Michael Adams took first place at the Chessable English Championship in Kenilworth last weekend, winning the tournament with 6/7. In the third round, he was on the ropes in the endgame against Mark Hebden, but survived after several unexpected twists. In the diagram position, Adams has two plausible captures available but surprisingly, neither is the best move. Instead 62…Nc4! is best, thanks to the unfortunate situation of White’s knight: 63 Re2+ Kd4 64 Nxa4 Rxa3 65 Nb2 Ra2 and the pin recovers material.
Mark Hebden-Michael Adams
English Championship, Kenilworth, May 2023
(see left diagram)
62…Rxa3 This move attempts to improve upon 62…Rxc3 63 Rxb2 Rxa3 64 Rb4! when a future Ra3-a1 and a4-a3 will allow White’s rook to move to a4, taking up its optimal position behind the pawn on the a-file. By capturing the pawn first, Adams tries to situate his own rook to the side of his passed a-pawn, which gives more opportunities for counterplay against White’s kingside pawns.
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