Just like in the first match, no one could break away early, but this time the ChessKid star was the one who went on a run. After a back-and-forth beginning that saw the score tied 4-4, Tani then won 6.5/7 in the end of the 3-minute and beginning of the 1-minute to cruise to a 14-6 victory.
Did you miss the match? The entire replay is available here!
The entire 2.5-hour match was very fighting. All of the 5-minute games went 50 or more moves and then in the 3-minute a trio of games went 60 or more. Tani broke out to an early lead by winning with White and drawing with Black.
Kostya seemed to be gathering himself after winning two straight games to tie the score, but then Tani kept extending games and not relenting in worse positions. Particularly telling was the final 3-minute game. If Kostya had won, he would have entered the bullet only down one game.
One mov 55, the computer announced that Kostya was +14 (like being up a queen and rook!). But just watch this incredible resourcefulness from Tani!
For the record, the simple 56. e8=Q wins. Kostya was likely worried about 56...Rf2+ but the king can run to 57. e1 since the rook and the queen cover all of the checks from there.
How did Tani not resign that game? Well, actually he admitted afterward that he clicked the "resign" button but since ChessKid asks players if they are sure, Tani took that extra moment and decided to just keep playing. A great lesson for ChessKids!
Here's another escape from Tani, where he should have been mated on the h-file but did another Houdini!
Tripling on the h-file looked scary, but the easiest win for Kostya was 36...Bf3, since even after the exchange sacrifice his attack is still too strong.
After playing two strong young IMs in his first two "Tani vs. the World" matches, Tani requested to play a GM next. We'll see if we can arrange that!
Until then, why don't you try your hand at playing Tani? He's ready now!