Unity Chess Club
Anatoly Karpov 2720 Lajos Portisch 2630 Torino 1982 White to move
The weakness of f7 is obvious, and a small combination tempting:
More tenacious is 23...Kxf7, although after 24.Rxa5 Qc6 25.Rxa8 Rxa8 26.Bxd6 cxd6 27.Qe2, White should win – the black king is exposed, and the pawns on d6 and b5 are vulnerable.
The bishop is stronger than the knight, and the major pieces are more active – White easily organises a decisive attack.
29...Nc4 30.Rxa8 Rxa8 31.Rf5 Qg6 32.Qe4 Kh7 33.h3 Ra1+ 34.Kg2 Rc1 35.Bb4 Nd6 36.Bxd6 cxd6 37.Qd3 d5 38.f3
After 20...Qxd4, White wins by 21.Qxd4! Bxd4 22.Bxe6 Rxf7 23.Bxf7+ Kxf7 24.Rc7 Bf6 25.Bc3 Re8 26.Bxf6 Kxf6 27.Rxb7±.
Bad is 21...Qxd4 22.Qxd4 Bxd4 23.Rxe7+–.
Black had counted on the pin, but...
Black had counted on the pin, but...
For the queen, White has rook, bishop and two pawns, but Black’s biggest problem is the weakness of g7. The attack is unstoppable.