|
|
|
16... Nxd4 17. cxd4 Rd7
|
17...c6 seems such an obvious move that I had almost played it instantaneously (and G had also expected me to play it), until I realised that there were other possibilities as well. This move has the dual purpose of defending c7 (and with that the seventh rank as well) and preparing to double up rooks. |
 
|
| |
|
|
18. g4
|
At first, G thought that White would win an exchange with 18.Bb5, but I simply respond with 18...c6. That the computer gives it as best in my view demonstrates White's lack of possibilities. The continuation given by the computer is (18.Bb5 c6) 19.Rhe1!?> Rxe1 20.Rxe1 Kf8 (I can't take 20...cxb5?? due to the back rank mate), but this is another piece exchange which I would have been glad to accept. |
|
| |
|
|
18... Rde7 19. Kg3
|
Marching up on the kingside, maybe trying to trap my bishop on g6. Still White is unable to develop his remaining forces, as there's no useful square for the bishop and the rook. |
|
| |
|
|
19... c6
|
Necessary anyway, to defend the seventh rank before infiltrating with my rooks. |
|
| |
|
|
20. Rd1 Re7e1 21. Rd2 Re8e3
|
?! Looks nice, but it's not best. I was planning ...Bd3, but as I'll show later, it's still not possible after this. |
|
| |
|
|
22. Kf2 f5
|
22...Bd3?? (which was G's first thought as well) fails to 23.Bxd3! Rxh1 (or 23...Rxd3 24.Kxe1) 24.Kxe3. (Not 23.Rxd3?? Rxf1+! 24.Kxf1 Rxd3). The computer suggests 22...Re7, but I didn't want to admit that 21...R8e3 was a mistake yet. |
|
| |
|
|
23. Bg2
|
The only way for White to untangle is by exchanging more pieces. |
|
| |
|
|
23... Rxh1 24. Bxh1 Re7 25. h3
|
A useless move. |
3 comments
|
| |
|
|
25... fxg4 26. fxg4
|
Why not 26.hxg4 (or what was the purpose of 25.h3 if you don't take with the h-pawn here)? This frees the bishop, but it will just be exchanged, which is, again, good for me. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
26... Be4
|
OK, but I actually played this too quickly. |
|
| |
|
|
27. Re2
|
I had actually overlooked this pin, but I have a resource to save myself. |
|
| |
|
|
27... Rf7+
|
The check saves me and allows for yet another exchange. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
28. Kg1 Bxh1 29. Kxh1 Kf8
|
G suggested 29...Rf1+ but after 30.Kg2 I don't see what I have achieved. I wanted to get my king involved. I also looked at 29...Rf3 30.Kg2 Rd3, but White would infiltrate on the seventh rank and it's not necessary to allow that. If I can just keep White's counterplay under control, my extra pawn will eventually be enough to win. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
30. Kg2 Re7
|
Proposing an exchange... |
|
| |
|
|
31. Rf2+
|
... Refusing ... |
|
| |
|
|
31... Ke8 32. Kf3
|
? ... But still allowing it. This is, in my view, the losing move of this game. The pawn ending is an easy win for Black, although it takes some time. |
|
| |
|
|
32... Rf7+
|
He seemed surprised by this move, and after the game he told me that this was the moment at which he realised he was lost. Apparently he did know that pawn endings with a pawn less are generally lost. This one is no exception. |
|
| |
|
|
33. Ke3 Rxf2 34. Kxf2 Ke7
|
A nice suggestion by G was 34...g5, which immediately stalls all play on the kingside for White. This moves wins as well though. |
|
| |
|
|
35. Kf3 Kd6 36. b4
|
He is trying to stop ...c5, but he won't be able to stop it forever. F'ritz suggests 36.h4 c5 37.Ke3 b5, but that's an easy win for me as well. |
|
| |
|
|
36... b6
|
Sticking to my plan of playing ...c5, but the computer prefers 36...Kc7, then 37...Kb6 and push the pawns on the queenside. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
Log in 