Annotated chess game

?? This is an example of where timing is critical, as this solid earlier. But, it doesn't work here, as white can win back material. How can he do this?

This was unplayable - but then, White's whole game had become unplayable over the course of the last few moves.

But, 32.Bxf8 would've given him a little to work with winning back a Rook for Bishop. Still, black is way ahead, but there would've a very small element of counterplay. So, that would've been a better try for white.

This will do, of course, but how about the infamous K-R fork: 32...Qxe4ch? The setting is strange, and even where the queen comes from most unusual, but the motif? Everyone recognises the motif!

Of course, what ION suggest is what I would've done. Of course, the Queen comes off, but the motif that archduke_piccolo is talking is an unstoppable passed pawn which would allow you to promote, at once. That's especially since ...f5 would be available with a Rook directly behind it which is what you want with the passed pawn.

Not a good defence. Much better would have been a King move. Now 33...Qxe4ch would be devastating

Of course, but black next move will also do since it liquidates Rooks.

Good move.

And, what ION suggest earlier. As noted, this does more then just win a Rook since the f pawn can't be stopped.

Now, you have a really solid move, Erika. What should black do? As a hint, it's not that obvious either since I've missed this kind of thing that we're seeing here.

Now would have been a good time to bring the unemployed rook into the action: 36...Re8ch.

Just as good, and what I was alluding is 36...Bb5 In fact, I would not have considered anything else, in this position. Keep in mind that his Bf1 is directly pinned, Erika. So, now we have what's known as an ex-ray attack which is when you attack the same piece that directly pinned. This would've allowed you to win his Light Squared Bishop with 37...Bxf1, or even 37...Qxf1+ with this something like this.

37...Re8, threatening checkmate would have been good, too. To keep from losing at least the bishop, White's only defence would be 38.Ng3, which covers a lot of squares. But Black then plays 38.Qxh4, winning a pawn and pinning and threatening to take the knight for nothing. White can defend it by 39.Kf2, but then Black exchanges her rook for two minor pieces ( a bargain for Black) by 39...Rxe2ch 40.Kxe2 Qxg3. After that, Black moves her queen only when necessary to avoid its loss, and simply shovels forward her h-pawn to promotion.

Agreed, and in fact, I would not have considered anything other then what ION just suggested, as even without the comment, I would've suggested 37...Re8. But, I like ION's variations even better since mate is almost unavoidable.

This still works.

I didn't expect you to notice 40...Bc6#. You might have done had you examined the squares available to the White king and asked yourself if there was a checking move that covered the other escape squares.

You won't believe it, Erika, but I wouldn't have noticed 40...Bc6# either. In fact, this is what I also would've done, but ION is correct since it's mate in a very unusual way. It's a little different with the Rook, Queen, and Bishop, but they result in the same thing which is an immediate win.