Spider-Girl

Anna Olehivna Muzychuk – Romain Édouard
4th Trophée KARPOV; Cap d’Agde, October 29, 2015
Sicilian Defence B46

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. 0-0 Nf6 9. Qf3 Be7 10. Qg3 0-0 11. Bh6 Ne8 12. Bf4 g6. If 12. ... Bh4 then 13. Qf3 Be7 14. Na4! Nf6 15. b3 Qa5 16. e5 Nd7 17. Qg3 Re8 18. h4! c5 19. c4 d4 20. h5 Qc7 21. Rae1 Bf8 22. Bg5 g6 23. f4 Bg7 24. Qh4 Bb7 25. Kf2! with an irresistible attack, M. Adams – Láznička, 6th Chess World Cup, Baku 2015, match game 2. 13. Rad1 a5 14. Na4 Bd6 15. c4 Bxf4 16. Qxf4 Qc7 17. Qh4 Rb8 18. Rfe1 d4 19. e5 c5 20. b3 Bd7 21. Nb2 a4 22. Bc2 axb3 23. axb3 Ng7 24. Nd3 Bc8 25. Nf4 Bb7 26. Nh3 Qd8 27. Qh6 f6 28. f3 Qd7? Probably the decisive error that permits Anna to crown her attack in grand style. The lesser evil was 28. ... Qe7 29. exf6 Rxf6 in order to answer 30. Qg5 by 30. ... Rf7 (the c-Pawn is now defended by the Queen). 29. exf6 Rxf6 30. Qg5 Qe7 31. Re5 Rc8 32. Nf2 Qf8 33. Ng4 Rf4 34. Ra1 Kh8 35. Ra7 Rf7

36. Bxg6! hxg6 37. Qh6+ Kg8 38. Qxg6 Rcc7 39. Rh5 Qd8 40. Nh6+ Kf8 41. Nxf7 1 : 0. “I obviously played to win, but I didn’t want to take too many risks”, then Anna said. “In my opinion, I stood better after the opening. My position was easier to play. My plan was simply of directly attacking the King. Everything worked well. My attack was winning. Usually, it’s my sister who plays very aggressively. My style is more balanced. Rather, it’s more focused on strategy, but I may also play tactically. It’s a very pleasant experience during the game, while trying to give mate to your opponent. You feel a certain euphoria, but if the attack fails, that’s another story”.

Anna Muzychuk vs. Romain Édouard
Photo © Europe Échecs/CapÉchecs