Unexpected tactic

GM John Paul Gomez - GM Yu Yang Yi, Asian Continental Open 2011

The position was reached at the on-going Asian Continental Open in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.



White has just played 23. Qa4?. The black bishop on a4 is under attack and now it seems queen exchange is inevitable.

23...Qxa4 24. Qxa4  Nxa4 and 24...Nxg3 is not possible because 25. Nxc5 wins a piece.

Can you see what is black's wining reply after 23. Qa4?


24...Bxe2!! 25. Qxe8 Rxe8 26. Bxe2 

The most testing line for black is 26. Nxe2 when black has to find 26...Nxg3 27. Nxg3 Rxf3 28. Nh1 Rd3! This prevents the freeing exchange Bd4. Black has three pawns for the piece and active pieces while the white knight on h1 is not doing anything. In the meantime, black has the threat ...Rf8 and ....Rd2 to win another pawn.


Nxg3

Black threatens ...Rxf2 which will win back a piece due to the discovered check.

27. Rh2 d4 28.Bd3 dxc3 29. Bxf5 exf5 0 - 1