|
|
|
26. fxe5
|
Of course not 26.Rxe5?? But look at that phalanx of pawns stretching more than half way across the board, and exercising a powerful crimp on Black's game. Black can scarcely return the sacrifice at d6, when White will simply grab exclusive control of the whole centre. |
  2 comments
|
| |
|
|
26... Nb5
|
There was no other place for the knight to go. Yet from b5, the beau chevalier does place some pressure on d4 - enough to constrain the White queen. White chooses to drive it off. |
|
| |
|
|
27. a4 Nc7
|
There is that about this position that reminds me strongly of the games of former World Champion, Tigran Vartanovitch Petrosian: restrain, constrict, besiege. Black has been forced back into a difficult, cramped position. The knight is fortunate to find a reasonably good square on d5, but by then Black's lonely, isolated and surrounded pawn at e4 will have fallen. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
28. Qe3
|
Offering Black the b-pawn in exchange for the one at e4. Since the latter can not be defended anyway, the offer seems reasonable. But why not 28.Qe2, to keep the b-pawn protected? The answer would have been salutary: 28.Qe2?! Rxe5! In effect the c5-rook would be pinned, as after 29.Rxe5 Qxd4ch 30.... Qxe5 would have won two pawns. White would have to grovel to retain any kind of edge: 29.a5! Qb4 30.Rc4 Qxa5 31.dxe5 Qxa2 32.Qxe4. The retention of most of the pawn centre would probably have offset the rook for two minor pieces material deficit, but I preferred to keep the g1-a7 diagonal firmly closed. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
28... Nd5
|
Centralising the knight. An alternative plan might have been to return the piece now, by 28...Ne6 29.fxe6 Bxe6 But White's attack would have gained momentum: 30.Qxe4ch Kh8 31.Bb1 Bg8 32.g5! ... with the idea 32...hxg5?? 33.Qg6 and a forced mate. Another plan might have involved 28...Qxb2 29.Rf2 Nd5 30.Bxd5 Qb1ch 31.Rc1 Qd3 32.Qxd3 exd3 33.Bc4 ... with advantage to White. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
29. Qxe4 Nf6
|
Exploiting the half-pin on the e-file. This was not just to drive back the White queen, but to blockade the f-pawn from advancing with a discovered check. For instance: 29...Qxb2 30.f6ch g6!? (30...Kh8 31.Bb1 Nxf6 32.Rxf6 and all sorts of horrors ensue) 31.Bxd5! cxd5 32.Rc7ch etc. Black is defending very cleverly, considering her cramped position. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
30. Qd3
|
I did consider 30.Qc2, to protect the b-pawn, but then concluded I would be quite happy for Black to take it. There was no point in 30.Qf4, as Black plays 30...Nd5, though White can retain an edge after 31.Bxd5 cxd5 32.Rxd5 Qb3 33.Rd6 Qxh3 34.Rf3 ... But why give Black so much counter-play? |
2 comments
|
| |
|
|
30... Qxb2
|
There was nothing to be done about the knight, now, as after 30.Nd5 31.f6ch! yields White a powerful attack. But maybe 30....Qd8 offered a stouter defence? White would have had the pleasant choice between 31.exf6 and 31.Be6! with an edge and the initiative, but the outcome still remaining in doubt. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
31. Bf7 Rd8
|
Once again, Black conjures up a counter-action, this time against that weak spot on d4. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
32. Bg6+ Kh8 33. exf6
|
Taking the knight at last. Black's defences are starting to crumble. |
|
| |
|
|
33... gxf6
|
Instead, 33...Rxd4 34.fxg7ch Kg8 (...Kxg7 gets the same response) 35.f6! with a mating attack (e.g. 35...Rxd3? 36.f7ch and mates). Or 33...Qxd4 34.Qxd4 Rxd4 35.f7 Rd8 36.Re5 ... with a winning attack. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
34. Rd1
|
'Think defence'. White has to take time out to shore up the isolated d-pawn. All this while, since move 19, Black has had no time to remobilise her Q-side. Has she now? |
|
| |
|
|
34... Qb6
|
She has not. After 34....Bd7, 35.Qe3 would have been just about terminal, attacking h6 and e7 both. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
35. Qe3
|
The mobility of the queen at its best: aiming for e7 and h6 at the same time. If 35...Kg7, 36.Qe7ch settles the matter. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
35... Qc7
|
Places the queen on the vital second rank. White is still having to fight for the win, every inch of the way. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
36. Qxh6+ Kg8 37. Rc3
|
(!) Preparing to switch across to the e-file. The d1-rook keeps things quiet on the d-file. But retreat had a defensive purpose as well. My cunning opponent's queen move to c7 had not only the defence of the second rank in view, but also ...Qg3ch to force a draw. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
37... Qg7
|
Throws back White's leading assault column. Clearly reinforcements will be needed to carry through this attack! |
|
| |
|
|
38. Qh5
|
(?!) I rather think now that 38.Qf4 might have been the stronger option, with something like this happening: 38.Qf4 Bd7 39.Rg3! b5 40.g5 - and a straight-up bayonet attack into the Black King's castle. |
3 comments
|
| |
|
|
38... Rd5
|
(?) Desperation. At last Black's resolve cracks, but the position had already become beyond salvation. I was expecting, here, 38....Qh8 39.Bf7ch Kg7 40.Qg6ch Kf8 41.Re3 with a winning edge. |
1 comment
|
| |
|
|
39. Re3 Bd7
|
At last, the bishop lurches off its chuff - but much too late. Instead, 39...Be6 would have been marginally better, but who wants to give up material in a position already desperate? |
1 comment
|
| |
|
(2334)