I write this with a sunny feeling. That’s partly because spring is upon us, but mostly because I have just spotted one of those winsome coincidences which lifts the spirits with its serendipity. The first part of this delightful dyad occurred in the preliminary stage of the latest (and ongoing) Magnus Carlsen invitational event.
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov–Daniil Dubov,
Magnus Carlsen Invitational, March 2021
Two pawns up, Mamedyarov is certainly expecting to grind out a win. His last move, 66 Bd4-e5 threatens Re7-c7+, skewering the bishop on c2. Quick as a whip, Dubov fires back with 66…Rf1!! to attack the pawn on f5. If White loses that pawn, the game is bound for a draw, and anyway Mamedyarov’s move 67 Rc7+ appears to win the bishop. Dubov responds with 67…Kd5, and after 68 Rxc2 Rxf5+! 69 Kxf5 the game is drawn by stalemate, as unexpected as it is beautiful.
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