Black could do nothing else except mark time with his Rook along the open file, since as soon as he moved away White would take it. White, on the other hand, threatens to march up with his King to K 5 via K B 2, K Kt 3, K B 4, after having, of course, prepared the way. Hence, Black's best chance was to give up a Pawn, as in the text, in order to free his Knight.
| 24. B × P | Kt - Q 2 | |
| 25. P - K R 4 | Kt - B 4 | |
| 26. B - B 4 | Kt - K 3 |
Black exchanges Knights to remain with Bishops of
opposite colours, which gives him the best chance to draw.
| 27. Kt × Kt | K × Kt |
27...P × Kt would be worse, as White would then be able to post his Bishop at K 5.
| 28. R - Q 2 | R - K R 1 |
Black wants to force B - Kt 3. P - K Kt 3 would be bad, on account of P - Q 5; which would get the Black Bishop into the game, even though White could answer P - K 4. The text move is, however, weak, as will soon be seen. His best chance was to play P - Kt 5; and follow it up with P - R 4 and B - R 3. White meanwhile could play P - Kt 4 and R 5, obtaining a passed Pawn, which, with proper play, should win.
| 29. R - Q B 2 ! | R - Q B 1 | |
| 30. R × R | B × R |