U.S. Champs.

2007

Shabalov - Kudrin

This is Round Nine, and the final round. Shabalov was tied with Onischuk for first place. Onischuk drew his game while Shabalov won this one to become the 2007 champion. Black moved his queen from b3 to 43... Qg3, attacking the rook. I think that Kudrin lost this game earlier in the game, but here is how it ended. Shabalov replied with 44. Re4 and Kudrin resigned. Black has no checks. There is the threatened double-attack on g4. Even if the Black queen moved away, 45. Rg4 will corral the Black king in the corner with the White queen assisting in the mate.