GM Bu Xiangzhi (2708) – GM Ivanchuk (2740) [A05]
16.05.2008 – Mtel round 8
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 b6 3.g3 c5 4.Bg2 Bb7 5.0–0 e6 6.Nc3 Be7 7.d4 cxd4 8.Qxd4 d6 9.Rd1 a6 10.b3 Nbd7 11.e4 Qc8 12.Bb2 0–0 13.Qe3 Re8 14.Rac1 Qc7 15.h3 Rac8 16.Nh2 Qb8 17.Ng4 Ba8 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.Na4 Be7 20.e5 Bxg2 21.exd6 Bxd6 22.Kxg2 Nc5 23.Nc3 Be5 24.b4 Nb7 25.Qxb6 Rxc4 26.Na4 Rxc1 27.Rxc1 Bxb2 28.Nxb2 Qa8 29.Qc6 Nd6 30.Qxa8 Rxa8 31.Rc6 Nf5 32.Rc7 h5 33.Nd3 h4 34.g4 Nd4 35.a4 f6 36.Nc5 e5 37.a5 Ne2 38.Ne6 Nf4+ 39.Nxf4 exf4 +-40.Rc6?! (I would have preferred Rb7 instead) Kf7 +/- 41.g5 Kg6 42.gxf6 gxf6 43.Kf3 Kg5 44.Rc5+ f5 45.Rc6 += (I think Ivanchuk may have escaped this one due to Bu’s endgame play. It is still not over yet.)
I think it’s a draw.
No, I think she was right – 40 Rb7! threatens Kg2-f3, winning a pawn while the Black rook remains tied down. And if Black plays 40..g5, the king is cut off on the 1st rank. White wins easily.