Annotated chess game

I agree with Fritz only because the B covers more diagonals. But, I like the move played almost as well since the Nd5 is still protected.

I disagree, and like the move played better.

22.f4 bxc4?? 23.fxe5ch. The whole line looks promising for White, except maybe after 22...Kg7! A possible line runs 23.Bb3 Nc5 24.Rc1 Raf8 25.fxe5 Rxf1ch 26.Qxf1 Qxe5 27.Rxc5 Qxg3ch 28.Qe1ch = Draw by repetition.

Because it's the masked battery as ION puts it. Through the discovered check, black can do nothing with this Q.

Probably the 'only move' to keep Black in the game.

I like this move better then Rc1.

Since your pawns are now doubled. So, I agree with them, but it's not a big deal here as I feel that doubled pawns is of not more then a very small asset to you. But, you still have a noticeable edge.

27.Qd2 (sans draw offer) might have been a good alternative. The move threatens 28.Rxa5, but if, say 27...b4, then comes a sudden attack: 28.Rf7ch! Kxg6?? 29.Raf1 and a quick forced mate. Even after 28...Kg8, Black would have a losing game. So Black probably does best to let go the a-pawn - not that White would really be interested: 28...Raf8 29.Qg5! (...and NOT 29.Rxa5(??) Rxf1ch and Black would be winning).

I wouldn't have even offered a draw but would, instead, play 27.Qc2 with the idea being 28.Qc7+, and then with the idea of Ra1-c7 with problems for black as you'd have 2 attackers on the c file, against his K.

I'm not surprised. 27...e4 is the losing blunder - the turning point of the game.

I thought that black was lost before this move, until I saw your draw offer. Having said that, if I were black and white had offered the draw, I'd, immediately accept it. And, in fact, TA once explained why it's sometimes wise to accept a draw offer and it's to prevent a mistake like this Where some declined and think they have a win, and then, they make one move that loses it all, like this.

White gets a pretty large advantage with the text, and all.

Compare the activity of the pieces. Black's rooks are still on their home squares and not doing much. White's are both in vigorous action.

A shame. White had Black on toast, and let him off. Towards the end of a hard-fought and tense game, it is often hard to take an objective view of the situation on the board. The relative activity of the pieces might have given the clue, despite the apparent menace of those centre pawns. But perhaps this little line, starting at move 30, might offer a clue to just how hopeless Black's case really was: 30.Qb1ch(?! - yes, Qc2ch is probably a deal better!) 30...d3 31.Rc5(!!) [a] 31...Qxc5 32.Qxd3ch and mates in 3; [b] 31...Qd7 32.Rg6ch Kh7 33.Rxh5ch Kg6 34.Rg6ch Kh7 35.Rf3 ... and White can set about surrounding the advanced Black pawns.

Many thanks for the comments!

With me, a draw would've occurred earlier, as I'd accept it. But, this was a nice end to a complicated game.