Position after Rad1
IM Zatonskih (2490) – IM Krush (2515) [E60]
20.05.2008 – US Women’s Championship – Round 8
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 0–0 5.Bg2 d6 6.0–0 c6 7.Nc3 Qa5 8.e4 e5 9.h3 Nbd7 10.Re1 Re8 11.a3 Qc7 12.Be3 exd4 13.Nxd4 Nc5 14.Qc2 a5 To be honest, I am quite surprised that Irina got into a risky opening like this. Needing only a draw, I would expect something more quiet and safe. This is one of those positions where White can comfortable squeeze Black with much risk.
15.b3 h5 16.Rad1 Nfd7 17.Rd2 Ne5 18.Red1 a4 19.b4 Nxc4 20.bxc5 Nxe3 21.fxe3 dxc5 22.Nde2 b5 23.e5 Bf5 24.Qc1 Bxe5 25.Ne4 += I had a series of analysis but I took them down because I was following the move from ICC and there was an error.
25…c4 26.Nd6 Black basically gave up a piece for 3 pawns. In addition, White’s pawn structure is not so hot. Therefore, Black has more than enough compensation. Both players are low on time. Therefore, anything can actually happen in the next 15 moves.
26…Bxd6 27.Rxd6 Be4 The best option for White here is 28.Qd2. There are a few reasons for this. 1) White controls the d file. 2) The Rook on d6 is serving as a blockade against a diagonal attack on g3.
28.Qd2 Bxg2 29.Kxg2 Qe7 30.Kf2 h4 31.Qd4 += c5 32.Qxc5 Rac8 33.Qd4 c3 34.Nxc3 hxg3+ 35.Kg2? 35.Kf3 is much stronger and gives White the best shot to win.
35…Qxe3 36.Qxe3? White still has a slim chance with 36.Rd3
36…Rxe3 37.Nxb5 Rb3 38.Rd8+ Rxd8 39.Rxd8+ Kg7 40.Nd4 Rxa3 41.Nf3 = Now I think the game will end in a draw.
It is much easier to watch the game than to play the game yourself with the bit pressure on your shoulder. I read some of the comments by people watching this game on ICC and I think some of them are unfair to the players. Mistakes will happen, especially with so much on the line for these 2 players. We should give them credit for fighting hard.
41…Ra1 42.Kxg3 a3 43.Ra8 =
Does black have draw chances ?
excellent game, specially by irina, no wonder shes my hero,
ggooo goooo irina, jb.