GM Gregory Kaidanov won the 2021 U.S. Senior Championship title after defeating GM Larry Christiansen in an exciting playoff tiebreak, scoring 1.5 - 0.5 in the two-game rapid match. Gregory was a half-point ahead coming into the last round of the round-robin, but GM Larry Christiansen won a critical last-round game forcing a tiebreaker.

The first game saw Kaidanov miss a golden opportunity out of the opening as Christiansen fell into trouble early on in a Bogo-Indian Defense. Despite winning a clear extra pawn, Kaidanov was not able to consolidate his advantage, as Christiansen created enough counterplay to win the pawn back and equalize the game. After more trades the players ended up in an equal rook endgame, agreeing to a draw soon thereafter.

In the second game, Christiansen essayed the London System, to which Kaidanov responded in an aggressive manner, playing an early Qxb2 to isolate White’s queenside pawns. Christiansen in turn continued to play for the initiative, sacrificing a pawn for development. While under pressure, Kaidanov found an incredible resource to refute White’s attack, temporarily sacrificing a piece but leaving White with multiple pieces hanging. After the dust cleared, Kaidanov was left with an extra exchange, which he duly converted into the full point, winning the tiebreak and the national title.

19...Rc8!! was a brilliant find securing Black a decisive advantage

Coming up next month will be the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz, taking place August 9 - 16, followed by the Sinquefield Cup, which runs August 16 – 28. Check out more info for both events on grandchesstour.org.

Text: IM Kostya Kavutskiy

Photo courtesy of Saint Louis Chess Club, Lennart Ootes