[Event "American Cup Group A"] [Site "St Louis"] [Date "2023.03.24"] [White "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "Sethuraman, Sandeep"] [Variant "From Position"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [FEN "3r2k1/1p6/p3nppb/4p2p/2p1P2P/P1P1nP2/1P1rB1P1/NK2RNR1 b - - 0 27"] [SetUp "1"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/DZGTvv5d/4o7fkxrm"] [Orientation "white"] 27... Rxe2! { White has just played 27. Nf1, but So responds with a tactical blow to keep himself in the match. When White's pieces are this uncoordinated, it is very common for Black to have something concrete. } 28. Rxe2 Rd1+ 29. Ka2 Rxf1 30. Rxf1 Nxf1 31. Nc2 { Nakamura tries to restrict the f1-knight, but the position is hopeless and White's pawns are too weak. } 31... Nc5 32. Re1 Nd2 33. a4!? { A desperate attempt to imbalance the position. Since So is as good as he is, the attempt is futile, but it is very instructive how Nakamura tries to find any possible way to confuse his opponent. } 33... Nxa4 { Unfazed, So calls the bluff. A thing to note here is that So is famous for his impeccable technique and once he has you in his grasp you're not getting out. } 34. Nb4 Kf7 35. Nd5 Nc5 36. Rd1 b5 { Black has consolidated, is up a clean pawn, and has completely restricted White's rook. So makes the rest look effortless. } 37. Ka3 Bf8! { A rerouting of the bishop, and the knight is taboo. } 38. Ka2 (38. Rxd2?? Nxe4+ 39. Ka2 Nxd2 { and White is down a full piece. }) 38... Ndb3 39. f4 exf4 40. Nxf4 Bh6 41. Nd5 Nxe4 { Everything is falling apart, and a lone rook cannot control all three of Black's very strong minor pieces. } 42. Nc7 Nec5 43. Rd8 Nc1+ 44. Kb1 N1d3 45. Nd5 Nf4 46. Nb4 Nxg2 47. Rc8 Bf8 48. Rc7+ Ke6 49. Rc6+ Ke5 50. Rc8 Bd6 51. Rd8 Nxh4 52. Nc6+ { Nakamura resigned here without waiting for So's move as the position is utterly devoid of life. } 0-1