Courage and Calculation in a Challenger’s Classic

This game from the Tata Steel Challengers section is a thrilling attacking masterpiece by Carissa Yip, the many-time US Women’s Champion. Facing a higher-rated opponent, Yip plays with confidence, precision, and fearlessness. The game is defined by one critical blunder, several only moves, and a series of brilliant sacrifices that lead to a memorable king hunt.

Opening: Ambition from the First Move

The game begins with 1.e4 c5, and White immediately chooses an aggressive path with 2.c3, entering the Alapin Sicilian. After 2…Nf6 3.e5 Nd5, White gains space and pushes Black’s knight back early. With 4.Nf3 d6 5.d4, Yip builds a strong central presence.

Black captures with 5…cxd4, and after 6.cxd4, the center remains dynamic. Black follows with 6…e6, preparing solid development. White develops actively using 7.Bc4, placing the bishop on a dangerous diagonal. After 7…Be7 8.O-O O-O, both kings are safe, but the position is already rich with possibilities.

White centralizes the queen with 9.Qe2, supporting e5 and preparing rook development. Black plays 9…a6, a useful waiting move. With 10.Nc3, White completes development and keeps pressure in the center.

Black captures with 10…dxe5, but White responds confidently with 11.Nxe5, restoring material balance and activating a piece. After 11…Nc6 12.Nxc6 12... bxc6, Black accepts structural damage for activity. White immediately targets the open file with 13.Rd1.

Maneuvering Before the Storm

Black expands with 13…a5, gaining space on the queenside. White responds with 14.Na4, eyeing c5 and b6. After 14…Bd6, White jumps in with 15.Nc5, placing the knight on a powerful outpost.

Black centralizes a rook with 15…Re8, while White repositions again using 16.Ne4, improving coordination. Black retreats with 16…Bf8, showing defensive intentions. White now plays 17.Bg5, pinning the queen and increasing kingside pressure.

Black responds with 17…Qb6, defending and counterattacking. White calmly improves with 18.Rac1, bringing the last rook into play. Black advances 18…a4, gaining space but loosening control.

White now launches the attack with 19.Qh5, directly targeting the king.

The Critical Blunder

Black plays 19…Ba6, a serious mistake that allows a decisive tactical response. The bishop move neglects king safety and overlooks White’s attacking resources.

Yip finds the only winning move, 20.Bxd5, opening lines at exactly the right moment. Black tries to resist with 20…Be2, but after 21.Qxe2, material is balanced and White’s attack continues. Black recaptures with 21…exd5, but the king is now dangerously exposed.

White immediately strikes with 22.Nf6+, a forcing sacrifice that tears open Black’s defenses. After 22…gxf6, the g-file is opened and Black’s king position collapses.

Attack with Precision

White calmly continues with 23.Be3, improving coordination and threatening Qg4. Black tries to create counterplay with 23…f5, but White keeps the initiative using 24.Qh5, renewing threats.

Black grabs material with 24…Qxb2, but this only distracts from the real danger. White now activates the rooks with 25.Rxc6, entering the sixth rank. After 25…Bg7, White doubles down with 26.Rc7, completely dominating the board.

Black defends with 26…Rf8, but White finds another precise blow: 27.Qxf5, removing a key defender. Black counters with 27…Qxa2, but the attack cannot be stopped.

White pushes forward with 28.h4, preparing h5 and h6. After 28…Rab8 29.h5 h6, the kingside structure is fixed in White’s favor.

Brilliant Sacrifices Decide the Game

White repositions with 30.Rc6, keeping rooks active. Black plays 30…Qb3, trying to trade queens, but White avoids simplification with 31.Ra1.

After 31…Qb5, Yip delivers a brilliant sacrifice: 32.Rxh6. This move destroys the last pawn shelter around the king and opens decisive lines. Black responds with 32…Rfd8, but the attack rolls on.

White follows with 33.Rh7, bringing another rook into the attack. Black plays 33…Qd7, desperately defending. Now comes another brilliant move, 34.Rxg7+, ripping open the g-file and forcing the king into the open. After 34…Kxg7, the king is fully exposed.

White continues with 35.h6+, driving the king back. After 35…Kf8, the attack reaches its final phase.

The Only Winning Finish

White finds the precise continuation with 36.Qf6, keeping all threats alive. Black blocks with 36…Qe6, but now comes 37.Qh8+, forcing the king to move. After 37…Ke7, White delivers the only winning move: 38.Bg5+.

This quiet but deadly move seals the game. After 38…Kd7, White calmly captures material with 39.Bxd8, and Black resigns, completely helpless.

Final Position – After 39.Bxd8

Black’s king is exposed, material is lost, and no defense remains. White’s pieces are perfectly coordinated for a decisive win.