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28. Rh2
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Of course I can't allow him to double on the h file, so I offer up an exchange. |
 
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28... Re8
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Which he wisely declines by threatening my e pawn. |
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29. Rc7
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?! I probably should have played Rce1 here, but felt that I could withstand the pressure should he take on e. |
1 comment
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29... Kg5
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?! Rxe and black can at least establish some threats. |
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30. f4+ Kf6
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Forced. |
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31. Rh6+
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Ok, I've had enough of this. Time to get some pieces off of the board. |
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31... Rg6
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Forced yet again. |
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32. Bxg6 fxg6 33. g5+ Kf5 34. Rf7+
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Looking for a way to put black out of my misery. |
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34... Kg4
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?! I expected Ke6 which may have prolonged the game as black could attempt to manuever behind his remaing pawns. |
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35. Rxg6
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His g pawn was like an annoying speed bump, so I opt to remove it and just deal with his take on e3. |
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35... Rxe3 36. Kf2
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Just to be safe and get off of the edge. He still has mating material available to him. |
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36... Rxa3 37. Re6
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Bringing a defender back into action, and ensuring g pawn promotion. |
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37... Ra2+ 38. Re2 Ra3 39. g6
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Only now do I feel confident that the win is assured. I can safely defend all threats and black is gonna be hard pressed to deal with my passer. |
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39... Rf3+ 40. Ke1 Kh5
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Sorry Matt, you're not gonna catch him. |
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41. g7 Rg3
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A last gasp effort to stop my promotion. |
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42. Rh2+
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I get a nice little tactic to finish him off. |
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42... Kg4 43. g8=Q+ Kf3 44. Rf2+
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Wins his last offensive threat and wins the game. |
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44... Ke3 45. Qxg3+
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....and black resigned. We both had a good laugh at how reckless my 24. g4 was (I think he laughed harder than I did:) While obviously happy with the full point, I was somewhat disappointed with my game. I really should have put this one away far sooner I felt. I tell myself not to dwell on it, and start poring over the wall chart once again to see how things are shaping up. The field is 14 players large, and I'm #6 on the ratings list. I still have three tough games to go if I want to cash in this tourney. I really shouldn't be thinking about the margaritas I'll be drinking later tonight, but I'm really craving some alcohol induced relaxation. I pace nervously and smoke cigarettes waiting for round three....... |
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(1700)