Friday, June 5, 2020

Sicilian Defense: Kan. Polugaevsky Variation

VISWANATHAN ANAND vs. KIRIL NINOV
Baguio City, 1987

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, e6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nd4, a6
5. Bd3, Bc5
6. Nb3, Ba7
7. Nc3, Nc6
8. Qe2, d6
9. Be3, Bxe3

White prefers this exchange of Bishops because the Black Bishop is more powerful.

10. Qxe3, Nf6
11. g4 ...

A surprise move.  This is part of White's plan to attack Black's King side.

11. ... b5

What happens if the Knight takes the Pawn?  If 11. ... Kxg4 then 12.Qg3 Nf6, 13. Qxg7 Rg8, 14. Qh6 ...  White succeeds in disrupting the enemy's castling, with a potential attack on its flanks.

12. 0-0-0, 0-0
13. g5!, Ne8
14. f4, b4
15. Ne2, a5
16. Nbd4, Nxd4
17. Nxd4, Qb6
18. e5,  Bb7
19. Rhf1, dxe5
20. fxe5, Rd8?!

Black should have played 20...g6 cutting White's Bishop's line of attack.

21. Bxh7, Kxh7



















22. g6+!, Kg8

If 22...Kxg6 then 23. Qh3 (with threat of Rg1#) f6, 24. Nxe6! forking three major pieces.

23. Qh3, Nf6

A necessary sacrifice.  White threatens Qh7 mate.

24. exf6, fxg6
25. fxg7,  Resigns

If 25... Kxg7 then 26. Nxe6+ Kg8, 27. Rxf8 Rxf8, 28. Nxf8 Kxf8, 29. Qh8+ and mate follows soon.

If 25... Rxf1 then 26. Qh8+ Kf7, 27. Rxf1+ Ke7, 28. g8=Q Rxg8, 29. Qxg8 Qxd4, 30. Qf8+ Kd7, 31. Rd1 White wins.


No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts with Thumbnails