Canada vs. Monaco:

Monaco’s team is a lot mightier than I realized, considering the nation’s population base, but Canada got the better of them today. Bich Ngoc and Yunshan won on the middle boards to stake an early 2-0 lead in the match. Bich Ngoc’s win was convincing all the way through, but her opponent blundered a knight fork of her king and queen to end the suffering much more quickly than necessary. By contrast, Yunshan won a very instructive rook endgame with the Black pieces, by sacrificing her extra, doubled pawn to achieve a winning king and pawn endgame.

That left Svitlana and Maili-Jade (Oksana sat out today), both on the defense. I’ll freely admit that I gave up Svitlana’s position as dead lost from an early stage in the game, but she persevered, took advantage of her opponent’s mistakes, and eventually salvaged a draw. Maili-Jade’s game likewise ended in a somewhat lucky draw—in fact both games wound up as defensible pawn-down endings with a rook and minor piece for either side. Good players make good luck, and both Maili-Jade and Svitlana were due some today after a few breaks went against them in previous rounds.

All in all, a well-earned victory for the team. Things never looked dangerous, and all four players made the most of their chances. Go Canada! Current record: 3-1-1 (12/20), 36th. Next opponent: Belgium.

Over in the Open section, the guys lost to Iran 3.5-0.5, and they now have the same 3-1-1 score as the women’s team. They are still punching well above their weight class overall, and have faced very stiff opposition.

1. Yunshan teaches her opponent an endgame lesson

2. Maili-Jade defends resourcefully