firouzja2003 vs nihalsarin

White followed the Catalan plan by fianchettoing the king’s bishop (Bg2) and placing the queen on c2, then quickly switched the queen to the queenside with **18.Qa4**. The queen’s move hit the b7‑pawn and forced Black’s queen to defend, allowing White to capture on a7 with **20.Qxa7** and win a pawn. This demonstrates the principle of using the queen to create threats on the side where the opponent’s pieces are undeveloped.

After winning the pawn, White exchanged rooks on d7 with **21.Rxd7** and **21...Bxd7**, simplifying into a favorable endgame while keeping the bishop pair active. White then captured the b6‑pawn with **27.Bxb6**, gaining a second pawn and opening the a‑file for a passed pawn. The subsequent sacrifice on e4 (**30.Bxe4** followed by **30...fxe4**) eliminated Black’s central pawn and left Black with only a bishop versus White’s rook and bishop, showing how material gains and piece activity can be combined to force a winning structure.

White’s rook entered the open a‑file with **32.Rc4**, targeting the a‑pawn and cutting off Black’s bishop on b4. The rook’s presence on the fourth rank (controlling the a‑ and c‑files) and the advanced a‑pawn created unstoppable threats, leading Black to resign. This illustrates the endgame principle of activating the rook on open lines and using a passed pawn to restrict the opponent’s pieces.