GM Maxime Lagarde (2585) beat GM Luke J McShane (2647) in 45 moves in round 7 of the Pall Mall Masters rapid in London, Lagarde's first win after half a point from the first six rounds.
McShane played 38...Qb6 with 19 seconds left; Lagarde had 4:32. Stockfish wanted 38...Kh7, and its count went from a small edge for White (+1.08) to a win (+4.47). Its first choice came straight back: 39.f5. After 39...exf5 40.Bf6+, the e-pawn went 43.e6 and 44.e7, and 45.Qd8 was the last move. In that position Stockfish finds mate in four.
Lagarde beat Bok in the next round as well.
Go back to 38...Qb6, give yourself 19 seconds, and find 38...Kh7. Then play the rest on against the engine.
- White
- GM Maxime Lagarde, 2585
- Black
- GM Luke J McShane, 2647
- Result
- 1–0 in 45 moves
- Opening
- Caro-Kann Defense: Maróczy Variation · B12
- Event
- 2026 Army and Navy Club Pall Mall Masters, 2026 Army and Navy Club Pall Mall Masters - Super Rapid, Round 7 · The Army & Navy Club, 36 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5JN
- Key move: {0}
- 38...Qb6
- Engine’s choice
- 38...Kh7