Blunder of the day!
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
The Russian Team Championship started today and saw some real fighting chess! One of the top players in the world , Alexander Morozevich, played a real lemon on his 39th move and threw away a good game in one move!
POSITION AFTER WHITE’S 39th MOVE (39.Rf2)
gm MOROZEVICH
gm POPOV, Iv
It has been a tough game so far, with both sides trying to win. The position is a mess, with both sides having numerous weaknesses. It is not clear who–if anyone–has the advantage! White’s last move threatens the h-pawn, but Black should simply ignore this and play for the initiative with 39…Rd7!. Should White want the h-pawn, then so be it (!): 40.Qxh5 Kg7 and the position is still unclear. For example, 41.Qe2 Rd3!
INSTEAD, probably short of time, Morozevich tried to defend the h-pawn and in doing so overlooked an elementary tactic that loses the exchange and with it the game!
39…Rg5??
Even great players are human!
40. Nf3!
Ofcourse! This must have been a cold shower for the Russian superstar…after the exchange of Queens on e2 White has a zwischenzug, taking the Rook with check! The resulting position would leave White an exchange up with an easy mopping-up operation.
BLACK RESIGNS!