Nice attacking finish!
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
The following pretty game was played the other day at the Reyjkavik Open. Grandmaster Stefansson is a very skilled attacking player and in this game he makes use of several surprise moves/sacrifices to blow open the Black King position. Very original! ENJOY!
Mamedjarova,T
gm Stefansson,H
21. Rxc7!
21… Nxc7
Now White must not rush things: 22.Bxe5+?? f6! Stopping the attack dead . Notice that the White Rook is unprotected….
22. Bxf7!!
Now if Black takes the Bishop he comes under a winning attack :22… Qxf7 23. Bxe5+ Kg8 24. Qxh6 Qe7! 25. Qg6+ Kf8 26. Nf3! Be6 27. Qh6+ Ke8 28. Bxc7 Rd5 29. Ne5 and Black can consider giving up right here!
22… Bf5!?
Under the circumstances a very reasonable move
23. Bxe5+ Kh7 24. Nf3!
Not only does White bring his Knight into play (often threatening Nxg5) but he defends the White Rook. The immediate threat is Bc3. If now 24… Rf8 25. Bc3 Rxf7 (25… Qxf7 26. Nxg5+) 26. Nxg5+ Kg8 27. Rxe7 Rxe7 28. Qxh6 and the game is over.
24…Ne6 There is nothing better. Black brings up his reserves….25. h4!
More than just a strong move: the Black defences are shattered and he will not be able to hold g5 for much longer.
The game quickly ended:
25…Rg8 26. Bc3! Raf8 27. Bxe6 Bxe6 28. Nxg5+!
[1:0]
Hannes Hlífar Stefánsson (born 18 July 1972) is an Icelandic chess Grandmaster. Stefánsson has won the Icelandic Chess Championship every year since 1998 except for 2000 and 2009 when he didn’t participate. His 11 titles make him the record holder for most championships. Hannes’ current Elo rating is 2588.