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Nigel Short vs Natalia Zhukova
Gibraltar Masters (2006), La Caleta GIB, rd 5, Jan-28
French Defense: Steinitz. Boleslavsky Variation (C11)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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Kibitzer's Corner
Jan-30-06  mack: 20.Qe2's nice, there's no answer to Qh5
Jan-31-06  jhoro: I looked at this game because it is nominated for best game at Gibtelcome, but I'll have to pass. Zhukova 24... d3 is a huge mistake. 24... Qb5 seems to keep the game even. My vote so far goes to Bologan vs Korchnoi, 2006
Jan-06-12
Premium Chessgames Member
  Domdaniel: 22...Qh6 could be a save.
Jan-06-12  computer chess guy: <mack: 20.Qe2's nice, there's no answer to Qh5> 20. Qe2 is unnecessary: Bxh7+ could be played at move 20.
Jan-06-12
Premium Chessgames Member
  Domdaniel: Demmit, but <ccg> seems to be right. 20.Bxh7+ Kxh7 21.Ne4 is winning for White. In most lines the WQ gets in via one of the light squares d1/e2/d3, depending on Black's defence.

21.Ne4 dxe3 (the Grabitall Defence) fails to 22.Qd3 f5 23.gxf6 Bxf6 24.Nxf6+ Kg7 25.Qh7#.

Obviously there are many lines that put off mate for a few moves (the Apotropaic Defence), but they don't help the Black cause much.

21.Ne4 Be5 22.Qd1 Bxf4 (or 22...Rh8 23.Rxf7+) 23.Qh5+ Kg8 24.Rxf4! with mate in due course.

There *is* a vaguely pleasing symmetry between the way different pieces are left in situ to be taken by Black pawns: the Rf1 in Short's actual mating line, the Be3 here.

However, Nigel's 20.Qe2! remains an esthetically pleasing move. This may not count for much with brutal pragmatic types, but <mack>, Nigel and I are agreed that there's more to life than robotic efficiency.

Like the late great Eduard Gufeld, you have to hope to create a Mona Lisa. Or paint a moustache on one, in the Duchamp mode.

Still, I suppose it's possible to play Bxh7+ *ironically* ...

Jan-06-12  King Death: Seeing the finish of this game reminded me of this well known attack: Spassky vs Bronstein, 1960. Although the end here is much less complex than the Spassky game it isn't every day we see a rook let go with check.
Jan-06-12
Premium Chessgames Member
  Domdaniel: <KD> Or a Rook exchanged for one tempo, as here: Larsen vs Spassky, 1970
Jan-06-12  King Death: <Domdaniel> Yes, that game was something too.
Jan-06-12  master of defence: Well, why resign here? After 26...Bxf6 27. Rxf6 Nxe5; 27. Bxf6 exf1=Q+; 27. Rg4+ Kh7 and i can´t see a win for white here. Or black loses in time?
Jan-06-12  King Death: < master of defence: Well, why resign here? After 26...Bxf6 27. Rxf6 Nxe5; 27. Bxf6 exf1=Q+; 27. Rg4+ Kh7 and i can´t see a win for white here. Or black loses in time?>

After 26...Bf6 27.Bf6 Black can't stop mate at h8.

Jan-07-12  mack: My main worry here is my six year old comma splice.

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