Today’s examples are taken from the WYCC taking place at Porto Carras, Greece.  The event will continue until November 6. LINK

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THE PERSISTENT BISHOP

Stauskas, Lukas

Martirosyan, Haik

WYCC Open U16  Porto Carras  2015.10.26  Position after 19 moves.  Off-hand things look quite nice for Black, who will soon complete his development with …Nc6 (or perhaps exchange on g2 first).  But–as we are often warned–things are not quite as simple as they might at first appear…

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!

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Nikolovski, Nikola

Vucinic, Gojko

WYCC Open U18  Porto Carras  2015.10.27   Position after White’s 56th move (56.Rb1).  A hard fought game where both sides are trying their best to not just try to win, but to survive!  But things stand very well for Black at present–his excellently placed pieces dominate the centre and allow him the opportunity to break in.  

BLACK TO PLAY AND CRUSH!

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WYCC Open U16  Porto Carras  2015.10.26  Martirosyan, Haik M.–Stauskas, Lukas: 20.Bg5!  Qc7 (Taking the Bishop on g5 would be answered by 21.Bxb7) 21.Bd8! Rxd8 22.Rxd8+ Qxd8 23.Bxb7 Nd7 24.Rd1 1-0

WYCC Open U18  Porto Carras  2015.10.27  Vucinic, Gojko–Nikolovski, Nikola: 56…Rxg3! Now if either King or Queen captures the Rook then 57…Be5 follows with devastating effect.  The game continued with the desperate 57.Rb7 Qxb7 58.Qxg3 Qe4!  With a crushing position which Black won