1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5

Tatev had to decide whether to play the Benko Gambit or King's Indian. I thought the Benko was a good choice. It is usually a good idea to come out swinging!

4. cxb5 a6 5. b6

This is the specialty of Camilla and her GM husband, Alex Yermolinsky. In fact, this has already been seen 2 years previous in a game between these two players.

5... d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. a4 Qxb6 8. Nf3

Normally, white plays 8.a5. Camilla decides to do without this move, as it allows counterplay via the b5 square, either with Bd7-b5 ideas, or Ne8-c7-b5.

8. a5 Qb4 9. Ra4 Qb7 10. e4 Bg7 11. Bc4 Nbd7 12. f4 O-O 13. Nf3 Ne8 14. O-O Nc7 15. Qd3 Nf6 16. Bd2 Bd7 17. Raa1 Bb5 18. b3 Rad8 19. f5 Nd7 20. Bf4 Rb8 21. Rab1 Ne8 22. g4 Nef6 23. h3 Bxc4 24. bxc4 Qc7 25. Bd2 Qxa5 26. Nb5 Qd8 27. Na7 Rxb1 28. Rxb1 Qa8 29. Nc6 Re8 30. Ba5 Nb8 31. e5 Nfd7 32. e6 Nxc6 33. exd7 Nxa5 34. dxe8=Q+ Qxe8 35. Qc2 gxf5 36. gxf5 Qd7 '?' 37. Rb8+ Bf8 38. Qc3 1-0 Baginskaite,C (2361)-Abrahamyan,T (2258)/2007 US Women's Ch. 2007

8... Bg7 9. Nd2 O-O 10. e4 Nbd7 11. Be2 Rb8 12. Nc4 Qc7 13. O-O Rb4 14. Qc2

Previously, in the game Seirawan-Shirov, white played 14.a5. I like Camilla's move, as it keeps control of b5. White has a little advantage, but black has good counter chances... typical Benoni/Benko.

14... Ne8 15. Bd2 Ne5 16. Nd1

I was really impressed with this move while Jen and I were commentating live. This shows a high level of undertanding of the position. White can later play Ne3 and Nc4, and she keeps on eye on b2, as well as defending c4 and attacking b4. What an all-purpose move!

16... Rb8 17. Na5 f5?

This is Tatev's first error. She thought if white played Nc6, she could always kick out the knight, and/or play e6 and attack the d5 pawn. However, in the game, black gets too passive, and I was certain things had gone wrong if black is forced to play Ra8. Better is 17...Bd7, develooping the bishop, and defending c6, when I think the game is dynamically balanced.

18. f4 Nf7 19. Nc6 Ra8 20. Ba5 Qb7 21. Bc3 Nf6

During the live broadcast, I thought this was an excellent move, and that black was about equal. Jen Shahade then showed the right way for white, which is exactly what Camilla played, keeping white's edge.

22. Bf3! fxe4 23. Bxe4 Nxe4

I did not like this move as I was doing live commentary, but, it is probably all right. It is difficult to suggest better alternatives.

24. Qxe4 Re8

Tatev was planning on playing 24...e6!? but she changed her mind when she saw 25.Ne3 exd5 26.Nxd5! However, this is still black's best, but, instead of 25...exd5, better is 25...Bd7, and if the feared 26.Na5, then 26...Qc8 holds on.

25. Ne3 Nh6 26. Rae1

Tatev became discouraged when she saw 26...Nf5 27.Nxf5 Bxf5 28.Nxe7+! Kf7? 29.Nxf5! winning.

26... Bxc3 27. bxc3

Black needs to defend grimly, but time trouble, and no confidence in her position led to a quick demise. Black should try 27...Kh8 or 27...Kg7.

27... Nf5? 28. Nc4! h5

This loses quickly, but, black had no good defense to both 29.g4 and 29.Rb1 (followed by 30.Nb6)

29. Nxd6!

A quick finish! Tatev did not like the looks of 29..Nxd6 30.Qxg6+ Kf8 31.Qh7 threatening Ne5 and Ng6 mate. A very nice strategical game by Camilla Baginskaite.

1-0 [Finegold B. IM]