Parham’s Great Escape

It was looking bleak for Parham Maghsoodloo. He was playing a lost bishop endgame against Wei Yi, and losing would eliminate him from the World Cup.

Down a pawn, as White, Black’s task is to overcome an unsteady blockade. The technical win starts with 45. …h3, and when the bishop comes forward with …Bg4, Black will have tactical tricks to promote the h-pawn. But White chose 45. …g4?? 46. Kf4 g3 (D), and found himself completely unable to shake what had become a much stronger blockade.

The pawns can never advance without being lost, and White will happily sacrifice their bishop if it eliminates both. Black also can’t totally ignore the c-pawn, which limits their own attempts.

The finish was quite nice.

White played 57. c7. What do you think was their point after …Kd6 (D)?

White can finally play 57. Kg5. It was not possible prior to the c7 push, because of …h3, when the white king had strayed a step too far away and Black would successfully promote a pawn. But now 57. …h3 58. Bxh3 Bxh3 59. Kh4 is in time, 59. …g2 60. Kxh3 (D) and both players promote. Black played 60. …g1=N+, and a draw was agreed.

Maghsoodloo and Wei will play tiebreaks tomorrow, along with 10 other matches. Follow along on Lichess.

Photo by Eteri Kublashvili