Faustino Wins, We Draw
The Monticillo was rather similar to the
Faustino; again, it had a dense brick red color, and much
the same flavors and aromas. However it had a bit of
weediness to the nose, and wasn't as rich as the other.
The flavors also had hints of bitter dark chocolate,
leather, and a little coffee. Both wines tasted slightly
oxidized; we clearly preferred the Faustino.
The Game Continues
| 16. |
N-N3 |
B-N3 |
| 17. |
B-Q2 |
N-K2 |
| 18. |
P-QN4 |
P-KB3? |
18.
…P-QB4 seems to equalize the Q-side, after
19.PxP (forced?), NxP
| 19. |
N-R4 |
B-B2 |
| 20. |
N/4-B5 |
NxN |
| 21. |
NxN |
R-K1 |
| 22. |
NxB |
|
Afterwards,
Black felt that this was the crucial juncture of the
game, and I agreed. 22. Q-N4 looked strong,
especially after 22. …B-B3; 23. P-B4, and White
has a K-side threat. The idea in trading the knight
for bishop is to give White a queen-side pawn
advantage that might have still been exploited with
sharper play.
23.
P-B4 looks best here, to consolidate White's
king-side. If Black is dumb enough to trade pawns,
GOOD! Then, he has doubled isolated pawns on the
queen-file (that's bad). Otherwise, the KB Pawn can
be advanced to B5 at some point. Here is where
White's game starts to meander. (BLAME IT ON THE
WINE!)
24. P-B4 still
works.
Now,
Black takes the initiative. 25. PxP gives Black
control of the center of the board.
| 25. |
… |
R-K2 |
| 26. |
Q-B2 |
R-B2 |
| 27. |
Q-R2 |
QR-B1 |
Doubled
Rooks can be very strong, but White neutralizes
with…
| 28. |
QR-B1 |
Q-Q2 |
| 29. |
RxR |
RxR |
| 30. |
R-B1 |
RxR |
| 31. |
BxR |
Trading
pieces to simplify for the endgame. At this point, we
had finished our glasses of the Monticillo, and as I
poured The Artist and myself another glass of the
Faustino, I informed him that we were drinking a
glass every ten moves. (We were more than two hours
into it already.)
| 31. |
… |
Q-N4 |
| 32. |
Q-B2 |
PxP |
| 33. |
BxB+ |
KxB |
| 34. |
PxP |
Q-Q2 |
| 35. |
P-KN4 |
P-KR4 |
| 36. |
Q-Q1 |
PxP |
| 37. |
PxP |
N-R5 |
| 38. |
K-B2 |
N-B6 |
| 39. |
Q-N3+ |
K-K2 |
| 40. |
K-B3 |
Q-QB1 |
| 41. |
B-Q2 |
N-N4 |
| 42. |
P-QR4 |
N-B6 |
| 43. |
P-N5 |
PxP |
| 44. |
PxP |
Q-KR1 |
I
hadn't seen this coming; now, Black threatens to
create real problems for White on the K-side. Over
four hours into the game.
| 45. |
Q-N4+ |
K-Q2 |
| 46. |
K-N2 |
Q-R5 |
| 47. |
BxN |
QxP+ |
| 48. |
K-R2 |
Q-B5+ |
| 49. |
K-N1 |
Q-QB8+? |
| 50. |
B-K1! |
|
Black
totally overlooked that move. BLAME IT ON THE
WINE!… Now, White has the extra piece for a pawn
or two.
| 50. |
… |
Q-N4+ |
| 51. |
K-R1 |
Q-R4+ |
| 52. |
K-N1 |
Q-N5+ |
| 53. |
K-R2? |
|
White's
king needs to protect the backward queen pawn; 53.
K-B2 is best.
| 53. |
… |
Q-K7+ |
| 54. |
K-N1 |
Q-N5+ |
At this point, The Artist looked at me
and said, "You may be ahead in position, but you're
behind in wine!" (We're well past four hours into
the game, now.)
| 55. |
K-B2 |
Q-B5+ |
| 56. |
K-K2 |
Q-K6+ |
| 57. |
K-Q1 |
QxP+ |
| 58. |
B-Q2 |
QxP |
| 59. |
P-N6? |
|
Loses
any chance to win; White has to press the Queen-side
advantage with 59. Q-B5, in an attempt to limit the
Black King's access to the Queen-side.
By now, we're both delirious after five
hour's of chess. I'm also worried that Madame L'Pour will
be unhappy with me for getting home so much later than
expected, adding to the stress. However, neither of us
will give in, nor offer the other a draw.
| 59. |
… |
Q-B6+ |
| 60. |
K-B2 |
Q-N2 |
| 61. |
K-Q3 |
K-B3 |
| 62. |
Q-QR4+ |
KxP |
Now,
the best White can hope for is a draw.
| 63. |
B-R5+ |
K-R2 |
| 64. |
K-B2 |
K-N1 |
| 65. |
B-N4 |
Q-B2+ |
| 66. |
K-Q2 |
K-N2 |
| 67. |
B-B8 |
Q-B6+ |
| 68. |
K-K2 |
P-Q6+ |
| 69. |
K-Q1 |
|
At this point, Black offered a draw; he
felt that with correct play, white could prevent black
from advancing a pawn to the eighth rank, thereby
becoming a queen. This pawn pusher was so burned out by
this game, no attempt has been made to run computer
analysis of the position.
Fortunately, the same cannot be said for our willingness
to enjoy another fine '87 Faustino I Rioja Reserva!
|
