[Event "U.S. Women's Championship"] [Site "St Louis"] [Date "2023.10.10"] [Round "5.5"] [White "Yu, Jennifer"] [Black "Paikidze, Nazi"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2294"] [WhiteTeam "United States"] [BlackElo "2316"] [BlackTeam "United States"] [Annotator "WGM Katerina Nemcova"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "E11"] [Opening "Bogo-Indian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/b0nfXV2i/MOLf8ShL"] [Orientation "white"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. g3 b6 6. Bg2 Bb7 7. O-O Bxd2 8. Nbxd2 O-O 9. Qc2 d6 10. e4 e5 11. d5 a5 12. Ne1 Na6 13. Nd3 Nc5 14. Nxc5 bxc5 15. Rae1 Nh5 16. Re3 g6 17. f4 exf4 18. gxf4 Rae8 19. Qc3 Qh4 20. Rh3 Qg4 21. Rhf3 Bc8 22. Kh1 f5? { Although it is clear that Paikidze wishes to counterattack in the center, this move is a step in the wrong direction. It weakens the e6-square, blocks the bishop on c8, and allows Yu to go forward with her pawn. } (22... a4!? { An interesting move. The idea is to move a pawn that was under attack and to sit and wait for White's next moves. } 23. e5 Qh4!? { This move clears the c8-h3 diagonal so the Black bishop can get out. And although this position looks visually better for White, there is no direct threat or attack. The computer evaluates this position as equal. } 24. Ne4? dxe5 25. fxe5 Qxe4 $19) 23. e5! g5? { It is often the case that one bad decision leads to another. With this last move, Black's position is completely lost. } 24. e6! $18 { Why is this position lost? The pawn on e6 is extremely dangerous for Black. It completely cuts off the c8-bishop, opens up the a1-h8 diagonal for White's queen, gains space for White's pieces, and shows tremendous potential to become a queen in an endgame. On top of that, White is ready to open up the kingside and checkmate the black king. } 24... h6 25. Bh3 Qh4 26. fxg5! hxg5 27. Bxf5 { From now on, the position just plays itself. } 27... Nf6 28. Bg6 Ng4 29. Rxf8+ (29. Bxe8?? { Don't be too greedy though! } 29... Qxh2#) 29... Rxf8 30. Rxf8+ Kxf8 31. Qf3+ { And checkmate in four moves is inevitable. Can you find it? } 1-0