A nice game from the Oregon Open

FM Nick Raptis, one of three active chess masters in Oregon, won the top section of the 2009 Oregon Open with a score of 5 1/2 points out of 6. His only draw was in the 5th round against Steven Breckenridge

The following game was played in the final round of last weekend's Oregon Open held on the campus of Mount Hood Community College in Gresham between Washington residents Josh Sinanan and Paul Bartron.

Oregon Open 2009
Rd. 6, Gresham, OR
September 7, 2009

Josh Sinanan (2268) vs. Paul Bartron (2134)
Queen’s Gambit Accepted (D21)

1.d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3

The Queen’s Gambit Accepted has been seen fairly often in the Northwest in recent years. For example, Ricky Selzler won a crisp game with the white pieces in last year’s Washington Open: 3.e3 e5 4.Bxc4 exd4 5.Qb3 Qe7 6.a3 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.0-0 d3 9.e4 Nc6 10.Nc3 Ne5 11.Nxe5 Bxe5 12.Bxf7+! Kf8 (12...Qxf7 13.Qb5+ followed by 14.Qxe5) 13.Bxg8 Rxg8 14.Bh6+ Bg7 15.Nd5 Qd8 16.Bf4 c5 (16...Be6 17.Rad1! +-) 17.Nc7 Qf6 18.Bg3 Qxb2 19.Bd6 mate, R. Selzler (2156) - Y. Rozenfeld (1960), WA Open 2008.

3...a6 4. a4 Nf6 5. Nc3 c5 6. d5 e6 7. e4 exd5 8. e5 d4 9. exf6 dxc3 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.bxc3 gxf6 12.Bxc4 Be6Black has emerged from the opening a pawn ahead. His doubled f-pawns and exposed king provide White with inadequate compensation. Fritz gives Black a small edge here.

13. Be2 Bd6 14. 0-0 Nc6 15. Nd2 Be5 16. Ne4 Bf5!

The best way to maintain the advantage. The alternative 16...b6?! allows White to gain sufficient counterplay for equality after 17.f4! f5 18.Nxc5 (not 18.fxe5?! when Black will keep his pawn after 18...fxe4 19.Rf4 Re8 20.Rxe4 Bd5 21.Bg5+ Kc7 22.Re3 Nxe5 23.Bf4 f6) 18...Bxc3 (18...bxc5? 19.fxe5 gives White the edge) 19.Nxe6+ fxe6 20.Rd1+ Kc7 21.Ra3 Bg7 22.Rad3 =.

17. f4 Bxe4 18 .fxe5 Rg8 19. g3 Nxe5 20. Rxf6 Ke7 21. Rf4 Bg6

Worthy of consideration was 21...Bd3!? attempting to neutralize White’s two bishops.

22. Ba3 Rgc8 23. Rd1 f6 24. Rd5Fritz suggests 24.a5 immediately in order to hold back Black’s b-pawn from the defense of the weak pawn on c5. But after 24...Rc6 followed by 25...Rac8, Black can always break the bind with ...b5 at some point.

24...b6 25. a5 Bf7 26. Rd1 b5 27. Bf1 Rc7 28. Bg2 Rg8 29. Rdf1 Bc4 30. R1f2 Rd8 31. Be4
Tournament Director Mike Morris thanks the players for their participation.

Now Black’s edge is decisive. Trying to get fancy with 31.Rd4!? won’t help due to 31...Rxd4 32.cxd4 b4! -+.

31...h5

31...Rd1+ 32.Kg2 Ra1 may have been a bit more efficient because the text allows White to keep the rook out for awhile with 32.Bc2! There’s no need to quibble, however, as Black demonstrates that he has the game well in hand.

32. h3 Rd1+ 33. Kh2 Bd3 34. Bxd3 Nxd3 35. Re2+ Kf7 36. Rf3 b437. cxb4 cxb4 38. Bb2 Nxb2

Black chooses to liquidate down to a won rook and pawn endgame, the practical choice with the end of time control approaching (move 40). 38...Rxc6!?, eliminating all counterplay, was another worthwhile approach.

39. Rxb2 Rc3 40. Rbf2 Rxf3 41. Rxf3 Rd5 42. Rb3 Rb5 0-1Black will walk his king to c4 to escort the pawn home while freeing his rook to capture on a5 at will.