Europe on a Budget

Mariya Olehivna Muzychuk – 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí)
Women’s Candidates Tournament; Kazan, June 10, 2019
Spanish Game C77

Both Muzychuk sisters seem to have finally recovered from their uncertain start. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. 0-0 d6 8. c3 Bb6 9. Be3 Bxe3 10. fxe3 0-0 11. Nbd2 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. Qe1 Nc6. Another continuation is 13. ... Rb8 14. Nh4 c4 15. d4 b4= Cabarkapa – Golod, 3rd Karpos Open, Skopje 2013. 14. h3 Ra7 15. Qf2 a5 16. a4 b4 17. Bb3 Be6 18. Bc4 Nd7?! This, and Black’s next move, give a sense to Muzychuk’s Bishop maneuver, offering White a lasting initiative. 18. ... Bxc4!? 19. Nxc4 d5!? was worth considering. 19. Bb5! Ndb8?!

20. d4! bxc3 21. bxc3 cxd4 22. exd4 exd4 23. Nxd4 Nxd4 24. cxd4 d5 25. e5 f6 26. Qe3 Raf7 27. Nf3 Nd7 28. exf6 Rxf6 29. Ng5 Bf5? Black had first to exchange a pair of Rooks, as after 29. ... Rxf1+ 30. Bxf1 Bf5 31. Re1 White wouldn’t have that much advantage. 30. Rae1 Rg6 31. h4 h6 32. Rxf5!  Rxf5 33. Bd3 Rfxg5 34. hxg5 Rd6 35. Qe8+ Nf8 36. Qxd8 Rxd8 37. g6 Rb8? After this last mistake, Black ends up in zugzwang very soon, but not even 37. ... Nd7 38. Re6 Ra8 39. Bf5 might have saved the game. 38. Re5 Rd8 39. g4 Kh8 40. Bf5 Rd6 41. Re8 Rf6. 41. ... Kg8 42. Kf2 is no better, the White King heading for the e5-square. 42. Be6 h5!? Desperately hoping for 43. gxh5?? Rxg6+! 44. hxg6 stalemate. But Muzychuk goes for mate: 43. Bf7! 1 : 0.

Muzychuk’s keen tactical sense made a difference in today’s game with 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí). Photo: Eteri Kublashvili.