18...Kf7 19.Bd2 Qc4 20.Rxc4 dxc4 21.Ne5+ fxe5 22.Qe2 Rd5 23.Qxc4 Be7 24.Bc3 Rb8 25.Bxe5 Rb4 26.Qc3 Bf8 27.Bxg7
Unity Chess Club
Efim Geller Vasily Smyslov Moscow 1964 White to move
White has an advantage in development, but for the moment, the opponent’s position is held together by the powerful Nd5. In compensation, his colleague on a4 is out of play. Can we somehow exploit this?
The last move opens the a-file, deflecting the pawn from the square b4, and allowing White to create irresistible threats to trap the black knight.
Other moves are no better:
A) 20...a5 21.Bb5+–;
B) 20...Bb7 21.axb4 Nxb4 22.b3+–.
A) 20...a5 21.Bb5+–;
B) 20...Bb7 21.axb4 Nxb4 22.b3+–.
22...Nb4? 23.Rxa3 Nxc2 24.Ra2 Nxd4 25.Nxd4 e5 26.Nc6+–.
The last attempt to save the game was 22...e5! 23.Nxe5 Nb4 24.Rxa3 Nxc2 25.Bxb2 Nxa3 26.Bxa3 Re8 27.f4. White is better, but Black has sufficient chances to save the game.
The last attempt to save the game was 22...e5! 23.Nxe5 Nb4 24.Rxa3 Nxc2 25.Bxb2 Nxa3 26.Bxa3 Re8 27.f4. White is better, but Black has sufficient chances to save the game.
For the rook, White has not only two powerful bishops, but also a strong passed pawn on the c-file. The fate of the game is decided.
27...Rfd8 28.g3 Ng6 29.Kg2 Ne7 30.Be3 Nf5 31.Bb6 Rdb8 32.c5 Ne7 33.Bc4 Nd5 34.Bxd5 exd5 35.Nd4 Kf7 36.Nc6 Re8 37.Rd4 Rec8 38.Na5 Ke6 39.Rd2 Rab8 40.Nb3 g6 41.Nd4+ Kd7 42.Nc2 Kc6 43.Nb4+ Kb5 44.Nxd5 a5