Sharing the Stage

韦奕 (Wéi Yì) – 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn)
51st Chinese Chess Championship; 兴化 (Xīnghuà), December 19, 2020
3R1bk1/1r3p2/6p1/pp5p/7P/3P2P1/B3PPK1/8 b - - 2 46

Position after 46. Rd4-d8

At her début as a “Woman in a Man’s World”, 17th Women’s World Chess Champion 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) made a big impression by coming close to winning against 韦奕 (Wéi Yì). In the diagram, Black is to move, and the question arises spontaneous: which Pawn to push? 46. ... a4. Or maybe 46. ... b4! 47. Bb3 a4 48. Bxa4 b3 gaining the Bishop for two Pawns, and retaining winning chances. 47. Ra8 a3 48. Kf3? Of course, “The King is a strong piece”, but not at the wrong time. White should have urgently taken care of Black’s two very dangerous passed Pawns, directly or indirectly. For instance, after 48. Bd5! Rc7 49. Ra6! White should draw comfortably enough.

48. ... b4 49. Bb3 Rc7 50. Rb8 Kg7 51. Rb5

51. ... Bc5? Here 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) apparently misses her big chance: 51. ... Rc3! 52. Ba2 Rc2 53. Bb3 Rb2 54. Bc4 b3! 55. Rb7 (55. Rxb3 a2!−+) 55. ... Bc5 56. Bxf7 a2 57. Bxb3+ Kh6−+ winning easily. 52. e3 Be7 53. Bd5 Kf8 54. Rb8+ Kg7 55. d4 Rd7 56. Bb3 Rc7 57. Bd5 Ra7 58. Ba2 Rc7 59. Bd5 Ra7 60. Ba2 ½ : ½.

At her début as a “Woman in a Man’s World”, 上海 (Shànghǎi)’s star 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) did not show any awe. Photo: Chinese Chess Association.