Game of the Month - June 2023

Yes, we're back! After a by now traditional long break between instalments, GOTM returns. And what a good one we've got for you this time. And it's remarkably recent as well, having been played on April 16th at the British Rapidplay Championships in Bradford. Now one game from this event has already made it onto this website in the shape of Bernard R's wonderfully incompetent disaster against the Evan's Gambit (see the post Tournament Round-Up, May 12, 2023). This is an altogether different kettle of fish.

First it features a KCC victory. We always like that. Then it features victory over a higher rated player - just the 397 points in this instance! We like that as well. Plus it features victory over a titled player. Which we like a lot - especially when the letters GM make an appearance in the title. And finally, its a rather good game, which makes it an absolutely perfect candidate for GOTM. If you didn't know, you would be hard pressed to guess this was played at a fast time limit, since Ben mixes some very solid strategoic play with nice tactical blows. White's attack seems to start first, but never actually gets anywhere, as Ben jumps out from his Fort Knox bunker to open up the White king and deliver a decisive assault. I think this is an absolutely excellent game, that any of us would have been very pleased to play. (Especially me, with a lifetime score of 0/2 against Sheila Jackson!) Great stuff, Ben.

Hopefully this will inspire some more GM bashing by KCC members over the coming months. Kenilworth expects!