In the Irish Championship 1999, defending champion Colm Daly had some difficulties at the beginning of the event, drawing in round 2 against Gerard O’Connell and then losing in round 3 against Jonathan O’Connor. His 5½/6 in the remaining games was enough to retain the title by the minimum margin over Tom Clarke.
17. ?
In his notes to the round 2 game in the Irish Chess Journal, Gerard O’Connell said “I was convinced that I had a winning advantage” in the diagrammed position, but that none of his considered 17. Nxd7, 17. Nxf7, 17. Nxd5 and 17. f5 seemed to work.
How should he have continued, and what is the evaluation with best play?
{Click to replay the full game (with solution).]
The report on the event has been updated and significantly expanded, now including the report from the Irish Chess Journal (from John Gibson collection).