Nice attacking game!
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
The following (almost) miniature took place in yesterday’s final round of the World Junior in Athens, Greece. See if you can find White’s key moves!
POSITION AFTER 19 MOVES:
Barbosa, Evandro
Sodikov, Ilyas
A typical cut and thrust Sicilian defence, but White is the first to strike a lethal blow…
20.Rxh6!!
This move has the clear purpose to open lines towards the Black monarch. The move required accurate calculation and courage!
Taking the Rook just gives White what he wants: 20… gxh6 21. Qxf6 Qc7 ( Black must stop the check on f7. The same thing is 21… Qd7 22. g7 Bxg7 23. Qxh6 Kf8 24. Qh7 Qf7 25. Bh5 etc; 21… Bg7 22. Qf7 Kh8 23. Rh1 Rf8 24. Rxh6! mating) 22. g7! Bxg7 23. Qxh6 Re7 24. f5! and Black can not hold back the attack.
Nor is 20… Nxe4 any better: 21. Bf3 Nxc3 (21… gxh6 22. Nxe4 Bg7 23. Nf6) 22. Rh8 Kxh8 23. Qd2 and Black will soon get mated along the h-file.
20…e5!?
Trying to confuse the issue, but White does not let slip his advantage…
21. Rh2!!
Now taking the Queen will allow 22.Rgh1 with inevitable mate. Black can not stop the attack along the h-file for very long.
SEE HOW THE GAME ENDED: