Thursday, February 21, 2008

Ziping Liu - Emma Pierson

In round two of the USATE 2008, Ziping Liu drew his game against Emma Pierson. Actually Ziping missed a win, discovered later by Fritz9, on his final move.

Round Two: King's Indian Attack

Ziping Liu (USCF 1429) - Emma Pierson (USCF 1760), USATE 2/16/2008

1.e4 e5 2.d3 Nc6 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.g3 Bc5 5.Bg2 d6 6.h3

White should play 6.Ngf3.

6...Be6 7.c3 Qd7 8.a4 a5 9.Ngf3 d5


By playing 9...h6, Black would have the better game, as White would find it difficult to castle kingside.

10.Ng5 O-O-O 11.O-O g6

The purpose behind this move is unknown to both Ziping and me.

12.Nxe6 Qxe6 13.Qb3 Ne7

14.Nf3

White misses 14.exd5 with 15.Qb5 to follow.

14...h6 15.d4 exd4 16.cxd4 Bb4

This was still a chance for equality by 16...dxe4 17.Qxe6+ fxe6 18.dxc5 exf3 19.Bxf3 Nf5.

17.Ne5 Nc6 18.Nxc6 Qxc6 19.Bf4 Ne8 20.Rac1 Qb6 21.exd5 Qxd4 22.Rc4 Qb6 23.Rfc1 g5 24.Bxc7 Nxc7 25.Rxc7+ Qxc7 26.Rxc7+ Kxc7 27.Qc4+ Kb8 28.Qe4, draw.


Instead, White wins by 28.d6 Rd7 (28...Bxd6 29 Qb5 or 28...Rxd6 29.Qe4 Rb6 30.Qe5+) 29.Qb5 Kc8 (29...Rhd8 30.Bc6) 30.Bxb7+ Rxb7 31.d7+ Rxd7 (31...Kb8 32.Qe5+ or 31...Kc7 32.Qe5+) 32.Qc6+ Rc7 33.Qa8+ Kd7 34.Qxh8. Only Fritz9 could find such a winning variation!