Following two games are from the Kings Island Open. The game vs Dickerson, from
the fifth round, has a neat finale. Going into that game, I was a full point
ahead of the competition so that a draw assure me sole first. This explains
why Dickerson [a one-time 2300 player I'm told] played provocatively and why I
was willing to pursue a draw via repetition.
Kings Island Open, Expert Section, Round Five
White: R. Jacobs (2109)
Black: L. Dickerson (2172)
Opening: Irregular
A serious error which Black fails to exploit. I'd already used about an hour
and a half of my first two hours and was feeling frustrated that I'd been
unable to achieve much chasing his Queen. Now, if Black responds with Qg4, he
stands much better. But, I suspect he was tired seeing his Queen harassed and
sought a safe refuge. And, though he had plenty of time himself, he was
starting to move a bit fast to exploit my potential shortage, a strategy which
often fails. So, he responds to my dumb move with an even dumber one ...
21.... Qd8?
After his move, I wasted a few minutes bemoaning my failure to trap his Queen
or force a move repetition, while my remaining time shrunk even further. Then,
a great idea occurred to me...
22. Bxh7+! Kxh7 Probably declining the sac via Kf8 is best, although White is
better thereafter, perhaps with Rxe6 once or twice, followed by a Queen check
and capture of the g pawn.
23. Rh5+ Now if the King comes out (as it must), White has at the very least a
perpetual beginning with Qd3+ followed by Qh7+. While I'd hoped, he'd retreat
the King, when he did it still seemed too good to be true.
23.......Kg8? This error would prove to be his last move in the game. I used
about a minute of my remaining ten to re-check my earlier analysis and made my
move. Shortly after he recovered from the shock, he resigned. I leave it to
the reader to identify my move 24.
Round Three
White: R. Jacobs (2109)
Black: R. Miller (2180)
Opening: Sicilian, Closed