Croad secures first IM norm

Problem: White to play and mate in 5.

New Zealand FIDE Master Nic Croad earned his first International Master norm earlier this month. The former Wellington player frequently competed in Otago events, but relocated to Reading in the UK last year. The Big Slick International tournament in nearby Purley, was a pair of round-robins structured to offer title norm chances in each group. The IM group had two grandmasters and eight other players hoping to achieve the 7/9 score to achieve the IM norm. Croad was soon the only contender, and was able to coast home with a fourth draw to add to his five wins, finishing second behind English GM Danny Gormally on 7½.

Today's game is Croad's first round game against English FM Robert Eames. With such a high score required for the norm, both players were clearly playing to win in a complicated tactical battle. Croad's opening victory with the white pieces was the springboard to his tournament success.

1.d4 f5
2.c4 Nf6
3.Nc3 g6
4.h4!? ---
A particularly aggressive response to Black's Leningrad Dutch Defence. White intends to sacrifice a pawn to open the h-file with gain of time and a rapid attack if Black chooses to castle kingside.
4.--- Bg7
5.h5 Nxh5
6.e4 Nf6
7.exf5 ---
The alternative 7 e5!? has also been played at GM level.
7.--- gxf5
8.Qf3!? O-O?!
White's last move was new – 8 Bg5 had been played before. Black attempts to catch up with development by giving back the pawn, but puts his king right in the firing line. Instead 8 ... Nc6! highlighting the weakened d-pawn was more awkward for White. E.g. 9 Nge2 (blocking in the Bf1) 9 ...d6 keeping the extra pawn and reserving the option to castle queenside.
9.Qxf5 d6
10.Qd3 e5
11.Bg5 exd4!?
12.Nd5 Rf7?!
On the previous move White passed up 12 Bxf6!? Rxf6 13 Qxh7+ Kf7 14 Nd5 Bf5 15 Qh5+ Bg6 16 Qg4 Re6+ 17 Kd2!? presumably as too unclear. While after the text 13 Qxh7+! Nxh7 14 Bxd8 Na6 15 Bd3 Nf6 16 Bxf6 Bxf6 17 Bg6 Rf8 18 Rd1 c5 19 Rd3! allows White to continue attacking with the endgame trump of connected passed pawns. 12...Nbd7 was better, but White misses his opportunity and is forced to liquidate less favourably.
13.O-O-O?! c6!
14.Nxf6+ Bxf6
15.Bxf6 Qxf6
16.Qxd4 Qg5+?!
Simply 16...Qxd4 17 Rxd4 Rxf2 18 Bd3 (or 18 Nf3 Bf5) Rxg2 was close to equalising.

17.Qd2 Qg7?
The queen swap was Black's only chance this time. Now his exposed king is efficiently rounded up.
18.Bd3 Bf5
19.Nf3 d5
20.Bxf5 Rxf5
21.Rh3! ---
With the dual threat of 22 Rg3 and doubling on the h-file. There is no adequate defence.
21.--- Qf8
22.Rdh1 Rf7
23.Rg3+ Rg7
24.Qh6 Nd7
25.Qxh7+ Kf7
26.Rxg7+ Qxg7
27.Ng5+ Resigns
The queen is lost after either 27....Kf8 28 Ne6+ or 27...Kf6 28 Rh6+.

1-0

Solution: 1 Rxg6+! Kh8 (1...hxg6 2 Qxg6+ Kh8 3 Qg7#) 2 Qe5+ Rf6 (2.... Qf6 3 Rxf6 Rxf6 4 Qxf6+ Kg7 5 Qg7#) 3 Rxf6 Kg8 (else 4 Rf8#) 4 Qg5+ Kh8 5 Qg7#.