|
|
|
54. hxg3 hxg3 55. Ra2
|
54.hxg3 hxg3
55.Ra2 ...
The only alternative was 55 Rf3, when I had in mind 55…Rh5 56 Kg1 Rh2 57 Kf1 Qh5 58 Rd2 Rh1 59 Ke2 Rg1 and White is in serious difficulties. |
 
|
| |
|
|
55... Rg4
|
55. ... Rg4?
Sometimes, the most obvious continuation is also the strongest; I think Black wins here after 55…Rh5 56 Kg1 Rh2! - excellent move - 57 Qf3 Kg5! -that's a key move. Now, 58 Kf1 Nh4 59 Qb3 f3! , putting more presure over Black's position, till it cracks, 60 gxf3 g2 61 Rxg2 Nxg2 and White cannot hold out much longer. |
|
| |
|
|
56. Kg1 Qh5 57. Kf1 f3
|
56.Kg1 Qh5
57.Kf1 f3
This appears to be very strong but 9K managed to find the only defense. I had a strong alternative in the pawn-grubbing sequence 57...Qh1 58 Ke2 Qxg2 59 Ke1 Qh1 60 Kd2 g2 61 e5! Qxd1 62 Qxd1 g1=Q and Black has the upper hand. |
|
| |
|
|
58. Ke1 f2+
|
58.Ke1! f2 ??
Oh boy !!! This is not just a blunder - it is a crime. Black is very much in the game after 58...Rf4! 59 Kd2 fxg2 60 Qe3 Kg7! getting the king out of harm's way. |
|
| |
|
|
59. Kd2 Rh4 60. Qe3+
|
59.Kd2 Rh4
60.Qe3 ! ...
9K starts to take control over important squares on the kingside while also forcing my king to retreat. I was starting to feel that I had royally butched this game. |
|
| |
|
|
60... Kg7 61. Rf1 Qe5 62. Kc2 Rh2 63. Qf3 Qf4
|
60. ... Kg7
61.Rf1! Qe5
62.Kc2 Rh2
63.Qf3 Qf4
I was hoping to win the g2 pawn. But this proves to be just a pipe-dream. |
|
| |
|
|
64. e5
|
64. e5! ...
This pawn sac brings the bishop on d5 into the battle for control over g2. I could have resigned now but decided to punish myself. Sometimes it is very difficult to accept the inevitable. |
|
| |
|
|
64... Qxf3 65. Bxf3 Nxe5 66. Bd5 Rh5 67. Ra3 Rg5 68. Kd2 Ng6 69. Re3 Ne5 70. Ke2 Kf6 71. Rh1 Ng6 72. Rh7
|
64. ... Qxf3
65.Bxf3 Nxe5
66.Bd5 Rh5
67.Ra3 Rg5
68.Kd2 Ng6
69.Re3 Ne5
70.Ke2 Kf6
71.Rh1 Ng6
72.Rh7
(1-0)
And here I resigned. A very bitter defeat for me after I had skillfully built up my position to a crushing advantage. After the game, numerous spectators and kibitzer remarked that I had “gone nuts” with my sacrifice but it was my follow-up to the sac that cost me the game. At least the battle was entertaining! |
|
| |
|
