Gelfand, Boris    --    Polgar, JudWorld Chess Ratingit
rapidchess   Budapest HUN
2003     0-1     B46j

This is a very interesting interpretation of the opening by Black. Judit refrained from developing the king's knight for a while.

The game Tirard,H-Bischoff,K/Clermont-Ferrand FRA/2003/ saw 9.f3 Qc7 10.Kb1 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 b5 12.Bd3 Ne7!? 13.Rhe1 Qb7 14.f4 b4 15.Ne2 Nc6 and Black obtained a promising position. Eventually the German GM won?having passed through an absolutely hopeless position!

( 9.f3 Qc7 10.Kb1 Nxd4 )

Finally Black has developed the knight. I think 10...Qa5 11.Kb1 b4 12.Ne2 and only at this point 12...Nf6 13.Ng3 Be7 was no worse. Black has good play. The white knight on g3, therefore the passivity of the g2-pawn, makes Black?s castling short quite possible.

Of course! Starting from now the board is emblazoned with tactical fire in which both opponents showed their worth.

Not so good was 11...Ng4, but not because of 12.exd6, which is met with 12...Bxd6! 13.Ne4 (13.Bg1 Bb4) 13...Bb4 14.c3 Nxe3 15.Qxe3 Be7 and White has no good continuation of this attack. Much better is 12.Bg1! b4 13.Na4, with a positional advantage for White.

After 12...Nd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 White should not snatch the central pawn - 14.Qxd5 Nb4! Much simpler and better is 14.Kb1

White is removing the barrier in the center.

A tremendous Sicilian blow. I guess Judit saw it when developing the knight to f6. In all other cases, Black has serious problems.

Now both opponents are having problems!

( 16.Nc4 Rxc4 17.Bxc4 Qa5 )

The most important thing about rapid chess is not to blunder, especially overlook a checkmate in one.

Another fighting move. White is going to meet Black's castling short with 21.c3! In case of a check from a1 and capture on b2, the c2-pawn is protected. White has a chance to hunt for the black queen.

Distraction! White can't capture the bishop in view of Bc5-e3+ and the checkmate on a1. Other continuations were not as good. For example 20...0-0 21.c3; 20...Qa1+ 21.Kd2 Qxb2 22.Rb1 Qa2 23.Ra1

Distraction is met with distraction! With the move made, White also cleared the d1-square for his king.

On 21...Qxd8 White would also have grabbed the bishop with 22.Qxb7.

( 22...Be3+ 23.Kd1 Qa1+ 24.Ke2 )

Although White is down a rook, he can't capture on h8, because his g2-pawn is under attack

Boris had two alternatives: to agree to a draw or to run risks and venture further.

I put an exclamation mark for his determination and love of the spectators, who really enjoyed the previous part of the game.

Every move in this game is something special.

Inferior was 30.Qxh8 Qf5+! and Black snatches a very important e5-pawn with check.

Now it is Judit's turn to reject a draw.

White still could have a draw (which no one really needed) with 31.Bb5+! axb5 32.Qxb5+. Black can?t avoid the perpetual.

The exciting middlegame has transposed into a complicated ending with mutual chances. Judit was more composed in the time scramble. She prevailed over her heated opponent.

It is about time to take care of the king.

Probably better was 34.Qb7! followed by the advance of the b3-pawn. Black would have had more troubles bringing his rook into play.

Using tennis terminology, this is called an unforced error. The continuation 37.Qxe7+ Kxe7 38.h4 suggested itself. To fervent attackers I would recommend the queen?s retreat to c6 or b6.

With the elimination of White's e5-pawn Black got two connected passers in the center. This was the decisive factor.

( 43.Ke4 e5! )

White resigned. What an excellent game!