The 20th Gonzaga Charity Classic took place over the weekend of January 17-19, 2025. A total of 187 players took part, spread over four sections.
A report on the Masters section has been added to the Tournament pages here.
The two grandmasters Matthew Turner and Ante Šarić were by far the highest rated players in the field, by a margin of around 150 points, and duly finished equal 1st-2nd on 4½/5, having had a quick draw in round 4. They had also finished equal first last year, with Daniel Howard Fernandez. But this year, tie-break applied for first place, including for prize money, and this made quite a difference. Turner took the first prize of €650, while Šarić received €350.
Irish women’s chess has been strengthened by the addition over the past few years of several strong resident but not IRL-registered players, and in this event three were competing: WGM Shrook Wafa (Egypt), WFM Hong Nhung Nguyen (Vietnam), and WFM Maryna Petrenko (Ukraine).
Nguyen suffered a reverse in the second round against Robert Arellano.
18. ?
A slip in the opening had left Black in deep trouble, and in the diagrammed position White is winning easily after 18. Qd3 g5 19. Nxh6. Instead he played 18. Bxh6?, with no clear point. After 18… gxh6 19. Nxh6 Rg7 20. Nhg4, Black would have been right back in the game after 20… Rxg4! 21. Nxg4 Nd7. Instead she missed the opportunity via 20… Qd8? 21. Qf4 a5? 22. Rc7! and a massacre occurred.
[Click to replay the full game.]
Three boards away, Colm Daly and Fiachra Scallan reached the position below.
39. ?
White can break through via 39. Bxf6. Let’s leave this one as an exercise: what do you think of this move, and how should the game end with best play from the diagrammed posiiton?