Annotated chess game: WtW Modern Benoni MT VIII: Forcing Lines

White emerges from the battle with an extra knight. What's worse for Black it that his entire attacking corps has been wiped out. The rest of his pieces have yet to move. Now I did not see this far ahead when Black played 15...Bxh3, but I did see as far as 20.Bg5, and that was enough to satisfy me that Black's attack would fail.

23... Nd7

Without criticizing this move - what can you do a piece short when you really have to start again (or give up altogether)? - but this led to another forcing line that was going to cost Black all his pieces.

24. Qe6+ Kf8

It is doubtful that the alternative K moves would have had a happier outcome.

25. Nd6

Threatens mate. There is but one reasonable defence that does not cost at least a piece.

25... Qe7 26. Re1

Bring up the reserves at just the right moment. Under enormous pressure, considering the scanty material, how can Black avoid loss of his knight at least?

26... Qxe6

There was absolutely no choice. To stay on the board, the Queen had to stay in touch with the knight and with the f7 square. The only possible location would have been at g7. But the game would have then ended in two moves: 26...Qg7 27.Qe8ch Rxe8 28.Rxe8#. That would have been rather a nice finish.

27. dxe6

Much, much better than taking with the rook. Now the pawn will barge his way to the Queening square, supported by pieces. This has all the look of a Crusaders' scrum driving for a pushover try...

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27... Nf6

Essential to guard the e8-square.

28. e7+ Kg8

Shoved aside, the King can not contribute to defending e8. ...Kg7 would have made no difference.

29. e8=Q+

Black has to take with the knight...

29... Nxe8 30. Rxe8+

And now Black can do nothing about the exchange of rooks.

30... Rxe8 31. Nxe8

White emerges two knights ahead, as the Black c-pawn will certainly fall. This whole 8-move sequence from move 24 has been forced: Black could do absolutely nothing about it, except find a quicker way to lose.

31... Kf7 32. Nd6+ Ke6 33. Nxc4

The thing about these knights is that for the remainder of the game they do not depart from where they now stand. Together, they form a barrier along most of the e- and d-files, the only approach being via d7 onto the c-file. Guess what White will play next. There is but one move to prevent it, but that will simply incur worse.

33... h5

Black pins his hope where he is strongest - the K-side. Of course, 33...a5 was out of the question on account of 34,Nxa5. Now White gets in his planned advance...

34. b4

Sealing of the c-file approach to the Knights. Now White can concentrate on driving home one of the pawns on the Q-side.

34... g4 35. b5

Keeping back Black's a-pawn.

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