Easy Exit

This morning in an online 10 minute game, I knew I had an advantage, but suffered a failure of confidence without a clear checkmate. I forced a draw. The rating difference was such that the draw lifted me 6 points.

I had Black

White to move

32.a6

While replaying from the diagram against Stockfish, the machine played 32.Qc6. A queen ending was reached after the subsequent moves: 32...Ng3+ 33.Kh2 Ne2 34.Rxe2 Qxe2 35.Bc1 Qd1 36.Qc5 Qxb3 37.Bd2 h5 38.Bxb4 Rb8 39.a6 Rxb4 40.a7 Ra4 41.Qc8 Kh7 42.a8Q Rxa8 43.Qxa8

Black to move

Analysis diagram

My failure to convert the advantage in this ending highlights an area that deserves some study.

Returning to this morning's game.

32...Qe1+

32...Ng3+ is better.

33.Kh2 Qg3+ 34.Kg1

Black to move

At this point, I knew that I had an advantage and spent 58 seconds looking for a clear path forward. 

34...Qe1+

I opted to force a draw.

34...Ng5 created threats, but did not force matters towards a favorable conclusion.
I missed the option of returning to a previous position and easily winning White's rook. To wit, 34...Qe3+ 35.Kh1 Ng3+ 36.Kh2 Ne2 and White must give up the rook to stop checkmate.

The same situation would have occurred after 32...Ng3+

After the rook exchanges itself for the knight, Black's queen forks bishop and pawn.

White to move

I had no difficulty winning this position against Stockfish in my second battle with the silicon beat today.