Grandmaster from Saratov became the second Russian player who managed to come back following yesterday’s disaster. She got a nearly winning position and more than an hour lead on the clock against Marie Sebag, but the fate of the game was once again decided in a rook ending…
Anastasia Karlovich: Natalia, how difficult was the first game of your match and what happened today?
Natalia Pogonina: Yesterday I played the opening poorly and soon got a lost position. Marie could win a few times, once could execute a strong tactical blow. She played well for a while despite the time trouble, but then made a couple of mistakes, and the position turned sharp. I could equalize, but didn’t find the right way. In the arisen endgame I was a pawn down, but had good drawing chances. Then she missed a forced win, and the position became objectively drawn. However, I failed to hold it, having an easy draw even a couple of moves before resignation. In short, in was a long game and I lost.
– How did you manage to prepare for today’s game?
– When you finish your game late, you are usually very short on time – rest time, preparation time, personal time… But I think I did everything I wanted and even prepared well. My opponent clearly did not expect the line I played. She spent nearly 50 minutes on the opening. I got an excellent position, my trainer told me later that I could win quickly. But I also started to think and think, and spoiled the greater part of my advantage.
Once again we ended up in a rook ending. I think Marie did not need to go for it, for the endgame with a rook against a bishop and two pawns was probably a draw. Instead of 41…Rd3+ 42.Ke2 Rxc3 she could retreat the king and protect the g7-pawn. Maybe she thought the rook ending is an elementary draw, but it turned out more complicated than that. In the end I duly converted my extra pawn.
– How often have you come back in World Championship matches during your career?
– At the previous World Championship I met Anna Ushenina in the third round. I lost the first game as Black and did not manage to come back as White. Thus, this is my first comeback. I don’t have much of experience at the World Championships.
– What is your mood before the tie-break?
– As usual, my mood is okay. Tie-breaks are interesting, and I haven’t experienced them yet. So I look forward with curiosity!
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