[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.05"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Kovacevic, Blazimir"]
[Black "Bosiocic, Marin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2475"]
[BlackElo "2613"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:29:00"]
[BlackClock "1:29:00"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O e6 {The modern recipe against Reti. Just
put your bishop outside the chain and go e6 and c6.} 5. d4 Nf6 6. Nbd2 Be7 7.
Re1 {Preparation of e4 is on of the plans for White.} (7. c4 {Is the other})
7... O-O 8. e4 Bh5 9. c3 a5 $5 {An unorthodox decision to grab some space. I
find Bosiocic's play very appealing.} 10. h3 (10. a4 {Was probably more
circumspect, not allowing the expansion}) 10... a4 11. exd5 cxd5 12. g4 Bg6 13.
Ne5 Nbd7 14. Nxg6 hxg6 15. a3 {White will have trouble with the b2 pawn once
the queen appears on b6 and the knight on c4.} Qc7 16. Nf1 Bd6 17. g5 {But
this is asking for it. There were other, less provocative moves.} Nh5 18. Bf3
Nf4 19. Bg4 Nb6 20. h4 Rae8 (20... Nc4 {Was more precise. The point is that
after} 21. Bxf4 Bxf4 22. Re2 Ra6 {With crude ideas of Rb6 appears.}) 21. Bxf4
Bxf4 {Even so, White's position is unpleasant} 22. Qd3 $6 {A pseudoactive move}
(22. Be2 {Preventing Nc4, was probably better.}) 22... Nc4 23. Re2 e5 $5 {Not
the only way to continue. It is debatable whether this move is the best, but
it is definitely unplesant to face.} 24. dxe5 Rxe5 $1 {Very precise,
preventing the doubling of White rooks on e1} (24... Nxe5 25. Qh3) 25. Bf3 (25.
Rae1 Nxb2) 25... Rd8 {Now White's position is already difficult} 26. Qc2 (26.
Rd1 {Preventing d4 push at all costs was mandatory} Qd7 27. Kg2) 26... Qd7 27.
Kg2 d4 28. cxd4 Qxd4 (28... Rxe2 {Was actually more precise. After} 29. Qxe2 (
29. Bxe2 Nd6) 29... Qxd4 (29... Nd6 30. Bg4) 30. Bxb7 (30. Rd1 {\/The point is
that with the queen on e2, this move odesn't work} Qxd1 31. Qxd1 Rxd1 32. Bxd1
Nxb2) 30... Nxb2 {Black is the one pushing}) 29. Rxe5 Nxe5 30. Bxb7 $2 {A
fatal blunder.} (30. Rd1 {And suddenly White gets back in the game}) 30... Qd7
31. Bf3 Nxf3 32. Kxf3 Qh3+ $1 33. Kxf4 Rd4+ 34. Ke5 Rxh4 {And here White
resigned - it is clear he can't survive with the king on e5} (34... Qxh4 {Was
actually better, but who the hell cares :D}) 0-1

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.06"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Bosiocic, Marin"]
[Black "Saric, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2613"]
[BlackElo "2691"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:30:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

1. d4 {Bosiocic is a true modern grandmaster with a wide repertoire, although
I believe that 1 d4 is his childhood love} Nf6 2. c4 c6 {Ivan has started
playing Semi-Slav regularly in recent years. In his youth, he was famous for
venturing the King's Indian - something his fans somehow always hope to see.}
3. Nf3 d5 4. e3 Bg4 {But this is a bit surprising, since my impression was
that Ivan always went for e6. I may be wrong though} 5. Qb3 Qb6 6. Nc3 e6 7.
Nh4 Be7 8. h3 Bh5 9. g4 Bg6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 {Up to this point, we have seen a
theoretical discussion, but now Bosiocic employs a new move} 11. Rg1 {Removing
the rook from the pin} (11. Bg2 {And}) (11. g5 {Have been exclusively played})
11... g5 12. Bd2 Nbd7 13. O-O-O Qc7 {Perhaps it was easier to exchange the
queens} (13... Qxb3 14. axb3 Nf8 {And Black is not worse, despite his
opponent's bishop pair}) (13... Nf8 {Immediately was also possible}) 14. Kb1 a6
$6 {Also a bit slow. Ivan starts drifting here} (14... Nf8 15. cxd5) (14...
dxc4 {Seems like a concession, but after} 15. Qxc4 O-O-O 16. Bg2 Nb6 {Black is
only slightly worse}) (14... a5 {With the idea of a4 was also an option.} 15.
cxd5 (15. Bg2 a4 16. Nxa4 dxc4 17. Qxc4 b5 18. Qxc6 Qxc6 19. Bxc6 Rxa4 20. Bxb5
{Is not worse for Black}) 15... Nxd5 16. Qc2 {With equality}) 15. Bg2 {Now
Black's position is already a bit dubious. Computer indicates a5 or Qb6 as
options. Saric goes wrong} Rc8 $2 {But this is a serious mistake, leading to a
very favourable position for White} (15... O-O 16. cxd5 Nxd5 17. Bxd5 $1 {
Apparently an important idea in this set-ups} (17. Nxd5 cxd5 18. Rc1 {Is also
good}) 17... exd5 18. e4 {Is also better for White}) 16. cxd5 cxd5 (16... Nxd5
17. Nxd5 exd5 (17... cxd5 18. Rc1 Qb8 19. Rxc8+ Qxc8 20. e4 {Is horrible for
Black}) 18. e4 {With initiative}) (16... exd5 17. e4 (17. f4 {Is also an option
})) 17. e4 $1 {Opening the position for his bishops.} (17. f4 {Was also
playable}) 17... dxe4 18. Nxe4 Nxe4 19. Bxe4 O-O 20. h4 $1 {Excellent play!
This is an extremely unplesant move to face} (20. Qxb7 {Was also good, but a
bit primitive} Qd6 {And the game continues}) 20... Nf6 (20... gxh4 21. g5 {And
White will have a strong attack in the near future. Even so, perhaps Black
could have netted a pawn for his trouble}) 21. Bf3 gxh4 22. g5 Nd5 23. Rh1 $1 {
Now White is simply winning. Saric manages to put up a tough resistance, though
} Nf4 24. Rxh4 Ng6 25. Rh3 Rfd8 26. Be4 $1 {The strongest move, targeting the
weak knight} Qc4 {The best move, seeking salvation in a tough endgame} 27. Bxb7
Qxb3 28. Rxb3 Rb8 29. d5 $1 {Another great move! Bosiocic plays this phase of
the game extremely precisely} (29. Be3 a5 {And now White has to go for} 30. d5
{In order to maximize the advantage}) 29... exd5 30. Ba5 Rd7 31. Bxd5 Rxb3 32.
Bxb3 Rxd1+ 33. Bxd1 Nf4 34. Bb3 Bxg5 {Even though the material is equal, the
two bishops and the queenside pawn majority are simply too strong. Besides,
the a-pawn is bound to fall} 35. Bc4 Nh3 36. Bb6 Bh4 37. a4 (37. f3 {Was
satisfactory as well}) 37... Bxf2 38. a5 Bg3 39. Bxa6 Ng5 40. Bb7 Ne6 41. a6
Bb8 42. b4 Kf8 43. b5 Ke7 44. Bd5 Kd6 45. Bxe6 Kxe6 46. Bc7 $1 {A sweet final
point. Saric resigned here.     A great game by Bos, worthy of a champion!} 1-0

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.07"]
[Round "7.6"]
[White "Saric, Ivan"]
[Black "Zelcic, Robert"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2691"]
[BlackElo "2520"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:30:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

1. e4 {Saric has played only 1 e4 his entire life} c6 {While 1...c6 is
Zelcic's main response} 2. d4 d5 3. e5 {I think this is the most critical
continuation - sometimes Saric never shies away from} Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 {
Nigel Short is the one responsible for the popularity of this quiet system in
the advance variation} c5 {This is a natural move, but also a dangerous one -
in some variations Black runs into problems on the queenside} 6. Be3 (6. c3 {
Gives Black a good version of the French defence}) 6... Qb6 (6... cxd4 7. Nxd4
{Is bad for Black}) 7. Nc3 $1 {The point!} Nc6 (7... Qxb2 {Can be met by either
} 8. Nb5 ({Or the surprising} 8. Qb1 $5 Qxb1+ (8... Qxc3+ {Loses to} 9. Bd2) 9.
Rxb1 {And now Black's best is to play} c4 (9... b6 10. dxc5 bxc5 11. Rb7 {Is
considered as better for White}))) 8. O-O Qxb2 9. Qe1 {This is all theory,
obviously} (9. Qb1 {Is now bad. After} Qxb1 10. Rfxb1 {Black can go} O-O-O {
And he is fine}) (9. Nb5 {Has also been played} c4 10. Nc7+ Kd7 11. Nxa8 Bxc2 {
And it is not clear who is better}) 9... cxd4 10. Bxd4 Nxd4 11. Nxd4 Bb4 12.
Rb1 Qxc3 13. Rxb4 Qxe1 (13... Qc7 {Is too risky. White has several good
continuations. The best might be immediate strike with} 14. c4 (14. Nb5 Qxe5 {
Is not so clear})) 14. Rxe1 {The smoke has cleared. White has sacrificed a
pawn, but he has a lead in development and Black has trouble on the queenside,
which gives him sufficient compensation} b6 {Black can't allow Rxb7} 15. h4 {
But this is not the first move that comes to mind. I am not 100% sure, but
there is high probability Saric was still within his preparation} (15. Nxf5
exf5 16. Bb5+ {Is also possible, but the inclusion of h4 and h5 is in White's
favour (opens the route for the king and creates a potential target on g6)}) (
15. Nb5) (15. Bb5+) 15... h5 {But this is a mistake, creating too many
weaknesses} (15... Be4 {Is the comp's suggestion} 16. f3 Bg6 {And now h5 is
not possible} 17. Bb5+ Kf8 18. Re3 {And White has definite compensation. But
not more}) (15... Bg6 {Loses on the spot} 16. h5) 16. Nxf5 exf5 17. Bb5+ Kf8 (
17... Ke7 {I didn't understand what is wrong with this move} 18. Rd4 Ke6 19. c4
{But then the engine quickly made me realize this typical move leads to
decisive advantage}) 18. Rd1 Ne7 19. c4 {Remember this shot, dear readers.
Undermining the center with c4 happens often in these advance Caro positions}
d4 {Trying to keep the position closed} (19... dxc4 20. Rxc4 {And White's rook
are tremendously active. Black can't even go} Rc8 21. Rxc8+ Nxc8 22. Rd8+) 20.
Rxd4 Rh6 21. Ra4 {But now Black has a very unpleasant endgame} Nc6 22. Rd5 Re6
23. f4 g6 24. c5 {White  could have also considered Rd7. It is probably better
than what happened in the game} (24. Rd7 Na5 25. c5 Re7 26. cxb6 axb6 27. Rd6 {
But I agree it is not so easy to evaluate this for a human.}) 24... bxc5 25.
Rxc5 Nd8 26. Bc4 Re7 27. Bd5 Rb8 28. Rca5 Rb1+ 29. Kf2 Rd7 30. Bf3 Ne6 31. Kg3
{It seems that Black loses the pawn on a7 now, but he seems to have sufficient
activity to compensate for it} Rd3 32. Rd5 {White can't afford to grab the
pawn yet} (32. Rxa7 Nd4 33. Ra3 Ne2+ 34. Kh2 Rxa3 35. Rxa3 Nxf4 {And it is not
clear who is better anymore}) 32... Rxd5 $2 {But this is a mistake, after
which White gets back in the driver's seat} (32... Rbd1 {Is a move negine will
quickly point out. After} 33. Rxd3 Rxd3 34. Rxa7 Rd4 35. a4 Nxf4 {Black has
every chance of defending}) 33. Bxd5 {Now bishops gets in a good position and
dominates the knight} Nc7 34. Bb3 a6 35. Rc4 Nb5 36. Rc8+ Ke7 37. Ra8 $6 {
There was actually an immediate win available} (37. Bd5 {Is pointed out by the
engine. After} Rd1 38. Bc6 {White is winning}) 37... Nc7 38. Rc8 Rc1 39. Kf2
Rc5 40. Ke2 Rc6 41. Kd3 Rc5 $6 {Too passive.} (41... f6 {For better or for
worse, Black should have tried eliminating the pawns, although his position
remains difficult}) 42. g3 Rc6 43. Bc4 Rc5 (43... f6) 44. a4 Rc6 45. Kd4 a5 46.
Kd3 Rc5 47. Rb8 f6 {But now this comes at a wrong moment} 48. exf6+ Kxf6 49.
Rb6+ {And Black will lose at least an exchange, so Zelcic resigned. The
continuation could have been} Kg7 50. Kd4 Rxc4+ 51. Kxc4 {And wins} 1-0

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.08"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Bosiocic, Marin"]
[Black "Zelcic, Robert"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2613"]
[BlackElo "2520"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:30:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

1. e4 c6 {Zelcic sticks to his guns} 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 {But he is the first to
deviate from the previous game} 4. dxc5 {Certainly the most critical} e6 5. a3
{But this is relatively a new approach, but a sensible idea - White returns
the pawn at once in order to grab some space on the queenside and to develop
his bishop on b2} Bxc5 6. b4 Bb6 7. Bb2 {According to my openins book, this is
already a new move} (7. Qg4) (7. Nf3 {Have been played}) 7... Ne7 8. Nf3 a5 9.
Nbd2 axb4 10. axb4 Rxa1 11. Qxa1 O-O 12. Bd3 {The position is probably
balanced, but White's position is easier to play. He will castle, put his rook
somewhere and play a timely c4.     As usual in such positions with lack of
space - it is not clear what Black should be doing. Preparing f6 is a bit
difficult due to the Qa1 and Bb2 battery} Na6 13. Qa3 Ng6 14. h4 Nc7 {The
first questionable decision - Black probably shouldn't have allowed h5} (14...
h5 {Looks risky though}) (14... Nf4 {Gains some time} 15. Bf1 Bd7 16. g3 Ng6
17. h5 Ne7 18. h6 g6 19. Nh2 {But the position is still complicated and
probably slightly better for White}) 15. h5 Nf4 16. Bf1 {But not the knight on
f4 runs into trouble} d4 $2 (16... g6 {Was the only way - as ugly as it looks})
17. g3 {Good enough, but} (17. h6) (17. Rh4 {Were more critical}) 17... Nfd5
18. h6 g6 19. Bxd4 Bxd4 20. Nxd4 Qe7 21. c3 f6 22. Be2 (22. N2f3 fxe5 23. Nxe5
Qd6 24. f4 {Is probably better for White, but it doesn't look like a human
decision}) 22... fxe5 23. N4f3 b5 {Preventing c4} 24. Ne4 $2 {But this move
throws away the entire advantage - at least according to the computer} (24.
Nxe5 {Was the best, although Black does have counterplay}) 24... Nf6 $2 {But
Zelcic misses his chance} (24... Bb7 {Looks ugly due to} 25. Nc5 {But there is
a great shot available} (25. Nfg5 {Is what White has to play, but after} Nf6
26. Bd3 {It is clear we have a completely different game}) (25. Qa7 Ba8) 25...
Ne3 26. fxe3 Bxf3 {And black takes over}) 25. Nxf6+ Qxf6 26. Qa7 {Now White
manages to keep control. The queen is extremely strong on a7, preventing the
development of the bishop and watching over g7 square} Nd5 27. Ng5 $1 Bb7 28.
Nxe6 $1 {Diverting the queen} e4 $2 {Losing on the spot} (28... Qxe6 {Would
prolong the game, although after} 29. Qxb7 Qf7 30. Qxf7+ Rxf7 31. Bxb5 {Black
can't save the game}) 29. Nxf8 Qxc3+ 30. Kf1 {And it is all over} (30. Kd1 $4 {
Was the only trap to avoid:} e3 31. Qa2 Kxf8 {And suddenly Black is winning})
30... Qc7 31. Ne6 Qe7 32. Qb8+ Kf7 33. Nd8+ {Another crushing defeat which put
an end to Zelcic's hopes} 1-0

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.08"]
[Round "8.6"]
[White "Martinovic, Sasa"]
[Black "Jovanovic, Zoran"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2555"]
[BlackElo "2511"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:30:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 g6 {Jovanovic plays the Modern, the Philidor and similar
systems his whole life} 3. e4 {But this surprises me - Sasa enters the Pirc.
Not something very common for a d4 player} Nf6 4. Nc3 c6 5. Be3 Qa5 6. Bd3 Bg7
7. Qd2 Bg4 {I am not sure about the combination of the moves c6-Qa5-Bg4, but I
don't believe it can lead to something good} 8. Nh4 $1 {But this is a strong
and far from obvious reply. The knight simply moves away from the attack and
makes way for the Facundo the f-pawn.} e5 {Logical continuation} 9. h3 Be6 10.
f4 Nh5 $2 {But this is too provocative. Black asks for trouble} (10... exd4 {
The crisis in the center should have been resolved. After} 11. Bxd4 c5 12. Be3
Nc6 13. f5 Bd7 {White is better, but Black is in the game} 14. g4 {Is not
nearly as dangerous as in the game}) 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. f5 {Now this is very
strong} Bf6 {From frying pan to fire} (12... Bd7 {Now leads to} 13. g4) 13. O-O
{Not strictly neccessary, but very attractive and strong pawn sacrifice} Bxh4
14. fxe6 fxe6 15. Rad1 {Black can't castle, his pieces are on the edge or not
developed and he is in serious trouble} Qb4 $2 {The final mistake, allowing
coup de grace} (15... Nd7 {Leads to} 16. Bc4 O-O-O 17. Bxe6) (15... Qd8 {Is
relatively best, but after} 16. g4 Ng7 (16... Ng3 17. Rf3) 17. Na4 {White's
compensation is enormous}) 16. Nb5 {Almost like Morphy} Qxd2 17. Nd6+ Kd8 18.
Rxd2 {Despite the queen exchange, Black is busted} Nd7 19. Rf7 $1 (19. Nf7+ Ke7
20. Nxh8 Rxh8 {Was, of course, sufficient, but Sasa goes for the kill}) 19...
Kc7 20. Bc4 Nhf6 21. Bxe6 {Black is completely paralyzed. The game ends quickly
} Rad8 22. g3 {A final touch in a position where every combination is "as
natural as baby's smile"} Bxg3 23. Bg5 Rdf8 24. Bxf6 Rxf7 25. Nxf7 Nxf6 26.
Nxh8 {And here Jovanovic resigned. A real gem that well deserved the award it
got!} 1-0

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.10"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Bosiocic, Marin"]
[Black "Kurajica, Bojan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B45"]
[WhiteElo "2613"]
[BlackElo "2522"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:30:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 Nd5 8.
Ne4 Qc7 9. f4 Qa5+ 10. Qd2 Qb6 11. a3 f5 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Nxf6+ gxf6 14. Qc3
Bc5 15. Qxf6 Bd4 16. Qg5 Bxb2 17. Bxb2 Qxb2 18. Qe5 Qxe5+ 19. fxe5 Rg8 20.
O-O-O c5 21. Bd3 Bb7 22. Bxh7 Rxg2 23. Rhg1 Ke7 24. Rxg2 Bxg2 25. Bd3 Bd5 26.
Rg1 Rh8 27. Rg7+ Kd8 28. Bh7 Rf8 29. Rg8 Rxg8 30. Bxg8 Be4 31. Bf7 Ke7 32. Bh5
d6 33. exd6+ Kxd6 34. Kd2 Ke5 35. Bg4 Kf6 36. Be2 e5 37. Bd3 Bd5 38. h4 e4 39.
Be2 Bf7 40. Ke3 Ke5 41. Bg4 Be8 42. h5 Bf7 43. h6 Bg6 44. Bc8 Bh7 45. Ba6 Kf5
46. Bb7 Ke5 47. c3 Bg6 48. Ba8 Bh7 49. Bc6 Bg6 50. Bb7 Bh7 51. Bc8 Bg6 52. Bb7
Bh7 53. Ba6 Bg6 54. a4 Bh7 55. a5 Bg6 56. Bc4 Bh7 57. Bb3 Kf5 58. Bd5 Ke5 59.
c4 Bf5 60. Bg8 Kf6 61. Kf4 Kg6 62. Bd5 e3 63. Kxe3 1-0

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.10"]
[Round "10.6"]
[White "Jovanovic, Zoran"]
[Black "Kozul, Zdenko"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2511"]
[BlackElo "2589"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:28:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 {I always thought you don't want to
force the exchange on c6 when White wants to take anyway, but what do I know}
5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. a4 Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8. a5 {The advance of the a-pawn so early in
the game is a bit strange} e6 9. g4 Bg6 10. Qe2 Nd7 11. Nd1 {But this is
indeed a bad move. White probably wanted to put the knight to c4, but he
doesn't have time} (11. d3 h5 (11... c4 {Is another possibility} 12. dxc4 Bb4)
12. g5 {Was more normal. The difference with the subsequent variation lies in
the fact bishop can be developed} h4 13. Bf4 {And now e5 is prevented in the
future, as after} Bh5 14. Qe3 c4 15. d4 e5 {White can simply take the pawn} 16.
Nxe5) 11... h5 12. Rg1 (12. g5 h4 13. d3 Bh5 {Is now unpleasant} 14. Qe3 c4 15.
d4 e5 {And the bishop on e5 doesn't prevent this move. After} 16. dxe5 Nxe5 {
Black can't take the knight due to the mate on d1 (another downside of Nd1)})
12... hxg4 13. hxg4 c4 $5 {Simply a great move - just giving up a weak pawn in
order to gain some time} (13... Be7 {There were simpler ways of continuing,
Be7 being one of them}) 14. Qxc4 Qf6 15. Qe2 Rh3 16. Rg3 {The only move} Rxg3
17. fxg3 Ne5 18. Nh4 O-O-O {Now Black's position is so much easier to play.
White's pawn structure is full of targets} 19. d3 {This basically returns the
pawn} (19. Nf2 {Is the comp's suggestion. It claims 0.0 here, which means
Black has full compensation for the pawn}) 19... Bb4+ 20. Bd2 Bxd2+ 21. Qxd2 (
21. Kxd2 Qg5+ {Is not particularly helpful} 22. Kc3 Nxg4) 21... Bxe4 22. Qf4
Bf3 23. Qxf6 gxf6 24. Nxf3 Nxf3+ 25. Kf2 Ne5 {The endgame is excellent for
Black} 26. Ne3 Rd4 {But this is a bit strange} ({Why not} 26... Rg8) ({Or} 
26... Rh8) 27. Ke2 Kd8 28. b3 Ke7 29. Rh1 c5 30. Rh8 {This just gives a tempo
for Rg8} (30. Rh4 Rd8 31. Nc4 {White should be aiming to exchange knights, not
rooks}) 30... Rd8 31. Rh5 Rg8 {This should have probably been played
immediately} 32. Nc4 Rxg4 33. Nxe5 fxe5 34. Kf3 {Another imprecision, moving
the king away from the queenside} (34. Rxe5 Kd6 (34... Rxg3 35. Rxc5) 35. Re3
Rb4 36. Rf3 f5 37. Rf1 {Was the best - White defends all his pawns and the
game should end in a draw}) 34... Rb4 35. Rxe5 Rb5 {Now the a-pawn falls and
Black is again in the driver's seat} 36. Rh5 Rxa5 37. b4 {It is logical to
exchange the pawns, but now Black's a pawn becomes passed} (37. Ke3 {Passive
defence was probably better}) 37... Rb5 38. bxc5 b6 39. d4 bxc5 40. dxc5 a5 41.
Ke3 a4 42. Kd4 Rb4+ $2 {I am the first who should never give question marks in
the endgames, but this deserves it} (42... a3 43. Rh1 a2 44. Ra1 Ra5 {And
Black is winning}) 43. c4 $2 {Returning the favor} (43. Kc3 {Was the best
defence. I am not sure Black can win after say} Rg4 44. Rh1 Rxg3+ 45. Kb4 a3
46. Rd1) 43... a3 {Now it is all over. We get a scenario similar to the one
examined on Black's 42nd move} 44. Rh2 Ra4 45. Ra2 f5 46. c6 Kd6 47. c7 Kxc7
48. Ke5 Kd7 49. Kf6 Ra6 50. c5 Ra5 51. c6+ Kd6 52. c7 Kxc7 53. Kxe6 Kc6 54. Kf6
Kd6 55. Kg5 Ke5 56. Re2+ Kd4 57. Ra2 Kc4 58. Ra1 a2 59. Kf4 Kb3 60. Re1 a1=Q {
A crushing win in an important moment. This win allowed Kozul to catch the
leaders and fight for the first place in the last round. But more on that later
} 0-1

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.11"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Kozul, Zdenko"]
[Black "Bosiocic, Marin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E00"]
[WhiteElo "2589"]
[BlackElo "2613"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:29:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 {These days, when playing against Kozul, you can more
or less count on facing the Catalan} Bb4+ 4. Nd2 c5 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 cxd4 7.
Nf3 d5 8. cxd5 e5 $1 {A good choice of variation for a decisive game. Here
White needs to know what he is doing in order not to end up significantly worse
} 9. Bg2 (9. Nxe5 Qxd5 10. Nf3 Nc6 {Doesn't lead to advantage}) (9. Qg5 {As
played in my database seems like a critical test of Black's system.} Nbd7 10.
Nxe5 (10. Qxg7 {Leads to a draw after} Rg8 11. Qh6 Rg6 12. Qh4 Rg4 13. Qh6 Rg6)
10... O-O {With sharp play}) 9... Nbd7 10. O-O O-O {Now White has a concrete
problem - how is he going to defend his d-pawn?} 11. Nh4 $6 {A step in the
wrong direction} (11. e3 {Undermining Black's central chain, seems better} dxe3
12. Qxe3 Re8 (12... Nxd5 13. Qb3 N5f6 14. Bg5 {Leads to good compensation}) 13.
d6 {With complicated, double-edged play}) 11... Nb6 {Now d5 pawn is a goner}
12. e4 $6 (12. f4 {Is the comp's suggestion, but it is understandable why
Kozul didn't play it. After} Nfxd5 13. fxe5 Ne3 14. Rf4 Nbc4 {Things look
pretty ugly for White, even though he might survive}) 12... dxe3 13. Qxe3 e4 (
13... Re8 $5) 14. Rd1 $2 {But this loses a pawn without any compensation} (14.
f3 {Was already the only move} Nbxd5 15. Qd4 exf3 16. Nxf3 {And despite the
lost pawn, White's bishops have prospects and guarantee him some compensation})
14... Nbxd5 15. Qd4 Bg4 (15... Re8 {Is a serious alternative}) 16. Re1 Re8 {
Now White manages to regain the pawn, although Black is still better} 17. Bxe4
Nxe4 18. Rxe4 Rxe4 19. Qxe4 Nf6 20. Qa4 Qd5 21. Be3 Rd8 {The critical moment
of the game and the entire championship} (21... Bh3 {Is too early due to} 22.
Rd1) 22. Bxa7 $2 {Uncharacteristic of Kozul, who underestimates the danger.
His nerves probably failed him} (22. Ng2 {Transfering the knight to f4, was
the best move}) (22. Qf4 {Was also not bad, intending f3}) 22... Bh3 {Now g5
is a terrible threat, against which there is no defence. if White moves the
queen, then Qd1 also comes} 23. Re1 g5 24. f3 {Forced} gxh4 25. Qxh4 Qf5 {And
White can resign} 26. Bd4 Rd6 27. Bc3 h5 28. Kf2 Ng4+ {What a crushing game
against a strong opponent with the Black pieces!  Such a victory in a must-win
situation bears the hallmark of a true champion!} 0-1

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.01"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Brkic, Ante"]
[Black "Bosiocic, Marin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2560"]
[BlackElo "2613"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {The Italian Game - a trendy way of avoiding the
bulletproof Berlin Defence.} Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. c3 Ba7 7. Bb3 {This
has all been played many times} (7. Bg5 {Is maybe a bit early, since Black
hasn't castled. But it is playable, of course} h6 8. Bh4 g5) 7... d6 8. Re1 O-O
9. h3 Be6 10. Nbd2 Re8 11. Nf1 d5 {Typical freeing move in various 1 e5 e5
openings, but in the given instance it is probably premature.} (11... h6 {
Controling the g5 square was logical}) (11... Qd7 {Maintaining the tension was
possible}) (11... Bxb3 {Was also playable} 12. Qxb3 Rb8 {And White is slightly
better}) 12. Ng5 $1 {The point. Now White gets a comfortable edge and the
bishop pair.} d4 $6 {From frying pan to fire. Now Black gets ugly doubled
pawns for no compensation} (12... Na5 13. Nxe6 Rxe6 14. Bc2 {Was probably
better. White retains a small plus.}) 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. c4 $5 {A very
counterintuitive move, blocking the bishop. But White stops Black's
counterplay and has all the time in the world to prepare his own play.      It
was not strictly necessary, though.} (14. Nh2) (14. Qe2) 14... Rb8 {Hinting at
b5} 15. Bd2 Bc5 16. Ba4 b5 17. cxb5 axb5 18. Rc1 {A good move, forcing a piece
to d6 and increasing the strength of future f4} Qd6 (18... bxa4 19. Rxc5 {Is
terrible}) (18... Nd7 19. Bb3 Qe7 {Might be the best}) 19. Bb3 Nb4 20. Qe2 Na6
21. f4 $1 {The point of White's 18th move. Black can't take due to fork on e5}
Kh8 {This move tells a lot about Black's position. This prevents the threat of
f5, but gives White time} (21... Bb4 {Is the computer's suggestion, but after}
22. Bxb4 (22. fxe5 Qxe5 {And there is no Nf3}) 22... Nxb4 23. f5 c5 24. Bxe6+ {
The engine insists on} Rxe6 25. fxe6 Nxa2 {And claims Black has compensation.
It may well be so, but good luck playing it in an actual game.}) 22. Nh2 {
Going for f3. When you don't know what to do - improve your worst placed piece.
} Nd7 (22... Bb4 23. fxe5 Qxe5 24. Bxb4 Nxb4 25. a3 Na6 26. Nf3 {Now loses the
d4 pawn}) 23. fxe5 Qxe5 24. Nf3 Qg3 25. e5 Bb6 26. Rc6 (26. Ng5 $5) 26... Nac5
27. Bc2 Ra8 28. b4 $1 {A neat tactical blow.} Rxa2 {Trying to complicate
matters, but Brkic calculated correctly.} (28... Na6 29. Bb3 {Is hopeless}) 29.
Bb1 Rb2 (29... Rxd2 {Might have been the most resilient, but White's position
is won all the same}) 30. bxc5 {A piece is a piece... Black has no compensation
} Nxc5 31. Bf4 $1 {A final touchm which leads to simplification.} Rxe2 32. Bxg3
Rb2 33. Bf2 Rd8 34. Bxd4 Rxd4 35. Nxd4 Kg8 36. Kh1 b4 1-0

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.04"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Zelcic, Robert"]
[Black "Kozul, Zdenko"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B42"]
[WhiteElo "2520"]
[BlackElo "2589"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:30:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

1. e4 c5 {I don't think Zelcic plays anything else apart from 1 e4} 2. Nf3 {
And I don't think Kozul plays anything else against 1 e4} e6 {But this is a
small surprise. Kozul is one of the great experts of the Rauzer variation. He
probably wanted to mix things and surprise his opponent} 3. Nc3 a6 4. d4 cxd4
5. Nxd4 d6 {A standard Scheveningen set-up had appeared on the board} 6. Bd3 (
6. g4 {Has its merits}) 6... Nd7 7. O-O Ngf6 8. Be3 g6 $6 {But I am not sure
whether the fianchetto is the best combination with an early e6 -the d6 will
be weak and White has more targets on the kingside. According to my database
this was not played before} (8... Be7 {Is of course more normal}) 9. Qd2 Bg7
10. Rad1 O-O 11. Bh6 {Also probably not forced} (11. Nb3 {Also wants to target
d6, but the knight is better on d4 for the moment} b5 12. Be2 b4 13. Na4 Nxe4
14. Qxb4) (11. Be2 {Might be the most precise - preparing to target d6} Qc7 (
11... b5 12. Nc6) 12. Nb3 {And Black has to go for} d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5
exd5 15. c3 {With clearly unfavourable isolani position}) 11... Qc7 12. Bxg7
Kxg7 13. Rfe1 {Now it is not so easy to target d6 and Black's set-up is
justified} b5 14. a4 b4 15. Na2 e5 16. Nb3 a5 17. Bb5 Nc5 18. Qxd6 Qxd6 19.
Rxd6 Nxb3 (19... Nfxe4 {Was playable, but complicated} 20. Rdd1 Nxb3 21. cxb3
Nf6 22. Rxe5 Be6 23. Bc4 Rad8 {A key move} 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. Kf1 Bxc4+ 26. bxc4
Rd1+ 27. Re1 (27. Ke2 Ra1) 27... Rd2 28. Re2 Rd1+ {And this long computer
variation ends in a draw. But I don't think Kozul was playing for a draw}) 20.
cxb3 Be6 21. Nc1 {Black has sufficient compensation for the pawn} Rfd8 ({Why
not} 21... Rfc8 {?}) 22. Rd3 Rd4 $2 {But this is a mistake} (22... Rdc8 {Was
still OK for Black - the White rook doesn't stand better on d3 than it stood
on d6}) 23. f3 (23. Rxd4 exd4 24. f3 {Transposes}) 23... Rc8 24. Rxd4 exd4 25.
Ne2 d3 {Trying to complicate matters} (25... Rc2 26. Nxd4 Rxb2 27. Re2 {And
White keeps control}) 26. Nd4 $1 {Keeping the pawn on b3} (26. Bxd3 Bxb3 {
Should be avoided}) 26... d2 27. Rd1 Rc1 28. Be2 $1 {Just in time} Nd7 29. Kf2
Nc5 30. Nxe6+ fxe6 31. Rxd2 Nxb3 {Now the endgame is close to winning for White
} 32. Rd7+ Kf6 33. f4 (33. Ke3 {Was probably cleaner} e5 34. Rxh7 Nd4 {But
Black does get a lot of activity.}) 33... e5 34. fxe5+ (34. g3) (34. Ke3) 34...
Kxe5 35. Rd5+ $1 {A fine move} Kf6 (35... Kxe4 {Would be a major blunder due to
} 36. Bf3+ Kf4 37. g3# {With checkmate}) 36. Ke3 Rc2 37. Rb5 {Preparing to
give some side checks} Rxb2 38. e5+ Ke7 (38... Kf5 {Seems more reasonable, but
there is a beautiful hidden point -} 39. Bd3+ Kg5 40. h4+ $3 {Diverting the
king} Kxh4 41. e6 {And the pawn decides}) 39. Bc4 Rc2 40. Bd5 (40. Bxb3 {Was
also good enough}) 40... Nc1 41. Rb7+ Kd8 42. e6 b3 43. e7+ Ke8 44. Kd4 b2 45.
Ke5 b1=Q 46. Rxb1 Kxe7 47. Rb7+ Ke8 48. Kd6 Kf8 49. Rf7+ Ke8 50. Rxh7 {And
here Black resigned. A very complicated and difficult game and a deserved
victory for Zelcic.} 1-0

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.05"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Kozul, Zdenko"]
[Black "Kurajica, Bojan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2589"]
[BlackElo "2522"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/4k3/4p3/3p1pP1/3P1Prp/4P3/5K2/R7 w - - 0 60"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:25:00"]
[BlackClock "1:25:00"]

{This endgame is a dead-draw. Kurajica apparently relaxed and though he can
draw as he wants. But it was not meant to be} 60. Rb1 {A tricky move, setting
the final trap} Kd6 $4 {Falling right into it. Almost anything else drew} (
60... Kf7 61. Rg1 Kg6 {And White can't take on g4} 62. Rxg4 (62. Rg2 Kh5 63.
Kf3 h3 64. Rxg4 fxg4+ 65. Kg3 Kg6 {And it is a dead draw}) 62... fxg4) (60...
Rg3 {Was also sufficient. After} 61. Rh1 Rg4 62. Rg1 Kf7 {We get to the same
thing as in previous variation}) 61. Rg1 $1 {Oh horrors! Black's king is way
too far. White can force Black to exchange rooks, after which he will have an
easy king and pawn ending} Ke7 62. Rg2 Kf7 63. Kf3 {And now it is all over -
the Black king is too far away} h3 64. Rh2 Rh4 65. Kg3 Rg4+ 66. Kxh3 Rg1 67.
Re2 Rh1+ 68. Kg2 Rb1 69. Rc2 Rb6 70. Rc7+ Kg6 71. Re7 Ra6 72. Kf3 Rb6 73. Ke2
Ra6 74. Kd2 Ra2+ 75. Kc1 Ra6 76. Kb2 Rb6+ 77. Ka3 Kh5 78. Ka4 Kg6 79. Ka5 Rc6
80. Kb5 Rd6 81. Ra7 Rd8 82. Kc6 Rc8+ 83. Kd6 {I can only imagine how Kurajica
felt after this.} 1-0

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.05"]
[Round "5.5"]
[White "Jovanic, Ognjen"]
[Black "Zelcic, Robert"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D24"]
[WhiteElo "2515"]
[BlackElo "2520"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/6p1/4kp1n/7P/1P2PKP1/2B5/4b3/8 w - - 0 51"]
[PlyCount "25"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:17:00"]
[BlackClock "1:34:00"]

{A curious endgame has been reached, where White has two pawns for the piece.
Even though it is normally a fatal material deficit, in this particular
instance he should be able to save himself} 51. g5 $1 {Correct decision,
saving and exchanging a pawn} Nf7 {The only way of continuing to play for the
win} (51... Ng8 {Here the knight doesn't control e5 square} 52. gxf6 gxf6 53.
e5 f5 54. Kg5 $11) 52. g6 $4 {But this is a losing move that has a very
concrete refutation} (52. h6 {Was the saving move. It looks suicidal, but after
} fxg5+ 53. Ke3 {White attacks the bishop and Black doesn't have time to take
on h6. After} gxh6 54. Kxe2 {The position is drawn}) 52... Nh6 $4 {Failing to
take the opportunity} (52... Ne5 $1 {Was winning. The point is that after} 53.
h6 gxh6 54. g7 Kf7 55. Bxe5 fxe5+ 56. Kxe5 Kxg7 {Black's bishop is of the
right colour and he easily deals with White's pawns.}) 53. e5 {Now the game is
indeed close to being drawn} Ng8 $2 {Giving away all chances} (53... Bxh5 {
Might be the best try. After} 54. exf6 gxf6 55. b5 Be2 {Black can still play on
}) 54. exf6 Nxf6 55. Bb2 Nxh5+ 56. Kg5 Nf6 57. Bxf6 gxf6+ 58. Kh6 Ke7 59. g7
Bc4 60. b5 Bf7 61. b6 Kd6 62. b7 Kc7 63. g8=Q {A very strange couple of
oversights. But it just tells how difficult chess can become, especially in
the 5th or 6th hour of play.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.07"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Kozul, Zdenko"]
[Black "Saric, Ante"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2589"]
[BlackElo "2530"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r2rk1/4b2p/bqp2pp1/8/Pp1pR3/1N2N1P1/1PQ2P1P/R5K1 w - - 0 23"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:30:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

{Up to this point, Kozul has played another energetic and convincing game. But
now he starts drifting} 23. Nc4 $2 {Not the best} (23. Rxe7 {Was simpler.} dxe3
24. Nc5 {And White's knight dominated the bishop} e2 25. Nxa6 Qxa6 26. Re1) (
23. Nxd4 {Was also good.}) 23... Qa7 24. Nxd4 $2 {But this is a blunder that
loses a clear exchange} f5 25. Rxe7 Qxe7 26. Nb6 {You would expect Black can
only lose this in a blitz game, but just see what happens next} Rc7 27. Rc1 Qf7
28. Qc5 f4 29. g4 f3 30. h3 Re8 31. Qd6 Rce7 32. Kh2 Re5 33. Kg3 c5 $2 {Losing
a big portion of the advantage} (33... h5 {Was crushing here. The threat is h4,
e.g.} 34. Nd7 h4+ 35. Kxh4 g5+ 36. Kg3 Qf4#) 34. Nd7 $1 {Probably missed by
Saric. Now he has to find the only move to survive} Re1 $2 {Losing on the spot}
(34... cxd4 35. Nf6+ (35. Nxe5 {Is also sufficient}) 35... Kh8 36. Rc7 R5e7 37.
Nxe8 Rxc7 38. Nxc7 {Is winning}) (34... g5 {Was the only move. The point is
that} 35. Nxe5 {Is met by} (35. Nf6+ Kh8 36. Nxf3 {And the play is still very
sharp and concrete, but computer claims the position is dynamically balanced})
35... Qf4#) 35. Nf6+ Kh8 36. Nxe8 {Now it is all over - Black's king is no
match for the knights and the queen} Rxc1 (36... Rxe8 37. Rxc5 {Is also
hopeless}) 37. Qe5+ Kg8 38. Nf6+ Kh8 39. Ne6 {With devastating threats} Rg1+
40. Kh4 g5+ 41. Nxg5 Qf8 42. Nd7+ Qg7 43. Nf7+ {And here Saric resigned. A
mind-boggling encounter and another confirmation of the old adage that "A good
player is always lucky"} 1-0

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.08"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Kurajica, Bojan"]
[Black "Saric, Ivan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2691"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "7R/4r3/3p3P/8/8/5P2/1p1K4/1k6 w - - 0 68"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:59"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

{Black has been better (probably even winning) the whole game, but he was
unable to find the knock-out blow. White has reached this drawn endgame where
he has to make one precise move to save himself} 68. Rd8 $4 {But this is not
the one} (68. Rg8 {The idea is simple - White wants to give a check on the
d-file. If black does the same as in the game then} Rh7 69. Kc3 {Draws, after}
Rxh6 70. Rg1+ Ka2 71. Rg2 {As Black can't give a check on c6. An amazing,
study-like position}) 68... Rb7 {Now the pawn simply queens and there is no
satisfactory defence. White tried} 69. h7 Rxh7 70. Rxd6 Ra7 {But here he had
to resign, as the pawn promotion is inevitable. The game could have continued}
71. Rb6 Ka1 {Another instuctive moment - the only move} (71... Ka2 72. Kc2 {Is
horrible} Rc7+ 73. Kd3 b1=Q+ 74. Rxb1 Kxb1 75. f4 {And White manages to draw})
72. Kc2 Ra2 73. Kd3 b1=Q+ 74. Rxb1+ Kxb1 75. f4 (75. Ke4 Kc2 76. f4 Kc3 77. Ke5
Kc4 78. f5 Kc5 79. Ke6 Kc6 80. f6 Re2+ 81. Kf7 Kd7 {And Black wins}) 75... Ra4
{And with the king being cut-off, the win is easy} 76. f5 Kb2 77. Ke3 (77. f6
Rf4) 77... Kc3 78. f6 Ra6 79. f7 Rf6 0-1

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.09"]
[Round "9.5"]
[White "Saric, Ivan"]
[Black "Brkic, Ante"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C44"]
[WhiteElo "2691"]
[BlackElo "2560"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/8/1B2R3/4b3/p3p2P/4P1P1/r7/6K1 b - - 0 40"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]

{Saric was significantly better earlier in the game, but failed to find the
best defence. Here Brkic is close to equalizing.} 40... Bc3 $2 {But this move
loses immediately} (40... Bg7 $1 {Was the only move. It is much more resilient.
After} 41. Rxe4 (41. Re8+ {Might be a better try} Kh7 42. Re7 Kg8 43. Bc5 a3 {
But it is not clear if White is winning here}) 41... a3 42. Ra4 Rb2 {The
bishop on b6 is hanging. White probably has to bail out by giving it up,
because after} 43. Bd4 Bxd4 44. exd4 a2 {He is the one losing the game}) (40...
Bb2 {Also prevents Rb2} 41. Rxe4 a3 42. Ra4) (40... Ba1 {Also leaves the
bishop prone to attacks:} 41. Rxe4 a3 42. Ra4 Rb2 43. Rxa3 Rxb6 44. Rxa1) 41.
Rxe4 a3 42. Ra4 {The point! Now the bishop on c3 will be under attack of the
rook on a4 and the game is lost} Be5 43. Bc5 Kf7 44. Rxa3 Rc2 45. Bd4 Bxg3 46.
h5 Ke6 47. h6 Rh2 48. Bg7 Rh4 49. Kg2 Bc7 50. Ra7 Bd6 51. Ra6 Kd7 52. Kf3 Be7
53. Kg3 Rh1 54. Kg4 Ke8 55. Be5 Kf7 56. Bf4 Bf6 57. Kf5 Rh5+ 58. Ke4 Rh4 59.
Ra2 Bg5 60. Ra7+ Kf6 61. h7 Kg6 62. h8=Q Rxh8 63. Ra6+ {It is simply amazing
how much value a single move has in the engame} 1-0

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.11"]
[Round "11.5"]
[White "Zelcic, Robert"]
[Black "Saric, Ante"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B43"]
[WhiteElo "2520"]
[BlackElo "2530"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/8/1PR3p1/4pkbp/2N5/1r1P1KP1/6P1/8 w - - 0 51"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:30:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

51. Nd6+ {Zelcic has convincingly outplayed his opponent and reached a winning
ending. It is hard to fathom how he can not win this position, let alone lose
it. But here amazing things started to happen:} Ke6 52. Ne4+ Kf5 53. Nd6+ (53.
Nxg5 {Was the easiest, transitioning into a won rook ending}) 53... Ke6 54.
Nc4+ Kf5 55. Ke2 (55. b7 {Was also sufficient here} e4+ 56. Kf2 exd3 57. Rb6)
55... Be7 56. Ne3+ Kg5 57. Nd5 Bf8 58. Rc8 (58. Ke3) 58... Bd6 59. Rc6 Bf8 60.
Nc3 Rb2+ 61. Kf3 Be7 62. Re6 $2 {But this is a serious mistake, allowing the
bishop on d8} (62. Ke4) (62. Nd5) 62... Bd8 63. Nd5 $2 (63. Rxe5+ $5) (63. Na4
$5 {Attacking the rook!} Rb3 (63... Kf5 64. Re8 Bxb6 65. Nxb2) 64. Ke2 {With
chances}) 63... Kf5 64. Rd6 (64. Re8 {Now doesn't work} Bxb6 65. Rb8 Rf2#)
64... Bg5 {Now Black has activated} 65. Nc3 Be7 $2 {Losing on the spot} (65...
Rb3 {Was the only move}) 66. Rc6 $6 {Returning the favour} (66. Nd1 {Was
winning.} Rb1 67. Ne3+ Kg5 68. Re6 {And we are back where we were}) 66... g5
67. g4+ $6 {Also not the best} (67. Ne4 {Looked ugly, but} g4+ 68. Ke3 Rxg2 69.
Rh6 Bg5+ 70. Nxg5 Kxg5 71. b7 Rb2 72. Rh7 {Although probably even here Black
can hold}) 67... hxg4+ 68. Kg3 Rb3 69. Kh2 Bd8 {Now White needs to be careful}
70. Ne4 (70. Rd6 {Was sufficient to maintain the balance} Be7 (70... Bxb6 71.
Nd5) 71. Rc6 Bd8) 70... Rxb6 71. Ng3+ (71. Rc8 {Was also better}) 71... Kf4 72.
Rc8 $4 {The losing move, blundering a whole piece} (72. Rc4+ {Was mandatory})
72... Rh6+ 73. Kg1 Bb6+ {What a swindle. What a tragic loss for Zelcic} 0-1

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.01"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Jovanovic, Zoran"]
[Black "Stevic, Hrvoje"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2511"]
[BlackElo "2586"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Bb3 a6 7. h3 h6 8. Nbd2
O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. Re1 Be6 11. Nf1 d5 12. Ng3 dxe4 13. dxe4 Qxd1 14. Rxd1 Bxb3
15. axb3 Rad8 16. Rxd8 Rxd8 17. Kf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.02"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Stevic, Hrvoje"]
[Black "Kozul, Zdenko"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2586"]
[BlackElo "2589"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:27:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Bc4 d6 6. d4 cxd4 7. cxd4 Be7 8. O-O
O-O 9. Re1 dxe5 10. dxe5 b6 11. Bxd5 Qxd5 12. Qxd5 exd5 13. Nc3 Bb4 14. Bd2
Bxc3 15. Bxc3 Nc6 16. Rac1 Be6 17. Nd4 Nxd4 18. Bxd4 Rfc8 19. b3 h5 20. f3 Kh7
1/2-1/2

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.02"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "Brkic, Ante"]
[Black "Saric, Ante"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C01"]
[WhiteElo "2560"]
[BlackElo "2530"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:30:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 Nge7
8. Qf3 Be6 9. Ne2 Qd7 10. O-O O-O 11. Nf4 Bf5 12. Re1 Rae8 13. Bd2 Bxd3 14.
cxd3 Nd8 15. h3 c6 16. Qg4 Qxg4 17. hxg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.03"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Saric, Ante"]
[Black "Bosiocic, Marin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D79"]
[WhiteElo "2530"]
[BlackElo "2613"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:27:00"]
[BlackClock "0:01:00"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. c4 c6 6. O-O d5 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Nc3
Ne4 9. Ne5 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Nc6 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Qa4 Qb6 13. Bf4 Qa6 14. Qxa6
Bxa6 15. Rfe1 1/2-1/2

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.04"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Kurajica, Bojan"]
[Black "Jovanovic, Zoran"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A41"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2511"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:30:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

1. d4 d6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. O-O e5 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Qxd8+ Nxd8 8.
Na3 Bd7 9. Rd1 Ne7 10. c3 f6 11. Ne1 Ndc6 12. e4 O-O-O 1/2-1/2

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.05"]
[Round "5.6"]
[White "Stevic, Hrvoje"]
[Black "Saric, Ivan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2586"]
[BlackElo "2691"]
[PlyCount "22"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:34:00"]
[BlackClock "1:34:00"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 Nc6 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O b6 8. e4
Bb7 9. a3 d6 10. Rb1 e6 11. b4 Rb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.06"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Zelcic, Robert"]
[Black "Stevic, Hrvoje"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E66"]
[WhiteElo "2520"]
[BlackElo "2586"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:30:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d6 6. c4 c5 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. d5
Na5 9. Qd3 e5 10. e4 Ne8 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bd2 a6 1/2-1/2

[Event "CRO Champ"]
[Site "Bjelovar"]
[Date "2019.04.07"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Jovanovic, Zoran"]
[Black "Kovacevic, Blazimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B15"]
[WhiteElo "2511"]
[BlackElo "2475"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "1:26:00"]
[BlackClock "1:30:00"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 g6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Bf4 dxe4 6. Nxe4 Nf6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. c3
Nxe4 9. Bxe4 Nd7 10. O-O c5 11. d5 Nf6 12. Re1 b6 13. Ne5 Nxe4 14. Rxe4 e6 15.
dxe6 Qxd1+ 16. Rxd1 1/2-1/2

