Game of the Week
With Analysis by IM Greg Shahade
(4)
Stripunsky,A (2648) -
Schmaltz,R (2628) [C41]
45th
New York Masters New York (4),
25.02.2003
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The matchup we have all been waiting for! The
two GM’s finally meet in the final round. GM Roland Schmaltz needs to win
with the black pieces against a strong GM like Alexander Stripunsky, a very
difficult task. I recall a few similar situations before where players
needed to defeat Stripunsky with the black pieces. Yudasin got a worse
position after 15 moves and thus agreed to a draw. Maurice Ashley was in the
same spot but went down in flames to Stripunsky’s
attack in that game. If anyone could take Stripunsky out, Schmaltz could do
it….
1.e4
d6
2.d4 Nf6
3.Nc3 Nbd7
4.Nf3 e5
5.Bc4 Be7
      
   
  
 
    
Yeah,
everyone knows it’s a great idea to play the Philidor
Defense when you are in a must-win situation! Actually the
Philidor is known as one of the most passive
openings in chess. Strange that Roland decided against playing the Sicilian
in this must win-situation, especially since Roland stated that he was going
all out for the win.
6.0-0
0-0
7.Re1 a6
8.a4
b6
9.dxe5 dxe5
10.Nd5 Bb7
11.Nxf6+ Bxf6
12.Ra3 Nc5
13.Bd5 c6
14.Ba2 Qe7
15.Qe2 b5
16.a5
Rad8
17.h4
h6
18.g3
Bc8
19.Nh2 Rd4
20.Re3 Ra4
21.Bb1 Rd8
Schmaltz has done a fine job of
confusifying the position. It turns out the
Philidor has fangs after all! Black has a more
active and aggressive setup, yet will it be
enough for the win? Wait, look at this, Stripunsky has created
Alekhine’s gun, with the Re3,Qe2,
Re1 setup!! The only problem is that this technique is usually most
effective on open files.
22.b3
Rad4
23.c3
R4d6
24.Ba3 Rd2
25.Qf3 Qa7
26.Bxc5 Qxc5
27.b4
Schmaltz has to be commended for his play
as it seems that black is in control here. His rooks are much more active
than white’s and he has the 2 bishops. Stripunsky has an unpleasant task of
defense ahead of him.
27.....
Qe7
28.Nf1 R2d6
29.Rd3
Stripunsky is finally positioning his
pieces in the center of the board. He is trying his best to eliminate the
initiative of Schmaltz, but black still has the more active play, with a
later ….c5 push coming.
29.....
Rxd3
30.Bxd3 h5
31.Be2 g6
32.Qe3 Qc7
33.Rd1 Rxd1
34.Bxd1 Kg7
35.Bb3 Be7
36.Qd2 c5
37.Ne3
At last Stripunsky has contained
Black's initiative. The position is too
simplified and White has no real weaknesses anymore. The d5 square is also
mighty tempting for the knight.
37.....
cxb4
38.cxb4 Qd6
39.Nd5 Be6
40.Qc3 Bxd5
41.Bxd5 Qxb4
42.Qxe5+ Bf6
43.Qe8 Qe7
44.Qxe7 1/2-1/2
The draw was agreed and Stripunsky
clinched first place. Roland did a great job of trying to stir up some
winning chances with the black pieces, but Stripunsky was just too hard to
break.
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