When I found out that SGSU will be holding the Rector Cup, I realized the field is going to be tough. That is an interesting challenge. Usually the tournament was a Swiss open, but this time the organizers opted for a round robin with 10 players. Until the very start I wasn't sure if I will be included in the list of participants or not, but finally the matter was settled in my favor.

Let me tell you right away that I had to drop out (for the first time in my life) from the Cup after round 4. Chess requires too much energy and motivation to play it while being burdened by work-studying-other issues. Well, you can try, but the result will probably be far from the desired. 
 

In the first round I had a feeling of deja vu. Candidate master Borisovsky (2129) again, Black again. Our last chess fight ended in a draw in July.

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5 Ne4 5.Bh4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 dxc4 7.e3 Be6 8.Rb1

Earlier Viktor played Nf3 and Rb1. Here he went Rb1 right away. How would you respond?

Later I found out that Black can try b6, Nd7, Bd5 and a few other moves. I chose the natural Bg7. During home analysis I have also found an interesting novelty– 8…c5!?, that leads to a sharp and double-edge game.

8…Bg7 9.Be2 b6 10.Nf3 0–0 11.Nd2 c5 12.Nxc4 12...cxd4 13.cxd4 Nc6 14.0–0 Rc8 15.Qa4

How should Black play? Do sacrifices on d4 work out?

Sacrificing the bishop is dubious. Disposing of the knight is a better idea, but I guess it's also not completely sound.  In my opinion, I chose the best continuation - Qd7, reminding White about the vulnerability of the queen on a4.

15... Qd7 [15...Bxd4?! 16.Rfd1 Qe8 17.Nd2 Be5 18.Bb5²; 15...Nxd4 16.exd4 Qxd4 17.Rb4 b5!? 18.Qxb5 Qxh4 19.Nb6 Bd4 20.Nxc8 Rxc8©] 16.Kh1 Bd5 17.Nd2 Qh3 18.Bf3 Qxh4 19.Bxd5

Evaluate the position and suggest a move for Black.

I was quite proud of my little exchange operation and started convincing myself that I am better.  On the contrary, my intuition was telling me that I should resort to the modest Nd4 with a more or less equal position. Anyway, I played a weak aggressive move Nd4.

19…Nxd4? 20.exd4 Qg5 21.Bb7 Qxd2 22.Bxc8 Rxc8 23.Rbd1 23...Qb2 24.Qxa7

Evaluate the position and suggest a move for Black.

I thought my position was lost anyway and decided to gamble. In the reality Black could have played Bf6, traded the b pawn for the a pawn, and White would have had difficulties converting the extra exchange.

24… Rc2? 25.Qxe7 Qxa2? 26.d5 Bf8 27.Qf6? 27...Rd2 28.Rxd2 Qxd2 29.Qf3 Bd6 30.g3 b5 31.Ra1 Bc5 32.Kg2 b4 33.Rd1 Qc2 34.d6 Bxf2 35.d7 35...Bb6+ 36.Kh3 Bd8 37.Re1

White was somewhat careless. How should Black play now?

In time trouble I played Qc7? and lost quickly. A better move was Kg7.

37...Qc7? [37...Kg7 38.Re8 Qc7 39.Qd5 b3 40.Qe5+ Qxe5 41.Rxe5 Kf6 42.Re2 h5 43.Kg2 and Black can probably escape after exchanging the b pawn for the d-passer] 38.Qd5 b3?? 39.Rf1 1–0

To be continued…

	1. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 06:51 26 ñåíòÿáðÿ 2011 ã.
	19...Na5 seems solid. You should of course follow with d6 soon after.

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