The game between Gilbert Williams, 26, FIDE-rated at 1332, and Sachin Dhilan Pitamber 13, who is rated at 1551, was filled with innovative play and excitement. The ending was a thrilling race against time to catch the queening square first. Black (Pitamber) has an extra pawn but Williams (white) has the strong first check. Black must protect his extra pawn with his king but he cannot do so without opening himself to perpetual checks. To his credit, Williams took down Ethan Lee and Jaden Taylor, a competitor who drew with Taffin Khan and Loris Nathoo, two of the highest rated contestants of the National Championship. The game is recorded today for the benefit of seasoned and young chess players.
Special mention should be made also of Saeed Anwar Ali who drew with Justino Da Silva, defeated Pitamber and drew with Nathoo, all positive accomplishments. The 2023 junior chess champion Keron Sandiford claimed draws with Pitamber and Taylor, and defeated Ali, Williams and Lee. Obviously, the quality of junior chess is rising steadily.
In international news, Magnus Carlsen and Nodirbek Abdusattorov won the first sets of the semi-finals of the Champions Chess Tour Finals in Toronto. Carlsen defeated Fabiano Caruana and Abdusattorov got the better of Wesley So.
Meanwhile, the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission has fined Carlsen €10,000 for his unjustified withdrawal from the Sinquefield Cup following his defeat by Hans Niemann in September 2022.
