Annotated chess game: Giving no quarter

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ANNOTATED GAME

Giving no quarter
tommetje (1984) vs. nyctalop (2120)
Annotated by: nyctalop (2166)
Chess opening: Gruenfeld (D85), modern exchange variation

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30... hxg5

I always like fixing weak pawns. Now the Rf1 is semi-activated but with the pawn on d5, there is no way to reinforce the attack on f7.

31. fxg5

There is another point to exchanging on g5. The e5 square is again available for the Knight.

31... Qb4

The exposed position of the White King gives me plenty of tactical possibilities, the threat is Rxc1, followed by Qe4+, Qe3+ and Qxc1. That's if White does nothing about it.

32. d6

White takes the opportunity to activate his Queen and threaten f7. This also defends against the crude threat of Rxc1 because of the intermediate Qxf7+ enabling White to play Bf3 and avoid the tactical line given earlier.

32... Ne5

Coming back to the centre and covering the weakspot f7. This Knight move covers all the tricks and sets up some on its own. For example if 33. Qxa3 then Qe4+ 34. Bf3 Nxf3 35. Qxf3 Qxf3+ 36. Rxf3 Rxc1+ 37. Kg2 Bxd6 and Black is up a full piece.

33. d7

One last trick. The Knight is overloaded and can't take the pawn.

33... Qb7+

But White isn't the only one with tricks up his sleeve.

34. Bf3

The whole idea of the pawn sacrifice is to active the White piece and triple the attack on f7.

34... Qxd7 35. Bd5

White seems to have setup a nice battery directed at my King.

2 comments

35... Qh3

But not all that glitters is gold. The tactical justification for this move lies in 36. Bxf7+ Kh8 and after this simple retreat White is overstretched and has nothing better than 37. Qg2 Qxg2+ 38. Kxg2 Rc2+ 39. Kh1 Nxf7 40. Bxa3 Bxa3 41. Rxf7 Bc1 with a technical won ending.

36. Bg2

White decides that simplifications don't suit him so he retreats and keeps the tension in the position.

36... Qd3

But once the d-pawn is gone, my Queen is free to roam the board.

37. Bf4

White gives up on attacking the pawn and tries to undermine the strong central Knight. An interesting variation starts with 37. Qd5 Qxf1+ 38. Bxf1 Rxc1 39. Kg1 Ng4 40. Qa5 Bc5+ 41. Kg2 Ne3+ 42. Kf3 Rxf1+ 43. Ke2 Rc1, the Black pieces coordinate very nice and the lone Queen is almost pushed off the board.

37... Rc2

Now it's time to remove the blockader.

38. Qd5

Forced, otherwise White comes under a heavy attack.

38... Rc5

A positional finesse, the point being to deny White the chance to activate the light square Bishop.

39. Qxd3

White goes for the Queen swap, I can't blame or commend his decision, the game is over in either case.

39... Nxd3 40. Be3

If the a-pawn wasn't so advanced, White could probably hold on, but as it is now, he's clutching at straws.

40... Ra5

Preparing to push the pawn.

41. Bb6 Rxg5

Winning an extra pawn for comfort.

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