zanzibar: Just to show Black's position before his 23th move:
(Black to move)
 click for larger viewr5k1 /1bn2pq1/pp2p1p1/2p1N3/2Pr1P1Q/3BR2P/PP4P1/R5K1 b - - 0 1 Interesting to note that both Critter/Stockfish think 23...Ne8 is best here. So what really ruined Illescas' position, 23...Kf8 or 24...Ne8 __ ? If 23...Ne8, it looks like Black can maintain equality completely. The king is needed as an active defender of h7/8, since the Black queen is overloaded. After 23...Ne8 if 24.Rae1 then 24...Qf6 shortcircuits the attack. And if 24.Qe7 then 24...Nd6! 25.Rae1 Re8 kicks the queen out (if 26.Qd7 Qf6). Lastly if 24.Rf1 then 24...Nf6 or 24...Qf6 locks up the position safely for Black. So, the 23...Ne8 is good, and prevents White from capitalizing on the weak f6, etc. * * * * *
Anyways, Black has a few good moves, 23...Ne8 as shown here, 23...g5 as shown above, and even 3rd choice 23...b5. So, it looks as if 23...Kf8 is the critical weakening move. |