Abrahamyan wins game 2 with black to even the score

Tatev Abrahamyan scores a stunning upset against Anna Zatonskih with Black in the second of their two rapid game playoff. As the clear favorite, Zatonskih is under tremendous pressure to live up to expectation. She missed winning opportunities in both game 1 and 2 in regulation. Now they are heading to the Armageddon game.

US Women's Championship Playoff

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Missed opportunities by both players lead to playoff

Anna had a better endgame in the second game of the championship match as Tatev's pawn on e3 was vulnerable. Anna tried very hard to exploit it but she was unable to find the winning plan. She eventually over pushed and it almost cost her the championship. The game ended in a draw after Tatev misplayed the endgame herself. They will head into a playoff tomorrow.

Anything can happen in chess

As we all know, anything can happen in chess, especially when the stake and pressure are high. Below is an incredible turn of event for Abrahamyan. After 34 moves, her position was basically resignable. She miraculously won after a series of blunders by her opponent.

[Event "USA Women's Championship"]
[Site "St. Louis"]
[Date "2011.04.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Abrahamyan, Tatev"]
[Black "Goletiani, Rusudan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B42"]
[WhiteElo "2326"]
[BlackElo "2367"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. O-O Qc7 7. Nc3 d6 8. Qe2 Nbd7 9. Kh1 Be7 10. f4 b6 11. Bd2 Bb7 12. Rae1 Nc5 13. b4 Nxd3 14. cxd3 O-O 15. Rf3 Rfe8 16. Rh3 g6 17. e5 Nd7 18. Ne4 dxe5 19. fxe5 Qxe5 20. Qf2 Nf8 21. Nf3 Qb2 22. Qxb6 Bxe4 23. dxe4 Rad8 24. Qe3 Bxb4 25. Bxb4 Qxb4 26. Ne5 Qd2 27. Qg3 Rc8 28. Nf3 Qb2 29. Qf4 Qf2 30. Rg1 Rc2 31. e5 Rb8 32. Qh6 Rxa2 33. Ne1 Rb1 34. Rf3

This was a nearly resignable position for White. What should have done here?



34...Qd4 35. Qg5 Nd7 36. Qd8+ Kg7 37. Rgf1 Qxe5 38. Rxf7+ Kh6 39. Qxd7 Rxe1 40. Rxh7+ Kg5 41. Qe7+ 1-0