Zhak B. - Ham S., BdFS08 Silber 2009

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. g3 e5 5. Bg2 Nb6 6. Nf3 Nc6 What began as an English-Gruenfeld morphed into a Reversed Dragon and terminated into an English Four Knight's Variation. 7. O-O Be7 8. a3 O-O 9. d3 Be6 10. Be3 f5 11. Rc1 11. b4?! Bf6 12. Rc1 (12. Ne1 Nd5 (12... e4? 13. Rc1 Bxc3 14. Rxc3 Nd5 15. Rc5 Nxe3 16. fxe3 white is slightly better Ragozin-Balogh, ICCF 1956.) 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 14. Bxd5+ Qxd5 black is slightly better Keller-Burkhardt, Corr. 1973.) 12... Nd4 13. Nd2 (13. Bxd4 exd4 14. Na4 Nxa4 15. Qxa4 a6) 13... c6 14. Bxd4 exd4 15. Na4 Qe7 16. Nc5 Bf7 17. Re1 Nd5 11... Kh8 11... a6!? 12. Na4 Nxa4 13. Qxa4 Bd5 14. Bc5= Schon-Daubenfeld, ICCF 2008. 12. b4 a6 12... Nd5?! 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 14. Bc5 Bxc5 15. Rxc5 Qd6 16. Qc1 a6 17. e4 fxe4 18. dxe4 Bg8 (18... Bxe4 19. Qe3 white is slightly better ) 19. a4 Rac8 20. Rd1 12... f4?! 13. Bd2 a6 (13... a5 14. Ne4 axb4 15. axb4 Qd5 16. Nc5) 14. Ne4 Bd5 15. Bc3 Nd7 16. e3 Qe8 17. Re1 Qh5 18. Ned2 fxg3 19. hxg3 13. Qd2 13. Re1 Bg8 14. Qd2 a5 15. b5 Nd4 16. Nxe5 Nb3 17. Qc2 Nxc1 18. Qxc1 Qd6 19. f4 Qxa3 20. Bxb7 Rab8 with compensation for material 13. Bc5 Bxc5 14. bxc5 Nd7 15. d4 e4 16. d5 exf3 17. Bxf3 Nxc5 18. dxe6 Nxe6 13... Nd5 13... Nd4?! 14. Nxe5 Nb3 15. Qa2 a5 (15... Qd6 16. Rcd1 Qxe5 17. d4 Nxd4 18. Bxd4 Qxd4 19. Qxe6 Qf6 20. Qxf6 Bxf6 21. Nd5 Nxd5 22. Rxd5 c6 23. Rxf5 Rad8 24. Rb1 white is slightly better ) 16. Bxb7 Rb8 17. Bf3 Qd6 18. Nc6 axb4 19. Nb5 Nxc1 20. Qc2 Qd7 21. Qxc1 Bd5 22. axb4 Qxc6 23. Qxc6 Bxc6 24. Bxc6 13... a5!? 14. Bg5 (14. Rb1 axb4 15. axb4 Bf6 position is unclear ) 14... axb4 15. axb4 Bg8 (15... f4?! 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. b5 Na5 18. Qb2 Nb3 19. Rc2 Bg8 20. Ne4) 16. Qe3 Re8 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. b5 Na5 19. Nd2 Qd6 20. Bh1 Rf8 21. h3 Rfd8 22. Qg5 Rf8 23. g4 h6 24. Qe3 e4 25. dxe4 Rad8 (25... fxg4?! 26. hxg4 Nac4 27. Nxc4 Nxc4 28. e5 Nxe5 29. Rfd1 Qe6 30. g5 white is slightly better ) 26. Rfd1 f4 position is unclear 13... Bf6!? 14. Ng5 (14. Bc5 Re8=) 14... Bg8 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Nf3 Re8 17. Qc2 a5 18. b5 Nd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. bxc6 a4 21. Bc5 Bxc6 22. Bb4 Re6 23. Rfd1= 1/2-1/2. Aleshnya-Neto, ICCF 2006. 14. Bg5 14. Bc5 Bxc5 15. bxc5 Qf6 (15... Rb8 16. e3 Qe7) 16. Qb2 Rad8 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. Rfe1 Rb8 19. e3 Rfd8= 14. Nxd5 Bxd5 15. Bc5 Bd6 (15... f4 16. Qc3 Bd6 position is unclear ) 16. e3 Qe8= 14... Bxg5 14... Nf6?! 15. Na4 Bd5 16. Qb2 h6 17. Be3 Qe8 18. Nc3 (18. Nxe5?! Nxe5 19. Qxe5 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Ng4 with compensation for material Black threatens ...Qh5.) 18... Rd8 19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. Bc5 Bd6 21. Nh4 white is slightly better 15. Nxg5 15. Qxg5!? Qd6 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. e4 fxe4 18. dxe4 Bxe4 (18... Bb3 19. Qe3 (19. Rc3 h6 (19... Bf7 20. Rc5 h6 position is unclear ) 20. Qe3 Ba4 21. Rd3 Qf6) 19... Ba4 20. Rc5 Rad8 21. Rd5 Qf6) 19. Qe3 Bf5 20. Rfd1 Qf6= 15... Bg8 16. Nf3 16. Rfe1 h6 17. Nf3 Qf6 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. e4 fxe4 20. dxe4 Bg8= 16... Qf6 I saw opportunities to assault White's King while White initiated action on the opposite wing. 16... Qd6?! 17. Rfe1 (17. Na4 e4 (17... Nde7 18. Qb2 Bf7 19. Rfe1 b6 20. Nc3 Qf6 21. Nh4 Ra7 22. Nd1 f4 23. Nc3 white is slightly better ) 18. Nh4 Nde7 19. Bh1 b6 20. Qb2 Qe6=) 17... Rad8 18. Na4 b6 19. Qc2 Nde7 20. Nh4 Bd5 21. e4 fxe4 22. dxe4 Bg8 23. Nf5 16... Qe8?! 17. Nh4 Nde7 18. Qb2 Qd7 19. Nf3 h6 20. Rfd1 Rad8 21. a4 Qd6 22. e3 17. Na4 17. Qg5 Qd6 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. e4 fxe4 20. dxe4= transposes to the 15 Qxg5 line. 17... b6 The safest move. This may seem odd after creating a backward pawn on the half-open c-file. But as a result, Black stops White's queenside expansion while holding the center. This results in Black potentially being more aggressive on the kingside. I initially wanted to play the dynamic 17... e4!? 18. Nh4 (18. Ne1?! Rad8 19. Nc5 b6 20. dxe4 Ndxb4 21. Nd7 Qe7 22. axb4 Rxd7 23. Nd3 Nd4 24. Qe3 fxe4 25. Bxe4 Bf7 black is slightly better ) 18... exd3 19. Qxd3 Rad8 20. Qxf5 Nd4 21. Qxf6 Nxe2+ 22. Kh1 Rxf6 (Black gambits a pawn with 22... Nxf6 23. Rxc7 Rd3 24. Bxb7 Rxa3 25. Nb6 Nc3 with compensation for material but lacks winning chances.) 23. Rcd1 c6 24. Rd2 Re8 25. Nc5 Rf7 26. Ne4 (26. Bxd5 cxd5 27. Kg2 (27. Rxd5?? Rxf2 black has a decisive advantage ) 27... d4 28. f4 Rc7 position is unclear ) 26... Ndc3 27. Nd6 Rd7 28. Bh3 Rdd8 29. Nf3 Bd5 30. Rxd5 cxd5 31. Nf7+ Kg8 32. Nxd8 Rxd8 33. Bf5 In exchange for allowing Black a passed pawn and control of the d1 queening square, White gains a bishop versus knight advantage on an open board and the more active pieces. 33... Rf8 (33... h6?! 34. Kg2 white is slightly better ) (33... d4?? 34. Bd3 white has a decisive advantage ) 34. Be6+ Kh8 35. Ne5 g6 (35... Re8!? 36. Nf7+ Kg8= enables White to force a draw or try for more.) 36. f4 Kg7 37. Re1 Rd8 38. Kg2 Nd4 39. Bd7 Nf5 position is unclear This position is too dynamically unbalanced to evaluate with any degree of confidence, especially since all of my pawns are on the same color as White's bishop. 17... Rfd8?! 18. Qc2 (18. Nh4 Nde7 19. Qb2 Rd6 20. Rfe1 h6 21. Nc5 Ra7 22. Qc3 Bf7 23. Nf3 Nd5 24. Qc2 b6 25. Nb3) 18... Nde7 19. h3 (19. Rfd1 b6 20. Re1 Rd6 21. Nc3 b5 22. Nb1 Rad8=) 19... Rd6 20. Qb2 Bd5 21. Nc5 Bxf3 22. Bxf3 b6 23. Nb3 white is slightly better 18. Nc3 18. Qc2 Nde7 19. Nc3 (19. e3 Rad8 20. Nc3= transposes.) 19... Rad8 20. e3 (20. Rfe1 Bf7 21. e3 Bh5 22. Nh4 g5 23. Nf3 Rd7 24. Nd2 Rfd8 25. Bf1=) 20... f4 21. Ne4 (21. b5 axb5 22. Nxb5 Qh6= (22... fxe3 23. fxe3 Qh6 position is unclear ) ) (21. Rfe1!? fxe3 22. fxe3 Qh6 23. Ne4 Rd7 24. Qc3 Qh5 25. Nfd2 a5 26. Rb1 Ba2 27. Rbd1 Bg8) 21... Qh6 22. Rfe1 Qh5 (22... Bd5 23. Qb2 Qh5=) 23. Qe2 Bd5! (23... Qg4 24. Ned2 Qg6=) 18... Rad8 18... Nde7 19. e3 (19. Qg5?! Qd6 20. Nh4 Rae8 21. Bxc6 Qxc6 22. Nf3 Qd6 23. b5 a5 24. a4 Bf7 25. Rc2 Nd5 26. Qh4 Nf6 black is slightly better ) (19. Qc2= transposes to the 18 Qc2 lines.) (19. Qb2 Rad8= transposes to 18...Rad8 19 Qb2 Nde7 lines.) 19... Rad8 20. Ne2 Rd6 21. Qc3 Bf7 22. h3 Bh5 23. Rfe1 Nd5 24. Qa1 Nde7 25. d4 Bxf3 26. Bxf3 e4= 19. Qc2 19. e3 e4 (19... Nde7= transposes to 18...Nde7 19 e3 Rad8.) 20. Nxd5 Rxd5 21. Ne1 Rdd8= 19. Qb2!? Nde7 (19... Rd6 20. Rc2 (20. b5 Nxc3 21. bxc6 Rxc6 22. Rxc3 e4=) 20... Nxc3 21. Qxc3 e4 22. Qxf6 gxf6 23. dxe4 fxe4 24. Nh4 Nd4 25. Rb2 Bc4 26. Re1 f5=) 20. a4 e4 21. dxe4 fxe4 22. Nd2 Qd4 23. Ndxe4 Qxb4 24. Qxb4 Nxb4 25. f4 Nf5 (25... a5 26. Rfd1 g6=) 26. Kf2 Nd4= 19... Rd6 19... Nxc3?! 20. Qxc3 Bd5 21. e3 h6 22. Nh4 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 Rd6 24. f4 white is slightly better 19... Nde7= transposes to 18 Qc2 lines. 20. Rfe1 Rfd8 20... Nde7!? 21. b5 (21. h3?! Rfd8 (21... Nd4 22. Nxd4 exd4 23. e4 dxe3 24. Rxe3 f4 25. Rf3 Qe5 26. gxf4 Qh5 27. Ne2 Rc6 28. Qb2 Rxc1+ 29. Qxc1 Bd5 30. Ng3 Qh6 31. Re3 Bxg2 32. Rxe7 Qxh3 33. Qa1 Rg8 position is unclear ) 22. Qa4 Nd4 23. Qxa6 Nb3 24. Rc2 Rc6 25. e4 f4 26. Qb5 Qf8! (26... fxg3 27. fxg3 Qe6 (27... Qg6 28. Qxe5 Rxd3 with compensation for material ) 28. Ree2 Na1 29. Rc1 Qb3) 27. Ree2 Rf6 28. Qxe5 Nc6 29. Qxc7 fxg3 30. Nd5 Rxf3 black is slightly better ) 21... axb5 22. Nxb5 Rd7 23. Qb2 Bd5 (23... Rfd8 position is unclear ) 24. e4 fxe4 25. dxe4 Be6 20... Nxc3!? 21. Qxc3 Bd5 22. Nd2 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 b5 (23... Qd8=) 24. f4 exf4 25. Qxf6 Rfxf6 26. gxf4 Rg6+ 27. Kf2 Rg4 28. h3 White aims to trap the rook. 28... Rxf4+ 29. Nf3 Ne5 30. Rxc7 h6 31. Rf1 Nxf3 32. Kg3 Rfd4 33. Rxf3 g6= 21. Nd2 21. b5?! Nxc3 22. Qxc3 axb5 23. Nd2 Na5 24. Qxc7 e4 black is slightly better 21. h3?! Nde7 transposes to 20...Nde7 21h3 Rfd8 lines. 21... Nde7 22. Qa4 Nb8 Black plans 23...b5 to seal off the queenside in order to attack on the kingside. 22... R6d7 23. Nf1 (23. Bxc6 Qxc6 24. Qxa6 e4 25. Ncxe4 Qh6 with compensation for material ) 23... Nd4 24. Qxa6 Nb3 25. Rc2 Nd4 26. Rb2 Nc8 27. e3 Ne6 28. Rc1 c6 29. Qa4 Ne7 30. Rd2 Rxd3 31. Rxd3 Rxd3 32. Qc2 Rd8 33. Nd2= Another option is: 22... Qh6!? 23. Nf3 Nd5 24. Nxd5 Bxd5 25. Qxa6 e4 26. Nh4 White plans to play f3. 26... Nd4 27. Nxf5 Nxf5 28. dxe4 Ra8 29. Qd3 Bg8 30. Qc3 Ne7 31. f4 Rad8 32. Qxc7 R6d7 33. Qc3 b5 with compensation for material This position is extremely difficult to evaluate given the material imbalance. 23. Ncb1 b5 The continuation of the plan established by the previous move. Nonetheless, other options exist. 23... R8d7!? 24. Qc2 Nbc6 25. Nc4 (25. Qb2 Rd8 26. Nc4 Rd4 position is unclear ) 25... Nd4 26. Qc3 Re6 27. Nbd2 Rd8 23... e4?! 24. dxe4 (24. Rxc7? Nd5 25. Rcc1 e3 26. Nf3 Nc6 27. b5 axb5 28. Qh4 exf2+ 29. Kxf2 Qf8 30. Nc3 Rh6 31. Qg5 Rg6 32. Qd2 f4 black is slightly better ) (24. Bxe4?! fxe4 25. Nxe4 Qh6 26. Nxd6 Rxd6 27. Kg2 Rd7 with compensation for material ) 24... Rxd2 25. Nxd2 Rxd2 26. exf5 (26. Rxc7?! fxe4 27. Qe8 Nbc6 28. Bxe4 Rd8 29. Rxe7 (29. Qh5 Nd4) 29... Rxe8 30. Rxe8 Qd6) 26... Nxf5 27. Qe8 Rd8 28. Qh5 Nd7 29. Rc6 Nd6 30. Qf3 Qxf3 31. exf3 Ne8 32. Rd1 Bb3 33. Rd4 Ba4 34. Rc1 Bb5 35. f4 Kg8 36. Ra1 white is slightly better 24. Qd1 24. Qc2? Nbc6 (24... Bd5 25. Nb3 Nbc6 black is slightly better transposes) 25. Nb3 Bd5 26. N1d2 (26. Nc5 Nd4 27. Qd1 f4 28. e4 (28. Ne4 Bxe4 29. Bxe4 Rf8) 28... Ba8 29. Nd2 Rf8) 26... Qh6 (26... Bxg2?! 27. Kxg2 Qh6 28. Nf3 Qh5 29. Kg1 f4 30. Kh1 (30. Nc5?! Rh6 31. h4 Nf5) 30... fxg3 31. fxg3 Nf5 32. Rg1 Ne3 33. Qc5 Ng4 34. Rg2 Kg8 Black prepares ...Ne7-d5-e3 by first avoiding back-rank checkmate. 35. h4 Qe8 position is unclear ) 27. Bxd5 Nxd5 28. Kh1 Qh5 29. Kg1 f4 30. Nf3 Rg6 31. d4 Qh3 32. e4 Ne3 33. fxe3 (33. Rxe3 fxe3 34. fxe3 Rf8 35. Qe2 Rgf6 36. Nbd2 Qg4 black has a moderate advantage ) 33... fxg3 34. Qe2 Rf8 35. Nbd2 exd4 36. Rxc6 (36. exd4?? Nxd4 black has a decisive advantage ) 36... Rxc6 37. exd4 Rc2 38. e5 Rxd2 39. Qxd2 Rxf3 40. Qg2 gxh2+ 41. Kh1 Kg8 24... Nbc6 Black has another kingside attacking option in 24... c6!? 25. Nb3 Bxb3 26. Qxb3 Nd7 27. Qc2 h5 28. Nd2 h4 position is unclear For some reason, I never took this plan seriously during the game and thus failed to investigate it further. 25. Rc5!? I expected instead 25. Nb3 Bd5 (25... Rf8 26. Nc5 Bd5 27. Bxd5 Nxd5 28. e3 Qh6 29. Nc3 Nf6 30. Qe2 e4 31. dxe4 Ne5 32. Kg2 fxe4 33. N3xe4 Nxe4 34. Nxe4 Nf3 35. Rh1 Rd7=) (25... e4!? 26. Nc5 exd3 27. exd3 Ne5 28. Qe2 N7g6 29. Rcd1 Nxd3 30. Rxd3 Rxd3 31. Nxd3 Bc4 32. Qc2 Bxd3 33. Qxc7 Bc4 position is unclear ) 26. Nc5 Bxg2 (26... Rf8 27. Bxd5 Nxd5= transposes to the 25...Rf8 line.) 27. Kxg2 Rf8 (27... e4? 28. Nb7 white has a moderate advantage ) 28. Nd2 (Black didn't waste time protecting his a-pawn, and White can't afford to take it, because Black's attack is then immediate and lethal. 28. Nxa6?? f4 29. Nd2 Qf5 30. Kh1 Rh6 31. Rg1 fxg3 black has a decisive advantage ) 28... Qh6 29. Kh1 (Once again, the tempo lost to capture Black's a-pawn gives Black the ability to launch a lethal attack. 29. Nxa6?? f4 30. Ne4 Rg6 31. Nxc7 Nd4 32. Rf1 (32. Rc5 Nef5) 32... Nef5) 29... e4 position is unclear (29... f4?! 30. Nce4 Qh3 31. Rg1 (31. Nxd6?? fxg3 32. fxg3 Rf2 black has a decisive advantage Black checkmates.) 31... Rh6 32. Nf3 fxg3 33. Rxg3 white is slightly better ) 25... h6 My original plan was the natural looking 25...R8d7 line, but later the value of this waiting move became apparent. The present position is complex and tactically rich. However, I don't see any benefit in Black forcing matters now. Instead, I think a waiting move is appropriate, enabling White to do what he wants, 26 Qc1, and then react to that move. Although White then has power on the half-open c-file, his queen loses its indirect influence over f3, making a ...f4 advance meaningful on the opposite flank. The secondary purpose of 25...h6 is to create an exit for the King and to make possible a ...Bh7 maneuver. 25... Qe6 26. Qc1 Qf6 27. Nc3 h6 (27... Bf7 28. a4 bxa4 29. Qa3 Nd4 30. Qxa4 Ne6 31. Ra5 Nd4 32. Nc4 Bxc4 33. dxc4 e4 34. c5 position is unclear ) 28. h4 Rf8 (28... Bf7!? 29. Kh2 Bh5 30. a4 Nxb4 31. Qb1 Rxd3 32. exd3 Nxd3 33. Rxc7 Nxf2 with compensation for material ) 29. Nf1 Kh7 30. Ne3 Perhaps the only viable forcing line is 25... Rf8 26. Qc1 Nd4 (26... Bd5 27. Bxd5 Nxd5 28. Nc3 Nde7 29. Nf3 h6 30. Kg2 Rfd8 31. h4 Re6 32. Rd1 position is unclear ) 27. Rxc7 Bd5 28. Bxd5 Rxd5 (28... Nxd5?! 29. Rc8 Rxc8 30. Qxc8+ Rd8 31. Qc5 white is slightly better ) 29. Nc3 Rdd8 30. Nd1 Ne6 31. Rc2 Nd4 32. Rc5 Ne6 33. Rc3 f4 34. f3 Nd4 with compensation for material Since White is going to load up on the c-file, then it's natural to protect the backward c-pawn with a rook. 25... R8d7 26. Qc1 Rd8!? (26... h6= transposes to the 25...h6 26 Qc1 R8d7 line.) 27. Nc3 h6 (27... Bf7 position is unclear transposes to the 25...Qe6 line.) 28. h4 Rf8 (28... Bf7 29. Kh2 Bh5 30. a4 Nxb4 31. Qb1 Rxd3 32. exd3 Nxd3 33. Rxc7 Nxf2 with compensation for material ) 29. Nf1 Kh7 30. Ne3 Forcing matters via 25... Nd4? 26. Rxc7 Bd5 27. e4 Ba8 28. exf5 Bxg2 29. Kxg2 white has a moderate advantage fails. 25... Bd5?! 26. e4 white is slightly better 26. Qc1 Nd4! Black sacs a pawn in order to put his bishop on the a8-h1 diagonal. In exchange, Black takes the initiative. 26... Bh7?! 27. Nf1 R8d7 (27... e4?! 28. dxe4 fxe4 29. Nc3 Qe6 30. Qf4 g5 31. Qe3) (27... f4 28. Nc3 Rf8 29. Nd2 fxg3 30. fxg3) 28. Nbd2 Rd8 29. Qc3 Qe6 30. a4 bxa4 31. Nc4 Rd4 32. Nfe3 e4 33. dxe4 f4 34. Nf5 white is slightly better 26... R8d7 27. Qc3 Bf7 28. Nb3 (28. Nf3!? Rd5 29. Rxd5 Nxd5 30. Qc1 position is unclear ) 28... Bd5 29. Qc2 Bxg2 30. Kxg2 Nd5 31. N1d2 Nd4 32. Qb2 Ne6 33. Rcc1 Re7!?= 27. Rxc7 Bd5 28. Bxd5 Boris played his last two moves immediately. I instead expected my sharp line to force him to study the position for a long time. 28. e4?! Ba8 29. Qd1 (29. exf5 Bxg2 30. Kxg2 Nd5 31. Rc8 (31. Ne4?! Qxf5 black has a moderate advantage ) 31... Qxf5 32. Rxd8+ Rxd8 black is slightly better ) (29. Nc3 f4 30. Rc5 (30. gxf4?! Ng6) 30... Ne6) 29... f4 30. Rc3 Rf8 31. Nb3 Nxb3 32. Rxb3 Nc6 33. Nd2 Nd4 34. Rc3 Rc6 35. Rxc6 Bxc6 36. Kh1 f3 37. Bh3 Qf7 38. Qb1 (38. Bf5 Qh5) 38... Qh5 39. Bf1 Bd7 28... Nxd5 29. Rc5 Ne7 29... Ne6?! 30. Rc8 Ng5 31. Rxd8+ Rxd8 32. Nf3 Nxf3+ 33. exf3 white is slightly better 29... Nc6?! 30. Nb3 Nb6 31. Rc2 e4 32. dxe4 fxe4 33. Nc5 Re8 34. Nc3 29... Qg6?! 30. e3 (30. Nc3 Nf4 31. Rxe5 R6d7 with compensation for material ) 30... Nc6 31. Nf3 Qf6 32. Rd1 29... f4? 30. Ne4 Qe6 31. Nxd6 f3 32. exf3 Nxf3+ 33. Kg2 Nxe1+ 34. Qxe1 Qxd6 35. Nd2 white has a moderate advantage 30. Kg2 Ne6 30... Qe6!? Black threatens a subsequent ...e4. 31. Qb2 (31. Kh1 Rf8 32. Qd1 f4 33. Rg1 (33. Ne4? fxg3 34. fxg3 (34. Nxd6?? Qh3 black has a decisive advantage Black checkmates.) 34... Qh3 35. Rg1 Nd5 36. Qe1 Ne3 black has a moderate advantage ) 33... fxg3 (33... Rc6 34. gxf4 exf4 35. Nc3 Rxc5 36. bxc5 Nef5 with compensation for material ) 34. Rxg3 Rc6 35. Ne4 Rxc5 36. bxc5 Qc6 37. Nbd2 Ne6 38. Qg1 Nf5 39. Rg4 (39. Rg6?! Qd5 40. f3 Nf4 41. Rxa6 Nxe2 black is slightly better ) 39... Nxc5 (39... Nf4!?) 40. Nf3 Nd7=) 31... e4 (Black plans ...f4 with 31... Ng6!? 32. e3 (32. Nc3 f4 33. f3 fxg3 34. hxg3 Qf5 35. Rh1 Rf8 36. Qb1 Nxe2 37. Nxe2 Rxd3 38. Rd1 Qd7 with compensation for material ) 32... Nc6 33. Qc2 Nge7 34. Nb3 Rxd3 35. Nd4 exd4 36. Qxd3 f4 37. e4 Ng6 38. e5 Ncxe5) 32. dxe4 (32. e3?! Nf3 33. Nxf3 exf3+ 34. Kxf3 Ng6 35. d4 f4 36. Qd2 fxe3 37. fxe3 Kg8 38. Qd3 Qh3 39. Ke2 Qxh2+ 40. Kd1 Re8 black is slightly better ) 32... fxe4 33. Nc3 e3 34. fxe3 Ndf5 (34... Qxe3?! 35. Nde4 Rg6 36. Rf1 white is slightly better ) 35. Nf1 Nxe3+ 36. Nxe3 Qxe3 (36... Rd2 37. Qb1 Qxe3 38. Qe4 Nd5 39. Qf3 (39. Qxe3 Nxe3+ 40. Kf2 Re8=) 39... Qxf3+ 40. Kxf3 Rf8+ 41. Kg2 Ne3+ 42. Kh3 Rc2=) 37. Qb1 (37. Qc2 Rd2 38. Qe4 Nd5 39. Qxe3 Nxe3+ 40. Kf2 Re8=) 37... Nd5 (37... Rd2= transposes to the 36...Rd2 line.) 38. Nxd5 (38. Qc1 Qe6 (38... Qxc1 39. Rxc1 Ne3+ 40. Kg1 Kh7 with compensation for material ) 39. Nxd5 Rxd5 40. Qc3 Rxc5 41. bxc5 Rc8) (38. Rxd5 Rxd5 39. Nxd5 Rxd5= transposes to the 38 Nxd5 line. ) 38... Rxd5 39. Rxd5 Rxd5 40. Qc1 (40. Qc2 Qxa3=) 40... Re5 41. h4 Qxc1 42. Rxc1 Rxe2+ 43. Kf3 Re6= Black has an aggressively effective option involving advancing the pawn in front of his own King! This line eventually transposes into the game line. 30... h5!? 31. Qb2 (31. Nc3? Ne6 (31... h4? 32. Nde4 (32. Qb2?! Ng6 (32... Rc6?! position is unclear ) 33. a4 hxg3 34. fxg3 Nf4+ 35. Kh1 (35. gxf4?? Qh4 36. Rh1 Rg6+ black has a decisive advantage ) 35... Ndxe2 36. Nde4 (36. Nce4?? Nxg3+ 37. hxg3 Qh6+) 36... fxe4 37. Nxe4 Nxg3+ 38. hxg3 Qh6+ 39. Qh2 Qxh2+ 40. Kxh2 Rh6+ 41. Kg1 Nxd3 42. Rd1 Rd4 black is slightly better ) 32... fxe4 33. Nxe4 h3+ (33... Qf5!? 34. Nxd6 Rxd6 35. Qe3 h3+ 36. Kf1 Nec6 with compensation for material transposes to the 33..h3+ lines.) 34. Kf1 Qf5 35. Nxd6 Rxd6 36. Qe3 Nec6 37. Rb1 (37. Rec1 Qe6) (37. Qe4?! Qxe4 38. dxe4 Nb3) 37... Rf6 38. Rb2 g5) 32. a4 (32. Nde4 fxe4 33. Nxe4 Qf5 34. Nxd6 Rxd6 35. e4 (35. Rc3? Nd5 36. Rc6 Nef4+ black has a decisive advantage ) 35... Qf6 36. Rc3 Qg6 37. Qe3 (37. Kh1 h4 38. Qe3 Qh5 black has a moderate advantage ) 37... h4 38. Rec1 (38. Qf3 Kh7) 38... Qh5 (38... Rd8!? black is slightly better Black plans ...Rf8.) 39. Rg1 (39. h3 Nd4 Black's rook is now able to transfer to g6 or h6.(39... Ng6!?) ) (39. Kh1 Nd4) 39... Nc6 40. Kh1 Ncd4) (32. Nce4 fxe4 33. Nxe4 transposes to the 32 Nde4 line.) 32... Nxc5 33. bxc5 Rc6 34. Qa3 Rdc8 (34... Rc7? 35. axb5 axb5 36. Rb1 Qc6+ 37. Nf3 Ra8 38. Qb3 b4 39. Qxb4 Qxc5 with compensation for material ) (34... Rcc8?! 35. axb5 axb5 36. Rb1 Qc6+ 37. Nf3 e4 38. dxe4 Qxc5 39. Qxc5 Rxc5 black is slightly better ) 35. axb5 axb5 36. Rc1 Qh6 37. Nb3 h4 38. Qb2 Ra6 black has a moderate advantage ) (31. a4!? Ne6 32. axb5 Nxc5 33. bxc5 Rd5 34. bxa6 (34. Qc4?! axb5 35. Qxb5 Qc6 (35... h4?! 36. Nc3 h3+ 37. Kf1 (37. Kxh3?! Qh6+ 38. Kg2 Qxd2 39. Nxd5 Nxd5) 37... R5d7 with compensation for material ) 36. Qxc6 Nxc6 37. Rc1 Rb8 38. e4 fxe4 39. dxe4 Rd3 40. Nc4 Rb5 41. Nc3 Rxc5 42. Na4 Rb5 black is slightly better ) 34... Qxa6 35. Kg1 h4 (35... Rb8 36. Nc4 Rxc5) 36. Nb3 hxg3 37. hxg3 e4 38. N1d2 exd3 39. exd3 Nc6) (31. h4?! Kh7 (31... Ne6?! 32. Rc2 Nd4 (32... Rd4!? 33. Nf3 Rg4 34. Nbd2 e4 35. dxe4 fxe4 36. Nh2 Rg6 37. Nxe4 Qxh4 38. Nc5 Rf8 with compensation for material ) 33. Rc5= repeats the position.) (31... f4?! 32. Ne4 Qf5 33. Nxd6 Rxd6 34. Nd2 Ng6 35. Nf3 Nxf3 36. exf3 Nxh4+ 37. gxh4 Rg6+ 38. Kh2 Qf6 39. Rc8+ Kh7 40. Kh3 Qf5+ 41. Kh2 Qf6 42. Kh3= repeats the position.) 32. Kh2 Ne6 33. Rc3 Rd4 34. Nf3 Rg4 35. Rc5 e4 36. dxe4 fxe4 37. Rxh5+ Kg8 38. Qe3 exf3 39. exf3 Rg6 black is slightly better ) 31... h4 32. Nb3 Nxb3 (32... f4 33. Nxd4 Rxd4 34. Nd2 Nd5 35. Nf3 fxg3 36. hxg3 hxg3 37. fxg3 Ne3+ 38. Kf2 Ng4+ 39. Kg2= Draw by perpetual check.) 33. Qxb3 Qg5 (33... Nd5 34. Nc3 hxg3 35. Rxd5 gxf2 36. Rf1 Rxd5 37. Nxd5 Qe6 38. e4 fxe4 39. dxe4 Qg4+ 40. Kxf2 Rf8+ 41. Ke1 Qh4+ 42. Qg3 Qxe4+ 43. Ne3 Qb1+ 44. Kd2 Qb2+= Draw by perpetual check.) 34. Nc3 Rh6 (34... Ng6!? 35. Rg1 Nf4+ 36. Kf1 Nxe2 37. Nxe2 Rxd3 38. Rc3 Rd2 39. h3 f4 with compensation for material ) 35. Rg1 (35. Qd1 e4 36. f4 (36. Rg1 Qg6 37. Kh1 hxg3 38. Rxg3 Qh7 39. Rg2 Ng6) 36... exf3+ 37. exf3 hxg3 38. hxg3 Qh5 39. Rh1 Qxh1+ 40. Qxh1 Rxh1 41. Kxh1 Rxd3=) 35... hxg3 36. hxg3 Qh5 37. f3 (37. Kf1!? e4 38. dxe4 Qh3+ 39. Rg2 Qh1+ 40. Rg1 Qh3+= Draw by repetition.) 37... Qh2+ (37... Ng6 38. Kf2 f4 39. Ne4 fxg3+ 40. Nxg3 Qg5 with compensation for material ) (37... e4 38. dxe4 Qh2+ 39. Kf1 fxe4 40. Nxe4 Nf5) 38. Kf1 Qh3+ (38... e4 39. dxe4 fxe4 40. Nxe4 Nf5) 39. Kf2 f4 40. Qf7 Nf5 31. Rc2 31. Rc3 Qg6!? (31... Qf7 32. Nf3 e4 33. dxe4 fxe4 34. Nfd2 Qg6=) (31... Nd4 32. e3 (32. Qb2?! f4 33. Rcc1 Qf5 34. Nc3 Qh5 (34... Rc6?! 35. e3 Ne6 with compensation for material ) 35. Nf3 (35. Nce4?! Rg6 black has a moderate advantage ) 35... Nef5 36. Nxd4 exd4 37. Ne4 Rg6 38. Rc7 f3+ 39. Kh1 Qh3 40. Rg1 Qg4 black is slightly better ) (32. Rc5= repeats the position.) 32... Ndc6 33. Nb3 Nd5 34. Rc5 (34. Rc2?! Ncxb4 35. axb4 Nxb4 36. d4 Nd3 (36... exd4?! 37. Rd2 dxe3 38. Rxe3 f4 with compensation for material ) 37. Qd2 Nxe1+ 38. Qxe1 Qe6 39. Qc3 a5 40. Nxa5 exd4 41. exd4 Rxd4 42. Qe3 Qg6 43. Rc6 Qh5) 34... Ndxb4 35. axb4 Nxb4 36. d4 Nd3 37. Qc3 Nxe1+ 38. Qxe1 Qe6) 32. Nf3 (32. Nb3?? Nf4+ 33. Kh1 Nh3 34. Rf1 e4 (34... Qh5?? 35. f3 e4 36. fxe4 fxe4 37. Nc5 exd3 38. Rxd3 Rxd3 39. exd3 Qd5+ position is unclear ) 35. Nc5 (35. f3 f4 36. g4 exd3 37. exd3 Nd5 black has a decisive advantage ) 35... Qh5 36. Qd1 Nd5 (36... exd3?? 37. Rxd3 Rxd3 38. Nxd3 f4 black is slightly better ) 37. Rc1 e3) 32... e4 33. Ne5 Qh5 34. f4 exf3+ (34... Nd5 35. Rc8 (35. dxe4 fxe4 36. Rc8 Nd4 transposes) 35... Nd4 36. dxe4 fxe4 37. Rxd8+ Rxd8 38. Kh1 (38. g4?! Qe8 39. e3 Rc8 40. Qd1 Nc2 41. Qxd5 Nxe1+ 42. Kg3 Nd3 43. Nf7+ Kh7 44. Nd6 Rd8) 38... Nxe2 39. Qd2 Nxg3+ 40. Kg1 Nf5 41. Nc3 Nh4 42. Nxd5 Qxe5 43. fxe5 Nf3+ 44. Kg2 Nxd2 45. Nc7 Rc8 46. Nxa6 Rc3 47. Nc5 Kg8 48. Nxe4 Nxe4 49. Rxe4 Kf7 50. e6+ Ke7 51. Re5 Rxa3 52. Rxb5 Kxe6=) (34... Nd4 35. dxe4 Nxe2 36. g4 fxg4 37. Rxe2 g3 38. Qc2 (38. Qe1 Rd1 39. hxg3 Rxe1 40. Rxe1 Kh7 with compensation for material ) 38... Qxh2+ 39. Kf3 Qh3 40. Rg2 Rf8 41. Rc7 g5 42. Rxe7 Qh5+ 43. Ng4 Rxf4+ 44. Ke3 Qxg4 45. Re8+ Kg7 46. Qc7+ Rf7 (46... Rd7 47. Re7+ Rxe7 48. Qxe7+ Kg6 49. Qe8+ Kh7 50. Qe7+ Kg6= Draw by perpetual check.) 47. Qxd6 Qf3+ 48. Kd4 Qxg2 49. Qe5+ Kg6 50. Qe6+ Kg7= Draw by perpetual check.) 35. exf3 Nd5 (35... f4 36. Nd2 Nd5 37. g4 Qe8 38. Ne4 Rb6 39. Nc5 Nxc3 40. Qxc3 Qg8 41. Qd2 Nd4 42. h4 Qd5 43. h5 a5 44. Re4 axb4 45. axb4 Rf6 with compensation for material ) 36. Rc6 Rxc6 37. Qxc6 (37. Nxc6? Nef4+ 38. gxf4 Rc8 black has a moderate advantage ) 37... Nd4 38. Qc5 (38. Qxa6? Nc2 39. Re2 f4 40. Qe6 Nde3+ 41. Kg1 Nd4 42. Nf7+ Kg8 43. Nxh6+ Kh7 44. Qe4+ Qg6 45. Ra2 Qxe4 46. dxe4 gxh6 47. Kf2 Ndc2) 38... f4 39. g4 Qe8 40. Re4 Kh7 41. Nc3 Ne3+ 42. Kf2 Ne6 43. Qb6 Rc8 44. Ne2 Nd5 45. Qxa6 Nf6 46. h4 Nxe4+ 47. fxe4 Ra8 48. Qd6 Rxa3 with compensation for material 31... Nd4 31... Qg6!? 32. Nf3 e4 33. dxe4 (33. Ne5? Qh5 34. Qb2 Rd5 (34... exd3? 35. Rd2 Ng6 36. Rxd3 Rxd3 37. exd3 Ng5 38. Nxg6+ Qxg6 39. Qc3 Qf7 40. f3 f4 41. g4 Qd5 42. d4 Ne6 43. Re4 Nxd4=) 35. f4 exf3+ 36. exf3 Nd4 37. Nd2 Nxc2 38. Qxc2 f4 39. Qc7 Kg8 40. Qxe7 Re8 41. Qc7 Rdxe5 42. Ne4 Rd5 43. Qc6 Rdd8 black has a moderate advantage ) (33. Nh4 Qe8 (33... Qg4 34. dxe4 Qxe4+ 35. f3 Qb7 36. Qb2 Qd7 37. Nc3 f4 38. Ne4 Ng5 39. Nf2 Nd5 40. Rc5 Ne3+ 41. Kh1 fxg3 42. hxg3 Rd2 43. Ng6+ Kh7=) 34. dxe4 fxe4 35. Nd2 Nd5 36. Nf5 R6d7= transposes to the 33 dxe4 fxe4 34 Nh4 Qe8 line.) 33... fxe4 34. Nh4 Qe8 (34... Qh5 35. Kh1 Nd4 36. Rc5 Qg4 37. Qe3 Ndf5 38. Nxf5 Rd1 39. Rc1 Nxf5 40. Qc3 R1d7 41. f3 Qh3 42. fxe4 Rd3 43. exd3 Nxg3+ 44. Kg1 Qg4 45. Qc2 Ne2+ 46. Kf2 Nf4 47. Rf1 Nxd3+ 48. Ke3 Qg5+ 49. Ke2 Qg2+= Black has perpetual check.) 35. Nd2 Nd5 36. Nf5 R6d7 37. e3! (37. Ne3 Nd4 38. Rc5 Nxe3+ 39. fxe3 Ne6 40. Rc2 Qh5 41. Nb3 Rf7=) 37... Qh5 38. Nd4 Ndf4+ 39. exf4 Nxd4 40. Rc5 Nf5 41. Nxe4 Qg4 42. Rxf5 Qxf5 43. Nc5 Qd5+ 44. Kg1 Rd6 45. Qe3 Qc4 position is unclear 32. Rc5 Perhaps expecting a move repetition, White offered a draw here. 32. Rc3?! White is a tempo behind the 31 Rc2 line. 32... Nd5 33. Rc5 f4 34. Nc3 fxg3 35. fxg3 Ne3+ 36. Kg1 Rf8 37. Nce4 Qe6 38. Nf2 Rd5 39. Rc3 Rdd8 black is slightly better 32... h5! Black wishes to avoid the draw by repetition and play on, transposing to the 30...h5 line. Is such "optimism" and risk-taking prudent? Since I can't find any way for White to force an advantage, then I think the risk is prudent because there are known chances for White to err in this highly unbalanced position. 32... Qe6 White avoids the draw by repetition, transposing to the 30...Qe6 line. 32... Ne6 White forced a repeat of the position. So if Black wishes to avoid a draw by repetition, then 32...h5 or 32...Qe6 should be played, transposing to the 30...h5 and 30...Qe6 lines respectively. 33. Nc3? As seen in the notes to 31 Nc3?, this natural developing move is the worst of all White's options. Apparently my possibly excessive risk-taking and unbalancing of the position paid off. 33... Ne6 34. Nb3 I didn't consider this exchange sacrifice as an option when entering the sharp 32...h5 line. Again, those other lines are considered after 30...h5. 34... Nxc5 Whte's offered exchange sac can be accepted immediately, deferred or even declined. 34... h4?! 35. f3 (35. Rd1?! Nxc5 36. Nxc5 Rc8 37. f3 Ng6 38. e4 Rf8 39. Nd5 Qf7 40. Rf1 fxe4 41. fxe4 h3+ 42. Kg1 Qxf1+ 43. Qxf1 Rxf1+ 44. Kxf1 Nf8 45. Nc7 Rc6 black has a moderate advantage ) 35... Nxc5 36. Nxc5 Rc6 37. Rg1 Ng6 38. Qe3 Qe7 39. Nd1 Rdc8 40. Nf2 a5 41. Nh3 axb4 42. axb4 Kg8 43. Kf2 hxg3+ 44. hxg3 Re8 45. Ra1 f4 46. Qe4 fxg3+ 47. Kxg3 Rd6 black is slightly better 35. Nxc5 Rc6 35... h4? 36. Nb7 (36. f3 transposes to the 34...h5 lines.) 36... Rxd3 37. exd3 Qc6+ 38. f3 Rxd3 39. Re3 Qh6 with compensation for material (39... Rxe3 40. Qxe3 Qxb7 41. Qxe5 position is unclear ) During the game, it was difficult to select between the game line and this option: 35... Rf8!? 36. Qe3 (36. h4 Qf7 37. Qd2 Nd5 38. Rc1 Rc6 black has a moderate advantage ) 36... h4 37. Qf3 (37. N3e4?? fxe4 38. Nxe4 h3+ 39. Kg1 (39. Kxh3 Qe6+ black has a decisive advantage ) 39... Nf5) 37... Kg8 38. Nb7 Rb6 39. Nc5 Qd6 35... Rd4?! 36. Qe3 h4 37. Qf3 Kg8 black is slightly better 36. h4? At the time, both Boris and I thought this was his best defense as he stops the further advance of my h-pawn. But I later I found that it enabled a strong rook sacrifice on h4 after my next move, winning in all lines. 0 White should have accepted his grim fate with 36. Qe3 h4 37. Rd1 (37. Qf3 Qg5 38. Rd1 (38. e3? Kh7 39. Rd1 Rh6 40. Re1 Qf6 41. Ne2 Rxd3 42. Nxd3 e4 43. Qf4 Ng6 44. Qc7 exd3 45. Nd4 hxg3 46. fxg3 Ne5 47. Kg1 Rh5 black has a decisive advantage ) 38... Kg8 black has a moderate advantage transposes to the 37 Rd1 line.) 37... Kg8 38. Qf3 Qg5 (38... Qd6 black is slightly better ) 39. e3 hxg3 (39... Rh6) 40. fxg3 Qf6 41. Qe2 Qf7 36... Rd4 0 36... Qf7?? 37. Qe3 Rf6 38. Qf3 (38. Qxe5?! Ng6) 38... Nd5 39. Nxd5 Qxd5 36... f4?? 37. N3e4 Qf5 38. Ng5 Rf8 39. e4 Qg4 40. Qd1 Qxd1 (40... Ng6?! 41. Qxg4 hxg4 42. f3 gxf3+ 43. Nxf3 fxg3 44. Kxg3 Rcf6 45. Re3 Re8 46. h5 Nf8 47. d4 exd4 48. Nxd4 g6 with compensation for material ) 41. Rxd1 fxg3 42. fxg3 Rd6 black is slightly better 37. e3 Rg4 38. f3 Rxh4! 38... Rg6? 39. Kf2 Rc8 40. Qd2 Qf7 41. d4 Rd6 42. Nb7 Rb6 43. Nc5 Rd8 44. Ne2 Ng6 45. f4 exf4 46. exf4 Rbd6 47. Rc1 Nf8 48. Nd3 Nd7 49. Ne5 Qe6 black has a moderate advantage 39. Kf2 39. gxh4? Qxh4 40. Qd2 Rg6+ black has a decisive advantage 39. Ne2 e4 (39... Qg5!?) 40. fxe4 (40. Nf4 exf3+ 41. Kxf3 Rh2) 40... Qg5 41. Rh1 Rxh1 42. Qxh1 Qxe3 43. Nf4 Qd2+ 44. Kf3 Rh6 39... e4 40. gxh4 Qxh4+ 41. Ke2 exf3+ 42. Kd1 42. Kxf3? Qg4+ 43. Kf2 Rg6 42... Qg3 43. Qd2 Zhak cleverly finds White's best move order, enabling more defensive possibilities than is possible after 43 Kc2. 43. Kc2?! h4 44. Qd2 h3! (44... Kg8?? 45. Nd1 Rg6 46. e4 h3 47. exf5 Nxf5 48. Kb1 h2 49. Qa2+ Kh7 50. Rh1 f2 51. Qxf2 Qxf2 52. Nxf2 Rg2 position is unclear ) (44... Qg2?? 45. Nd1 h3 (45... g5?! 46. e4 g4 47. Kc3 Qxd2+ 48. Kxd2 Kg7 49. Ke3 Rg6 50. Nd7 Rd6 51. Ne5 Ng6 52. Nxg6 Kxg6) 46. Nf2 h2 47. e4 a5 48. Rh1 axb4 49. axb4 Rh6 with compensation for material ) (44... Rg6? 45. d4! (45. Nd1? Qd6! 46. Nf2 Rg2 black has a decisive advantage ) (45. Rh1? h3 transposes to the 44...h3 45 Rh1 Rg6 line. ) 45... Kg8 46. Nd3 Qd6 47. Nf4 Rg4 48. Qd1 g5 49. Qxf3 gxf4 50. exf4 Qc7 51. Kd2 Qd7 52. d5 Ng6 53. Ne2 Qd6 54. Kc2 Nxf4 55. Nxf4 Rxf4 56. Re8+ Kg7 57. Qe3 Qxd5 58. Qxf4 Qc6+ 59. Kd3 Qxe8 60. Qg5+ (60. Qxf5? Qg6 black has a decisive advantage ) 60... Qg6 61. Qe7+ Qf7 62. Qg5+ Kh7 63. Qxh4+ Kg6 black has a moderate advantage ) 45. Nd1 (45. d4? f2) (45. Rh1 Rg6 46. Kb3 f2 47. Nd1 Qf3 48. Nxf2 Rg2 49. Kc3 (49. e4 Kg8 50. Rf1 h2) 49... Nd5+ 50. Kd4 Nf6 51. Rxh3+ Qxh3 52. Nxh3 Rxd2 53. Nxa6 Rh2) 45... Rg6 46. Kb3 for reasons that will soon be apparent, White's King must flee to the relative safety of the queenside. 46... Qh4 (46... Qg2?? 47. Nf2 h2 48. d4 Qg5 49. Rh1 Qh6 black is slightly better ) 47. Rh1 Rg2 48. Qc3 h2 49. Ne6 Kg8 50. Qe5 f2 51. Nd4 f1=Q 52. Rxf1 h1=Q 53. Qe6+ Kh7 54. Rxh1 Qxh1 55. Nc3 Qh2 black has a decisive advantage 43... h4 44. e4?! This imprecise line makes it easier to demonstrate a win by force, although Black was lost regardless. 44. Kc2? transposes to the 43 Kc2 line. Although Black wins regardless of what White plays, White's best defense from a practical standpoint was 44. Rh1! Kg8 (44... Rh6?! 45. d4 Qg2 46. Rh2 h3 47. Nd3 g5 black has a moderate advantage ) 45. Qa2+ Kf8 46. Kc1 g5 47. Nd1 g4 black has a decisive advantage How can White possibly stop the advance of Black's pawn mass? Nonetheless, I have not worked out the details to prove a win here, given the complex branching involved. So, by default, this was White's best chance for Black to err. 44... h3 44... Qg2? 45. Kc2 h3 46. Nd1 h2 black has a moderate advantage 45. exf5 45. Rh1 Rh6 46. Nb3 f2! ( Black can also win with 46... Qg2 47. Rh2 Qg1+ 48. Kc2 f2 49. Qxf2 Qxf2+ 50. Rxf2 h2 51. Rf1 h1=Q 52. Rxh1 Rxh1 black has a decisive advantage ) 47. Qe2 Qg1+ 48. Qf1 Qxf1+ 49. Rxf1 h2 50. Ke2 h1=Q 51. Rxh1 Rxh1 52. Kxf2 Rh2+ 45. Kc2 f2 46. Rf1 h2 47. Nd1 Qh3 48. Qxf2 h1=Q 49. Rxh1 Qxh1 50. exf5 Rh6 45... f2 46. Rf1 h2 47. N5e4 Qf3+ 48. Kc2 Nxf5 49. Kb2 49. Rxf2 h1=Q 50. Rxf3 Nd4+ 51. Kb2 Nxf3 49... h1=Q 50. Rxh1+ Qxh1 51. Qxf2 Qh5 Black's material advantage consists only of an exchange. Nonetheless White is helpless to stop Black. Black plans to drive White's King into a passive Queenside position and then advance the g-pawn. 52. a4 White can transfer his knights to the Kingside to slow the advance of Black's g-pawn with 52. Nd5?! Rh6 53. Kc3 Qg6 54. Nf4 Qe8 55. Ng5 but... 55... Qe5+ 56. d4 Qe7 57. Qg2 Qe3+ 58. Kb2 Qxd4+ 59. Kb1 Qa7 black has a decisive advantage when Black wins. 52... bxa4 53. Nxa4 Kg8 53... Nd6 54. Nec3 Kh7 (54... Nb5 55. Qe3 Rd6 56. Nc5 Qh2+ 57. Kb3 Nd4+ 58. Kc4 Qh5) 55. Qg2 Rc8 56. Kb3 Qf7+ 57. Kb2 Kg8 58. Nb6 Rf8 53... Nh4?! 54. Qh2 Rh6 55. Ka3 Qg4 56. Nac3 Nf3 57. Qf2 Qf4 53... Qf7 54. Nac5 Rh6 55. Ka3 Qd5 56. Qf4 Nd6 57. Nxd6 Rxd6 black has a decisive advantage 54. Nac5 54. Nac3 Qf7 55. Nc5 g5 56. Qg2 Rg6 57. Nd5 (57. Ne2 Qf6+ 58. Kb1 Qe5) 57... Nd4 58. Qe4 (58. Ne4 Qe6) 58... Rd6 59. Nc3 Qf2+ 60. Ka3 Qe1 61. Qxe1 Nc2+ 62. Kb3 Nxe1 54... Rh6 Black must avoid the following trap: 54... Nd6?? 55. Nf6+ gxf6 56. Qg2+ Qg5 57. Qxc6 Qd2+ 58. Kb3 Qd1+= Black is forced to draw by perpetual check. 54... Ne7 55. Qd4 (55. Qc2 Nd5 56. Qc4 Kh8 black has a decisive advantage ) 55... Qd5 56. Qc4 Rb6 57. Ka3 Qxc4 58. dxc4 Nc6 59. Nd3 Kf7 60. Nc3 Nd4 61. Ne4 Ke6 62. Ka4 Nc6 54... Qf7 55. Qf4 Rb6 56. Nc3 Rh6 57. Qb8+ Qf8 58. Qe5 Qf6 59. Qd5+ Qf7 60. Qe5 Nd6 61. Nxa6 Qb7 62. b5 Nxb5 63. Nxb5 Rxa6 55. Ka3 Nd6 Removal of a White knight reduces White's chances to capture or blockade the advance of Black's g-pawn. 55... Qf7 56. Qg2 Ne3 57. Qg3 Nc2+ 58. Kb2 Nd4 59. Ng5 Qe8 60. Qf2 Qe2+ 61. Qxe2 Nxe2 black has a decisive advantage 56. Nxd6 56. Qf4 Nb5+ 57. Kb2 Qe2+ 58. Nd2 Nd6 56... Rxd6 57. Qd2 57. Qe3 Qd5 58. Qe8+ Kh7 59. Qe3 Rc6 60. Qe2 g5 61. Ka4 Kg6 62. Qe8+ Kf5 63. Qf8+ Rf6 57... Qe5 57... a5 58. Qe3 (58. Qa2+? Kh8 59. Qf2 axb4+ 60. Kxb4 Qe5 61. Qh4+ Kg8 62. Qc4+ Qd5 63. d4 Qxc4+ 64. Kxc4 g5 black has a decisive advantage Black forces an eventual checkmate.) 58... axb4+ 59. Kxb4 Qd5 60. Kc3 Rf6 61. Ne4 Rc6+ 62. Kd2 Qa2+ 63. Ke1 Rh6 57... Qf3 58. Qe1 Qd5 59. Qe8+ Kh7 60. Qe3 Rc6 (60... Rh6) 61. Qe2 g5 62. Ka4 Kg6 63. Qe8+ Kf5 64. Qf8+ Rf6 57... Qd5 58. Qe3 Rh6 59. Kb2 Rh2+ 60. Kc3 Ra2 58. Qc2 58. Qa2+ Qd5 59. Qf2 g5 (59... Rg6 60. Qe1 Rg2 black has a decisive advantage ) 60. Qe3 Rf6 61. Qe8+ Kh7 62. Qh5+ Kg7 63. Qe8 a5 58. Qf2 g5 59. Qf3 Kg7 60. Qb7+ Kg6 61. Qc8 Qc3+ 62. Ka2 Rb6 63. Qe8+ Kh6 64. Qf8+ Qg7 58... Qd5 Black immobilizes White's knight on c4 in order to hold his pawn on d3. 58... g5 59. Ne4 Rd8 59. Qe2 59. Qf2 transposes to the 58 Qa2+ line. 59... a5 0-1 [Ham S.]