SPOT ON CHESS PUZZLES For WEDNESDAY, June 14th of 2023: Chess has that “IT” factor!

Chess has that “IT” factor.

And what is “IT”? Talent? A solid work ethic? A sense of artistry? Obsession or Dedication? Is “IT” time spent in study and time spent fighting for every single rating point out in the competitive battlefield that is tournament chess? Try “ALL OF THE ABOVE”!

Enjoy today’s game as played by FIDE MASTER Nick Raptis and Master Matt Zavortink from this year’s edition of the OREGON CLOSED CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP. A strong event won by young Zoey Tang!!! Games forthcoming… but for now do enjoy Matt Zavortink’s fine win versus Oregon chess legend Nick Raptis as given down below.

Stay healthy and be free! ~ S

[Event "2023 Oregon Closed: Rd. 7 Raptis - Zavortink"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/G5tJPNFF/emPF2jo0"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.02.22"][UTCTime "04:41:50"]
[ECO "E92"][Opening "King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Gligoric-Taimanov System"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/JackFromLost"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. d4 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. Be2 e5 7. Be3 Ng4 8. Bg5 f6 9. Bh4 Nc6 10. d5 Ne7 11. Nd2 f5 12. Bxg4 fxg4 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3 b6 15. b4 g5 16. Nb3 Ng6 17. g3 Rf3 18. Qc2 Ba6 19. a4 Nf4 20. gxf4 gxf4 21. Nd2 Rh3 22. Nf1 Bxc4 23. Bd2 Bd3 24. Qa2 Qh4 25. Rg1 Rf3 26. Nd1 Rf8 27. Rc1 g3 28. hxg3 fxg3 29. Rxg3 Qh1 0-1. White resigned.