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27. Qxa4
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Back to equal. |
 
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27... c5
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I think that the idea I just stated for black would have been more preferable here. With this move, I can now safely take on d6 and still get my queen back to d1. |
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28. Rxd6 cxb4 29. Qd1
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All right - opposite colored bishops and a wide open board. I give black the edge here, as he has 2 to 1 pawns on the queenside and my bishop must be protected while it is still on c1. |
1 comment
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29... Rfd7
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Encouraging a rook exchange which, IMHO, would only strengthen his 2-1 pawn advantage on the queenside. |
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30. Rbd2
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Abandoning some control of b3, but I will have activity should he take. |
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30... Rxd6 31. Rxd6 b3
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Forces my longest think of the game. If I take, he retakes with his rook and I have serious issues on b1. I can't take with my queen as it would drop a piece. So.... |
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32. Rd2
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..... I just retreat to protect a2 and b2. My opponent is spending a lot of time in this position, and after about 15 minutes I sense that I am not going to be able to hold him off if he plays a5. I offered him a draw only when I saw him shaking his head in frustration a few times as he attempted to clear his head and started re-calculating. He eventually declined and played....... |
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32... Bc2
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...which allowed me to play...... |
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33. Qe2
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....which further reinforces the 2nd rank and c2 in particular. He can't play b2, as I take his bishop, and if he then promotes, I take his queen on c8 while still protecting my own bishop. |
1 comment
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33... Bd3
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Reopening the line against my bishop, and forcing me back to d1. |
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34. Qd1 bxa2
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He knows I'll take his bishop if he doesn't establish a new threat, so he eliminates my last queenside pawn. |
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35. Rxa2 Qxc1
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?? Black folds and launches a speculative sac which I immediately identify as incorrect. He sees QxQ followed by Rb1, but fails to identify that I'll simply take his rook, he takes back with his bishop, then I take on a with a check tempo and a winning endgame. |
1 comment
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36. Qxc1
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This game has taken my emotions from one end of the spectrum to the other. I was even, then down, then even, then slightly better, then in dire fear of losing, then hoping for a draw, then worse, then clearly winning. Black continues with his faulty plan. |
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36... Rb1 37. Qxb1 Bxb1 38. Rxa7+
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My, oh my, how things have changed. A lapse in judgement by my opponent has yielded me a nice finish. I'd rather be lucky than good any day:) Black is now forced to the 8th rank, and my pawns are going to stay on dark squares. Now it's just a matter of getting my king up the board. |
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38... Kg8 39. f4
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Now my king can start his journey on the dark squares. |
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39... Be4
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Staying central, and looking for any mistake. |
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40. Kf2 Kf8 41. Ke3 Bf5 42. Kd4 Bg4 43. Ke5 h5 44. Kf6
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...and black resigned. What a major break I caught! As I write this I still can't believe it. I finish the 2007 Space City open with 3.5 points, and as I record my result I notice that the young lady who I need to win as well still hasn't finished her game. I go over to take a look, and her game looks pretty even to me, with lots of pieces left on the board for both sides and plenty of time left. I force myself to walk away as not to jinx her, and mill around outside with the other smokers for about an hour. Then, the door opens and I see her emerge from the playing hall with a big smile. She confirms her win and we exchange high fives. We split the combined 2nd and 3rd place cash, and each walked away with $150. Overall, a really good feeling:) I hope you have enjoyed these games:) - Thomas |
1 comment
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(1700)