Theory for a Dead End

Mariam Mkrtchyan – 朱锦尔 (Zhū Jǐn’ěr)

9th Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship; time control: 15 minutes plus 10 seconds per move; Samarkand, December 26, 2023

Catalan Opening E04

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 a5 7. Qc2 Bxd2+ 8. Qxd2 c6 9. a4 b5 10. axb5 cxb5 11. Qg5 0-0 12. Qxb5 Ba6 13. Qa4 Qb6 14. Nbd2 Bb5 15. Qc2 Nc6

16. Nxc4? A theoretical black hole which means material loss. White ought to castle: 16. 0-0 Rac8 17. Rfc1 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Qxd4 19. Rxa5 c3 20. bxc3 Qb6 21. Raa1 Bxe2 22. Ne4 Bc4 23. Nxf6+ gxf6 24. Qd2 Qc5 25. h4 Kg7 26. Ra4 Rfd8 27. Qf4 Bd5 28. Rd4 Bxg2 29. Rxd8 Rxd8 30. Kxg2 h6 31. Qf3 Qc4 32. Rb1 Rd3 33. Rb4 Qd5 34. Qxd5 exd5 35. Rg4+ Kf8 36. Rd4 Rxc3 ½ : ½ V. Nielsen – Hacker, Øbro & CXU International 2023, Copenhagen 2023.
16. ... Nb4 17. Qxh7+ Kxh7 18. Nxb6 Rab8 19. Na4 Nc2+ 20. Kd2 Nxa1 21. Nc5? From bad to worse. Comparatively best is 21. Rxa1, although after 21. ... Bxa4 22. Rxa4 Rxb2+ 23. Kd3 Ng4 Black has the Exchange ahead in return for a Pawn.
21. ... Bxe2 22. Ng5+ Kg6

23. Nh3? Falling into a mating net. However, 23. Rxa1 Rxb2+ 24. Kc3 Rb5 leaves Black with an overwhelming advantage.
23. ... Rxb2+ 24. Ke3 Ng4+ 25. Kf4 Nb3 26. Na4

26. ... Rd2 27. Nc3 Rxd4+ 28. Be4+ f5 0 : 1. There may follow: 29. Nxe2 Nd2! 30. Nxd4 e5#.