[Event "U.S. Women's Championship"] [Site "St Louis"] [Date "2023.10.10"] [Round "5.2"] [White "Tokhirjonova, Gulrukhbegim"] [Black "Cervantes Landeiro, Thalia"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2350"] [WhiteTeam "United States"] [BlackElo "2303"] [BlackTeam "United States"] [Annotator "WGM Katerina Nemcova"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "A15"] [Opening "English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, King's Indian Formation"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/b0nfXV2i/IiOS4MAa"] [Orientation "white"] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 c5 4. e4 d6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nc6 7. Be2 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Bg7 9. Be3 O-O 10. Qd2 Be6 11. O-O Qa5 12. Rfc1 Rfc8 13. b3 Ng4?! { This move looks like a positional mistake. Black is trading White's inactive light-squared bishop, which is the other problematic piece in her position. However, there are a number of games of Ivanchuk and other strong players who chose the same continuation. This may suggest that there is a deeper reason for offering such trade than meets the eye at first sight. } (13... a6!? { A more typical plan is to prepare the ... b7-b5 break, transfer the f6-knight to d7 to find a better square for it and to then open up the g7-bishop. } 14. Rab1 Rab8 15. f3 Nd7 $13) 14. Bxg4 Bxg4 15. Bd4 Bxd4 16. Qxd4 Qc5 17. Qd3 $16 { White's knight is certainly better than Black's bishop, and White is also enjoying a very nice pawn structure in the center. } 17... Be6 18. Re1 Rab8 19. h3 a6 20. a4! { White needs to stop Black's only active plan in the position: the ... b7-b5 push. } (20. Rad1? b5! $15 { And it is suddenly Black who has the initiative in the position. }) 20... Qb4 21. Rab1 Rc7 22. f4!? { Tokhirjonova is gaining more space and potentially preparing for the f4-f5 push. } 22... Qc5+ 23. Kh1 f6 24. Re3!? { The idea behind this move is to double up rooks on the e-file and then to jump with the knight on d5. This way, Black may be hesitant with recapturing the knight, fearing that the rook power on the e-file may be disastrous for her. } 24... Bf7 25. Rbe1 Rcc8 26. e5?! (26. Nd5! { A very natural move for White, putting pressure on the e-pawn. } 26... Re8 (26... Bxd5 27. exd5 $18 { And the e-pawn will be lost. }) (26... Kf8 27. e5!! $18 { This version is much better than in the game. White's attack is unstoppable. }) 27. b4 Qc6 28. a5 $16 { And White made a serious advancement in the position. Black will never be able to push for ... b7-b5. }) 26... dxe5! 27. fxe5 Rd8! { Cervantes found the best defense in the position. Now it is clear that Black's pieces are getting activated and finally having some purpose. } 28. Qf1 f5! 29. e6 Be8 30. Re5 Qd6? (30... Qa3! { A difficult move to play, but a very strong one. Black is wasting no time but is ready to attack the white pawns. } 31. Nd5 Bc6 $13) 31. Nd5! Bc6 32. c5! { When one plays strategically sound moves, tactics will find their way into the game! } 32... Qxd5! { It's better to lose the queen this way, as it gives us more material for the queen than the alternative. } (32... Qxc5?? 33. Nf6+ exf6 34. Rxc5 $18) 33. Rxd5 Rxd5 34. Qf4 Rbd8 35. Qh4 { Targeting the only weak pawn in Black's position. } 35... Re8 36. Qf2 Red8 37. Kh2 Kg7 38. Re2 h6 39. Qe1 Rxc5?? { Big mistake. This pawn was poisonous and the game is soon over. } (39... Rd1!? 40. Qc3+ R8d4 { Black found a fortress in the position. }) (39... g5!? 40. Qa1+ Kg6 41. b4 Rd2 { And it is actually White who may need to start being careful. Black's pieces are suddenly going on the offensive! }) 40. Qb4!! Rdd5 41. Qh4 { And suddenly Cervantes does not have a good defense of the e7-pawn. } 41... g5 { The only way to defend the pawn is to weaken other squares in the position. White is immediately taking advantage of the new weaknesses with this move. } 42. Qh5 { and Black is soon checkmated. } 42... g4 43. Qf7+ Kh8 44. Qf8+ Kh7 45. Qxe7+ Kg6 46. Qf7+ Kg5 47. e7 Re5 48. Qg7+ { 1-0 White wins. } 1-0