Chess Skills: Smoke and Mirrors

After 47 moves, I had a slight advantage, but missed my best chance.

White to move

48.Rh6! would have maintained an advantage. For instance, 48…Raxh7 49.Rb5+ Kc7 50.Rxh7+ Rxh7 51.Rxa5+ and the three to one majority with one rook each offers White good prospects of victory.

I played 48.c3 and my advantage slipped away.

Ten moves later, I was certain the game was headed for a draw.

White to move

I played 58.a5+. Later, after my 71.b6, we have reached a technical draw that one finds in all the endgame books.

Black to move

Black played the only move, which is not hard to find, 71…Rh8. I proceeded to shuffle my king about and we reached this position after 79.Ka6.

Black to move

Clocks were running and the game continued with a blunder on each side.

79…Rg6?? (79.Rg8 was required) 80.Rh7?? (instead of 80.Rf8#).

If my opponent erred once, he might do so again.

Black to move

After 90.Rd7

90…Kc8?! 

This move is fine, although it suggests that Black may be experiencing some confusion.

91.Rd4 Re6??

My chance!

White to move

92.Ka7!

There are other winning moves as well.

92…Re7+ 93.Ka8 Re8 94.b7+ Kc7+ 95.Ka7 and Black resigned.