1.e4
Irina plays 1.d4 more often than 1.e4, but in general she's a versatile player, capable of switching things up. Here she plays a great theoretical novelty and follows it up with an accurate and imaginative attack.
1...e5
2.Nf3
Nc6
3.Bb5
a6
4.Ba4
Nf6
5.0-0
b5
6.Bb3
Bc5
The modern way of playing the Ruy Lopez, as compared to the classical lines involving ...d6 and 00 or the Marshall with ...00 and d5
7.c3
d6
8.a4
Bb7
9.d4
Bb6
10.Re1
0-0
11.Bg5
h6
12.Bh4
g5
An unorthodox move that allows a tempting sacrafice. Nxg5 had been played 3 times previous to this game, and black won each time. This time Irina has a trick up her sleeve.
13.Nxg5
hxg5
14.Bxg5
exd4
15.Bd5!
Almost everyone would have played Qf3 instead here, but that leads to some problems for white, as there is no easy way to include the rest of the pieces in the attack. With this move, Irina implements a plan that includes the rook on a1, and thus decides the game.
It's very important to use as many pieces as possible while attacking, and Irina found a fantastic solution to that problem here. [15.Qf3
Kg7
Qf3 is the natural option for white, but now it becomes difficult to include other pieces into the attack. Irina's method was fantastic because the dormant rook on a1, becomes a monster in just a few moves.]
15...Kg7
16.cxd4
Qd7
17.Ra3!
White is transfering the rook to the attack through the 3rd rank. Very nice! This idea was the whole point of Bd5. Irina impressively ignored the obvious Qf3 attempt and instead focused on bringing her rook into the action. Black has a difficult defensive task ahead.
17...Nh7
[17...Nxd5
18.Rg3!+-
and white wins immediatly. 18...f6
19.Qh5
fxg5
20.Rxg5+
Kf6
21.exd5
and mate is coming.]
18.Rg3?!
[18.Qh5
This was probably stronger than the move from the game. 18...f6
19.Bh6+
Kh8
20.Rg3
Rg8
21.Rxg8+
Rxg8
22.axb5
axb5
23.Bxg8
Kxg8
24.Qxb5+-
]
18...Kh8
[18...Nxg5
19.Rxg5+
Kf6
Suprisingly white isn't instantly winning here, however white obviously has great practical chances with the black king sitting on f6. 20.e5+
This line leads to a draw. (20.Qh5
Ke7
21.Qh4
Things aren't pleasant for black here. Fritz considers it even or slightly better for white, but I think it's simply winning for white from a practical standpoint.) 20...Kxg5
21.Qc1+
Kg6
22.Be4+
Kh5
23.Qd1+
Kh6
24.Qd2+
Kh5
25.Qe2+
Kh6
26.Qe3+
Kh5=
27.Qf3+?
Qg4
]
19.Qh5
Bxd4??
A blunder which allows Krush to play an amazing tactic, reminiscent of a famous Fischer - Benko game. [19...f5!
and white doesn't have clear way to decide the game. White is still better but not immediately winning. In the game variation Krush finds an incredible tactic.]
20.e5!!
Clearing e4 for the bishop.
20...Bxe5
[The same defensive idea didn't helped here: 20...f5
21.Bf6+
Rxf6
22.exf6
Bxf6
23.Qg6!+-
/\Qg8]
21.Bf6+!!
Blocking the f-pawn and stopping any ....f5 ideas.
21...Bxf6
22.Be4
And there's no way to stop checkmate. A beautiful combination from Krush. 1-0