Game analysis

Ruan Lufei (2477) – Yildiz, B (2308) [C26]

Shenzhen WGP 2011 (7), 14.09.2011

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 This modest variation of the Vienna game aims for a long strategical battle.

3…d5 This is the most common and logical response as now Black gets good control of the center.

4.exd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2 White is betting it all on her excellently placed Bishop on g2, even allowing the trade on c3.

5…Nxc3 6.bxc3 White invited the exchange of Knights, which resulted in White now having doubled Pawns on c3. However, looking at from the bright side, the b-file has also opened where White’s Queenside Rook can get into the game efficiently.

6…Bd6 7.Nf3 c5 This is a double-edged move. On one hand it gains space and more control of the d4 square, but on the other hand it weakens the d5 square. Playing aggressively with 7…e4 right away favors White as the following variation shows: 8.Nd4 0–0 9.0–0 f5 10.d3 exd3 11.cxd3.

8.0–0 0–0 9.d3 Nc6 10.Rb1 A very natural move which at least temporarily prevents the development of Black’s light-squared Bishop. An old famous game between Spassky – Korchnoi (Beograd (m/14) 1977) continued with 10.Nd2! Qd7 11.Qf3 Qc7 12.Ne4 Be7 13.Be3 c4 14.d4 Be6 15.Rfd1 Rad8 16.Qe2 Bd5?! (better was16…exd4 17.cxd4 Nb4) 17.Rab1 gave White a small advantage. However, in a game played earlier this year, Yildez (as Black) was successful against Sedina (Tbilisi, 2011): 10…Be6 11.Ne4 Qe7 12.f4 exf4 13.Nxd6 Qxd6 14.Bxf4 Qd7 15.Qh5 b6 16.a4 Rad8 17.Rae1 Ne7 18.h3 Qxa4 and Black went on to win the game.

10…Qc7 If 10…b6, White gets a strong initiative after 11.Ng5 (11.Nxe5 does not lead to an advantage for White as after 11…Bxe5 12.Bxc6 Bh3! 13.Re1 Bxc3 Black wins the Pawn back) 11…Bb7 12.Be4 h6 13.Qh5.

11.Ng5 h6 12.Ne4 Be7 13.c4 Now we can see that White is playing to create an outpost for the Knight on d5.

13…Be6 14.Be3 b6 15.Nc3 Almost there…

15…Qd7 16.Nd5 Mission accomplished. The Knight has arrived to its dream location.

16…Rad8 17.a3 A simple preventive move against Nc6-b4.

17…Bh3 18.Qh5 Bxg2 19.Kxg2 f5 20.f4 The immediate sacrifice with 20.Bxh6 would lead to no more than perpetual checks after 20…gxh6 21.Qg6+ Kh8 22.Qxh6+ Kg8 23.Qg6+.

20…Bd6 21.Rbe1 Rde8 22.fxe5 Bxe5 Now that the e-file has opened, the fight begins for its control.

23.Re2 Bd4 24.Rfe1 Qf7 25.Qf3 White chose to keep the Queens and the tension on the board. Black is ok after 25.Qxf7+ Kxf7 26.Bxd4 Rxe2+ 27.Rxe2 cxd4 28.Kf3 g5.

25…Ne5 26.Qf1 Not an ideal position for a Queen (on f1), but it is only a temporary problem. White now threatens to win a piece after Bxd4.

26…Bxe3? A key mistake of the game. Black should have played 26…Nc6 with still an OK position.

27.Rxe3 Ng4 After 27…Nc6 28.Rxe8 Rxe8 29.Rxe8+ Qxe8 30.Qxf5 Qe2+ 31.Qf2 Black simply remains a Pawn down.

28.Re7! Now the same sequence does not lead to an advantage 28.Rxe8 Rxe8 29.Rxe8+ Qxe8 30.Qxf5 Qe2+ as here the blockading move (Qf2) is no longer possible.

28…Rxe7 White would have a decisive advantage also after 28…Qh5 29.h3 Nf6 30.Nxf6+ gxf6 31.Qf3.

29.Rxe7 Qg6 A better try was 29…Qh5 30.h3 Nf6.

30.h3 More precise was 30.Qe2 first.

30…Nf6 31.Nf4 Qh7?

This is certainly an awful square for a Queen ever to be at. It reminds me of the saying “I would not put my Queen on such a place even it would be good!” Better was 31…Qg5, although White’s advantage is also obvious then after 32.h4 Qg4 33.Qf3.

32.Qe2 Rf7 And a nice finish: 33.Re8+! Also the less fancy 33.Qe6 g5 34.Nd5 did the job.

33…Nxe8 34.Qxe8+ Rf8 35.Qe6+ Rf7 If 35…Kh8 36.Ng6+.

36.Ng6! and Black helpless against the upcoming Qe8+.

What a picturesque final position! 1–0