johnlspouge: Sunday (Insane): White to play and win.
Material: even. White has much more space. The White Qe2 and Bg3 support the Pe5 spearhead, which in turn supports a superb post for Nd6. The Rd1 is active on a semi-open file, and Ph4 takes the useful defensive square g5 away from Black; Pe5, the square f6. The White Nb3, Bf1, and Rh1 need to be activated. In particular, Qe2 blocks Bf1. Black has no patently loose pieces, but Qc7 is on the same diagonal as Bg3, and Be7 is loose on the same file as Qe2. The only active Black piece is Bd5.
Candidates (20.): Rxd5, Nf5
20.Rxd5 exd5 [else, drop a B]
Candidates (21.): e6, Nf5
21.Nf5 (threatening 22.Nxe7+ or 22.e6) Qd8
22.Qg4 (threatening 23.Qxg7# or 23.Nxh6) g6
The only other feasible Black defenses are 22.Ng5 or 22…Bg5, returning an excess of material, anticipating a long, losing game.
Candidates (23.): e6, Bd3
23.Bd3 (threatening 24.e6 25.exf7+, with complete collapse of the Black position) Kh8
Candidates (24.): Nxh6, e6
24.Nxh6 (threatening to develop the final White piece: 25.Rf1 26.Rxf7)
Black must protect Pf7, but in the Karpovian style, his defensive options have been limited.
(1) 24…Qe8 25.h5 f5
[25…g5 26.Qf5]
[25…else 26.hxg6
and in <kevein86>’s happy phrase, the Rh1 “works from home” on the open h-file to finish Black]
26.Qxg6, and White has a strong attack and 2Ps for the exchange, with the Pf5 ready to fall.
(2) 24…Kg7
Candidates (25.): Nf5+, h5
25.h5, and Black cannot accept the sacrifice of Nh5:
25…Kxh5 26.hxg6+ Kg7 27.Rxh7+ Kg8 28.gxf7#
Thus, White gains a material advantage with 26.hxg6, and his attack rages unabated. Time to peek.
Kibitzing
sac: 20.Rxd5
icon.
