More tenacious is 40.Qb2, but even then, after 40...Qe1+ 41.Kg2 h5!...there is a threat to break up the white kingside with ...h5-h4. At the same time, 42.h4 loses to 42...Bxh4! 43.gxh4 Qe4+ 44.f3 Qxh4, and Black develops a decisive attack.

White resigned, without waiting for 41...Be3 42.Qg2 Bxf2+ 43.Qxf2 Qxb3 – the superiority of the knight over the bishop is too great.

The black king is under close attention from the white pieces, and is defended only by pawns and the Be7. An important potential defender is the queen on e8, which, after a possible sacrifice by White, is prepared to join the defence after a move of the f-pawn. Thinking along these lines, one can find the typical blockading idea...

but the main point is seen at move 23 (20.Ne3 was played in the game).

There is only perpetual check after 22.Nxh7 Kxh7 23.Qh5+.

This is the key idea. After...

the decisive role in the attack is assumed by a modest pawn, which has already gone from b2 to d5. Despite Black’s even formally having a material advantage, it is not hard to see that his position is collapsing.

The plans of the two sides are obvious – Black is attacking on the kingside, and White on the other wing. Playing blindfold, Black did not find the correct way to proceed with the attack, which involves bringing in the bishop to a more active role:

The pawn is fixed on the passive f3-square and the threat to transfer the knight via ...Nf6-h5-g3 now gains many times in strength.
In the game, Black played more straightforwardly, and after 27...Rg5 28.Qf2 Qh3 (it was essential to play 28...h3 29.Qh4 Kg7 30.Rde1 Rxe1 31.Qxe1 Qf5, still with sufficient counterplay) 29.Rfe1, the initiative started to fade, and White’s extra material told.

The attempt to conduct the defence without the knight is even more hopeless, e.g.:
A) 28.Rf2 Rg5 29.Qf1 Nh5 30.Nd3 Be3 31.f4 Rg4 32.Rg2 Ng3+;
B) 28.Qf2 Be3 29.Qxh4 Kg7;
C) 28.Rg1 Be3 29.Nc6 Rg5 30.Qxg5 Bxg5 31.Rxg5 Re3.