Solo sojourns do not ensure successes

Chess Checks

Early infiltration into the enemy territory by the queen might conjure up visions of a quick victory and one would definitely expect some fireworks. However these solo sojourns, without the assistance of the other pieces may not benefit in wrapping up the game.

In the game which follows, Black’s queen invades the enemy territory and has no hesitation in grabbing a pawn which White offered as a bait. What is interesting to note is that the Black queen, which had wandered onto the queen-side, remained right there till the end of the game which White clinched in his favour.

White: Vasilios Kotronias (2539) – Black: Zlatco Ilincic (2554)
Yerevan, 2000
Sicilian Defence
1.e4 c5
The Sicilian Defence
 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6 8.Qd2
White decides to give the pawn
8. ..Qxb2 9.Nb3 Qa3 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Be2 h5 12.0–0 Nd7 13.f5
Till now the players were following opening theory but White deviates and makes a new move. Previously played was 13.Kh1 h4 14.h3 Be7 15.Rad1 b6 16.Qe3 Bb7 17.f5
 13...Nc5
Black does not play accurately as the most logical continuation is 13...Be7 14Nb1 Qa4
14.Kh1
If 14.fxe6 Bxe6  15.Qd4 0-0-0
14. ..Bd7
Black could have considered 14...Be7
15.Rab1 b5
If 15...0–0–0 16.fxe6 fxe6 17.Rxf6
16.fxe6 fxe6
If 16. ..Bxe6  17.Nd5 0-0-0
17.e5
A good and strong pawn advance at the centre,  a strong central square for White’s knight
If 17.Rxf6 Be7 (17...Bg7 18.Qg5) 18.Rh6 0–0–0
17...dxe5
If 17...f5 18.exd6 Nxb3 19.Qg5 and White is in the driver’s seat as he has many good continuation to pose plenty of problems for Black. If  17...fxe5 18.Rxf8+ (White also gets advantage with 18.Qg5) 18...Rxf8 19.Bxh5+ Ke7 20.Qg5+ And if  17...0–0–0 18.exf6 and White stands better
18.Nxc5 Bxc5
If 18...Qxc5 19.Ne4 Qd4 20.Nxf6+
19.Ne4
If 19.Rxf6 Bd4 20.Ne4
19...Be7
If 19...0–0–0 20.Rb3

Diagram 1

20.Rb3
White is bang on target and makes another strong move! It is interesting to note that the queen which ventured early ,deep into enemy territory to grab a pawn is virtually out of the game now
20...Qxa2
The situation is already difficult for Black but less damaging appears 20. ..Qa4  21.Nxf6+ Bxf6
21.Nxf6+ Bxf6 22.Rxf6 Rc8 23.Bd1
White is playing accurately and this is another good move1 Now White has got a stranglehold on the game. If 23.Qg5 23.Qg5 Qxc2 24.Bxh5+ Rxh5 25.Qxh5+ Ke7 and Black may get some counter chance
23...e4
If 23. ..Qa4  24.Qg5
24.Rf1
White can also wrap up the proceedings with 24.Qg5. It is interesting to note that at first glance a beginner may believe Black is better as he has two extra pawns  but a close look reveals that it is just a matter of time before white completes the formalities
24...Rg8 25.Qd6 Kd8 26.Rg3 [26.Rf7 Rc7 27.Rg3 -like in the game.]
26...Re8 27.Rg7 Rc7 28.Rff7
1–0

Diagram 2

Black to play and checkmate
1. .. Qxg2+ 2.Kxg2 Rg6+ 3.Kh1
If 3.Kf3 Nd2 checkmate
3...Nxf2 checkmate