Annotated chess game

I would have been inclined to test Black's alertness by playing 21.Ra2, with the idea 22.Bb2ch. Of course, Black could stymie that with 21...Be5!, but she would have to find that defence first!

 

The rook was guarded, but it's true that moving it would allow ...Be5 so Black gets to occupy the long diagonal first. Even better was 21... Bb7, which covers the rook, threatens White's rook, and threatens ...Bf3 with a view to mate on e2.

Nuntar is correct. Move the B to b7 and finally get his lazy butt into the game. He can do you some good on by

White ought to be straining every nerve to bring up his idle pieces. Ra2 or Bd2 - something.

22..Bf6 and W dare not take the c-pawn because he needs to protect the a1 R.

(!) Now Black is in control again. This should win easily.

Finally! Joe you are half right. The win is fairly routine, but care and caution are always advisable because even the simplest win can be blown.

Ignoring the attack on the rook. However, if 24. Ra2 Qb3 25. Re2 Qc3+ 26. Bd2 Qa1+ 27. Nd1 Bb7 then it's hard to see how White can escape from the pressure.

Testing Black's alertness.

Black should respond here with either 24...Ba6 threatening mate on e2 or 24...Bb7 attacking both rooks at the same time.

If Bxa1, Qxf8#

Black has chosen well: attacks Queen and a1-rook both. Also strong was 24...Ba6, threatening mate and connecting the rooks. Sometimes a position will yield more than one powerful move. Of course, White was hoping for 24...Bxa1?? 25.Qxf8#. In a losing position, there is nothing to be lost and everything to be gained from setting traps.

Ironically enough, this could have waited a move: 25...Ba6! threatening checkmate!

Good; when this far in front, exchange pieces to simplify the game.

It's been an interesting theme of this game: while Black's c8 bishop has never moved, it has had several chances to be the piece striking the killer blow. This is another one....

Instead 27... Ba6! 28. Ra2 Qc4 is an interesting fork. Because of the queen's value, it's rare for a queen to fork bishop and rook and there to be no way for the forked side to keep both pieces defended. Here, White is tied up defending against the mate on e2.

Again, 28... Ba6 was more immediately decisive. If 29. Rh2 then Rf1+ 30. Kd2 Qd3# and if 29 Ra2 then Rf1+ 30. Rxf1 Qxf1+ 31. Kd2 Qe2+ 32. Kc3 Qd3+ 33. Kb2 Rb8+ 34. Ka1 Rb1# (or Qb1#).

I agree with nuntar. 28...Ba6 threatening mate would have led to a quick finish. It is a good rule of thumb to move the piece that is doing the least for your game, or that will add most to your game. The bishop's development to a6 threatened mate, and helped to bring the a8-rook into the game. White could not have survived more than a handful of moves.

29...Ba6 again or 29...Bg4, were good alternatives. But mate must follow very shortly now.

Surrounded by wolves.

... not safe at all! It's mate in 4.

30... Qb2+ 31. Kd1 Qe2+ 32. Kc1 Rc4+ 33. Kb1 Qc2# or 31. Kd3 Qe2+ 32. Kc3 Rc4+ 33. Kb3 Qc2#. Amusingly, Black's moves are identical in the two variations  

Slight emendment to nuntar's note: 30...Qb2ch 31.Kd1 Bg4#. In the alternate line, Black can choose between 33...Qc2# or 33...a4#. After the text move, there are forced mates in 6 moves, maybe less.