|
|
|
17. b4 Rc7
|
17...a6 is also a possiblity, however, I believe this move is stronger as it prepares to double on either file and 18. b5 Na5 gives Black control of the c-file. |
 
|
| |
|
|
18. Ba2 a6
|
This is now necessary, as ...Na5 doesn't come with tempo. |
|
| |
|
|
19. d5
|
The attack commences. |
|
| |
|
|
19... exd5 20. Nc3
|
The only move, White threatens to recover the pawn and exchance of one of the Black bishops, which are a substantial advantage in an open position. |
|
| |
|
|
20... Be6 21. Nxd5 Bxd5 22. Bxd5 Rcd7
|
White is probably slightly better if the situation isnt just equal. Black has good play on the d-file, the pawn structure is symmetrical and there is an opposite colored bishop situation. White has succeded in liquidating his isolated pawn and his only weakness is on a3, which Black can't exploit. On the other hand, Black has a weakness on b7 and on g6, which is easier for White to exploit as he has the light-squared bishop. |
|
| |
|
|
23. Qb3
|
White breaks the pin and takes aim at f7. |
|
| |
|
|
23... Bf8
|
Black overprotects f7 and gets the bishop out of the way of any future tactics from the rook on e1. |
|
| |
|
|
24. h3 Qf6 25. Rd3 Ne7 26. Be4 Rd7xd3 27. Bxd3 Nf5
|
not aiming for d4, as after 28...Nxd4 Qxd4 29. Rd1, Black is in serious trouble. |
|
| |
|
|
28. Qc2 Nd6
|
The plan is to restrict the light-squared bishop and hopefully trade it off, when Black would have some winning chances due to the bishop vs knight situation with pawns on both sides of the board. |
|
| |
|
|
29. Qb3 g6
|
Preparing to get the bishop to a more active diagonal. |
|
| |
|
|
30. a4 Bg7 31. Re5
|
This move took me by surprise, as White increases his pressure and prevents any attempts at swapping queens. |
|
| |
|
|
31... Rc8 32. Rc5 Re8
|
After the exchange, the pawn on c5 would kick the knight to a less active square, and White would be clearly better. |
|
| |
|
|
33. Rc1 Qf4 34. Rc7 Qf6 35. b5 axb5 36. axb5
|
After 36. Bxb5 Nxb5 37. Qxb5 Qa1 38. Kh2 Be5 39. Qxe5 Rxe5 40. Rxb7 Re2, followed by ...Ra2 and the game is a theoretical draw. |
|
| |
|
|
36... Ra8 37. Rd7 Bf8 38. Qd5 Ra1+
|
Faced with a defensive task, the move that gives your pieces the most activity is most often the best move. Here the rook can attack from behind, in addition to keeping White pieces tied down as well. |
|
| |
|
|
39. Bf1 Rb1 40. Ne5 h5
|
Keeping the knight out of g4. |
|
| |
|
|
41. g3 Rb2
|
Here White timed out. Good for my rating, but the endgame was just getting interesting. |
|
| |
|
