There is nothing more attractive to the chess spectator than a well-executed attack against a King that has 'forgotten' to castle. In this game , from the recently finished 28th Andorra International Open, the young Ukrainian IM Alexander Ipatov played with great energy and sacrificed a piece in an effort to punish his opponent, Khosla Shiven.
Black defended as well as he could and prevented his position from completely collapsing, but then Ipatov found an original idea that paralyzed the Black pieces. When Ipatov started to advance his Queenside passed pawns, Shiven realized there was nothing to be done and he threw in the towel. MORAL OF THE STORY: Castle early in the game!
POSITION AFTER BLACK'S 16th MOVE
SHIVEN
IPATOV
Ofcourse Black wants to simplify the position, but White finds a cute idea to keep up the pressure. Do you see it? If you are thinking about taking the Black a-pawn, then you are doing something right!
17. Qxa7! Bxc4 18. Qxb7 Be6 19. Qxc6 Rd7
Even though material is balanced, White is not interested in anything other than finding a way to get at the Black Monarch. White's next move is natural...
20. Nb5! (threatening Nc7ch followed by taking on e6) 20... Qd8 (forced)
Black seems to have stopped the attack , atleast for the moment. Everything is defended and White has no direct threats...however, Ipatov finds an excellent idea. Do you see it?
21. Rd4!
A powerful move that prevents Black from playing ...Be7 and ...0-0. What is Black to do? Shiven finds the only chance: exchanging Queens , in the hope of relieving the pressure.
21... Qb8!? 22. Rhd1 Qb7
All according to plan. But unfortunately for Black, Ipatov has prepared a surprise:he agrees to the Queen exchange!
23. Rxd7! Qxc6 24. Nc7!
This wins back the Queen and White now finds himself with a won ending: the Rook and 3-passed Queenside pawns are more than a match for the 2 Black Bishops
Now it is just a question of advancing the pawns. But first White prevents Black from castling...
Et voila! The White pawns are unstoppable. Black resigns.[1:0]
A finely executed attack!______________________________________________________________________
24... Qxc7 25. Rxc7
Now it is just a question of advancing the pawns. But first White prevents Black from castling...
25... Be7 26. Ra7 Bd8 27. Ra8! Ke7 28. Ra7 Ke8 29. b4 !
Et voila! The White pawns are unstoppable. Black resigns.[1:0]
A finely executed attack!______________________________________________________________________
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
