Game 4

SaltofLife Vs JimGrange
4th Match Game




Salt showed his Grandmasterly technique in this game grinding out a win in another Exchange Ruy Lopez. The game followed Fressinet - Adams (Bordeaux, 2000) until Salt's novelty 16)g4. By move 19 I believe black had equalised, and had a good grip on the d-file. Salty blundered with 20)Kf2? allowing 20)...Rd2+ winning a pawn, but I overlooked this simple check and played to exchange all the major pieces. This left white with a slight pull into the endgame, which was executed with lethal precision. A very strong game from Salt, leaving the match in a very exciting position. 2 games left, with Salt needing only not to drop a point to clinch the match. A win for him in game 5 will be immediately decisive.