Krakatoa!

Yet another of my Internet opponents provides a fine example of how not to play chess: play passively, castle into a strong attack, and never develop your queenside. Predictably, mate ensues. I'm now 95-0-0 on GameKnot. It looks like I'll be able to get to 100-0-0 before I start giving up points.

In playing this game, I was inspired the following slaughter by GM Atalik of a QGD, Marshall Defense(!), which I saw in Valeri Bronznik's excellent book 1.d4 - Beat the Guerrillas!

Silly Internet game #671

Beware the "free pawn" that isn't free! The tactical motif seen in this game (12.Nxf7! with the idea of 12...Kxf7 13.Bg6+, winning the queen) also occurs in some traps in the Caro-Kann, for example 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Ng5 Ndf6 6.Bd3 Qxd4? 7.Nxf7! and wins.

USA-China 2-2 tie: monster win for Yury Shulman!

Local boy makes good in Siberia. Shulman lost to Grischuk in this line five years ago; that game was also in Khanty Mansiysk. The Marshall Gambit in the Semi-Slav (4.e4) is incredibly difficult...and very entertaining!