Sam Shankland wins all but 1 game in Marshall Chess Club simul

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chessperson2222222

12 days ago

On Monday August 18th, GM Sam Shankland conducted his fifth simul at the Marshall Chess Club, the previous 4 being in 2019, 2022, 2023, and on New Year's Day this year. As usual, Shankland's talent and prowess at the chess board proved to be too much for just about every single opponent, including me. I don't have the exact number of participants, as some players who signed up didn't show. However, I was able to obtain most of the games, which I've compiled here-

Here is the list of ratings-

Obviously, the biggest highlight was the sole victor, Noah Gillston. Despite being a few hundred rating points below the highest rated participants, Gillston accomplished what they could not, triumphing over Shankland in 37 moves. After outplaying Gillston for the first 28 moves, Shankland slipped up blundering with 29. Kd2??. Gillston saw the winning continuation, uncorking 29..Nc4+!!, sacrificing a piece for a winning attack, and Shankland quickly fell apart after that.

Gillston wasn't the only player with winning chances, however. On board 2, 71 year old FM Jon Jacobs obtained a winning endgame, but mishandled his advantage, which caused the position to become drawn, before he fatally blundered with 53..Kxh2??.

On board 3, Sarathi Ray, who helps run the Marshall Chess Club, managed to not only survive but get what looked like an promising attack by move 35. However, everything fell apart with 35..Bxd1??; 35..Rxe4! would have secured at least a draw, as Shankland would likely have had no choice but to answer 36. Nxe4 Bxd1 with 37. Qf4+, after which 37..Ka8 would have pretty much forced a perpetual check with Rf8+ followed by the queen dancing between e8 and e7.

My game wasn't very notable. Although I lasted longer than some other players, I never had any chances to be better. Sacrificing a pawn early with 11..b5 wasn't losing, but I didn't follow it up properly. 13..c6!! would have been correct and deserves 2 exclamation points because it looks like it just blunders another pawn, but the bishop coming to e6 and the other rook coming to b8 would have given me ample compensation. After missing that, my position gradually worsened, to the point where Shankland was willing to sacrifice an exchange just to simplify things.

Another interesting game to note is that of Garry Portugal's. Even though his rating is less than 1400, Portugal managed to survive Shankland's attack and was close to having drawing chances at move 35, before erring with 36..Ba3?? and 37..Kf7??, allowing Shankland to trap the knight on b2.

Finally, one of the sharpest games was that of Srijeet Ghosh, who was one of the lowest rated participants. Nonetheless, Ghosh landed an early attack, with Shankland being forced to expose his king early. However, Ghosh pressed his luck too hard, blundering with 12..Ng3+??, which won the exchange but Shankland's 13. Bh6! immediately was lights out, taking advantage of black's lack of development. The hard to spot 12..f6! was correct, after which it could have been anyone's game.

As always, a huge thank you to the Marshall Chess Club and to Sam for such a fun event!