 |
| After 13. Rb1 |
12. Nxg6 hxg6
13. Rb1 ......
See Diagram
White lines up on Black's queen and the b7 pawn, threatening b4. Remarkably, Black can still play
13. .... b6! for tactical reasons. 14. b4 axb4
15. Rxb4 Qd8! and the c5 pawn is pinned to the Rb4.
On 14. Cxb6 Qxb6, Black is controlling b4, threatening c5 and has great squares for his rooks at b8 and c8 (supporting c6-c5). Although Black has lost the bishop pair, the Nf3 pin is gone now and attacking d4 is much easier to achieve.
By striking at c5 with b6 and at d4 with e5, Black could generate some counter play. However, he plays the inexplicable;
13: ...... Ne4?
14. Nxe4 dxe4. Now Black has lost more time and has weak pawns all for no gain.
15. b4 Bd8 When you have to play contortions like this, you know something is really wrong. Black's problems are systematic, and they are a direct result of not seeking counter play according to the demands of the position - particularly in the pawn structure.
16. b5 cxb5
17. Rxb5 Now White queues up on the b-file and the b7 pawn is dead.
17. ..... Qc7
18. Qb3 Ra7
19. Rb1 Nf6
20. Rxb7 Rxb7
21. Qxb7 Qc7 Black is lost at this point but stumbles on.
22. Qxc7 Bxc7
23. Rb7 f5 More weakening with no real point.
24. Bc4 Rf7
25. g3 Re7?
26. Bxd5 exd5
27. Bxa5 Bd6
28. c6 ......
White had a flashier win with:
28. cxd6! Rxb7
29. Bc7 and the d-pawn cannot be stopped! White won anyway in a few more moves.
Points for study:
>Understand pawn structures is the key to finding the right plan. Study them!
>Space advantages become decisive if you let your opponent develop behind them unopposed. Attack pawn chains at their bases and at the head with pawn levers.
>Seek active counter play as soon as it is safe to do so. Don't wait!
Thanks Jason for this great review. It was very educational.
Mike edited my comments again, changing the meaning. I originally wrote, "...When you have to play contortions like this, you know
ReplyDeletesomething is really wrong. Black's problems are becoming *systemic*, and they are a direct
result of not seeking counterplay according to the demands of the position – particularly the
pawn structure...", not "...systematic". ;-)