It’s one game at the time. Judit is a fighter and I am rooting hard for her to pull through.

1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 (I like it! She is mixing it up. Surprising elements are very important in chess, especially in a match.)

2…d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be2 Nd7 7.d3 g6 8.0–0 Bg7 9.Bf4 Qb6 10.Nd1 Ngf6 (I like the idea that she is trying something new. Judit has a pretty decent position. I hope she can make something out of it.)

11.a4 a5 (No book, no theory, just play chess.)

12.g4 (The position is equal. But I like it because for the first time in the match, I see Judit being Judit. In a match, it is critically important that you surprise your opponents. This was why I played .e4 in my world championship match when I normally play 1.d4. Why? Psychology. It will make your opponent work harder to prepare and at the same time create self doubt. Being predictable is the worst sin in match play.)

12…e5 (A reasonable move but I am not sure if it is wise when only 1/2 point is needed to win the match. This can open things up too much which is what White is looking for.)

13.Bd2 Nc5 14.g5 (White is basically willing to sacrifice a pawn to open things up. I am not sure if it is sound or not but when a mad Mike Tyson (in his prime days) is coming straight at you, it is scary.)

14…dxe4 15.dxe4 Nd7 (Bareev declined the pawn sacrifice. He is afraid of the complications. Taking the pawn would have been the better choice.)

16.Bc4 0-0 (I like White’s position here with the Bishop pair. This is Judit’s best position in the match so far.)

17.h4 (Here she comes. She is not going down without a valiant fight! 17.b3 then Nc3 then bring the other Rook out is a solid plan.)

17…Ne6 (A good move to bring in more defense for the Kingside.)

18.Bxe6 (A double edged move. On one hand, it creates weakness for Black in the double pawns. On the other hand, it also opens up the f file for Black.)

18…fxe6 19.Qh3?! (I prefer 19.Qg4. It does the same thing but protects the e4 pawn. Now 19…Qd4 is strong for Black.)

19…Qd4 20.Nc3 Qxd2 21.Rad1 Qxc2 22.Rxd7 (The position is unclear. It will all come down to calculations and nerve. Technically speaking, I am not sure if White has enough. But it is complicated enough where anything can happen and this is exactly what Judit needs. She cannot afford to make it easy for Bareev.)

22…Qxb2 23.h5 (Here comes Judit! The only move that holds the position for Black is 23…Rf7. Everything else loses!)

23…gxh5?? 24.Qxe6+ Kh8 25.Rxg7!! (White wins!)

25…Kxg7 26.Qh6+ (Now Black has to play Kf7 and White has 27.Rb1! +-. If 26…Kh8 then 27.g6 and mate will soon come. And if 26…Kg8 27.g6 hxg6 28.Qxg6+ Kh8 29.Kh1 +-)

26…Kg8 (This makes things end faster. 26…Kf7 would make White work harder.)

27.g6 hxg6 28.Qxg6+ Kh8 29.Kh1 (It is over. I expect a resignation shortly.)

29…Rf4 (Rf4 30.Qxh5+ Kg7 31.Rg1+Kf6 32.Rg6+ Ke7 33.Qxe5+ Kd8 34.Rg8+ Kd7 35.Rg7+ Kd8 36.Qc7+ Ke8 37.Qe7#)

30.Qxh5+ Kg8 31.Rg1+ Kf8 32.Qh8+ Kf7 33.Qg7+ (This is exactly how Judit should play. She excels in this type of position.)

33…Black resigns as mate is coming soon. I am so happy for Judit! One game at a time. Tomorrow will be another one! This is now a very interesting situation. She finally broke through and scored. How will his nerve hold up tomorrow?

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Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Susan Polgar June 1, 2007 Daily News, General News, Major Tournaments 56 Comments
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