Ethan Samuels Delivers Impressive Victory in Round 3 of 2025 CTCF Club League

Steinitz board 2, Ethan Samuels, delivered a fine victory with the black pieces against Dr. Shabier Bhawoodien of Manyanani Chess Club in Round 3 of the 2025 CTCF Club League. In a King’s Indian Defence, Ethan showed patience in defence and precision in the endgame to secure the point.

• “White’s aggressive 14.b4 expansion fixed the queenside structure, but Ethan calmly absorbed the pressure.”
• “With …Ne8–Nc7 and timely queen exchanges, Black steered the game into a balanced queenless middlegame.”
• “The advance of the c-pawn (…c3–c2) gave Ethan a dangerous passer and shifted the momentum firmly in his favor.”
• “Accurate rook coordination and steady king activation ensured the c-pawn’s progress.”
• “After 51…Kb3, White had no answer to the unstoppable passer and resigned.”