| Mar-22-12 | | Everett: Wow, an unreal game, where Seirawan uses a number of fortress ideas to maximize the efficiency of his inferior material. To think that someone as strong as Portisch did not win with White after 19...Rfxd8 is remarkable. After 24..Nd5, Seirawan has a super-solid position. I was quite surprised by 33..Ra1, but it seems exchanging rooks makes Black's task easier, and indicates that he is now going for a win. By move 42..Nf5, Seirawan has succeeded in winning the e-pawn for his own b-pawn, a favorable transaction. The rest takes an understanding and focus of someone better than me, yet it is easy to appreciate the interplay of pawns, bishop and rook from Seirawan. This game is a gem. |
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Mar-22-12
 | | OhioChessFan: I agree with all of your evaluation <Everett> Something about the position after 24...Nd5 made me think there was no chance for White to find a win. It's shocking he ended up losing. White's 48th move seems like a crucial moment and Qd7 fails my "looks good" test. I haven't anlayzed it, but a quick glance says it's not best. I might toss it in Fritz. |
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| Mar-22-12 | | SimonWebbsTiger: I looked this up in Informator. Portisch gave some comment; it's game 42/497 He suggested:
35. Nb4 Nb4 36. Qb4 Rd1 (with the idea Bd4, e5, Rb1=) 47.Ke3=
At move 61 he judges black as only slightly better. He preferred 75. Kd3 in his notes. 78. Qg4 was a blunder made in time pressure, although 78. b7 g2 was advantageous for black. |
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Mar-22-12
| | OhioChessFan: 48. h4 rates at .30 and a bunch of others, including Qd7 are at the dreaded 0.00 |
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Mar-22-12
| | OhioChessFan: 78. b7 g2 79. Qg4+ Kf8 80. b8Q+ Rxb8 81. Qxg2
and I have a hard time believing Black can win this.
click for larger view |
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| Mar-23-12 | | King Death: <OCF> From your diagram Black can play what looks like a reasonable try to win with 81...Rd8+ 82.Ke1 and now 82...Rd4 or ...Rd6 (to play ...Bg3(+) and ...Rf4) to slowly improve the position of his pieces. Another idea might be ...f7-f6 and gradually get the king forward. In practice this kind of endgame would be a tough one to hold for White, especially because he has to wait around for anything active that his opponent might try. |
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Mar-23-12
| | OhioChessFan: I know you can't be dogmatic about it, but the board is open enough I don't think Black can get his King involved without giving up perpetual opportunities. eg 81...Rd8+ 82. Ke1 Rd4 83. Qa8+ Kg7 84. Qg2+ Kf7 85. Qc6+ Kg5 86. Qe8 Bg3+ 87. Ke2 and I don't see much. The f Pawn is toast and RBPP doesn't strike me as winning against QP 
click for larger viewAnyway, 78. b7 was surely a better try for White. |
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sac: 18...Bxg5