23...exf5 24.Bxg5 Qe6 25.Rxe6 fxe6 26.b3! Nc3 27.bxc4 Nxb1 28.Qh6 Rce8 29.cxd5
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.
Unity Chess Club
Viswanathan Anand 2790 Boris Gelfand 2712 Monaco blindfold 2001 Black to move
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.
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.
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.
Black wins the a5-pawn, and has excellent chances to convert his extra material, with White having few chances of establishing an unbreachable fortress.
Unity Chess Club
Mikhail Botvinnik Vasily Smyslov Moscow Wch match 1958 (18) White to move
So as to exploit the weakened position of the black king, White needs to calculate the variations accurately. The dagger blow...
ends the game immediately.
In the game, White played the tame 23.Bh3, after which the battle flared up anew.
In the game, White played the tame 23.Bh3, after which the battle flared up anew.