This morning in an online 10 minute game, I knew I had an advantage, but suffered a failure of confidence without a clear checkmate. I forced a draw. The rating difference was such that the draw lifted me 6 points.
I had Black
32.a6
While replaying from the diagram against Stockfish, the machine played 32.Qc6. A queen ending was reached after the subsequent moves: 32…Ng3+ 33.Kh2 Ne2 34.Rxe2 Qxe2 35.Bc1 Qd1 36.Qc5 Qxb3 37.Bd2 h5 38.Bxb4 Rb8 39.a6 Rxb4 40.a7 Ra4 41.Qc8 Kh7 42.a8Q Rxa8 43.Qxa8
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| Analysis diagram |
My failure to convert the advantage in this ending highlights an area that deserves some study.
32…Qe1+
32…Ng3+ is better.
33.Kh2 Qg3+ 34.Kg1
At this point, I knew that I had an advantage and spent 58 seconds looking for a clear path forward.
I opted to force a draw.
34…Ng5 created threats, but did not force matters towards a favorable conclusion.
I missed the option of returning to a previous position and easily winning White’s rook. To wit, 34…Qe3+ 35.Kh1 Ng3+ 36.Kh2 Ne2 and White must give up the rook to stop checkmate.
The same situation would have occurred after 32…Ng3+
After the rook exchanges itself for the knight, Black’s queen forks bishop and pawn.
I had no difficulty winning this position against Stockfish in my second battle with the silicon beat today.
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