Wildcard Game #1

Wildcard #1: FM Victor Shen (NJ) vs IM Marc Esserman (BOS) 1-0


Michael Aigner: I nominated my top choice from Week Eight as a Wildcard for Game of the Year. This impressive attacking game featured well-timed moves 15. d4, 19. Bxh6, 23. Qe5, 25. d6, 30. g4, and 38. Nf6, leaving zero doubt who was the better player this week. The game felt smooth and convincing, despite facing a newly minted and successful IM.