I've been in a bad form in this tournament losing the first two games and my confidence level plummeted rock bottom. Despite the early setback, I looked forward to the 3rd round with so much anticipation on getting back on the win column. Then came this game - a Sicilian Maróczy Bind (c4) tried for the first time. My style of play has always been fight to the finish - no draw - it's either win or loss. My third round opponent is a young player rated 1700+ way below my peak 2024 rating. This should have been a one sided affair but "wallah", a pawn down entering middle game.
I can't make a headway going for an all out pawn storm attack on the Kingside. My aggressive side prodded me to sacrifice my very active Bishop in move 37 hoping to baffle my opponent but he survived. My only consolation going into the end game was my time - ahead of about 20 minutes. I'm on the losing end in materials and in position - I can sense the confidence of the young man growing as he systematically advancing his passed pawn.
But there's always a glimmer of hope - a winner never quits - fight to the bitter end. Then came the dagger - a big blunder I was hoping for - a swindle in chess that happens only once in a while - Carlsen and Anand was no exception in World Championship game. This is my first swindle win in tournament play against all odds - fighting spirit saved me from going down three games in a row.
Lesson learned in chess is the value of not giving up and surely chess imitates life. Absolutely not proud of this win but the outcome gave me a big sigh of relief. Sometimes a win comes unexpectedly that makes it very special.
A win is a win - no matter what!
| Rulix Batistil - Derick Aghamalian (PGN) 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c4 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Nc3 g6 7. Be2 Bg7 8. Be3 Bd7 9. f4 Rc8 10. O-O O-O 11. Rc1 Na5 12. b3 Nc6 13. Qe1 Nxe4 14. Nxe4 Nxd4 15. Bd3 a6 16. Qf2 Nf5 17. Bb6 Qxb6 18. Qxb6 Bd4+ 19. Qxd4 Nxd4 20. h3 Bf5 21. Rce1 Ne6 22. g4 Bxe4 23. Bxe4 Nc5 24. Bg2 Rc7 25. Re3 Rd8 26. h4 a5 27. Kh2 b6 28. Kg3 Ne6 29. f5 Nc5 30. Bd5 gxf5 31. gxf5 Re8 32. Rfe1 Na6 33. Kf4 Kg7 34. Kg5 h6+ 35. Kh5 Kf6 36. Rg3 Nb4 37. Bxf7 Kxf7 38. Reg1 Rc5 39. Rg7+ Kf6 40. R1g6+ Kxf5 41. Rf7+ Ke4+ 42. Kxh6 Nxa2 43. Rg5 Nb4 44. Rxc5 bxc5 45. Kg7 Nc6 46. h5 Ne5 47. Rf1 Ng4 48. h6 Nxh6 49. Kxh6 e6 50. Kg6 d5 51. Kf7 Rb8 52. Kxe6 dxc4 53. bxc4 Rb4 54. Rc1 Kd4 55. Ra1 a4 56. Kd6 Rxc4 57. Rd1+ Kc3 58. Rh1 a3 59. Kd5 Ra4 60. Rh3+ Kb4 61. Rh4+ Kb5 62. Rh8 a2 63. Rb8+ Ka5 64. Kxc5 1-0 |
