Round 1: Williams-Riordan 0-1

Black equalizes out of the opening and then outplays his opponent in the middle game -- an efficient display.

[Event "BCC Championship"]
[Site "Somerville, MA USA"]
[Date "2004.09.08"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Williams, Chris"]
[Black "Riordan, Charles"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteUSCF "2053"]
[BlackUSCF "2258"]
[ECO "D79"]
[Opening "Gruenfeld"]
[Variation "Fianchetto"]
[Sub-Variation "Symmetrical Variation"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.0-0 Bg7 5.d4 0-0 6.c4 c6 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.Nc3 Nc6 9.Bf4 Ne4 10.Ne5 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Bxe5!?

[A new move? 11.Nxe5, 11.Na5 and 11.Qa5 have been played before]

12.dxe5 Be6 13.e4?!

[Fritz prefers 13.Rb1, 13.Qb3 or 13.Qa4 with a slight advantage for white]

13...dxe4 14.Bxe4 Qa5 15.Qe2 Rac8 16.Qb2 b6 17.Rfe1?!

[Fritz suggests that giving up the c-pawn with 17.c4 is the best chance to maintain equality. Now Charles methodically dismantles the White position]

17...Nxe5 18.Qb1 Ng4 19.h3 Nf6 20.Bd3 Qd5 21.Re5 Qc6 22.Kh2 Qf3 23.Qc2

[23.Qf1 Rxc3 24.Re3 is better, but Black is still winning]

23...Bd5 24.Rg1

[Or 24.Rxd5 Nxd5 25.Be4 Qxc3 26.Qxc3 Nxc3-+]

24...Rxc3

25.Re3 Rxc2 0-1