Blunder of the day!
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
Oouch!!
…Or is it blunder of the week??
It is not everyday that a world champion walks into a forced mate! But this is exactly what happened to Stefanova yesterday at the 4NCL team championship in England. The former women’s world champion was doing reasonably well in the position at that moment, but was probably short of time…let’s take a look:
POSITION AFTER WHITE’S 38th MOVE
gm STEFANOVA
im PALLISER
Black has a bag of extra pawns for the exchange, but White has attacking chances on the Kingside, especially since the pawn on h5 will break open lines. The best I can find is 38…Kg7! when White must still play precisely not to lose. With the aid of a computer engine, it was determined that with best play the game should be a draw.
The lovely Stefanova.
If it could happen to her, it could happen to you!
INSTEAD, Stefanova committed suicide, walking into an elementary mate:
38…Qg4?? 39. QxQ (ofcourse!) PxQ 40.Rf7-ch Kg8 41.Rf8-ch and 42.R1-f7 mate!
Oouch!!
”Elementary, my dear Watson!”