Having Black is also okay

Anastasia Karlovich: Natalia, it seems your preparation today was very deep. What was the last move you studied at home?

Natalia Pogonina: Yes, it was quite deep, however, I did not remember anything after 19…Ne4 20.Qe1. When you do a lot of preparation, it is easy to forget certain lines.

This is why I did not find the most principled moves. I should check where it went wrong when I return to my room. My knight got stuck on h3 and I could not bring it back. In the endgame my position was dangerous, but we eventually made a draw.

– When did you realize that your position is dangerous and you need to fight for a draw?

– As soon as we transposed to the endgame. The a-pawn was very strong, so I had to start looking for a draw.

– Was it hard to change gears?

– Not particularly, I did it a few times before.

– Your 45.Nf4 was very demanding, did you manage to calculate all its consequences?

– Yes, I thought so. Everything seemed to work out, and the resulting rook ending seemed drawish to me.

– How about your 46th move, could you try 46.fxe6 instead of 46.Nxd5?

– Oh no, somehow I was reluctant to give my opponent a new queen.

– And one more question about the game: when you played 54.Kg3, Black could go 54…h5. How did you evaluate this position?

– I was planning to attack this pawn with 55.Kh4. Not sure about its evaluation, should analyze the position later.

– What is your mood before the fourth game? How are you dealing with the pressure during the match?

– Tiredness begins to accumulate, especially with extensive amounts of preparation. I think the same is true for my opponent, who needs to works just as much. As for the next game, I am in a fighting mood. Everything is okay.

– Tomorrow you’ll play Black. Does it make winning on demand a lot harder?

– It is considered that having White in such situation is better, as there are more chances to catch the opponent in the opening. However, I don’t think it matters match in the last game of the match. Having Black is also okay, I have won such games as Black, too.