B06: Modern Defence After drawing IM Jay Bonin in round 1, I faced IM Mikhail Zlotnikov who I knew nothing about. Apparently, he was the first to deviate from known theory on move 7. I played ok but missed a painful tactic on move 23, however, I did not resign. As a young player, I maintained the habit of never resigning, and here this paid off by enabling me to see the tactical features in the position. I sought Zlotnikov's King with the direct threat of making a draw which worked well to disguise the true threat of mate which was easy to stop but hard to detect. The land mines begin at move 27. Bh6. The winning tactic occurs shortly after with some help from my opponent, since after being ahead a Bishop, he incorrectly gains more material by winning an additional rook.

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be3 Nc6 5. h3 e5 6. Nf3 exd4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8. Be2 Nf6 9. O-O O-O 10. Qd2 Re8 11. Bf3 a6

12. Rae1 Ne5 13. Be2 b5 14. f3 c5 15. Nb3 b4 16. Nd1 Bb5 17. Nc1 Nc4 18. Bxc4 Bxc4 19. Nd3 Qc7 20. b3 Bb5 21. c4 bxc3 22. Nxc3 Qa5 23. a4?

23... Nxe4! 24. fxe4?? Bxc3 25. Qf2 Bxd3 26. Qxf7+ Kh8 27. Bh6 Bd4+ 28. Kh1 Bxf1??

29. e5! Bxg2+ 30. Kh2 1-0