Uk-China Match : Adams lost to Zhang Pengxiang!

China is leading UK 18-14 after round 4 of the UK-China match held in Liverpool. The most shocking result is GM Micheal Adams photo left lost to GM Zhang Pengxiang photo right. Although Zhang is not China no. 1 player, he is strong and experienced player and has beat Karpov in the past.

W: GM Michael Adams (2724)vs B: GMZhang Pengxiang (2694)

UK-China Match, Round 4, 07.09.2007

Analysis by Fritz and hairulov

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 The Sicilian Four Knights 6.Nxc6 (6.Ndb5 offer black to transpose to the Shevesnikov with 6...d6 7.Bf4 e5 8.Bg5) 6...bxc6

GM Michael Adams playing his move 7.e5

photo from http://www.liverpoolchessinternational.co.uk/index.htm

7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qa5 14.Nxf6+ gxf6 15.Kf2 0-0 16.a3 Bc5 17.b4 Bxe3+ 18.Kxe3 Qc7 19.c5

White gains space 19...a5 20.Bc4 Ba6 21.Bb3 Kh8 22.Qd2 e5 23.Rhe1 Rad8 24.Rad1 Attacks the backward pawn on d7 24...axb4 25.axb4

25...d5 Zhang have to do something or else Adams will gradually improve his positional and space advantage 26.cxd6 Qb6+ 27.Kf3 c5! A good move by Zhang, now the position is open, Adam king's will feel uncomfortable 28.g4 [28.Qe3 Qxb4 29.Be6 Qb2= and; 28.Be6 cxb4 29.Kg3 is a brave line suggest by Fritz] 28...e4+ [28...cxb4!? and Black has air to breath 29.Be6 Bb5=] 29.Kg3 [Worse is 29.Rxe4 Bb7] 29...Bd3 30.Bd5 c4 31.Bxe4 [31.Rxe4?? would be a gruesome error 31...Rxd6 (‹31...Bxe4 32.Bxe4 Rde8 33.d7+/-) 32.Qe3 Qxe3+ 33.Rxe3 Rxd5-+] 31...Rxd6 32.Qc3 Rfd8 33.Bf3 Rd4 34.b5?! [34.f5!+/- should be played. Fixing the weakness on f6 and threatening to play move such as Re6-Rfe1] 34...Qd6! [34...Qxb5 35.Re6 Kg7 36.Qa3 Will give Adams the initiative.] 35.Qc1 Now Adams in the defensive. 35...h5 36.h3 [36.gxh5 Rg8+ 37.Bg4 f5-+] 36...c3 A strong passed pawn

37.b6?? Frustated by sudden turn off his position , Adams blunder [37.Qxc3 hxg4] 37...c2-+ 38.Rxd3 [38.Rd2? Qxf4+] 38...Rxd3 39.Qxc2 Qa3 40.Rf1 [40.Qc6 the last chance for counterplay 40...Rxf3+! the final nail in the coffin 41.Qxf3-+] 40...h4+ 41.Kxh4 Rxf3 42.Rxf3 Qxf3 43.Qc7 [43.Qc5 Qxf4 44.b7 Kg7-+] 43...Qd3 [43...Rd5 ends the debate 44.f5 Qe3-+] 44.f5 [44.b7 there is nothing better in the position 44...Qh7+ 45.Qxh7+ Kxh7 46.f5-+] 44...Qd2 [44...Qd2 45.Qxd8+ Qxd8-+] 0-1 a nice counterattacking game by Zhang Pengxiang!