Graph theory

Rafael Artemovich Vaganian – Mariya Olehivna Muzychuk
4th Snowdrops vs. Oldhands; Mariánské Lázně, December 3, 2011
English Opening A35

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. g3 f5 5. d3 Nf6 6. Bg2 g6 7. 0-0. Another reference is 7. a3 a5 8. 0-0 Bg7 9. Bg5 0-0 10. Rb1 d6 11. Ne1 h6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Nc2 Bd7 14. b4 axb4 15. axb4 Nxb4 16. Nxb4 cxb4 17. Rxb4 Bc6 18. Qb3 Kh8 19. Rb1 Bg7 20. Rb6 e4 21. e3 exd3 22. Nd5 d2 23. Qc2 Ra1 24. Rxa1 Bxa1 25. Rb1 Bxd5 26. Rxa1 Bxg2 27. Kxg2 d5 28. Rd1 dxc4 29. Qxc4 Kh7 30. Qd4 Qxd4 31. exd4 b5 32. Kf3 Kg7 33. Rxd2 Kf7 34. Ke3 Ke6 35. Ra2 Kd5 36. Kd3 Rf6 37. Ra8 Rb6 38. Rd8+ Ke6 39. Kc3 Rc6+ 40. Kd3 Rb6 41. Kc3 Rc6+ ½ : ½ G. Meier – Krasenkow, French Team Championship, Mulhouse 2011. 7. ... Bg7 8. Bg5 d6 9. Ne1 h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nc2 0-0 12. Rb1 Rb8 13. a3 Ne7 14. Ne3 Bd7 15. Ned5 Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Qf7 17. b4 b6 18. b5 Be6 19. a4 f4 20. Rb3 g5 21. a5 g4 22. Be4 Kh8 23. Ra3 h5 24. f3 Bh6 25. fxg4? Hitherto White has methodically tightened his grip on the Queenside, but now, with the text move, he unnecessarily opens up a way for her opponent on the Kingside. Comparatively best was the immediate 25. axb6 axb6 26. Qa1 Bxd5 27. Bxd5 Qg6 28. Qe1 and White appears to keep the upper hand. 25. ... hxg4 26. axb6 axb6 27. Qa1. Vaganian nonchalantly continues his plan. Probably more to the point would have been 27. Qe1 in order to contain Black’s initiative on the Kingside. 27. ... Bxd5 28. cxd5? After 28. Bxd5 Qh5 29. Ra8 Rxa8 30. Qxa8 Rg8! Black’s attack continues, but the text move is far worse. 28. ... Qh5 29. h4 fxg3 30. Rxf8+ Rxf8 31. Ra8 Qxh4 32. Rxf8+ Bxf8 33. Bg2

32. ... Qh6 34. Qa8. Loses on the spot, but 34. Qe1 Qe3+ is no better as Black’s Bishop will soon come into play in Kingside attack. 34. ... Qe3+ 0 : 1. For if 35. Kh1 then 35. ... Qc1+ and mate next move.

Rafael Artemovich Vaganian vs. Mariya Olehivna Muzychuk. Photo: Martin Chrz.