Claremont Invitational Final Game

The final game of the 2007 Claremont Inivitational took place at the club on Thursday evening. Charles de Villiers played Deon Solomons, with Deon needing to win to take the title.

Deon and Charles played in the main playing room, while in the other room, a small group of interested kibitzers analysed and discussed the game as it progressed. Nathan Geffen led the analysis effort and guided the discussion down some extremely complicated lines. Although the actual game was threatening to erupt into a tactical fireworks display at various times, both players seemed hesitant to take major risks in such an important game.

The eventual result of the tense game was a draw, making Charles de Villiers the winner of the first Claremont Invitational.

The strong field and many exciting games contributed to making the tournament a resounding success. Its sure to be even bigger and better next year.

Final Standings:

A Section

		(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	Total	Rank
1	Charles de Villiers	X	½	1	1	1	1	4½	1
2	Deon Solomons	½	X	1	1	½	1	4	2
3	Tinto Seotloadi	0	0	X	1	0d	1	2	3
4	Stephen Gallied	0	0	0	X	1	½	1½	5
5	Nathan Geffen	0	½	1d	0	X	½	2	3
6	Anant Dole	0	0	0	½	½	X	1	6

B Section

		(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	Total	Rank
1	Warrick Erlank	X	1	1	½	1	3½	1
2	Nick Barnett	0	X	0	½	1	1½	3
3	Laura Irving	0	1	X	1	0	2	2
4	Anzel Solomons	½	½	0	X	½	1½	3
5	Denise Frick	0	0	1	½	X	1½	3

de Villiers,C - Solomons,D

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 0-0



5.e4 d6 6.Nge2 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d3 h6 9.h3 Kh7



The consensus amongst the kibitzers was that black's previous 2 moves were possibly aimed at waiting for white to commit to a plan before deciding on a counter-strategy.

10.Be3 Bd7 11.f4 Nh5 12.f5 g5 13.Kh2 Nf6 14.g4 Nd4 15.Ng3 c6 16.Rh1



16...b5

The kibitzers liked this move very much. It seems that Black has timed his break on the Queenside to perfection - just when White was signalling his intentions of attacking on the Kingside.

17.cxb5 cxb5 18.Kg1



18...b4 19.Nd5 Nxd5 20.exd5 Rc8 21.Be4



Otto was amused by the two "tall pawns" on the board - the White bishop on e4 and the Black bishop on g7.

21...Kg8 22.Rh2 Qc7 23.Rc1 Qb6 24.Rxc8 Rxc8



25.h4 White looks for counterplay on the kingside.

25...f6 26.hxg5 hxg5 27.Kh1 Be8 28.Qf1



28...Qd8

An admission by Black that White has created chances on the kingside.

29.Qh3 Rc2 30.Qh7+ Kf8 31.Bxd4 Rxh2+ 32.Qxh2 exd4 33.Ne2 Qb6 34.Qf2



The black pawn on d4 is doomed, so Black must seek compensation elsewhere.

34...Qa5 35.Qxd4 b3 36.axb3 Qa1+ 37.Kg2 Qd1 38.Ng1 Qxg4+



Deon mentioned after the game that he thought there were attacking chances for Black in this position when he steered the game towards it, but as the position came closer on the board he found that he was mistaken.

39.Kf2 Qf4+ 40.Kg2 Qg4+ 41.Kf2 Qf4+ 42.Kg2 Qg4+ ½ - ½