Shirov-Andersson, Biel 1991

[tano-urayoan]

[d] 8/p7/5k2/pPp1p3/2P3KP/8/8/3Bb3 b - - 0 44

This position was earlier than the famous Topalov-Shirov. In this game Shirov was the victim.

[Tom Barrister]

I don't know what the protocol/etiquette is here for posting about it, since no analysis was made.

Most of the computers found Black's actual move, and most knew the best move for White after this (which isn't what Shirov actually played). None of the engines I've tried had a clue after that, although Houdini figured it out after I nudged it in the right direction for a few moves. Since my computer setup is a modest dual core, I'll let the power users post their printouts.

[Tom Barrister]

Since nobody else tackled it, I will:

1 ... Bxh4!
2 Kf3!

Shirov played 2 Kxh4, which loses quickly. All of the engines I tried found the winning line after 2 Kxh4:

None of the engines found the winning line from here. Most tried to go back to the Queenside and trade the a7 pawn, then found out it accomplished nothing. A few engines (notably Houdini) found the winning moves after I nudged them along in the right direction.

2.... Be1

Black is in no hurry here. First he shores up the pawns.

3 Ke4 Bd3
4 Bc2

About all White can do here is bide his time.

4 ... Bd5

With the pawns now secure, Black can now move the King to the first rank.

5 Ba4 Kg5
6 Bd1 Kh5
7 Ba4

If White were going to make a run for the Queenside pawns, this would be an opportune time. 7 Kd5 Kg6, 8 Kc6 e4, 9 Kb7 e3, 10 Kxa7 a4!, 11 b6
a3, 12 b7 Be4 wins.

7 ... Kg3
8 Bc2 Kf2
9 Ke3

Or 9 Ba4 Ke2, 10 Bc2 Kd2, 11 Ba4 Kc3, and Black wins easily.

9 .... Kf3
10 Bd1+ Kf4
11 Kd2 e3
12 Ke2 Bf6
13 Kd2 e3+
14 Kd3 Bg5
15 Ke2

Else, Black heads for f2 with the King and forces White's Bishop away by advancing the a-pawn.

15 ... Ke4
16 Bc2+ Kd4

And White can't protect the pawns without allowing the pawn on a4 to advance.

[yanquis1972]

you've got a pretty magical bishop there...

[Tom Barrister]

you've got a pretty magical bishop there...

It comes from using English Descriptive Notation, then being away from the game for 30 years, then coming back and needing to learn Algebraic. It didn't help to have to hurry it along.

I see I can't edit my post anymore. Since you apparently can't figure out what the moves were supposed to be, you can substitute 3 .... Bc3 and 4 .... Bd4 for what's printed.