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Sometimes in a game, there can almost be a karmic thematic symmetry. For instance, we’ve all had a game where we were on the verge of checkmating an opponent, only to hang back rank mate! In the game I played earlier today, a positional blindness resulted in me losing my queen as the game crossed over from the opening to the midgame. However, a thematic repetition on the part of the opponent as the game crossed from the midgame towards the endgame allowed me to clinch the victory!

My earlier blunder should have resulted in a loss for me. The insight from that part of the game as I reflected on the moves was that I was overly committed to an idea that I had in my head, not a very good idea, and as such, ended up ignoring some basic principles – such as undoubling my pawns when I had the opportunity, and not opening up the centre when my king hasn’t yet to castle. Although I don’t know for sure, I suspect my opponent was overly committed to the idea that they were winning, to recognise the trap.

I hope you enjoyed this video, and thanks for watching!

Game on chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/live/32570412539

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.12.06"]
[Round "?"]
[White "ppodrick"]
[Black "vitualis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "1050"]
[BlackElo "1149"]
[TimeControl "1800"]
[EndTime "15:27:04 PST"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Bf5 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. Bxf6 gxf6 7. e4 Bg6 8. Bxc4 e6 9. O-O Nd7 10. Re1 Bh5 11. Be2 Rg8 12. h3 Bg6 13. d5 cxd5 14. exd5 Qb6 15. dxe6 Qxe6 16. Bb5 O-O-O 17. Rxe6 fxe6 18. Qc1 Kb8 19. Bxd7 Rxd7 20. Nh4 Bf7 21. Qc2 f5 22. Rc1 Rc7 23. g4 fxg4 24. Qxh7 gxh3+ 25. Kh2 Rg7 26. Qh8 Rc8 27. Ne2 Bd6+ 28. Kxh3 Rxh8 29. Nf4 Bxf4 30. Rc4 0-1