This was a Gambit Fantasy Tournament game set from this position. White: BigDoggProblem; Black: moonbus; notes by moonbus. Initial ratings within 50 points.
30... Bd3a6
The B has no good square and is literally sidelined for the rest of the game.
31. b3
The b-pawn is now three moves away from promoting. White is faced with a tough decision: attempt to stop the b-pawn, or counter-attack.
31... Ra1f1 32. Rb2c2 Re5e7
So, it's going to be counter-attack! I suspected as much, as this was the only remaining game in Round 1 of the tourney; BDP was two points behind me and needed a win to go through to the next round. Whereas a draw would have sufficed for me to go through.
One mis-step and it's curtains. E.g., if instead … Kf5 then Rh7-f7+, R interposes at f6; Bd3+, Kg4 forced; Re4+, Kh5; Rh7#. Or ... Kf5; Rh7-f7+, Kg4; Re4+, Kh5 forced; Rh7#
36... Re7e4 37. Kg4f5
Forced; every other move leads to a quick mate, as in the previous note. The Black K is tiptoeing though a minefield here.
37... Ne2g3 38. Kf5f6 Re4e7
White is threatening mate on the move: Rh7-f7.
39. b1=Q Kg1h2 40. Rc2xg2 Kh2xg2 41. Qb1a2
Holding the critical f7 square & forestalling mate. Black now has a slight material advantage, Q+P vs R+B, but the Black K is still in jeopardy.
41... Re7e2 42. Qa2d5
There now follows a 'dance on the volcano' whereby both sides are mutually pinning and threatening forks, skewers, and discovered checks. But remember: Black has only to draw, White must play to win.
42... Ng3e4 43. Kf6e6 Kg2h2 44. Qd5d4 Ne4c3
If NxRd6 dis+, KxN then White's mate threats evaporate, whereas Black has good chances in the ensuing endgame due to the passed c-pawn.
45. Ke6f5 Nc3e4
There are still mate threats lurking, for example: Rh7-f7+ and if Kg4 then Rg2+, Kh5 forced; Rh7#.
