Patrick Wolff, 22, has become the first New Englander to earn the grandmaster title, placing him among the world’s chess elite. He expects to receive the title officially at the coming congress of the World Chess Federation (FIDE).

Wolff, the son of a Harvard professor, developed his chess skills in New England events and later proved them nationally and internationally. Part of his success has to be credited to the last decade’s increasing opportunities for first class competition in this country.

Another major factor is the American Chess Federation’s Samford Fellowship program, designed to assist the country’s most promising young players toward professional careers. Wolff won this $30,000 fellowship a year ago. He has accomplished its goals, studying and training with international master Victor Frias and playing in top events as often as possible, gathering three or four grandmaster norms along the way.

Wolff made his final norms this spring, one at the New York Open and another immediately following at London’s Watson, Farley and Williams grandmaster tournament.

Today’s featured game is Wolff’s victory over Soviet grandmaster Rafael Vaganian in this year’s New York Open. Vaganian, rated over 2600, has been a candidate for the World Championship several times. The game is not as tactical (except in the notes!) as those we like to feature, but that fact in itself speaks well for the solidarity and maturity of Wolfe’s style.

Vaganian/Wollf, New York Open 1990: 1.Nf3 g6, 2. d4 Nf6, 3. c4 Bg7, 4. Nc3 d5, 5. Bg5 Ne4, 6. cxd5 Nxg5, 7. Nxg5 e6, 8. Nf3 exd5, 9.e3 a5, 10. Be2 0-0, 11. 0-0 Re8, 12. a3 Bf8, 13. Ne5 c6, 14. Bg4 Bd6, 15. Bxc8 Qxc8, l6. Nd3 Nd7, 17. Qf3 Qd8, 18. b4 Nb6, 19. Nc5 Qc7, 20. h3 Nc4, 21. Rfdl Qe7, 22. Ra2 b6, 23. Nd3 axb4, 24. axb4 Rxa2, 25. Nxa2 b5, 26. Nc5 Ra8, 27. Ncl Bxc5, 28. dxc5 Ra3 29. Qg4 Qf6, 30. Ne2 Ra2, 31. Nf4 h5, 32. Qc8+ Kg7, 33. Qc7 h4, 34.Nd3 Nb2, 35. Nxb2 Rxb2, 36. f3 Qg5, 37. Qh2 fxe3+, 38. Khl Rxb4, 39. Qd6 Qe2, 40. Rgl Qe6, 41. Ral Ra4, 42. Rc1 Ra2, 43. Qf4 Qf6, 44. Qd6 Re2, 45. f4 Rf2 0-1.

Solution: 1. e3, 2. Bxc7 exf2, 3. Rxf2 Bh4, 4. Ree2 Bxf2, 5. Rxf2 Nc4, Bxd8 Rxd8, 7. b3 Ne3, 8. Kg1 Rc8, and White resigns.