Line by Line

侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) – 沈阳 (Shěn Yáng)

19th Chinese Chess League Division A Regular "武陵山大裂谷杯" (“Wǔlíng Mountain Great Rift Valley Cup”); time control: 90 minutes per 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game plus 30 seconds per move starting on move 1; 重庆 (Chóngqìng), July 8, 2024

Richter–Veresov Attack D01

1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4. Lately, this has been one of 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán)’s favourites.
3. ... c6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Bd3 Bg6 6. h4 e6 7. h5 Bxd3 8. cxd3 h6 9. Nf3 Nbd7 10. a3 Be7 11. Ne5 Qb6 12. Na4 Qb5 13. Rh3 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Rg8. Probably 14. ... 0-0 15. Rg3 Kh8 is also playable, although, of course, somewhat more risky.

15. Rg3. A pseudo-Pawn sacrifice which, if refused, gives White time to consolidate with Ra1-b1 and Na4-c3, and, if accepted, offers her an initiative which is fit for at least a draw.
15. ... Nxh5 16. Qxh5 Qxa4 17. Rf3 Qc2 (17. ... g6!? 18. Qxh6 Qb3⇄)
18. Rd1 (18. Qxf7+ Kd7 19. Bxg7 Qxb2⇄)
18. ... Qxb2

19. Rxf7!? An interesting winning attempt which forces Black to find a couple of only moves:
19. ... g6 20. Rxe7+ Kxe7 21. Qxh6

21. ... Raf8! 22. Qh7+ Rf7! 23. Bd6+. Of course the Rook is taboo because of mate in one. The text leads to a draw almost by force:
23. ... Kxd6 24. Qxf7 Rh8 25. Rd2 Qc1+ 26. Ke2 Rh1 27. Qf4+ Ke7 28. Qc7+ Kf6 29. Qd8+ Kf7 30. Qc7+ Kf6 31. Qf4+ Kg7 32. Qc7+ ½–½.

Both 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) and 沈阳 (Shěn Yáng) played quite correctly and honourably drew. Photos: 尚运动 (Shàng Sports).