Even in the case where, after the exchange of the b2- and a6-pawns, White does not lose the d4-pawn, Black’s positional compensation will be sufficient, so a draw was agreed.

It would appear that the position is roughly equal: the pawns are equal, and the opposite-coloured bishops enhance the drawing tendencies. But these considerations would only be true if queens were not on the board. All the while they are, the possibility exists of a powerful attack on the white king.

Black finds a way to break up White’s pawn chain and get at the white king.

White will not manage to get his attack on the enemy king going. It was essential to switch to defence with 29.Kf3 gxf4 30.exf4, although here too, Black has a serious initiative after 30...Qd4 31.Qd2 Bc5.

29...gxf4+ 30.exf4 Qd4!

Now, the black bishop will join in and White’s position is hardly defensible.

White resigned.

If White plays 26.a3, Black gets control of the a-file, whilst after 26.b5, Black gets the c5-square. Exploiting the more active position of his pieces, White found a way to break up the black pawn chain:

Even worse is 27...cxd6 28.Rc7 Rad8 29.Rxe6 Rxe6 30.Bd5 Kf7 31.Qe2+–.

After 31...Nf8 32.d7 Nxd7 33.Rxe6 Rxe6 34.Bxe6+ Ke7 35.Bg8, Black loses his kingside pawns.

Black resigned.