While your run of the mill Nimzo Indian calls for an exchange on c3 and pressuring the double pawns is standard, the stakes are raised when playing defending National Open Champion GM Viktor Matviishen. After an early capture on c4, GM Matviishen exploits an exposed center and goes after the Black king.

While we find ourselves with the Sicilian not paying off dividends when a win is on the line for a second round in a row, we see a well earned and hard fought draw by GM Vladimir Akopian and IM Sebastian Kostolansky on Board 2. We see a Kan formation arise and play shifting to the queenside. Akopian makes a break for a5 and then for d5 soon after. When the c-file was cleared, it quickly became a catalyst for pieces to be traded as both players were trying to gain an edge with each resulting exchange. None was found and a draw was agreed upon.

On Board 3, GM Emilio Cordova faced GM Jianchao Zhou. We do not see a Sicilian, but the Peruvian stays in Europe with a English. A critical decision on move 10 where Emilio sees a opportunity to win a pawn on the queenside, but this is not seen often on the higher levels and Zhou demonstrates why. With the b-file opened, serious pressure was created on Whites unmoved a+b pawns…strong Benko vibes with a pawn on a7 instead of c5. Zhou crashes down on the queenside after key weaknesses were exploited and gained a two pawn advantage in a double rook endgame. Zhou goes on to win the game and a share of first.

Naj-dorf? More like My-dorf with the approach Bellahcene took to it. GM Bilie was unfazed by the Queenside attack that IM Bilych launched, sticking with sound play in the center and kingside

This sets up a rather conceivable match between the two Grandmasters as we head into the final round.

With draws on Board 2 and 3, the streak was brought to an end with GM Bilych on the White side of a Classical Ruy, initially at least. After a few deviations from the main line, GM David Berczes ends up in a position with opposite side castling. Olexiy began to take initiative from there, with slow improvements until he was able to take advantage by applying more pressure.

Just as important as the learning game itself is fostering values of etiquette and sportsmanship. Chess is often seen as a solo side-hustle for the eager ego, but this could not be further from the truth. Lessons learned, and skills sharpened towards the next round and well beyond the chessboard.

The Youth Trophy Tournament took place in a single day, with four sections. Jacob Fischer and Simon Nguyen finish as co-champions in the Premier (4.5/5) and Justin Wang was the only perfect score in the Reserve (5.0/5). With a large turnout the Booster and Novice divisions, both sections had three perfect scores emerge, finishing as co-champions. Jerry Zhou, Glen Liu, and Jack Sheng rose to the top in the Booster. In the Novice, our co-champions were represented by Tongtong Ren, Porter Smith, and Shenjone Wu.

Many who played in the Youth Trophy also played in the International Youth Championship, with an age limit of 14. This was a two-day event and featured 6 rounds and four sections, over 400 players competed. Each section produced a single champion in clear first, three of them with a perfect score. Congrats to Tristan Domenico (6.0/6 Under 14), Katherine Zhang (6.0/6, Under 14 Reserve), Grayson Xiang (5.0/6 Under 9) and Ethan Long (6.0/6, Under 9 Reserve)

After an early Round 2 draw against IM Matias Perez Gormaz in a French Advance gridlock, Vasif wins the next five games, including one against last years defending champion Illya Nyzhnyk, and norm seeker Ryo Chen. These pair of wins allow Vasif to climb up the leader board, securing a full point lead with two rounds to go. Here is is game vs Chen.

Many other games are still in progress, and a larger write up will follow. Congrats Vasif!

Norm seeker IM Ryo Chen faced GM Viktor Matviishen with the black pieces in a Kings Indian pressing for a win. There were a couple opportunities in the middle game where his opponent may have been able to take advantage of, but it plays out to a relatively equal double rook and single knight endgame. Matviishen, maintaining a pawn on e7 and tying down all of Chen’s pieces to prevent it from promoting, save one. Chen’s lonely steed breaks away and aims toward the queenside; a misstep allows him to prance away with a pawn. Even with the rooks coming off, Ryo out maneuvers Viktor with precision, galloping away to a victory and into norm contention. Congrats Ryo!

Here is a link to the current standings

Congrats to FM Rose Atwell, who picked up a WIM norm in the 1000GM Tournament that took place this past week at the Flamingo. She picks up where she left off, with win vs IM Mark Heimann and this draw against GM Neuris Delgado, analysis provided by GM Ben Poppa

An draw by defending champion GM Illia Nyzhnyk opened the door for 2nd seeded GM Jianchao Zhou to be at the top of the leader board with this surgical win against IM Filip Pancevski fending off any attack White threw at him, GM Poppa with more analysis.

14 year old IM Ryo Chen notches a win against GM Dariusz Swiercz with the Black pieces in a line of the Sicilian that is not commonly seen at the higher levels. We are giving the notorious gangtsa’ a break while analysis is being offered by GM Kayden Troff of Chess

With a 4-0 score, this will likely setup a match against GM Zhou in Round 5 even with his Round 4 draw. Stay Tuned

WFM Olivia Smith was the third 4-0 surpassing her 3.5-1.5 Black against Kaava Sakthisaravan 3.5-0.5. The game was relatively even on both sides throughout the game in a Kings Indian until Oliva made use of an open b-file, and an error was made by Kaava which led to a victory several moves later by WFM Smith.

Avery and Olivia are declared co-champions, but Avery edges out on tiebreakers for the first place trophy. Congrats to both Avery and Oliva, our first Champions of the Las Vegas Chess Festival! Final Standings can be found HERE