Unity Chess Club
Magnus Carlsen 2581 Vasilios Kotronias 2599 Calvia ol 2004 White to move
The queen at c5 fulfils many functions, defending the Be3 via the diagonal, the pawn d6, and the Ra7. First, White deflects the king, drawing it to a vulnerable position:
For the exchange, White has three pawns, but what is even more important, he retains the initiative.
In the game, White played 29.Qg3, and after 29...Qd4 Black obtained definite counterplay, connected with the prospects of the advance ...a5-a4-a3. With the help of some further inaccuracies by White, Black eventually drew.
After 29...Rxh4 30.Qg3 Rh8 31.Qxe5, White completely dominates in the centre, whilst his king finds a good retreat on a2.
Black will inevitably come under attack along the open queenside lines, whilst White’s king is solidly defended.
Unity Chess Club
Carlos Torre Repetto Emanuel Lasker Moscow 1925 White to move
White exploits the weakness of g7 with a striking combination:
25.Bf6! Qxh5 26.Rxg7+ Kh8 27.Rxf7+ Kg8 28.Rg7+ Kh8 29.Rxb7+ Kg8 30.Rg7+ Kh8 31.Rg5+ Kh7 32.Rxh5
The rook has taken the greater part of the black army. Realising the material advantage is elementary.