Sally Simpson: Hi Virgil.
 click for larger view25.Re3 looks forced due to the threat of f6.
Black should have tried 25...Qd1+ which stops White from unpinning playing Qa4 and then f6. In answer to f6 White has Qd3. The Queens and the Rooks are coming off the board. Looks drawish. But that was not good in the match. This win Eugenio can in part thank his team mates. Iain, always a team man, saw the disasters that were going on all around him (Scotland lost 4-0) and tried to salvage a point by keeping the big pieces on. The end came here. The undefended Queen and Rook with a Knight floating about in the hands of Torre is asking for trouble...it came.  click for larger view28.Nxg6!
The more you look at it the more you realise what a mess Black is now in. Pity Iain did not allow the Queen sac finish, probably too deep in time trouble to see it.  click for larger view30...Kh8 31.Qh6 Rg8.
 click for larger view32.Qxe6!
9 pts from 10 games, incredible, and he may hit double figures if he plays again tomorrow. Unfortunately it looks like Torre will not get the board 3 gold medal. That appears to be heading to his countryman now USA player, Wes So. (be a good gesture if Wes gave the medal to Eugenio as a thank you for all he has done for Filipino chess. Wes is young and very good, there are plenty of other medals heading his way.) |