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This was a game that I arguably should have lost. I made a mistake due to being distracted in the game, blundering a full piece on move 6 against the Scotch Gambit. Stockfish gave an evaluation of [+2.6]. And yet, I won by my opponent resigning on move 20, and they were one step away from mate. Let’s see what happened!

Against the Scotch Gambit, I play the Dubois Reti Defense (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6). This is probably the best response to the Scotch Gambit as after the usual e-pawn push, and we play the critical response with our d-pawn (5. e5 d5), White will often make a mistake against the tension. In this game, White played (6. Bb3), which is an inaccuracy [-1] and Black has basically won the opening.

However, at this point, I got quite distracted as I was answering a message on another device. Don’t do this in a live game of chess! I saw that Ne4 was the logical move, but decided to try to calculate whether something else might be a candidate move as well. In my distraction, I lost view of the “continuity” that my knight on f6 was hanging and played Bg4, ostensibly pinning White’s knight to the queen. This is a straight up blunder [+2.6]! White happily captures my knight with their pawn!

I knew that I had made a major mistake. So my tactic at this point onwards was to play what I call CHAOS TACTICS. Simply, to play aggressively, prioritising development and tactical complications over preserving material – that is, to allow seemingly chaotic sacrifices that confuse and bewilder! The Scotch Gambit lines supports this style of play – it’s rather tricky and trappy for both White and Black, especially with the potential for early open centre files. The nature of White’s multiple e-pawn moves also means that White often isn’t ahead on development with the gambit.

We see the result of this on move 9. Although I’m down a full piece, I have some compensation in that I’ve two pieces developed, have castled, and control the semi-open d-file with my rook. White’s king is in danger on the e-file with the fully open e-file. Their next move (10. Nbd2) is a massive blunder [-4.8] and my tactic worked, except that I didn’t see the winning line! I had the opportunity to force White to trade their queen for one of my rooks (see the PGN for the alternative line from move 10).

The next couple of moves are rated as respective consecutive blunders as neither I, nor my opponent, see this line, or defend against it. However, I clearly have captured the initiative as after (11… Rhe8+), I now control both centre files with my rooks, and the king was forced to sidestep to f1, forgoing their ability to castle, and limiting the ability of the rook on h1 to develop.

The next series of moves are interesting. Stockfish rates the position as winning for White at times. However, White is facing against mating attacks almost every move, meaning that they had to walk a highly accurate line. On move 15, White seemingly found a move to force a queen trade, by pinning my queen against my king. However, (15… f5) blocks the pin, and I reactivate immediate threat of back rank mate on e1. White finds (16. g3) and here, I decide to sacrifice my hanging bishop on b4 by defending my f5 pawn with (16… g6). Chaotic sacrifices! White correctly captures my bishop, but I ignore it and play (17… Qd5), another immediate checkmate threat. Expectedly, White played (18. Rg1) moving their rook out of the way. Here, I played (18… Re7), looking as if I were going to double my rooks on the e-file, which seemingly would be another checkmate. I knew that this was a bluff, as it wasn’t fast enough with my a-pawn now open to attack from White’s rook on a1.

White fell for my bluff! They played (19. Qg2), seemingly asking for a queen trade yet again. This was a terminal blunder [-M3]. By this time, I had seen that winning line that I did not see earlier in the match. Initially, I thought that the queen on b5 with check wouldn’t work as White could play c4, blocking the diagonal, attacking the queen, with the pawn defended by the knight on d2. However, I now saw that c4 doesn’t work as I had the principal chaotic chess move, en passant!

So, (19… Qb5+); White plays (20. c4) and I immediate respond with the beautiful en passant discovered check (20… dxc3+)! Emotional damage, and White resigned with mate unavoidable next turn. GG!

The big takeaway from this game is to consider making use of this tactical style when in a losing position. With risk comes opportunity, and risks are less when you’re already losing! Losing fast vs losing slow is still losing.

Game on chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/live/82261206653

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.05"]
[Round "-"]
[White "CertainPajamas"]
[Black "vitualis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "C55"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Scotch-Game-Scotch-Gambit-Dubois-Reti-Defense-5.e5-d5"]
[UTCDate "2023.07.05"]
[UTCTime "01:55:08"]
[WhiteElo "1376"]
[BlackElo "1392"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]
[StartTime "01:55:08"]
[EndDate "2023.07.05"]
[EndTime "02:18:15"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/82261206653"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/83497792.bfb81bd2.50x50o.5e184ad4ae4b.jpg"]
[WhiteCountry "2"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723.png"]
[BlackCountry "17"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:15:09.3]} 1... e5 {[%clk 0:15:05.8]} 2. Nf3 {[%clk 0:15:16.2]}
2... Nc6 {[%clk 0:15:14.2]} 3. d4 {[%clk 0:15:14.8]} 3... exd4 {[%clk
0:15:19.8]} 4. Bc4 {[%clk 0:15:14.2]} 4... Nf6 {[%clk 0:15:25.7] Scotch Game:
Scotch Gambit, Dubois Reti Defense [0.00]} 5. e5 {[%clk 0:15:17.4]} 5... d5
{[%clk 0:15:34.6]} 6. Bb3 $6 {[%clk 0:15:04.2][%c_effect
b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c4b5;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;b5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b5;persistent;false] An inaccuracy [-1]
and this goes to show the power of the Dubois Reti Defense against the Scotch
Gambit $1} 6... Bg4 $4 {[%clk 0:14:36.4][%c_arrow
f6e4;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;e4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false][%c_effect
g4;square;g4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] This is a straight up blunder [+2.6]
that hangs the knight on f6. Clearly Ne4 is the best move, but I was a bit
distracted as I was answering a message at the same time. I had seen Ne4 but was
looking to see whether there was another candidate move. While distracted, I
lost \"continuity\" that the knight was under attack $1} 7. exf6 {[%clk
0:15:06.6]} 7... Qxf6 {[%clk 0:14:34.7] At this point, I knew that I had made a
major mistake. And so, my tactic from this point onwards, knowing that the
Scotch Gambit lines are potentially tricky for both White and Black, is to play
aggressive moves with seemingly chaotic sacrifices with plenty of tactical
tension $1} 8. Bxd5 {[%clk 0:15:09]} 8... O-O-O {[%clk 0:14:01.2]} 9. Bxc6 $1 {[%clk
0:15:02.4][%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White
correctly tries to simplify...} 9... Qxc6 {[%clk 0:13:59.3]} 10. Nbd2 $4 {[%clk
0:15:05.9][%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e1g1;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;g1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g1;persistent;false] This is a massive
blunder [-4.8] on account of the full open e-file and White's exposed king.
However, I don't see the see the tactic...} 10... Bb4 $4 {[%clk
0:13:59.3][%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c6b5;keyPressed;none;from;c6;opacity;0.8;to;b5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b5;persistent;false] A blunder as I don't
see the winning line [+2.9]} ({The winning line I didn't see...} 10... Qb5
{[%c_arrow
b5f1;keyPressed;alt;from;b5;opacity;0.8;to;f1;persistent;false,d8e8;keyPressed;alt;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false,e8e1;keyPressed;alt;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;e1;persistent;false]}
11. Qe2 Re8 12. Ne4 Bb4+ 13. Bd2 Rxe4 14. Qxe4 Re8 15. Qxe8+ Qxe8+ {... and
chess continues}) 11. a3 $4 {[%clk 0:14:24.4][%c_effect
a3;square;a3;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e1g1;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;g1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g1;persistent;false] A blunder back [-5.2]
as the previous attack still exists} 11... Rhe8+ $2 {[%clk 0:14:05.8][%c_effect
e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c6b5;keyPressed;none;from;c6;opacity;0.8;to;b5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b5;persistent;false] A mistake as I didn't
see the winning line [-3.8]} 12. Kf1 {[%clk 0:14:20.9]} 12... Bxf3 $4 {[%clk
0:12:54.3][%c_arrow
d4d3;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false][%c_effect
f3;square;f3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] This wasn't the correct move [+3] but
it is a chaotic aggressive move that reduces White's defenders in the context of
their exposed king} 13. Qxf3 $6 {[%clk 0:14:09.4][%c_effect
f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d2f3;keyPressed;none;from;d2;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false] A sensible looking
developing move that happens to be suboptimal [+1.1]} 13... Qa6+ $2 {[%clk
0:11:56.6][%c_arrow
b4d2;keyPressed;none;from;b4;opacity;0.8;to;d2;persistent;false,a6f1;keyPressed;alt;from;a6;opacity;0.8;to;f1;persistent;false,e8e1;keyPressed;alt;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;e1;persistent;false][%c_effect
a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_highlight
d2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false] Stockfish calls this
a mistake [+2.8] but it's a highly forcing move. White has only one move (Qd3)
that doesn't lead to forced mate.} 14. Qd3 $1 {[%clk 0:13:50.6][%c_effect
d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14... Qe6 {[%clk
0:11:17.8][%c_highlight
e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false,e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false,e1;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;e1;persistent;false][%c_arrow
e8e1;keyPressed;alt;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;e1;persistent;false] Mate threat
again} 15. Qh3 $2 {[%clk 0:13:19.1][%c_effect
h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This looks like a forcing move
(pinning the queen to the king and forcing a queen trade), but it's a mistake
[-3] as it can be blocked and the queen is in the wrong place} 15... f5 $1 {[%clk
0:11:22.8][%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false,e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false,e1;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;e1;persistent;false][%c_arrow
e8e1;keyPressed;alt;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;e1;persistent;false] The pin is
blocked, and the mate threat is back} 16. g3 {[%clk 0:11:02.6]} 16... g6 $4
{[%clk 0:08:29.8][%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] Stockfish
calls this a blunder [+4.8] but there is a method to the chaos as we shall see $1}
17. axb4 {[%clk 0:10:45]} 17... Qd5 {[%clk 0:08:15.3][%c_arrow
d5h1;keyPressed;alt;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;h1;persistent;false,e8e1;keyPressed;alt;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;e1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h1;persistent;false,e1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e1;persistent;false]
Mate threat} 18. Rg1 {[%clk 0:09:21.6]} 18... Re7 $5 {[%clk 0:07:24.1][%c_effect
e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Looks like I'm setting up a rook
battery on the e-file which will force a mate, but this is a bluff as I'm not
fast enough...} 19. Qg2 $4 {[%clk 0:09:22.4][%c_effect
g2;square;g2;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a1a7;keyPressed;none;from;a1;opacity;0.8;to;a7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a7;persistent;false] And the bluff works $1
White attempts to force a trade of queens, but has taken their king's final
escape square $1 [-M3]} 19... Qb5+ $1 {[%clk 0:06:49.8][%c_effect
b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the winning line from
before, belatedly seen $1} 20. c4 {[%clk 0:09:10.5]} 20... dxc3+ {[%clk
0:06:58.2][%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Winner,f1;square;f1;type;ResignWhite] En
passant EMOTIONAL DAMAGE and White resigns $1 White can only delay mate by a move
by blocking the diagonal with their knight. Chaos tactics for the win $1 GG $1} 0-1