Spanton (2042) - Ray Ilett (1922)
Veresov
1.Nc3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.Bg5 Bf5 4.e3 Nbd7 5.Bd3 Bxd3
This is more popular in ChessBase's 2022 Mega database than the main alternative, 5...Bg6, but both moves have been played by grandmasters.
6.cxd3
Speedy development with 6.Qxd3 is commoner in Mega22, but again both moves have been tried by GMs.
6...h6 7.Bh4 c6 8.Nf3 e6 9.e4!?
My main analysis engines Stockfish14.1 and Komodo12.1.1 are not keen on this, preferring to leave the central pawns where they are.
9...dxe4!?
This apparent-novelty seems to justify White's last move. Known moves are 9...Qb6 and 9...Be7.
10.dxe4 Qa5 11.0-0 Bb4
The game has transposed to a known position in which a 2160 chose 12.e5, but could only draw against a 1797.
12.Qc2 0-0 13.e5!?
A very committal move. It comes to be Stockfish14.1's second choice, for a while, behind 13.Rad1. Komodo12.1.1 likes 13.Ne2!?
13...Nd5 14.Nxd5!?
Stockfish14.1 prefers 14.Ne4; Komodo12.1.1 flits between the two moves.
14...Qxd5
Forced, otherwise the bishop is lost.
15.Rfd1 Rfe8 16.a3 Be7 17.Bxe7 Rxe7 18.b4 Nb6 19.Rd3 Rd8!?
Perhaps a little passive. I was more concerned about19...a5, after which Black gets a queenside initiative.
20.Rad1 Qd7 21.Nd2 Qd5!?
This may look strange but Black does well to prevent a quick Ne4.
22.Nf1 Qc4 23.Rc3 Qb5 24.Rg3
Black is better after 24.Rc5 Qa6 25.Ra5 Qc4 26.Qxc4 Nxc4 27.Rxa7, thanks to having 27...Nxe5.
24...Qc4?!
Hoping to swop queens, but almost certainly better is 24...Red7.
25.Qe4?
White gets at least the upper hand after 25.Qd2 (threatening Qxh6) and 26.Ne3.
25...Red7 26.Qg4 g6
 |
| How should White proceed? |
*****
*****
*****
*****
27.Ne3?
This loses the d pawn. Correct is defending it with 27.Rgd3, or going for counterplay with 27.Qh5, eg 27...Kh7 28.Qf3.
27...Rxd4 28.Rxd4 Qxd4 29.h3 Qxg4
Black can safely grab a second pawn, temporarily, with 28...Qxe5!?, although 29.Qh4 followed by 30.Qxh6 reduces the deficit to one pawn. Perhaps best is 28...Kg7, but the text also maintains a large advantage and removes any danger to the black king.
30.Nxg4 Rd1+ 31.Kh2 Kg7 32.Nf6 Nc4 33.f4 Nd2 34.Rc3
Forced.
34...Nf1+ 35.Kg1 Ne3 36.Kf2 Nd5 37.Nxd5 Rxd5
 |
| Black is winning this rook-and-pawn ending, according to Stockfish14.1, although Komodo12.1.1 'only' gives Black the upper hand |
*****
*****
*****
*****
38.Ke2 f6!?
The engines are OK with this although it means Black contracts an extra pawn-island.
39.exf6+ Kxf6 40.g4 e5 41.Rf3 exf4 42.Rxf4+ Ke6 43.Rf8 Re5+ 44.Kf3 Rd5
RI offered a draw (he was short of time in a game with a 10-second increment).
45.Ke4 Re5+ 46.Kf4 g5+ 47.Kf3 Rd5 48.Ke4 Re5+ 49.Kf3 ½–½
No comments:
Post a Comment