Multiple champions

Problem: Black to play and mate in 3.

The season of local junior events continued with the Otago Primary/Intermediate Championship on 12 August. Defending champion Patrick Dawson (13, DNI) had to come from behind to beat the leader Alex Ming-Wong (9, Maori Hill) in a thrilling game and share the title on 5/6. This was Patrick's second title in a row, while Alex had the previous week won the under-10 championship for the third successive year. There a four-way tie for third on 4 points between Nabeelah Saib (12, Tahuna Normal), Joshua Petermann (9, George St Normal), Allyn Robins (12, DNI) and Domink Kohler (12, Tokoiti). Nabeelah also won the best girl prize.

On the other side of the world in Swansea, Wales, GM Jonathan Rowson of Scotland also came from behind to clinch his third successive British championship – a feat not achieved since Dr Jonathan Penrose won four in a row between 1966 and 1969. After a slow start Rowson caught up with the leader, English GM Jonathan Parker, in the penultimate round, then beat him to take the title in the last round.

Today's game is the superb positional victory by Rowson with the black pieces over Parker.

1.d4 Nf6
2.c4 e6
3.Nc3 Bb4
4.Nf3 b6
5.Bg5 Bb7
We have a sort of hybrid Nimzo/Queen's Indian, with control over the e4 square the point of the struggle for both sides.
6.e3 h6
7.Bh4 Bxc3+
8.bxc3 d6
9.Nd2 Nbd7
10.f3 Qe7
11.e4 ---
White has gained e4 with his last 3 moves and has more central space. In return Black leads in development and has fewer weaknesses – a situation demanding active play before White can consolidate.
11. --- g5
12.Bf2 c5
13.Qa4 Nh5
14.h4 O-O-O!
Sacrificing the a-pawn to generate play down the a-file. Capturing a7 costs White more time.
15.Qxa7 Kc7
16.Qa4 f5
17.Qc2 g4!
Another pawn offer, threatening 18...g3 19 Bg1 f4 trapping the bishop and rook.
18.fxg4 Nhf6
19.Bd3
With his king on e1, White cannot afford to open too many lines by accepting the second pawn with 19 gxf5.
19. --- Nxg4
20.Bg1 f4
21.Nf3 e5!
Closing the position, keeping White's bishops permanently cramped.
22.h5 Qf7
23.Nh4 ---
Desperately trying to improve his pieces – at the cost of the h-pawn. But here 23 a4!? trying for counterplay on the a and b files was a better chance.
23. --- Qxh5
24.Rh3 Rhe8
25.Nf5 Qg5
26.d5 h5
27.Qb2 Ra8
Taking over the a-file. White's bishops look on uselessly and the strong knight on f5 is his lone good piece. Black calmly maneouvres his pieces to their best positions
28.Be2 Ra6
29.Bf3 Rea8
30.Qb3 Ra3
31.Qb2 R8a4
32.Bd1 Ra8
33.Bf3 R3a5
34.Rh1 R8a6
35.Rh3 Bc8!
Bringing the inactive bishop to bear on f5 and b5.
36.Rh1 Nf8
37.Nh4 Nh7
38.Qd2 Bd7
39.Kf1 Nhf6
40.Ke2 Ra4
Reaching the time control. Since Black is about to crash through on c4, a2 and e4, and he is without a shred of counterplay, White resigned. E.g: 41 Kd3 b5!; or 41 Qd3 Rxa2+; or 40 Qc2 Rxc4 41 Rb1 Raa4 42 Qb3 b5 and takes on e4.

0-1

Solution:1... Rxh2+! 2 Kxh2 Qxg3+ 3 Kh1 Qg1#.