[Event "U.S. Championship"] [Site "Saint Louis, U.S.A."] [Date "2017.04.07"] [Round "9.1"] [White "Xiong, Jeffery"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E05"] [WhiteElo "2674"] [BlackElo "2822"] [PlyCount "63"] [EventDate "2017.??.??"] [Source "ChessBase"] [WhiteTeam "United States"] [BlackTeam "United States"] [WhiteTeamCountry "USA"] [BlackTeamCountry "USA"] {When you think about pawn endgame structures, isolated pawns, double pawn, triple pawn is a NO-NO. But in the middle game, it's not the same process because the position is still played by the queen and other pieces. Now, we study why a triple pawn is sometimes a good idea.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O {The Catalan System} dxc4 {This is the standard black move to choose an open game.} ({IF} 6... c6 7. Nc3 Nbd7) 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4 ({IF} 8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qc2 Bb7) 8... Bd7 {This bishop goes to c6 where it can exchange the f3 knight and to protect the h1-a8 diagonal.} 9. Rd1 Bc6 10. Nc3 Bxf3 {Here, sometimes we think that this move is incorrect because a bishop is better than a knight in an open position. Many opening theories now are transformed against the basic theory.} 11. Bxf3 Nc6 12. Bxc6 {THE ASSIGNMENT: The triple pawn and why black allows it? Let's check the b file, that is a good strategy to open it to pressure the pawn at b2.} bxc6 13. Bg5 Rb8 14. e3 c5 {Now this, it's giving another pawn, ANALYZE THIS...} 15. dxc5 Qe8 {Yes, this is all part of opening theory. That is why I always tell all aspiring chess masters to always be self-reliant, do some research.} 16. Rd4 Nd7 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. c6 {White wants to preserve the c pawn, moreover, the focus of black is to pressure the b pawn.} Ne5 19. Qe4 Qc5 20. Nd5 Nd3 21. Nxc7 { White aimed at grabbing pawns but ignored the incoming black's tactics to pressure white's king.} Nxf2 {Fantastic move...} 22. Kxf2 Rxb2+ 23. Kf1 Qh5 { This is it... Bravo Super GM Wesley So...} 24. Qg4 Qxh2 25. Qf3 c3 26. Rc1 e5 { Nice timing...} 27. Rh4 ({IF} 27. Rd7 e4) 27... Qd2 28. Rd1 Rd8 29. Nd5 ({IF} 29. Rxd2 Rdxd2 30. Kg1 Rb1+ 31. Qf1 c2 32. Rc4 Rxf1+ 33. Kxf1 Rd1+ 34. Ke2 c1=Q 35. Rxc1 Rxc1 36. Nd5 Kf8 37. c7 Ke8) 29... Rxd5 30. Rd4 (30. Qxd5 Qf2#) 30... Rxd4 31. exd4 Qxd1+ {0-} 32. Qxd1 {Now simply, 32...c2 and wins. This shows how tricky the triple pawn idea is. Wonderful game by Super GM Wesley So. This reminds every chessplayer to not mind relaxing but to think deeply or be mindful against incoming threats or tactical strategies. I hope you learned from this game. God Bless You all...} 0-1