Phase IV

6/3/2010 – Everyone is well aware of the division of a game of chess into three phases: opening, middlegame and endgame. But there is also a so-called fourth phase, which occurs when both sides have promoted a passed pawn. In the rapid game Gurevich-Ivanchuk, played in the World Cup in Odessa, Ivanchuk chose after 58.Ke6 the continuation 58...Rxf6+, and the promotion of both pawns was imminent. What do you think? Was Ivanchuk's decision the correct one or was there a better continuation available to him?  As always, you will find the solution and the analysis by GM Karsten Müller on ChessBase Magazine Online.