Exciting chess at Chinese championship
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
Reasonable looking at first glance, especially since a Bishop on d5 can not be better centralized!
Now Black has a forced draw with 33…Qd7! (threatening …Qh3) 34.gxf4 Qg4-ch 35.Kh1 Qf3-ch etc.
The Chinese Championship is taking place right now and it is proving to be a very exciting affair! Lots of sharp chess –typical of the chinese style of playing–and hard fought games. With a very fast time control that often leads to both players being short of time, this has helped to produce some really spectacular clashes, as can be witnessed in the game given below.
POSITION AFTER 30 MOVES
Li,Chao
Li,Chao
Zang,Ziyang
Black has an exchange for his important King-Bishop, but it is clear that White has more than enough compensation. In particular, the Black King lives dangerously with the White Bishops sweeping the board.
31.Bxe6!
A very strong move that no doubt came as a very unpleasant surprise to the Black player. If now 31…fxe6? 32.Qxe6 Kf8 33.Bg5! attacks the Rook and threatens 34.Bh6ch winning
31…Rf8 ! Best chance. Black now threatens to take the piece
Now with the simple 32.Bf5! White would maintain all of the advantages of his position and excellent winning chances. White plays a move that seems at first sight to be just as strong as 32.Bf5, except that it throws away all of his advantage and gives Black an unexpected opportunity to get back into the game…
32.Bd5?!
Reasonable looking at first glance, especially since a Bishop on d5 can not be better centralized!
32…Nf4!!
An unexpected tactial shot! Now if 33.gxf4 Qxf4 34.Qxc5 (forced) and Black has atleast a pertpetual and maybe more after 34…Qxf6. In the meantime, if White does not take the Knight then what to do about …Ne2ch or …Nh3ch ?
33.Rf1 !?
Now Black has a forced draw with 33…Qd7! (threatening …Qh3) 34.gxf4 Qg4-ch 35.Kh1 Qf3-ch etc.
33…Ne2-ch? 34.Kg2
Maybe 34.Kh2 would be even more precise a move
Now Black is in trouble again. Perhaps the best chance to resist would be 34…Qd7!? and after 35.Bg5 Rd4 36.Qxe2 Rxd5 37.Bf6 Qe6 38.Re1 Qxf6 39.exd5 cxb4 40.Qg4 Kh8 41.Qxb4 somehow try to hold in a Queen and Rook ending a pawn down.
However, Black plays a really horrible move that is more poker than chess:
34…Nxg3?
Black is clearly hoping for a miracle in White’s time trouble. But White plays a really strong move:
Perhaps even more precise is the pretty 37…Qf5 , but it makes no real difference. Black will interpose his Queen on g6 should White give a check with his Queen. White resigns.
35.e5! Threatening mate with Qg4! 35…Qd7
Now White misses his chance to end the game! 36.Qf4! Qxd5 37.Kxg3 (Diagram right) 37…Ra8 ( 37…Qd3 38.Kh2 Qg6 39.Rg1 ) 38.Qh6 Qd3 39.Kh2 Qg6 40.Qxd2 Qh5 41.Kg3 Qg6 42.Kh4 and the Black Queens has no more checks.
INSTEAD, WHITE LOST HIS HEAD AND BLUNDERED
36.Bf3?? Nxf1!
Black is now threatening the devastating ….Ne3-ch , winning the Queen, while White does not have the necessary tempo to give mate! White is now totally lost. An exciting turn around for the spectators!
37.Qf4 Qd3!
Perhaps even more precise is the pretty 37…Qf5 , but it makes no real difference. Black will interpose his Queen on g6 should White give a check with his Queen. White resigns.
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