winning chances. But the weak f- and h-pawns promise White enough counterplay to hold the draw comfortably. } { [%clk 0:17:30] } 38. axb4 { [%clk 0:18:32] } 38... cxb4 { [%clk 0:17:16] } 39. Bd4 { [%clk 0:18:53] } 39... a3 { [%clk 0:15:32] } 40. bxa3 { [%clk 0:19:06] } 40... bxa3 { [%clk 0:12:50] } 41. Kg5 { [%clk 0:18:37] } 41... a2 { [%clk 0:09:31] } 42. Ra1 { [%clk 0:18:50] } 42... Ra8 { [%clk 0:08:57] } 43. Re1+ { [%clk 0:17:30] } 43... Kd5 { [%clk 0:05:39] } 44. Ba1 { [%clk 0:17:35] } 44... Na5 { [%clk 0:26:52] } 45. Re3 { [%clk 0:47:34] } 45... Nc6 { [%clk 0:26:32] } 46. Kxf5 { [%clk 0:46:51] } 46... Nd4+ { [%clk 0:26:41] } 47. Kf6 { [%clk 0:46:45] } 47... Nc2 { [%clk 0:26:41] } 48. Rd3+ { [%clk 0:45:30] } 48... Ke4 { [%clk 0:20:42] } 49. Rd1 { [%clk 0:45:09] } 49... Nxa1 { [%clk 0:17:50] } 50. Rxa1 { [%clk 0:45:37] } 50... Ra5 { [%clk 0:17:37] } 51. Kg7 { [%clk 0:43:30] } 51... Ra7+ { [%clk 0:17:18] } 52. Kh6 { [%clk 0:43:44] } 52... Kf5 { [%clk 0:16:37] } 53. h3 { [%clk 0:43:23] } 53... Ke4 { [%clk 0:15:23] } 54. Kg5 { [%clk 0:42:53] } 54... Ra5+ { [%clk 0:14:10] } 55. Kh6 { [%clk 0:43:21] } 55... Ra7 { [%clk 0:14:13] } 56. Kg5 { [%clk 0:43:50] } 56... Ra5+ { [%clk 0:14:32] } 57. Kh6 { [%clk 0:44:00] } 57... Ra7 { [%clk 0:14:54] } 58. Kg5 { [%clk 0:44:09] } 58... Ra5+ { [%clk 0:15:11] } 59. Kh6 { [%clk 0:44:26] } 59... Ra7 { [%clk 0:15:32] } 60. Kg5 { [%clk 0:44:41] } 1/2-1/2