Congratulations to Tom O’Gorman, who recorded his second IM norm last weekend, at the Sheffield Masters 2024. He finished clear first with 6½/9. His only loss was to Trisha Kanyamarala, who finished with 4½/9, in round 6, leaving him requiring three straight wins in the last three rounds.
38. ?
In the penultimate round, he had Black against Jonathan Pein. In the diagrammed position, 38. Kd2 is equal, but Pein played 38. b8=Q??, and after 38… Nxb8 39. Bxb8 Ke3 he was unable to stop the f-pawn and resigned a few moves later.
[Click to replay the full game.]
In the last round, he played the event’s only GM, Gábor Nagy, and won after some twists and turns and late missed opportunities for both sides.
[Click to replay the full game.]
He has also achieved the required 2400 rating, which is often the most difficult milestone.
A full report has been added to the Tournament pages here (on the Overseas tournaments page).