Semi-Final Tiebreaker Game 2

Mok - Mas

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 g6 4.cxd4 d5 5.exd5 Nf6 6.Bb5+ Nbd7 7.Nc3 a6 8.Bxd7+ Qxd7 9.Qb3 Qg4

Looks like white is in trouble right in the opening

10.Nge2 Qxg2 11.Rg1 Qh3

Why not grab another pawn? white has the better development but black has the better pawn structure. 12. Bf4 is the way to go. If white do not come up with something to exploit his better development, black will be better in the middle-game.

12. Rg3?

Perhaps Mok feels he has to do something (he has to win to tie the rapid and go into blitz tie-breaker). But giving up the h-pawn for nothing? 12...Qxh2 13. Bf4 don't work because of ..Nh5

12...Qf5!?
Mas don't see the need to take any risks. Now 13. Bf4 should be ok for white

13. Rg5 Qf3 14. Rg3

It is not Mok's nature to chicken out, so I do not see a repetition. Maybe he wants to gain back some time on the clock (he has 14 minutes left)

14...Qf5

17 minutes left for Mas

15. Na4 b5

Mas moves almost immediately, seems confident with his position. 16. Nb6 Rb8 is not dangerous at all.

16.Nb6 Rb8 17.Rg5

Only move is 17...Qh3. Mok might go for another round of repetition :)

17...Qh3 18. Rg3 Qf5


White has nothing in this position. Unfortunately for him, a draw is not an option.

19. Rg5 Qf3

1/2-1/2

Mok agrees to draw. Mas moves forward to the finals and will meet the winner of the Lim Yee Weng-Nicholas Chan match.

It was quite a blow for Mok who played quite well against a difficult opponent. If he had not blundered in the previous game, it could very well be him that goes into the finals instead of Mas.