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Chess
4 Life!
By Candidate
Master Collin Madhavan
A Grischuk
Rook endgame
(2007 World Chess Championships in
Mexico)
Gelfand
Grischuk (to play)
49. Re6!
Nice idea! Grischuk is going for a win. If Black captures the Rook at e6, then the f5 square
is vacated for the White King to infiltrate. Other options are:
a) 49.Rd7 R6c7 50.Rb7 Rxd7 51.Rxd7 a6 52.Rd6 Kg5 53.Rxa6 Rd8
b) 49.Rd2 is also possible, as it maintains the control of the d-file,
and pins the Black rooks down to defend the back
ranks.
49 ..... Rxe6
50. fxe6 Re8 51. Rb7 Rxe6
Gelfand
Grischuk (to play)
52. Rxa7 Rd6 53.a6
.......
Gelfand (to play)
Grischuk
53 ....... h3?
With less than 5 minutes
on each of their respective clocks, Gelfand may have 'found' the
losing move! 53. ..... Kg5 seems necessary here as it will prevent the White King from occupying the all
important f5 square. Once the White is able to penetrate the
Black position, White would win it confortably. After 53 ....... Kg5,
Black may be able to hold the position. For example, 54.Rg7 Kh6 55. a7 Ra6 56.Rb7 Kg5.
54.Kg4 Rd3 55.Ra8
Also possible for White
is 55. Rb7 Ra3 56. a7 Kg6 57. Rc7, and followed by Kxh3.
55 ...... Kg7
56.Kf5
Yes, it's over.
Gelfand (to play)
Grischuk
55 ..... Rd6 57.Ra7 Kh6 58.Rf7 Rd2
If 58. ..... Rxa6, then
59. Rxe6 Rxe6 60. Kxe6, with a won pawn ending.
59.a7 Rf2+
60.Ke6 Ra2 61.Kxf6 1 - 0
QUICK GLANCE
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