Interesting position

This is from the game Gipslis-Sveshnikov '92... white to move.

If 23. Rd7 then ...Re8 and White now plays Bd6 perhaps? It seems Black will want to play Qf2 soon or maybe Bc3 to get something for the imprisoned bishop. Or I guess White taking the bishop isn't so great and he should go with 23. Qe1.

Your thoughts?






1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Nge7 5. O-O Nd4 6. Bd3
Nec6 7. b3 g6 8. Nxd4 cxd4 9. Ne2 Bg7 10. Ba3 d6 11. f4 f5
12. exf5 exf5 13. Bc4 d5 14. Bb5 Qb6 15. Re1 Kf7 16. Bxc6
bxc6 17. Nc1 d3+ 18. Kh1 Bxa1 19. Re7+ Kg8 20. Re8+ Kg7
21. Re7+ Kg8 22. c3 Bd7

What is black threatening on the e file? I don't understand why Rxd7 Re8 Nxd3 isn't fine. Or if white is really paranoid and is willing to un-trap the bishop to keep black off the e file, Rxd7 Re8 Re7

Qe1 threatening Qe5 and then Qg7 mate

If 23. Qe1 then ...Qd8 Qe5 Qe7 Qe7 Re8 Qh4 Bc3 Nd3 with a small advantage-- in this line it's two rooks vs. the queen (excluding the minor pieces).


Overlooked 25. Be7, which is way better than Qe7!

Originally posted by paultopia
What is black threatening on the e file? I don't understand why Rxd7 Re8 Nxd3 isn't fine. Or if white is really paranoid and is willing to un-trap the bishop to keep black off the e file, Rxd7 Re8 Re7