A Bird Lucky Flee

Proving my prediction wrong, Alex Mendes da Costa drew with Andrew Bird yesterday at the NSW State Championships. But it was a draw that, I suppose, was a rather bitter one for Alex for he was surely winning at several points. For example, in the following position, with Alex (white) to move, find the winning maneouvre.

Andrew Bird

Alex Mendes da Costa

The game continued 51. Ke3 h4 52. Nc8+ Kc7 53. Kf3 g5 54. Nd6 g4+ 55. Ke3 Ra3+ 56. Kd4 h3 57. Rc8+ Kxd6 58. Rh8 Rxa7 59. Rh6+ Kc7 60. Ke3 Ra4 61. Kf2 Ra2+ 62. Kg1 Kd7 63. Rh4 Rg2+ 64. Kh1 Ke6 65. Rxh3 Ra2 66. Rh5 Kf6 67. Kg1 Kg6 68. Rb5 Re2 69. Rc5 Kf6 70. Ra5 Re5 71. Rxe5 Kxe5 72. Kg2 Kf4 73. Kf2 Ke4 74. Kg2 Kf5 75. Kg3 Kg5 76. Kg2 Kh4 77. Kh2 g3+ 78. Kg2 Kg4 79. Kg1 Kf3 80. Kf1 g2+ 81. Kg1 Kg3 {Game drawn by mutual agreement} 1/2-1/2

Andrew Bird maintains his half point lead, on 6 points, from his nearest rivals, Canfell and Fuller; the latter two will play each other in the next round.