1.e4
e5
2.Nf3
Nc6
3.Bb5
a6
Zilberstein feels comfortable with classical play against 1.e4, however playing in such a style against experienced Grandmasters often spells trouble. Let's see how Zilberstein handles it..
4.Ba4
Nf6
5.0-0
b5
6.Bb3
Bc5
Zilberstein plays the more modern version of the Ruy Lopez that has become popular lately. In the past, black would always place the bishop on e7 while defending with the Ruy.
7.a4
Rb8
8.c3
Preparing d4
8...d6
9.d4
Bb6
10.Na3
0-0
An interesting pawn sacrafice, however white will have to go through some contortions to keep the pawn.
11.axb5
axb5
12.Nxb5
exd4
13.cxd4
Bg4
Black is threatening to simply capture on d4 in this position, because after 14....Nxd4 15.Nbxd4 Bxd4 16.Qxd4 black can play 16...Rxb3.
14.Ra4
A funny, yet effective defensive move with the rook.
14...Re8
Note that black could not capture on e4 immediately due to Bd5. [14...Nxe4?
15.Bd5
]
15.Bc2
Planning 15...Nxe4 16. d5, and suddenly the rook on a4 discovers the knight on e4! However this variation isn't so clear.
15...Qd7
Zilberstein prefers this over the more forcing Nxe4 [15...Nxe4!?
16.d5
Nxf2
17.Rxf2
Bxf3
18.gxf3
and black has compensation for the material. White will have two pieces for a rook whenever black decides to capture on f2, but black will have a pawn and white's king will be somewhat exposed. (18.Qxf3??
Re1#
) ]
16.Nc3
Bringing the knight to a nice central square. Finally things look very cozy for white, however black now has an annoying series of moves.
16...Bxf3!
Forcing white to ruin his pawn structure, as if the queen captures on f3, black can take on d4.
17.gxf3
Qh3
You'll think it's the 4th of July after the fireworks that are coming up here...
18.Be3
Ivanov must have felt very safe, as despite having some weakening of his king cover, black has no real easy way of bringing any pieces into the attack. Ivanov must have fell off his chair after the next move...
18...Re5!!
Wow! If white captures the rook with 19.dxe5 black plays 19....Nxe5 and there is no way to stop 20...Nxf3!
19.Re1
[19.dxe5
Nxe5
and despite white's extra rook, there is no stopping Nxf3]
19...Rh5
and suddenly black's rook is right in the thick of things.
20.Bf4
Only defense to Qxh2
20...Rh4!
21.Bg3
Threatening to capture on h4...
21...Nh5
But Zilberstein doesn't care! He finds a way to get another piece into the attack! What a nightmare for Ivanov, as what looked like an attack in which only blacks queen was taking part, suddenly black's entire army is joining the battle.
22.Re2
[22.Bxh4??
Nf4
and checkmate is forced on g2.]
22...Ne5!
This is getting ridiculous, the pieces just keep coming! Every piece except the rook on b8, is helping to attack Ivanov's king.
23.Rd2
Ivanov just has no idea what to do. Its very hard to move any of his pieces! [23.dxe5??
Nxg3
24.hxg3
Qh1#
]
23...Nf4!
24.Bxf4
Nxf3+
and Zilberstein wins Ivanovs queen. An amazing flurry of blows from Dmitry. Zilberstein takes his time finishing Ivanov off, but the result is never really in doubt.
25.Qxf3
Qxf3
26.Bg3
Rh6
27.Nd5
Re6
28.Ra3
Qh5
29.Kg2
Ree8
30.Bf4
c6
31.Rh3
Qg4+
32.Rg3
Qh4
33.Bg5
Qxg3+
Dmitry decides that it's best to give back the queen to go into an endgame with the extra exchange.
34.hxg3
cxd5
35.exd5
Ba5
36.Rd3
Rxb2
37.Bd1
Be1
38.Be3
Ra8
39.Kf1
Bb4
40.Bg4
Rb1+
41.Kg2
Ra2
42.Bf4
Ra3!
When you have 2 rooks and bishop and one rook and 2 bishops, it's usually a good idea to trade off the rooks if you are playing for the win. This way black has the only rook on the board.
43.Rxa3
Bxa3
44.Be2
Kf8
45.g4
Ke7
46.Kf3
Bc1
47.Bd3
Ra1
48.Bg3
Ra4
49.Bxh7
g6
50.Bh4+
Kf8
51.Bf6
Bh6
And after ...Bg7 the game is hopeless, so Ivanov resigned. 0-1