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32... Qa6
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Moving on the a-file, protecting the Ne6 and attacking a Knight of my own. |
 
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33. Nd2
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Now a3 could be defended by a Knight on b1 and the tension on the f-file makes Ra8 less of a threat. |
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33... c4
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Defending the b3 pawn but also giving me the the d4 square. |
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34. Rf6
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Forcing the exchange of a pair of Rooks even if that means the e5 pawn will soon be lost. |
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34... Rxf6
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Forced, because Rxg6 was a less obvious but more deadly threat. |
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35. exf6 Nc5
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The Knight is closing in on my King. |
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36. Nxc4
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The pawn chain is dismantled once again. |
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36... Qxf6
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Black still has ideas of Rb8 and Na4 so it's time to exchange the Queens. |
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37. Rd2
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This small Rook lift makes sure there won't be any threats on the e-file. |
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37... h5
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A pawn advance with tempo that might prove useful later on. The Nc4 still can't be capture because of Qxc4+ and the piece is recaptured immediately after 37...dxc4 38. Qxc4+ Kg7 39. Rxd8+ Qxd8 40. Nd4! (a strong intermediate move) If. 38...Kh8 then 39. Rxd8+ Qxd8 40. Qxc5 and the threat of mate on f8 doesn't give Black time to recapture the Ne2 with Qd2+. |
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38. Qf4
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Proposing the Queen exchange. |
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38... Qe6
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I had a long thought at this position and decided that now was the time to return the material and enter the endgame. |
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39. Ne3
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I think this is the only move that wins consistently. After everything else, Black has good chances to secure a draw. |
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39... Rf8
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After 39...d4, I had analysed 40. Nxd4 Na4+ 41. Ka1 Qe7 42. Nd1 Qxa3+ 43. Kb1 Nxc3+ 44. Nxc3 Ra8 45. Nc2 bxc2 46. Kxc2 Rab 47. Qd4 and Black can't keep the Queens on the board for much longer. |
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40. Qd4
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This line that was played is almost forced and made it easier in choosing it and in evaluating the resulting endgame. |
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40... Ne4
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The Knight was under attack and this was the best place it could go. |
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41. Rd1 Rf2 42. Re1 Ng5
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With the idea of Nf3. |
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43. Qxd5 Qxd5 44. Nxd5 Nf3
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Now Black equalizes in material but is left with a worse endgame. That's what I thought. In fact, White is winning after... |
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45. Rd1 Rxe2+ 46. Kxb3 Rxh2 47. a4
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This was as far as I'd gone with my analysis of 39. Ne3 and I knew that the passed pawns supported by the King were much more dangerous that Black's pawns. In fact, I am almost playing a piece up because my King is taking part in the game, whilst Black's isn't doing anything. |
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47... Nd2+ 48. Kb4 h4 49. a5 Ne4
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Black already has problems in keeping my a-pawn from promoting. |
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