The Unprepared Attack

The following game against an old rival of mine from my youth days was my cleanest game in Albena. White’s overoptimistic attacking play in the opening was easily refuted by simple development.

Yovchev,A (2284) - Bojkov,D (2542)
BUL Teams (3.4), 09.06.2011
[,Dejan Bojkov]
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qc1?!


Alexi is an extremely sharp tactician. His dream now is to swap the bishops, weaken the fianchettoe position of my king, and to push the h pawn as far it gets. Therefore, exchanges are not part of his plan: [5.Qd2 Ne4 6.Nxe4 dxe4 7.Ne5 Nd7= or even(7...f6 8.Nc4 Be6) ] 5...Bf5! Hits the pawn on c2, and provokes White for his next move. 6.Nh4?! [6.Bh6? Bxh6 7.Qxh6 Bxc2] 6...Be6! One might argue that the bishop is not better placed on e6 than on c8, but this is not the case. This piece is targeting... the a2 pawn! 7.Bh6 Bxh6 8.Qxh6 Qd6 Thanks to the small development twist, Black is already better. The knight on h4 as well the queen on h6 are completely unprepared for an "attack". Moreover, they are obstructing White's normal development. 9.Qd2 Played after 40 minutes of thought. I can only imagine White's frustration. However, the other options are no better: [9.h3 Ne4 (9...c5!?) 10.Nxe4 dxe4 is better for Black; Even worse is: 9.e3 Nc6 10.0–0–0 Ng4 11.Qg7 0–0–0–+


The most obvious: 9.0–0–0? is in fact losing after: 9...Ng4 10.Qg7 Rf8] 9...Nc6 10.g3 Probably White needed to settle on the continuation: [10.0–0–0 0–0–0 11.e3 Ne4 12.Qe1 when Black is a little better anyways (12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.g3 Bxa2 is a clear pawn ahead for me


this is when the bishop is needed on e6!) 12...f5 although I would defenetely prefer to have the black pieces here.] 10...0–0–0 11.Bg2 h6 The knight on h4 is still a concern for the first player. 12.Nb5 Qd7 13.f4 Ne4 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.e3 The only move, as there is a double attack in case of the other pawn defense: [15.c3 Qd5] 15...g5 16.f5 Alexi decided to sacrifice a pawn. The alternative was not great either: [16.Ng2 Bg4 17.0–0


with a pleasant choice for Black- 17...gxf4 (17...Bf3 18.Ne1 g4) 18.Rxf4 f5 In both cases with great advantage.] 16...Bxf5 17.Nxf5 Qxf5 18.c4 a6 More energetic would have been: [18...Ne5 19.Qa5 Nd3+ 20.Kd1 (20.Kd2 Qf2+ 21.Kd1 Nxb2+ 22.Kc1 Nd3+ 23.Kd1 b6 24.Qxa7 Qf3+ 25.Kd2 Qg2+) 20...Qf3+ 21.Kc2 Qe2+ with immediate win.] 19.Rf1?! Qg4 20.Nc3 Ne5


21.Qe2 Nf3+ 22.Kd1 f5 23.Kc1 h5 Once that the h file is opened, black pieces will flood the opponent's position. 24.c5 c6 25.Nd1 [25.Qc4 Kb8 26.Qe6 h4 would not help either.] 25...Qh3 26.Rf2 h4 27.Rg2 hxg3 28.hxg3 Qh1 29.b4 Ne1 0–1
Naturally, not a great play by the first player, but a good example how to refute an overoptimistic play by your opponent.

Champions Again

Bulgarian Team Competitions took place once more in the beautiful resort of Albena between 2-8 Junes. Practically all the best Bulgarian players (except Topalov, Cheparinov and Stefanova) took part in the event. Eight teams competed in the top male and female divisions, and additional 10 teams in the second male division plus four female teams, with the total of 194 players. Among them were 25 GMs and 30 IMs. Male teams constitute from 6 players and two reserves, while female- 4 players and one substitute. The rate of play was an hour and a half for the whole game, and increment of thirty seconds per move. Sofia rules were applied, as well as the zero-lateness tolerance.
The weather was fine, and many of the games had to be decided in a constant time-trouble.
In the male section my team “Naiden Voinov”-Vidin managed to double the title from the previous year. We won almost all our matches, including the direct encounters against Lokomotiv Sofia (3.5-2.5), and Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the last but one round (4-2) which proved to be the decisive match. Before that there was also a thrilling encounter against Lokomotiv 2000, which ended 3-3, but which we could have easily lost. The leader of the team Alexander Delchev arrived for the decisive match against Lokomotiv from the French Team Championship, and managed to win two team championships within a couple of days. Further on the squad was represented by the GMs M.Nikolov, Vl. Georgiev, V. Nevednichii (practically the only foreign player in the male part this year), D. Bojkov, M.Petrov, and FM Hr. Velchev, E.Stefanov.
The second place was for Lokomotiv Plovdiv led by GMs Spasov,Chatalbashev,Petkov and Drenchev. They did though less good on the lowest boards. The most remarkable about their team was the absolute record by IM Ljuben Popov (Bachkata) who played his 56-th (!) team championship with the same team, and who won his 40-th medal with his club!
Bronze medals went for Lokomotiv Sofia. Their indisputable leader Kiril Georgiev scored fabulous 4.5/5. However the saying “One swallow does not make a summer” worked for this strong team, as the leader did not get enough support.
The strong team of Lokomotiv 2000 did not really have a chance for the medals, as in the decisive final round one of their key players could not arrive on time and was forfeited for a minute delay. Another unpleasant incident happened in round two, when Dian Dimov from Abritus who had his mobile phone off in his pocket, pressed it unconsciously while thinking. The mobile made a noise, and he had to be forfeited. The moral is always the same; do better not bring any phones with you, no matter if they are off, or on. There are still alarms, that might start, reminders, or it might make a random sound when the battery is low, there are too many negative possibilities.
The poker phenomenon did not pass Bulgaria, and the team of Abritus was constituted by active poker players, and sponsored by a more advanced others.
From the group relegated the teams of Spartak Pleven, and sadly, the previous title-contenders CSKA. Victory Blagoevgrad and Tunja Yambol are replacing them.
The ladies tournament witnessed the indisputable success of Shah XXI Sofia who comfortably won all their six matches, and drew the last one when the job was done. The team consisted from WIM E.Raeva and WGMs E.Djingarova, M.Velcheva and G.Olarasu, who is the top-scorer of the championship with 6.5/7. A curious fact is that all he ladies from the champion’s team are connected with the champions from the male one. E.Djingarova and A. Delchev, and V. Nevendnichii and G. Olarasu (families), E.Raeva and M. Nikolov (couple) and finally M.Velcheva and Hr. Velchev (brother and sister, and captains).
The silver medals went for Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) (WGM Vosika,and WIM Chilingirova,Yordanova and Genova), while the last-year champions from CSKA managed to grab the bronze despite the financial crisis.
Lokomotiv Sofia and Spartak Pleven XXI got relegated and will be replaced in the next year by Krakra Pernishki and Ivis-Plus Sofia.
Albena is a hot spot at the Bulgarian chess map. It is one of the greenest resorts in our country, and there are more things to be seen in the neighborhood, like the Blachik’s Botanical Garden and the Balchik Palace (mere 9 km away), cape Kaliakra, etc. Currently the world workers championships are taking place in Albena (chess is one of the disciplines). A strong tournament with more than 200 participants (subscribed so far) will take place in the resort at the end of the month (25.05-03.07).
Finally, in September the European Individual Youth championships will be played.

6 Months and 60 Minutes

This mass match on 100 boards was prepared long time ago and took place on Saturday, 28 May, just a couple of hours before the finals of the Soccer Champion’s League. There was no special occasion; it was just the passion to our great game and the respect that we have towards each other as nations that made the event happen. The Bulgarian and Serbian people have many things in common: we have similar language, use the Cyrillic alphabet, have the same religion- Orthodox Christians, and we have cooperated greatly in various arias of life, and chess is naturally one of them. Quite remarkable is the case with the legendary Serbian GM Svetozar Gligorich, who first became Bulgarian champion (unofficially) in 1945 and only after that, won his many titles in his home Yugoslavia.
100 boards is a lot of people and we were symbolically separated in various categories. Beside the male and female boards there were also students, handicapped, youth and seniors over 55 and 60 years. Furthermore, the unusual categories of federation and club managements, politicians, teachers, businessmen, journalists and even holy men competed each other.
It was a great chance for the players to meet some of their friends that they have not seen with years. It was also great to see many of our living legends gathered together.
Bankia is a state in Sofia, famous for the mineral water and the green environment. It become one of the hottest spots on the Bulgarian chess map this year, as both the male and female championships were conducted here in April.
The mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandukova, the deputy mayor of Begrade as well as many other politicians paid attention to the event, and made the symbolical first move.
Bulgaria was represented by Kiril Georgiev on the first male board, and Antoaneta Stefanova on the top female board, who had just arrived from the WIECC in Georgia as a silver medalist. Serbia’s top boards were Ivan Ivanisevic and Natasa Bojkovic. A total of 33 GMs and numerous titled players took part in the match. The time limit was 25 minutes per game, with an increment of 10 seconds per move. The top boards were translated online.
On the top boards we appeared to be quite hospitable hosts. However, we managed to recover the losses thanks to the business/politics/management stuff to finally clinch the win with the slim edge 51.5/48.5
The executive director of the Bulgarian chess Federation Nikolay Velchev said that this was “The longest prepared match (6 months) which ended in just 60 minutes”, but brought numerous positive emotions to all the participants.
The next match will be played in Belgrade.

Two Simuls and a Lecture

Australia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world! I discovered this with my first visit in 2010 and this year decided to spend more time on the continent.
I took an extra week after the tournaments in Canberra and Sydney that I have played with the intention to have a lot of time for sight-seeing. Still, the time was filled with chess. I first gave a lecture at the Sydney Academy of Chess (thank you for the invitation, Brett!) The material was based on the most interesting games of both open tournaments. Some strong players presented, like Rej Tomek, who is rated around 2350.
Two simultaneous exhibitions followed. One was at the Norths Chess Club, where I won 12 games, and lost one, to Jason Hu, rated 2190. While the simul took place, half of the members of the club competed in their club championship.
The second one was not planned initicially and took place in Golden Cost, a beautiful town near Brisbane. There I won 12 games and drew 3. One of those draws was against the Australian under 12 champion. Before the simul there was also a small blitz tournament, where I won all the five games. I want to thank the organizers Shane Burgess, and Amir Karibasic for making these events possible, as well to all the participants in both the events.
Now I can proudly say that I have conducted simultaneous exhibitions on four continents.
Australia is an extremely beautiful country, and I wish everyone the chance to see it, and experience the taste of the Australian nature.

SIO Winner's Best Game

The following game was probably SIO's winner best achievement:
Akshat,Kh (2328) - Solomon,SJ (2398) [E30]
Sydney International Open Sydney AUS (4), 28.04.2011
[Dejan Bojkov]
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bg5 The Leningrad System. 4...c5 5.d5 h6 6.Bh4 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 d6 8.e3 Qe7 9.Nf3 e5 10.Nd2 Nbd7 11.Qc2


11...Kd8 Somewhat more common are the moves: [11...g5 or; 11...e4] 12.Bd3 Kc7 13.0–0–0 g5 14.Bg3 Nh5 15.h3


15...Nxg3 This move is a novelty. The only predecessor saw Black letting this bishop alive: [15...Ndf6 16.Bh2 Ng7?! 17.f4 Nd7?! 18.Rhf1 Rf8 19.g4 h5 20.Ne4 gxf4 21.exf4 f6 22.g5 1–0 Gordin,A (2275)-Soltanici,R (2389)/Bucharest 2003/CBM 093 ext (40) and White opened the position for his bishops to win a good game.] 16.fxg3 e4?! An interesting, but dubious idea. Solomon decided to award his knight with the e5 square. The price for it is though a bit expensive-a healthy central pawn. Both: [16...Nf6 17.Rhf1 (17.Bf5 Nh5!) 17...g4; Or: 16...Nb6 17.g4 (17.Bf5!? e4!? 18.Qxe4 Qf6 19.Bxc8 Qxc3+ 20.Qc2 Qa1+ 21.Qb1 Qc3+=) 17...Bd7 18.Rdf1 Raf8 would have been more to the point.] 17.Bxe4 Ne5 18.Bf5 Bxf5 19.Qxf5 a6?! Solomon is true to his active style. However, it was advisable to stick to the passive defense with: [19...g4 20.h4 (20.hxg4?! Rag8 21.Rdf1 Rxg4 is already better for Black.) 20...Rhf8 when it is hard to see how White will make progress.] 20.Rhf1 b5 21.Qf6 Now White firmly seizes the initiative. 21...Qd7 The endgame after: [21...Qxf6 22.Rxf6 is difficult for Black due to the many weaknesses that he has- 22...bxc4 (22...Rae8 23.g4 is probably Black's best chance, although he will have to sit, stay and pray for his position to be solid enough to survive.) 23.Ne4 Rab8 Playing for mate, but White can sacrifice the exchange. Alternatives are no better: (23...Rad8 24.Kc2 Rd7 25.Rb1 followed by g3-g4 leads to a comfortable advantage for White.; 23...Nd3+ 24.Kc2 Rab8 25.Rxf7+) 24.Rxd6 Nd3+


25.Rxd3 (25.Kd2?? Rb2#) 25...cxd3 26.Rc6+ Kd8 27.Nxc5±] 22.Rf5 Rhe8 23.Rdf1 Rab8 24.Qg7! Black's counter-chances should not be underestimated: [24.Qxh6 bxc4 25.Qxg5 Nd3+ 26.Kd1 Qa4+ 27.Ke2 Rb2 28.Rxf7+ Kb6 29.Rd1 (29.Qf6 Rxd2+ 30.Kxd2 Qxa2+ 31.Kd1 Qb3+ 32.Ke2 (32.Kd2?? Qb2+ 33.Kd1 Qc1+ 34.Ke2 Rxe3#) 32...Qc2+ 33.Kf3 Ne5+ 34.Kf4 Nxf7 35.Qxf7 Qe4+ 36.Kg5 Qxe3+ 37.Kg4 Re4+ 38.Rf4 Qe2+ 39.Kg5 Re5+ 40.Kh4 Qxg2 should end in a draw as both kings are a way too exposed.) 29...Qc2 and Black has a secured draw due to the resource Nd3-c1–d3.] 24...Re7 There is no time to capture the c pawn: [24...bxc4 25.Rxf7 Nxf7 26.Rxf7; However, the only move would have been: 24...f6 25.Qxd7+ Nxd7 26.e4 with comfortable advantage for White.] 25.Rxe5!


Akshat shows excellent understanding of the position and removes Black's best piece from the board. 25...dxe5 26.Rf6 The simple threat d5-d6 is hard to meet. Black's position falls appart. 26...Rb6 27.Ne4! Rxf6 28.Qxf6 And it is the white knight now that dominates the position. 28...Re8 29.Qxa6 Rb8 30.Nxc5 [30.d6+ Kd8 31.Nxc5 Qf5 32.Qc6 Qc8 33.cxb5 would be even faster.] 30...Qd6 31.Qa7+ Kd8 [31...Kc8 32.Na6 Rb6 33.Qa8+ Kd7 34.c5 Rxa6 35.Qb7+ wins the rook anyway.] 32.Nb7+ Rxb7 33.Qxb7 bxc4


The rest is a demonstration of good technique. 34.Kb2 Qc5 35.Qa8+ Kc7 36.Qc6+ Qxc6 37.dxc6 Kxc6 38.a4 f5 39.g4 f4 40.exf4 exf4 41.Ka3 Kc5 42.a5 Kb5 43.a6 Kxa6 44.Kb4 Kb6 45.Kxc4 Kc6 46.Kd4 Kd6 1–0

Surprising Winner in Sydney

Sydney International open took place 27.04-01.05 immediately after the Canberra open. These two events represent best Australia, and give a chance for the foreign players to visit this beautiful continent.
There was a great danger that the SIO will not take place this year. The previous organizer FM Brian Jones announced at the closing ceremony in 2010 that he quits doing the event; GM Murray Chandler also withdrew his support. Yes, financial crisis had reached this continent too. Still, due to the efforts and dedication of some chess men the tournament took place. Some of those need to be mentioned- Shaun Press and Charles Zworestine (the arbiters of the event) and Shane Burgess, the new organizer. All of them dedicated lots of their time and efforts to keep the open alive.
Sixty-nine players took part in the open sections, and fifty two competed in the Challengers tournament.
The tournament took place in the city hall of Parramatta, a district of Sydney. It is a lovely place, with many shops and restaurants, delicious food, and a river which can take you to the heart of Sydney. Parramatta becomes especially lively on Saturdays when an open market is placed on its main street.
My last year’s experience told me that Sydney’s open is somewhat more promising for the foreigners who get adjusted to the Australian time after the jet-lag. I also hoped that I can defend my title from the previous year. Alas, this time Lady Luck had a new favourite.
FM Akshat Khamparia started fiercely with 5/5. On his triumphal way he grounded down the experienced GM Daryl Johansen, and yet another local surprise- FM Chris Wallis. He then kept his own by drawing against GMs Deviatkin, Arutinian, and IM Goh, and managed to keep his lead till the final round. Still, his task seemed very difficult as he needed to hold in the final round as Black against the Aussies’ top rated Zhang Zong-Yuan. On second and third board respectively four players on six points were fighting to join the leader but none of them succeeded and all the games were drawn. The peace treaty was also signed soon on the top board, thus Akshat triumphed with a clear first, scoring 7/9. This is by far his best achievement ever as he confessed. In addition to the four grant price that he was afforded for his efforts, the Indian flies back home as an IM, as the result achieved on both Canberra and Sydney let him overcome the 2400 elo barrier. “I come completely unprepared here, and did not have any expectations”, said he, “as I had too much to study. The computer that I brought with me was recently bought, and the only thing that I had on it was the chessbase program. I downloaded the bases in the process of the events. I will repeat this system though”, said the lucky winner.
There was a big group sharing the second place and David Arutnian took second on tiebreak, while Angrei Deviatkin was declared third. The Georgian GM also won the lightning tournament.
The last day was also the twenty-seventh anniversary of the chess couple Cathy and Ian Rogers who were once more entertaining the chess auditorium.
I can only wish these nice people to see them here again doing the great job on their platinum wedding anniversary.

The Decisive Game in Canberra

This game defined the winner of the tournament:
Arutinian,D (2575) - Deviatkin,A (2566) [B10]
Doeberl Cup Premier Canberra AUS (9), 25.04.2011
[Dejan Bojkov]
1.c4 c6 2.e4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Bb5 Curiously, Arutinian had the very same position on board two around ago, with the black pieces. The Georgian GM likes to play against both sides of the isolani. 7...e6 8.0–0 Be7 9.d4 0–0 10.Re1 Qd6 11.a3 Rd8 12.Qc2


White usually starts with the move: [12.Bd3 which is a bit more flexible, here are a couple of examples: 12...Nf6 (12...Bd7 13.Bc2 Be8 14.Qd3 g6 15.h4 Rac8 16.Bh6 Nxc3 17.bxc3 e5 18.Bb3 Bf6 (18...exd4 19.cxd4) 19.Ng5 Bxg5 20.Bxg5 Rd7 21.Re4 Rdc7 22.Qe2 Na5 23.Ba2 Nc4 24.dxe5 Qxa3 25.Re1 b5 26.h5 Rc6 27.Bf6 Qxc3 28.Qg4 Qa3 29.Qg5 Qf8 30.Rh4 Re6 31.Ree4 h6 32.hxg6 Rxf6 33.Qxf6 fxg6 34.Rxc4 bxc4 35.Rxc4 1–0 Nevednichy,2538)-Kallai,G (2500)/ Hungary 2004/EXT 2011) 13.Be3 b6 14.Qc2 Bb7 15.Rad1 Rac8 16.d5!


A thematic breakthrough, which Black should always be aware of! 16...Nxd5 (16...exd5 17.Bf5 Ra8 18.Ne4 Nxe4 19.Bxe4 g6 (19...h6 20.Rxd5 Qb8 (20...Qf6 21.Bh7+ Kh8 (21...Kf8 22.Rf5 Qd6 23.Qb3+-) 22.Rf5+-) ) 20.Bxd5 Qc7 (20...Nb4 21.Bxf7+ Kxf7 22.axb4 Qxb4 23.Ne5+ Kg8 24.Nc6 Bxc6 25.Qxc6 Qb3 26.Bd4‚) 21.Bxf7+ Kxf7 22.Bh6 Kg8 23.Qb3+ Kh8 24.Qf7 Rg8 25.Ng5+-) 17.Nxd5 exd5 18.Bxh7+‚ Kf8 19.Qf5 d4 20.Bf4 Qf6 21.Qg4 g6 22.Bh6+ Ke8 23.Bg5 Qd6 24.h4 Qd7 25.Qg3 Qd6 26.Ne5 Rc7 27.Bf4 Qd5 28.Nxf7 d3 29.Bxg6 1–0 Matamoros Franco,C (2540) -Dias,P (2425)/Campillos 2007/CBM 117 ext] 12...Bd7 13.Bd3 h6 Now Black's position is much more solid than with the g7-g6 set-up. 14.Bd2 Rac8 15.Nxd5 exd5 Deviatkin plays solidly. In case of: [15...Qxd5 The d4-d5 breakthrough idea will still irritate Black- 16.Bc3 Bf6 17.Bh7+ Kh8 18.Be4 Qb5 19.Rad1 and White is already threatening d4-d5.] 16.Bc3 Bg4= Or else White will play h2-h3. It seems as Black had already equalized. 17.Ne5 [17.Bh7+ Kh8 18.Bf5 Bxf5 19.Qxf5 Qf6= (19...Kg8=) ] 17...Nxe5 18.dxe5 Qb6 19.Qa4 Bd7 [19...Be6? 20.Ba5] 20.Qf4 Be6


21.h4?! Black's active pieces will keep the balance in case of: [21.Bd4 Bc5 22.Bxc5 Rxc5 23.Qb4 (23.b4 Rc3 24.Red1 Rdc8) 23...Rc6 24.Rac1 Qxb4 25.axb4 Rb6 26.b5 a6= but this should have been preferred. Now Black will use his main trump.] 21...d4! 22.Bd2 Qb3 Of course not: [22...Qxb2?? 23.Reb1 and the queen is trapped.] 23.Be4?! One mistake leads to another. Arutinian should have preferred: [23.Qe4 g6 24.Qe2 h5 25.Bg5 Bxg5 26.hxg5 Rc5 although Black already has a pull here.] 23...d3 24.Qg3 Kh8 25.Bc3 d2 26.Red1 Rc4


Consistently following his plan. However, he is missing a strong tactical blow: [26...Bxa3! 27.Rxd2 (27.bxa3 Rxc3 28.Qf4 Qc4–+; 27.Rxa3 Qxd1+) 27...Rxd2 28.Bxd2 Qxg3 29.fxg3 Bxb2–+ 30.Rxa7 Bd4+] 27.Qf3 Bxh4 28.Ba5 Qxf3 Once more safe play by the Russian GM. The reason for this is understandable. A draw secures tie for the first place, while a possible loss will bring home nothing but peanuts. [28...Qxb2 29.Bxd8 Bxd8 30.Rab1 Qxe5 31.Bxb7 Bg5–+] 29.Bxf3 b6 30.Bxd2 Rc2 31.Be3 Rxb2 32.a4 Rxd1+ 33.Rxd1 Bg5 34.Bd4 Rb4 35.Bc6 Bg4 [35...Bf5!? with the idea Bf5-c2 was better, and Black should win. Now Arutinian seizes his chance.] 36.f3!? Sacrificing a pawn to liquidate into an opposite-coloured bishop endgame, which is famous for the drawing tendencies. 36...Bxf3 37.Bxf3 Rxd4 38.Rxd4 Be3+ 39.Kf1 Bxd4 40.Bd5 Kg8 41.e6 fxe6 42.Bxe6+ Kf8 43.Ke2 Ke7 44.Bh3 Kd6 45.Kd3 Kc5 46.Bd7 Bf6 47.Be6?! This move lets Black create a passed pawn. The further the distance is between the pawns, the less chances the defender has, as it is easier "to stretch" his defensive forces. [47.g4! was much better. White needs to keep the zone with his king, and not let the counterpart approach his king's side pawns, or help the b passer win the bishop. An important detail is that the promotional square of the h pawn is at the opposite colour of the bishop that Black has. 47...a6 48.Be8 b5 A b pawn is less harmful. 49.axb5 axb5 50.Bg6 Kd5! This is the only way to make progress: (50...b4 51.Bf7 Kd6 52.Ke4 Ke7 53.Bb3 g6 54.Bg8 h5? Once that the h pawn is moved, White will have an additional fortress resource. 55.gxh5 gxh5 56.Kf3=


White is just placing his hing to h1, and then can sacrifice the bishop for the b pawn- it is a fortress.; 50...Kb4 51.Be8 harassing the pawn, and not letting the black king move freely. 51...Ka5 52.Bf7 b4 53.Kc2 Ka4 54.Bb3+ Ka3 55.Bf7 and Black cannot make progress.) 51.Bf7+ Ke5 52.Ke3 Bg5+! 53.Kf3 (53.Kd3 Kf4 54.Be6 Bf6 55.Ke2 b4 56.Kf2 Kg5 followed by h6-h5. Once that a second passed pawn is created Black should be winning, although there are still technical difficulties.) 53...Kd4 followed by Kd4-c3, pawn is marching to b2, and once the White king comes to deal with the b pawn, his counterpart goes to the king's flank and wins the bishop. Still, White has more defensive resources than in the game. For example if Black prematurely advances the pawn to b2 White places the bishop on the b1–h7 diagonal, and this is a draw!] 47...b5! Now Black wins. 48.axb5 Kxb5 49.Bf7 a5 50.Ke4 Kb4 51.Kd3 a4 52.Bg8 h5 53.Bf7 h4 54.Bg8 a3 55.Bf7 g5 56.Be6 g4 57.Ke4 Kc3 58.Kf4 g3 0–1
Deviatkin is the proud winner of Doeberl Cup 2011.