Ippolito-Molner

International master Dean Ippolito earns his living as a chess teacher. Here Ippolito gives a lesson in tactical chess, from round two of the New Jersey Futurity International 2007.

IM Dean Ippolito (FIDE 2395)-NM Mackenzie Molner (FIDE 2293), NJ Futurity International 7/8/2007

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.d4 c5 5.Bg2 0–0 6.Nc3 Nc6 7.dxc5 Qa5 8.0–0 Qxc5 9.b3 d6 10.Bb2 Qh5 11.Qd2 Bh3 12.Rad1


In hindsight, it may have been better to develop the other rook with 12.Rfd1 Bxg2 13.Kxg2, as in Kavalek-Ghinda, Bochum 1981 which White won in 43 moves.

12...Bh6 13.Qe1 Ne5 14.Nd5 Nfg4?

Correct for Black is 14...Nxd5 with an equal position.

15.Nxe7+ Kg7 16.Rxd6 f6 17.Nh4 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Rae8 19.h3 Rxe7 20.hxg4 Nxg4 21.Rd5 Re5 22.Rd7+ Kh8 23.Bxe5 fxe5 24.Qb4?!

This move lets Black off the hook. After 24.Rxb7, White has an easy win.

24...Ne3+! 25.Kg1 Qxe2 26.Qxf8+ Bxf8 27.fxe3 Bc5 28.Rff7 Qxe3+?!

Now it is Black's turn to go wrong. He should have played the simple 28...Kg8 when a drawn ending results from 29.Ng2 Bxe3+ 30.Nxe3 Qxe3+.

29.Kg2 Qg1+ 30.Kf3 Qe3+ 31.Kg4 Qe4+ 32.Kh3 Qh1+ 33.Kg4 Qe4+ 34.Kg5 Kg8 35.Rg7+ Kh8 36.Rxh7+, Black resigns.