Vidovdanski rejting turnir
II kolo
Ja – Miroljub Jevtić
I decelared this tournament to be “preparational” for Serbian Open in couple of weeks. But whom I am kidding? Everyone prefers getting easy point in a bad game over weaker opponent to losing and "learning from strong player in tough & instructive game". I lived under false impression – after I recently watched Candidates tournament and many many Carlsen’s games in blitz – that I learned something, that I learned to get comfort from GM’s mistakes: “Even the rich cry”, as the soap opera’s title says. But, no, it still hurts, and this game bursts with ignorance and patzerism. I doubt very much that I will be capable of extract any lessons from it.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6
Ruy Lopez Closed Chigorin
5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Bd7 7. Bxc6 Bxc6
So we entered Steinitz’ variation with that difference that white early castled and cannot lead attack on blak king any more.
8. Nc3 Be7 9. Bf4 O-O 10. Rad1 Nh5
I felt very comfortable both at the physical table – Number 12, besides the window, this time closed because everyone’s terrified by draught. Next to my table an obviously prefabricated draw in Sozin Sicilian was being played. I felt optimistic and loved my position, known from myriad of “free games” with pensionists in the parks. But I made mistake in next move. 11. Bd2 is what I should’ve played. And after 11. ...Bf6 I should calmly play12. Qc4 with Nd4 and exchanges. Equal position. I was dreaming of pushing e5 after I I set my rooks on central files, though.
11. Be3?! Bf6 12. Qc4 Bxc3 13. bxc3?
New mistake. I thought 14. e5 is the only solution to save the game. Engine says I was supposed to separate from the pawn gladly and peacefully with 13. Qxc3.
13. ... Qe7?
This is a mistake. 13. ...Qe8 was better, because after 14. Nd2 black would have 14. ...Bb5 and he wins exchange.
14. e5? Bxf3?
Firstly, I should have played 14. Nd2. Secondly black had no reason to be afraid of 14. ...dxe5 15. Bc5 Bc5, which I had in mind. I wouldn’t have become richer of that exchange. Engine recommends 15. Bg5 which I didn't even consider.
15. exd6??
This was a blunder. After 15. gxf3 Qxe4 16. Qxc7 I would’ve be in just slightly worse position. But I didn’t see it, on the contrary I was afraid of 15. ...Qf6, which woul’ve good for equal position. Now bakck had 15. ...Qe4!!
15. ...cxd6 16. gxf3 Rfc8 17. Qd5 Nf6 18. Qxd6 Qxd6 19. Rxd6 Rxc3
After comedy (or tragedy) of mistakes and blunders, there is equal endgane on the board. Here I saw 20. Bxa7, but was afraid of 20. ...Ne8 without a reason because I had 21. Bd4 Rxc2 22. Rd7 Rd2 23. Rb1 with equal position. I should’ve played beautiful 20. Bxa7!
20. Rfd1 h6 21. Rd8+ Rxd8 22. Rxd8+ Kh7 23. Bxa7 Rxc2 24. Rb8 Rc7 25. Rd8?? Re7?
Blunder was 25. Rd8??. I must not exchange rooks. If I have played 25. a4, and have posted bishop on e3, I can easy save my pawn on a4, because black can’t take without giving his own on b7 in return. Easy draw. I should've known better...
But all the false confidence from watching rich people crying vanished, and insecurity began to nest in me. My opponent shamelessly pursued the whole point. But he didn’t understand at this point that it’s good for him to exchange rooks. My king is too far from a pawn, that is the key in this ending. Never mind pawns on two flanks, my king is weaker.
27. a4 Nd7 28. Bd4 f6 29. Kg2 Ne5 30. Bc5 Rd7 31. Rxd7?? Nxd7 32. Bd4 Kg6 33. Kg3?!
Even now, says engine, I could have saved the game had I played 33. f4 and Kf3. To tell the truth, it’s long disgusting engine line, and I would have to fight with a bishop against three pawns, and I doubt I could make a draw... But the point is, I wasn’t dead yet at this point. I felt such, though.
33. ...Kf5 34. a5 g5 35. h4?? h5??
Black gave me last chance. 34. Be3 was better and I could make a draw.
36. Kh3? Ne5 37. Bxe5?? (Now it is decided. with 27. Kg2 I could prolong resistance, and,who knows, maybe save the game...) Kxe5 38. Kg3 Kf5 39. Kh3 Kf4 40. hxg5 fxg5 41. Kg2 h4 42. Kh3 Kxf3 43. Kh2 Kxf2
Here I was even hallucinating of a stalemate... Black was visibly irritated by my moves.
44. Kh3 Ke3 White resigned
Did I “learn” something from this game? I honestly doubt it. I must play both position (from I and II round) against the engine several times to-night. I had paid the entrance fee, so I must give my best. I have to finish some translations in order to have for the bread and Infostan in July and I have to deliver 2 manuscripts. Right now when the tournament started I am called from different sides of the world.
