Sokolov, I (2652) - Howell, D (2479), 4th Staunton Memorial, London/ Crowthorne, England, 18/08/06 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Qa4+ Qd7 8.Qb3 [Doubtless this manoeuvre has a purpose, but do not ask me what it is. The Black queen is well positioned on d7 and frequently goes there anyway in the Gruenfeld] 0-0 9.Nf3 b6 10.Be3 Bb7 11.Bd3 c5 12.0-0 Nc6 13.Rad1 Na5 14.Qb1 cxd4 15.cxd4 e6 [Despite my previous comment, White has arranged his pieces quite well and can count on an edge due to his pawn centre] 16.h4 [Broadening the attacking front] f5 17.Bb5 Qd6 18.d5!? exd5 19.e5! Bxe5 [A move of a brave man. Black will miss this bishop, but the alternative was to allow a dangerous passed pawn] 20.Nxe5 Qxe5 21.Bd4 Qe4 22.Qc1! Qxh4 [David would have been aware of the risks he was running but by now it was difficult to turn back] 23.Qc7 Rf7 24.Qe5 Re7 [Forced] 25.Qh8+ Kf7 26.Qg7+ Ke6 27.Rfe1+ Kd6 28.Be5+ Kc5 29.Bd4+ Kd6 30.Rxe7 [Amazingly, there is nothing better than acquiescing to this exchange] Qxe7 31.Qh6 [Regrouping for a second assault on the king] Bc6 32.Bc3 Kc7 33.Bb4!? Qd7? [Black has defended excellently so far but now, seduced by his extra material, he bravely, and rashly, goes for victory. However, correct was 33...Qxb4! 34.Qxh7+ Kb8 35. Qg8+ Kb7 when White has a draw by perpetual check, but no more] 34.Ba6! Bb5? [Here 34...Bb7! was far more resilient] 35.Bxb5 Qxb5 36.Bxa5 Qxa5 37.Qxh7+ Kc6 38.Rc1+ Kb5 39.Qb7! DIAGRAM [The killer! So woeful is Black's coordination that he cannot hope to survive the combined onslaught of queen and rook] Rh8 40.Rb1+ Kc4 41.Qc6+ Kd3 42.Rd1+ Ke4 43.Qe6+ Kf4 44.Rd4+ [Black resigns. After Kg5 45.Qe7+ Kh6 46.Rh4 is mate. A thrilling game]