No need to panic!

Gonzalez-Chemin 2000, White to move and win

Gonzalez – Chemin 2000

 

In one of those positions that we chess fans love, both kings feel the hot breath of enemy pieces on their necks. Eager to strike first, Black decided to go for the jugular with 25…f5, threatening the unstoppable 26…Bg5. (The defensive 25…Ra6 was correct). Unfortunately for him, White had a punishing blow prepared:

26.Rxd6!! Bg5

There is no way back. Bailing out with 26…Qa1+ 27.Nxa1 Rxa1+ 28.Kd2 Bxd6 runs into 29.e5! Rxd1+ 30.Kxd1 Bc5 31.Bxf5! Rf8 32.Qc4!

27.Rxd7+ Kc8

Heading for higher ground with 27…Kb6 doesn’t help because of 28.R1d6+ Kb5 29.Rb7+ Ka4 30.Qxg5! Rxg5 31.Rd4!

28.Qxg5!!

Black probably thought that White was simply deciding to make a draw. A wicked surprise awaits.

(28.Rd8+ Bxd8 29.Bxf5 Qa6! 30.Rd6 Bg5 31.Bxe6+ Kc7 32.Rd7+ Kb6 33.Rd6+ Kc7 would have only drawn.)

28…Rxg5 29.Rd8+ Kc7 30.R1d7+ Kb6 31.Rd6+ Kc7

31…Kb5 32.Bf1+ Ka4 33.Rxa8 mate

 

32.R8d7+ Kc8 33.Nc5!!

Reality strikes Black over the head like a hammer. Black’s queen can only sit back and watch as White’s small but well-coordinated army rolls over Black’s king.

33…Ra5

33…Ra6 34.Nxa6 Qxa6 35.Rxa6 Kxd7 36.exf5 exf5 37.Rh6 wins easily.

34.Rc6+ Kb8 35.Rb7+

 

Black resigns.