Roman Dzindzhihashvili woke me up in the morning with a phone call, inviting me to play Ms. Pacman. He was addicted to video games and needed a strong opponent. He convinced me to play the Caro-Kann Nd7 instead of the prepared Sicilian, teaching me some key ideas in a couple of hours. I got confused, mixed up the move order and created a novelty! At one point I realized that if I make logical moves, I will run out of them quickly. Inspiration led me to find the temporary rook sac, which although slightly dubious, shocked my opponent into losing quickly. This was my first US championship Invitational win. I was the lowest rated player in the tournament qualifying as the US Junior Champion. I eventually tied for third and qualified for the Interzonal having scored 3/4 with the Caro-Kann in the tournament. Thank you, Roman!
Black plays the Caro-Kann defense. Usually, it comes to a positional struggle, but also there are lots of tactics involved.
3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Bc4White chooses the most tactical line.
5... Ngf6 6. Ng5!? e6 7. Qe2White is prepared to sacrifice on e6.
7... Nb6The only, but good enough defense.
8. Bb3 c5!?Black decides to open up the position to use his development advantage.
Black puts a second knight on the f6 square.
13. Ne5 O-O 14. O-O Nf6 15. Qf3White's pieces are comfortably placed and White is ready for an attack. But since Black does not have weaknesses, his position is playable.
15... Bd6!With a strong idea.
16. Re1 Qc7 17. Bf4 b6!The idea of 15...Bd6. Now Black develops his bishop to b7 and equalizes.
18. Rad1Losing by force, though it's a bit messy.
19... Ne4!Now White faces a big surprise: his knight is surrounded in the middle of the board! and the only way to go is forward...
20. Rxe4A wrong combination.
White is still dreaming of an attack.
21... Bxf4Simple and good. This might be the move White missed...
22. Qxe6 Rae8! 23. Qh3 Rxf7 24. Rd7And now, the final blow forcing immediate resignation:
24... Bd5! 0-1