|
|
|
21... gxh5
|
Now, I'm not exactly sure how good this is. Black's pawn structure was the only thing keeping white's attack at bay. But allowing hxg6 forces black to either respond hxg6, having to respond to mate threats down the h-file, or fxg6, where the f7 square begs for a pawn fork. This will work out okay only if black can neutralize white's kingside attack or start his own quick counterattack, which he's unable to do. |
 
|
| |
|
|
22. Bxh5
|
Of course. |
|
| |
|
|
22... Nb6
|
Black correctly assesses that Nxh5 followed by Rxh5 gives white too strong of an attack down the h-file. This move also threatens Nc4, coming after the queen. |
|
| |
|
|
23. Be2
|
?! Another inaccuracy in view of Nc4. I should've played Bg4 here, looking for Bf5. |
|
| |
|
|
23... Rxd1+
|
Interesting! I can recapture with one of three pieces; which to choose? |
|
| |
|
|
24. Nxd1
|
! The bishop belongs on f5, and I need to give it the freedom to get there. The queen belongs in tandem with the rook on the h-file, so I know not to move the rook. The knight would do better on e3 than c3, though, so I prepare to get it there. |
|
| |
|
|
24... Nd7
|
Ooh. When I saw this I realized that this is black's only way to defend against mate on h7! |
|
| |
|
|
25. Qf2
|
And if I can get the queen to h6, there's a mate threat on g7 also! The plan is Qf2-h4-h6-g7#. |
|
| |
|
|
25... Nf8
|
To defend the threat coming on h7. The only other option was to try running with the king. Nxe2 fails to 26. Qh2 Nf8 27. Qh6 with mate on g7 to follow. |
|
| |
|
|
26. Qh4
|
Threatening Qh6. |
|
| |
|
|
26... Rd8
|
Nxe2 loses immediately to Qh6; this is black's attempt to flee with the king. |
|
| |
|
|
27. Qh6
|
Threatening mate on g7. |
|
| |
|
|
27... Nf4e6
|
The only way to defend the dual threat of Qg7# and Qxh7# is with his knight tandem on f8 and e6. How to crack it open? |
|
| |
|
|
28. Bg4
|
Bg4! Where the bishop should have gone when I played Be2 back five moves ago. Bg4-f5-h7 will bring down the house, if I can make it happen. Black looks pretty helpless here. |
|
| |
|
|
28... Qd7
|
! Clever! Black forces white to delay Bf5 in light of the back-rank mate threat. |
|
| |
|
|
29. Ne3
|
A perfectly sufficient way to parry the threat. The d1 square is adequately defended now. Note how Kc1 would have allowed Qd2 , giving black some chances. |
|
| |
|
|
29... a5
|
There's nothing else at this point. |
|
| |
|
|
30. Bf5
|
The threat on h7 is now overwhelming. If another wasteful move like 30...a4, 31. Bxh7 followed by either 31...Nxh7 32. Qxh7 Kf8 33. Qh8# or 31...Kh8 32. B-anywhere Nh7 33. Qxh7# (or 32...Kg8 33. Qh8#). Black is busted, and has no defense to mate. He decides to make me sac my queen to get it. |
|
| |
|
|
30... Ng6
|
Leaving h7 undefended. |
|
| |
|
|
31. Qxh7+
|
This is my first material edge of the game except for my half-move one-point advantage on move 11. |
|
| |
|
(1986)