IM Levy Rozman explained that when he plays blitz, “I get very creative and my brain reacts very fast.” He demonstrated those abilities by defeating IM Julien Song 6-2 in the blitz portion of their match. Combined with Rozman’s 8-6 match lead entering the day, he finished with a 14-8 victory.
And the winner is… @GothamChess!! pic.twitter.com/WQpSHAMlG5
— David Martínez (@El_Divis) January 18, 2026
Game 7: Rozman On The Attack
In the first blitz game, Rozman played the Trompowsky Attack, one of his favorite openings. He built a powerful initiative in a Stonewall structure and remarked after the game that “had I known that he would let me get these structures, I would have played it in classical and rapid.”
Game 8: Rozman Sacrifices To Win
In a Bogo-Indian Defense, Song had a better pawn structure, but Rozman had an initiative on the kingside. It took just one slip from White and the black pieces swarmed in, allowing Rozman to increase his lead in the match. After the game Rozman explained how his more tactical style favored him against Song, as the time controls got faster, saying, “I just generate attacks and they’re really hard to stop.”
Game 9: An Endgame Turnaround
In the ninth game, Song avoided a Trompowsky by playing 1…e6. The game transposed to a French Defense and reached an equal endgame. Just when Song appeared to be taking over, he missed a tactic and didn’t have enough time on the clock to fight back, giving Rozman his third win in a row.
Game 10: Song Strikes Back
Song scored his first win of the day in the 10th game. The players reached a king and pawn endgame that was equal with perfect play, but required more accuracy from Black. Rozman’s 33…Ke6? allowed the winning 34.g4! which allowed the white king to win Black’s pawns.
Game 11: Rozman Clinches The Match
Rozman returned to the Trompowsky Attack in the 11th game. Song varied from their earlier game but still failed to equalize. White soon had a big center and the safer king. Rozman scored the decisive 12th point of the match in convincing fashion.
Game 12: Rozman Sacrifices The Rook
Rozman, known for sacrificing his rooks, found a practical rook sacrifice to turn around a dangerous position in the 12th game. Song declined the sacrifice and could have had equal chances, but he hung his rook in time pressure, giving Rozman another win.
Game 13: Another Rook Sacrifice
In the 13th game Rozman played an aggressive pawn sacrifice in the opening and quickly pointed his pieces at Song’s king. Song declined the sacrifice, but it didn’t prevent White from developing a dangerous initiative. Rozman sacrificed his rook on g6 and broke through.
The rooook! @GothamChess pic.twitter.com/5xmKD6X4n6
— David Martínez (@El_Divis) January 18, 2026
Game 14: Song Ends With A Win
After a tough day of blitz, Song finished on a positive note, winning a time scramble. In another Stonewall structure, both sides had chances. Rozman made the last serious mistake, dropping his e6-pawn with 30…Bb5?. Song’s knight captured on e6 and c7, quickly winning the game.
That game concluded the blitz portion of the match 6-2 in Rozman’s favor. He entered the day ahead by a score of 8-6, bringing the final score to 14-8.
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