Game 2: Judit Polgar vs. Gregory Kaidanov

Today’s opening theme: Sicilian Dragon

[Event “Sicilian Theme Match”]

[Site “South Carolina”]

[Date “2010.02.23”]

[Round “2”]

[White “J. Polgar”]

[Black “G. Kaidanov”]

[ECO “B78”]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. Bb3 Ne5 12. Kb1 Re8 13. h4 h5 14. g4 hxg4 15. h5 (This is a typical break through pattern against the Sicilian Dragon. It involves temporarily sacrificing some pawns. But this is an efficient way to open up the Kingside)

15…Nxh5 16. Rdg1 (16…Nf6 17.Bh6 Bh8 18.Bf4 and White has a strong Kingside attack.)

16…e6 17. Bh6 Qf6 18. fxg4 Bxh6 19. Qxh6 (In my opinion, White has an ideal Kingside attacking position. In the mean time, Black has not mounted sufficient counter play on the Queenside. In a typical Sicilian, if Black does not create serious counter attack on the Queenside, Black’s fate is usually doomed.)

19…Qg7 20. Qd2 Nf6 21. g5 Nh5 (The idea for White now is to get rid of the Knight on h5 to open up the h file. When White succeeds, Black will have a hard time mounting an adequate defense.)

22. Nce2 Nc4 23. Bxc4 Rxc4 24. b3 Rc5 25. Ng3 (White finally succeeds in getting rid of the key defending Knight.)

25…Nxg3 26. Rxg3 (Black’s position does not look good here. This may be one possible line for Black: 26…e5 27.Ne2 Be6 28.Qxd6 Rec8 29.Rc3 Qf8 30.Rh8+ Kxh8 31.Qxf8+ Rxf8 32.Rxc5 +=. I do not like Rec8 at all. It is too slow and Black cannot prevent White from doubling up the Rooks on the h file with a lethal attack.)

26…Rec8 (I think Kaidanov will regret this move later.)

27. Rgh3! (Judit is continuing on the right path. Black is in trouble here. White is willing to sacrifice material with 27…e5.)

27…e5 28. Rh4 (Now we will see that the piece sacrifice is only temporary and White will get the piece back with a huge advantage.)

28…exd4 29. Qh2 Kf8 (Black’s only move.)

30. Qxd6+ Kg8 31. Qxd7 d3 +- (White can simply play c4 and maintains a huge edge.)

32. c4 Qc3 33. R4h2 b5 (Now 34. e5 and it is basically over for Black. The threat is 34. Rh8+ Kg7 35. R1 h7#. If 34…Qxe5 35.Rh7 Rf8 36.Qh3 +-)

34. e5 (Judit found the knock out punch!)

34. Qxe5 35. Rh7 (The right follow up. Black cannot defend the f7 pawn and the Rh8+ threat, followed by R1h7#. Therefore, the Black Queen cannot move away from that diagonal. If 35…R5c7 then 36. Qd6 with the same mate threat. If 35…Rf8 then 36. Qh3 with an unstoppable mate threat. I expect resignation to come shortly as there is no possible defense.)

35…R5c7 (Now White has 36. Qd6 Qc3 37. Qf6 Qc2+ 38.Ka1 and Black cannot avoid the mate threat.)

36. Qd6! 1-0

A nice attacking game by Judit. She let one got away from her yesterday due to time pressure but came back nicely today to even up the match.

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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