Yeoh Li Tian draws GM

Yeoh Li Tian drew with GM Saidali in the first round of the Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open this morning. The game was one of the last to finish. I was able to watch the last few moves since my game just ended.

Li Tian played the Caro-Kann and the opening was a repeat of one he played in the Merdeka Rapid Team which he lost. Perhaps he came back better prepared after that. Nevertheless he was still one pawn down in a R+B v R+B ending.

When I came to the board the following position was reached. Saidali was shaking his head in disbelief.

White cannot escape the checks without losing his extra pawn. 1. Kc6 Rc2+ 2. Kb5 Rb2+ and draws.

After agreeing the draw, GM Saidali very sportingly went through the ending with Li Tian, showing how each side went wrong. Very nice gesture from the grandmaster.