Austin Lockwood Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Paul Scott writes about a generous sporting gesture by his Cuban opponent in the First Caribbean Battle Invitational Team Tournament
“Playing Black for West Cuba on board 2 in the I Caribbean Battle Invitational Team Tournament I’ve scored 5 ½ out of 11, needing a win in my last game for a SIM norm. I have just gained my IM status and an SIM norm so quickly would be a considerable achievement. I play against a slightly lower-rated player who has already lost 2 games, apparently from blunders. In this triple-block system I have 50 days left whilst my opponent has just 8 days. The position is not easy. I have Black with R+N+B +3P (incl P on 7th rank ready to Queen) against Q+B+2P. Either side has the potential to lose, but with best play it will be a draw – but I feel my opponent cannot force a draw within the remaining time control. The TO has not included “Guaranteed Time” in the match specification, so White must play all his remaining moves in 8 days – possible but not easy. He will have to rush his moves, and I also see that he has many other games in progress at the same time. The win for me should be just a matter of time…”
Those are the thoughts I think were going through my Cuban opponent’s head in this position, with Black to move. He can play Ke7 (safe) or Ke6 which leaves him a little exposed and could possibly get me a win.. but the engines show I’ll need quite a few moves…. Can I get them all done in 8 days? He seems to make his moves overnight (Cuba time zone) so I’m losing a day each move. He’s not made any serious mistakes yet so will probably play Ke7…surely he’ll win on time!
He plays 72…Ke7 – and offers a draw!! Is he mad? Giving up his chance of a SIM norm, a probable share of 1st place and of course a sizeable + on his rating!!!! Well, opinions may vary but to me this shows great sportsmanship. My slightly higher-rated opponent has ignored the temptation to play on and win on time, has assessed the position and correctly reasoned that with best play it will be a draw.
What would I have done in his position? I ‘m not sure. Yes, in the past I’ve offered draws in winning positions because I don’t want to win on time, or because of an outrageous blunder by my opponent, but this is different. Who turns down the opportunity to claim an SIM norm within just a few moves?
Too often we hear complaints of players deliberately slowing down the game, spinning out a losing position for as long as possible, playing a “dead man’s hand”. Yes, CC has far too many instances of bad sportsmanship and few reported examples of honourable play. I pay tribute to Manuel Vega Palma, my very sporting and honourable opponent from Cuba. Thank you Manuel!
The full game is shown below. A lot of positional manoeuvring until I was able to make the critical breaks in the centre with 51.e4 and 55.f6!
