ODT070619

=**Garbett claims trophy**=


 * Problem:** Black to play win.

The 2007 Otago Queen's Birthday Open was a resounding success, both as a competitive and social event. Among the 38 players from around the country were many old friends of local FM Richard Sutton, for whom this tournament doubled as the anniversary of 50 years of club and tournament chess. The celebratory dinner on the second night drew most of the competitors and may become a regular feature of future events.

On the chess side, North Shore's IM Paul Garbett proved too strong for the rest of the field, dropping only half a point to defending champ Nic Croad of Wellington to win with 5½/6. Croad also went undeafeated in second place on 5 points, while third was shared between David Weegenaar (Canterbury), Mirek Voracek and Quentin Johnson (both Otago) on 4½.

Today's game is David Weegenaar's notable fifth round victory over the tournament's top seed, IM Russell Dive from Wellington. Formerly of Dunedin, David now resides in Christchurch with wife Heather (who also played, taking the best Junior/Female prize) and has only recently resumed playing in serious chess events. While understandably very pleased with this win over a player for whom he has great respect, David was just as satisfied with his play in the long hard-fought draw with Voracek in the final round. media type="custom" key="26843634" Black meets the English Opening with the reversed Kings Indian Attack, a favourite of Yugoslav GM Nikolic. White gains space on the queenside while Black aims for dynamic central and kingside counterplay. Tempting White to play a long forcing line that clears up the central situation but activates the Black pieces. With 14 Nd4 White could have retained a very slight advantage. This allows White a combination to win two pawns for the exchange, but the alternative 18 ... Qb6 attacking b4 may have looked too dangerous because of the weakness of f7. For instance, White has an interesting piece sacrifice 19 Ncxe4!? Nxe4 20 Bxe4 dxe4 21 Nf7+! when Black must allow perpetual check (21... Kg8 22 Nh6+ Kh8 23 Nf7+ etc) since 21 ... Rxf7? leads to 22 Qxf7 Bxb2 23 Qe8+! Ng8 24 Rd8 Qe6 25 Qxe6 Bxe6 26 Rxa8 with advantage to White. After another forced sequence White is too hasty to collect the b7 pawn that is not going anywhere and allows Black's rooks to become active. Instead 25 Rc1! Rxb4 26 Rc7+ Kf8 27 h4 h6 28 Nd6 Be6 29 Nxb7 kept a small advantage. Exploiting White's weak back rank to seize the initiative. If 28 Rxc8?? Rb1+ 29 Bf1 Bh3 mates. 27 h4 was necessary to prevent this threat. See today's diagram – Black to play and win. White must lose the knight due to the same back rank mate as before. So White gracefully resigned.
 * 1. c4 e5**
 * 2. Nc3 Nc6**
 * 3. g3 f5**
 * 4. Bg2 Nf6**
 * 5. a3 a5**
 * 6. e3 g6**
 * 7. Rb1 Bg7**
 * 8. d3 O-O**
 * 9. b4 ---**
 * 9. --- axb4**
 * 10. axb4 Ne7**
 * 11. Nf3 d6**
 * 12. O-O c6**
 * 13. Bb2 e4!?**
 * 14. dxe4!? fxe4**
 * 15. Ng5 d5**
 * 16. cxd5 cxd5**
 * 17. Qb3 Kh8**
 * 18. Rbd1 Qe8**
 * 19. Nxd5! Nexd5**
 * 20. Rxd5 Nxd5**
 * 21. Bxg7+ Kxg7**
 * 22. Qxd5 Rf5**
 * 23. Qxe4 Qxe4**
 * 24. Nxe4 Rb5**
 * 25. Nd6?!**
 * 25. --- Rxb4**
 * 26. Rc1 Be6**
 * 27. Nxb7?! Rc8!**
 * 28. Rd1 Rc2**
 * 29. Nd6?**
 * 29. --- Rd2!!**


 * 0-1**


 * Solution:** 1 ... Rd2!! wins the knight since 2 Rxd2? Rb1+ 3 Bf1 Bh3 forces mate.