In 1953 Australia had its first (and only) world chess title holder when Cecil Purdy won the first World Correspondence Chess Championship. We now have another!
12 year-old Bobby Cheng has just won the World 12U Youth Chess Championships which were played in Turkey from November 11 – 23. Bobby was seeded fourth in the tournament and started slowly, but with one round to play had clawed his way into a tie for first with 3 other players. In the final round he had black against the top seed, Vaibhay Suri (India) who was rated 142 points above Bobby.
Undaunted, Bobby played a slashing game to finish off his opponent in only 27 moves. He then had a long wait to see the outcome of the second board game where a win for either player would see them take the title on count-back … but the game was a draw!
So, dear reader, place yourself in Bobby’s position in the diagram below. Can you find the winning line and take out the world title!
ANSWER:
Bobby played 1…Rxh5! 2.gxh5 (not 2.dxe5 Qh1+ 3.Kf2 Rxh2+ etc) 2…Nd3!! 0-1
After 3.Qf3 Qxf3 4.Rxf3 Bxf3 Black is a piece ahead for no compensation and wins easily.
Well done Bobby.
