Wednesday, April 8, 2026

At Sea

朱锦尔 (Zhū Jǐn’ěr) – Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Lagno
Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026; Pegeia, April 8, 2026
English Opening A13

1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. b3 c5 4. Bb2 e6 5. Be2 Nc6 6. 0-0 Bd6 7. d4 b6 8. c4 Bb7 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Nc3 0-0 11. Rc1 Re8 12. exd4 12. Nb5 Bf8 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Bd3 Ne5 16. Re1 Qd7 17. Nc3 Qg4 18. Nxe5 Qxd1 19. Rexd1 fxe5 20. e4 dxe4 21. Bxe4 Bxe4 22. Nxe4 Red8 23. Kf1


23. ... Rxd1+? The decisive mistake, which loses a Pawn and the game. After 23. ... Rd4! 24. Re1 Rc8 Black appears to hold her own in the endgame.
24. Rxd1 a5 25. Rd5 a4 26. Rxe5 axb3 27. axb3 Rb8 28. Rg5+ Kh8 29. Rg3 h6 30. Ke2 Rb4 31. Nd2 Bd6 32. Rd3 Be5 33. Nc4 Bg7 34. Nd6 Kg8 35. Rg3 Kh7 36. Nxf7 Rb6 37. f4 Re6+ 38. Re3 Rf6 39. Nd8 Rxf4 40. Re7 Rb4 41. Ne6 Kg6. Desperation, but 41. ... Rg4 42. Rxg7+! Rxg7 43. Nxg7 Kxg7 44. Kd3 is an elementary win for White.
42. Nxg7 Rxb3 43. Ne8 c4 44. Rg7+ Kf5 45. Nd6+ Kf6 46. Rc7 1–0.

朱锦尔 (Zhū Jǐn’ěr) took advantage with an irreproachable technique of the only major mistake Lagno made in the endgame. Photo: Michał Walusza/FIDE.

No comments: