GM Benjamin Bok (2563) beat GM Luke J McShane (2647) in 35 moves in the last round of the Pall Mall Masters rapid in London, playing the finish with 15 seconds or less on the clock.
McShane played 26...Rf6 with 39 seconds left. Stockfish wanted 26...Kh7, and its count went from a clear advantage for White (+1.79) to a win (+3.83). Its first choice came straight back, played with 11 seconds left: 27.Nf7+, a knight check that also hit the bishop on g5. 27...Rxf7 28.Qxf7 left White a rook for a knight up.
Bok scored 3½/4 against McShane over the weekend: wins in rapid rounds 5 and 10 and blitz round 2, and a draw in blitz round 7. Bok finished the rapid third, on 6/10.
Stop at 26...Rf6, give yourself 39 seconds, and find 26...Kh7. Then play it on against the engine.
- White
- GM Benjamin Bok, 2563
- Black
- GM Luke J McShane, 2647
- Result
- 1–0 in 35 moves
- Opening
- Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation · E38
- Event
- 2026 Army and Navy Club Pall Mall Masters, 2026 Army and Navy Club Pall Mall Masters - Super Rapid, Round 10 · The Army & Navy Club, 36 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5JN
- Key move: {0}
- 26...Rf6
- Engine’s choice
- 26...Kh7