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Recently, I played a game against the Qd8-line of the Scandinavian Defense (1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd8) where the middle game wasn’t what it appeared to be on analysis. It was one of those games where both my opponent and I seemed to have developed an unspoken narrative of where the game was going (I was winning, and eventually inflicted emotional damage subsequent to an audacious gambit of a full piece to damage their defences). However, the cold hard logic of the analytic engine judged us both unfavourably. Effectively, the engine evaluated that my attacking idea was wrong and unwise, and that my opponent had unnecessarily resigned in a defensible position!

I was happy with the game in the opening. My personal feelings are that the Qd8-Scandinavian effectively gifts White an extra step of tempo, so my approach is to develop as quickly as possible with the White pieces, moving the knights and bishops into their usual squares.

By move 12, we were at the end of the opening and the beginning of the middle game, and the position starts to get complicated. Some of the engine recommendations and evaluations are difficult to understand, in fact! For instance, (12… Qd6) was apparently a mistake with (12… Qd7) the optimal move. But following the engine line, it recommends moving the queen to d6 the next move! In essence, the “best” move was in taking to queen moves to the same square!

On move 18, I manage to capitalise on Black’s mistake that can be understood according to principles. Their king had stayed in the centre too long and had given up an opportunity the move before to castle queenside to safety. Outside of computer evaluation, (18. Qh5+) forced Black’s king to move and thus no longer able to castle. This made the king exposed in centre, and although it took another 14 moves before the end of the game, it was the weakness in the Black king’s defences that ultimately gave me the win.

On move 23, I realised that I was low on time – 3 minutes to my opponent’s 10 minutes. I couldn’t calculate a way forward. So, I decided to weaken further the Black king’s already weak defence with a knight sacrificial gambit (23. Nxf6)! The curious thing is that Stockfish reckons that I had a winning position before [+4.8] but the complicated nature of it meant that I couldn’t see the move. My gambit was rated a blunder, with the advantage slightly moving to Black [-0.7].

However, it worked in practice, even if Stockfish disapproved. I now had a crack to which to apply pressure, and with each check brings the feeling of psychological momentum – it felt like winning for me and I imagine that it felt like losing for my opponent. And the thing with checks – they are often easy to find, allowing me to lessen my time disadvantage!

And the final move of the game (31. Rc4) was rated a “mistake” by the engine [from +6.8 to +1.2], but triggered Black to resign with three-and-a-half minutes left on the clock, so was it a mistake? Black’s queen appears trapped, but Black might have missed Qf3 as an escape square as my pawn on g2 is pinned to the king. However, in the context the illusion of the winning position by me (remember, only [+1.2]!), the multiple previous checks, the spectre of losing the queen caused emotional damage! GG!

The big takeaway from this game is not underestimate the psychological impacts of moves and positions. Regardless of the engine evaluation, you win if your opponent convinces themselves that they’ve lost!

Game on chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/live/83553322943

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.20"]
[Round "-"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "mew2king"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "B01"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Scandinavian-Defense-Mieses-Kotrc-Variation-3.Nc3-Qd8-4.d4-Nf6-5.Bc4"]
[UTCDate "2023.07.20"]
[UTCTime "00:51:28"]
[WhiteElo "1418"]
[BlackElo "1449"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]
[StartTime "00:51:28"]
[EndDate "2023.07.20"]
[EndTime "01:27:51"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/83553322943"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723.png"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://www.chess.com/bundles/web/images/noavatar_l.84a92436.gif"]
[BlackCountry "69"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:15:09.8]} 1... d5 {[%clk 0:15:07.3] Scandinavian Defense} 2. exd5
{[%clk 0:15:17.2]} 2... Qxd5 {[%clk 0:15:13.5]} 3. Nc3 {[%clk 0:15:26.7]} 3...
Qd8 {[%clk 0:15:15.5] Qd8-line [+0.5]. It isn't bad, but my view is that Black
loses some tempo.} 4. d4 {[%clk 0:15:28.7]} 4... Nf6 {[%clk 0:15:23]} 5. Bc4
{[%clk 0:15:10.6]} 5... e6 {[%clk 0:15:30.8]} 6. Bg5 {[%clk 0:14:53.6] I try to
take the advantage against the Qd8-line by rapidly developing my pieces
according to opening principles} 6... Be7 {[%clk 0:15:38.3]} 7. Nf3 {[%clk
0:14:05.6]} 7... a6 {[%clk 0:15:10.3]} 8. a4 {[%clk 0:13:43.9] Stockfish doesn't
consider this the most accurate move, but a4 stops Black from further expansion
on the queenside, for instance, with b5} 8... Nc6 {[%clk 0:15:00.9]} 9. d5 $6
{[%clk 0:13:50.4][%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][%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This provocative move is a
relative inaccuracy according to Stockfish prior to castling [0.00]} 9... Na7 $2
{[%clk 0:14:45.7][%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e6d5;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false] However, it worked
and induced an error, with Black moving their knight to the edge of the board
[+2]} 10. dxe6 $2 {[%clk 0:12:51.6][%c_effect
e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d1e2;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;e2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false] My thought was
forcing a queen trade would be good. Stockfish thinks this was unnecessary
[+0.9]} 10... Bxe6 {[%clk 0:13:34.3]} 11. Bxe6 {[%clk 0:12:46.4]} 11... fxe6 $2
{[%clk 0:13:42][%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d8d1;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;d1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false] Stockfish thought
that this was a mistake as avoiding the queen trade was more beneficial for
White [+1.7]} 12. Qe2 $1 {[%clk 0:12:32.3][%c_effect
e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12... Qd6 $2 {[%clk
0:13:24.4][%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d8d7;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;d7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false] A complex position
[+3.1]} 13. Rd1 {[%clk 0:12:25.2]} 13... Qb6 {[%clk 0:13:13.8]} 14. b3 $2 {[%clk
0:10:56.1][%c_arrow
g5f6;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false][%c_effect
b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Stockfish didn't think this was
necessary and recommends trading pieces [+1]} 14... Qc5 $6 {[%clk
0:12:17][%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e7b4;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;b4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b4;persistent;false] An inaccuracy [+1.4]}
15. Bxf6 {[%clk 0:07:47.4]} 15... gxf6 {[%clk 0:12:08.3]} 16. Ne4 {[%clk
0:07:47.5]} 16... Qb4+ $2 {[%clk 0:12:04.3][%c_arrow
c5a5;keyPressed;none;from;c5;opacity;0.8;to;a5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a5;persistent;false][%c_effect
b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Subtle positional differences result
in mistakes according to the engine $1 [+3.3]} 17. Nfd2 $2 {[%clk 0:06:48][%c_arrow
c2c3;keyPressed;none;from;c2;opacity;0.8;to;c3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c3;persistent;false][%c_effect
d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Stockfish didn't approve of this move
[+0.7] as Black can now castle, but my logic was to take Nxf6...} 17... e5 $2
{[%clk 0:12:01.5][%c_arrow
e8c8;keyPressed;none;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;c8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c8;persistent;false][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake - black should have used
the opportunity to castle the king out of danger [+4.4]} 18. Qh5+ {[%clk
0:06:23.7]} 18... Kf8 {[%clk 0:11:38.2] Now, the Black king is stuck in the
centre and exposed - this central theme becomes the winning idea in this game}
19. Qh6+ {[%clk 0:06:21.2]} 19... Kf7 {[%clk 0:11:34.2]} 20. O-O {[%clk
0:06:01.5]} 20... Rag8 {[%clk 0:11:15.8]} 21. Qh5+ {[%clk 0:04:47.5]} 21... Rg6
{[%clk 0:11:11.8]} 22. Nc4 {[%clk 0:03:43.4]} 22... Nc6 $6 {[%clk
0:10:28.6][%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b7b5;keyPressed;none;from;b7;opacity;0.8;to;b5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b5;persistent;false] A complicated
position [+4.8]} 23. Nxf6 $4 {[%clk 0:02:55.8][%c_arrow
d1d7;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;d7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false][%c_effect
f6;square;f6;type;Blunder;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true] This was a
gambit of a full piece. I couldn't quite see a way forward and was running low
on time. So, I decided to gambit a full piece to see whether I could crack open
the king's defences... [-0.7]} 23... Bxf6 $6 {[%clk 0:10:13.8][%c_arrow
f7f6;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false][%c_effect
f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true] And it seemed
to work [0.00] $1  I now had an in with check, though Stockfish thinks that the
piece sacrifice wasn't necessary $1} 24. Rd7+ $1 {[%clk 0:03:00.6][%c_effect
d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24... Kg8 $2 {[%clk
0:09:49.2][%c_arrow
f6e7;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false][%c_effect
g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake with Black trying to hide
away the king [+1.2]. However, this now locks away the rook on h8 meaning that
my piece sacrifice isn't felt $1} 25. Rxc7 {[%clk 0:02:31.1]} 25... Qc5 $2 {[%clk
0:05:50.5][%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f6d8;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false] A mistake [+4.4].
Black pins their knight to my rook.} 26. Rc8+ $2 {[%clk 0:02:28.7][%c_effect
c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f1d1;keyPressed;none;from;f1;opacity;0.8;to;d1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false] Although Stockfish
calls this a mistake [-0.3] it's a psychologically winning $1} 26... Kg7 $1 {[%clk
0:05:35.4][%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27. Rc7+
{[%clk 0:02:18.7]} 27... Kf8 $2 {[%clk 0:05:11.3][%c_effect
f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false][%c_arrow
f6e7;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false] A mistake
[+3.9]} 28. Qh3 $2 {[%clk 0:02:00.8][%c_arrow
f1d1;keyPressed;none;from;f1;opacity;0.8;to;d1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false][%c_effect
h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The winning move for a few turns was
to bring the second rook into the attack, meaning this was a mistake [+1.2].
Stockfish believes that Black can defend against my current attack, but it isn't
easy $1} 28... Qd5 $4 {[%clk 0:04:42.8][%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f6e7;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false] Surprisingly, this is
a blunder [+5.1], and similarly, the best move is not obvious} 29. Qc8+ $2 {[%clk
0:01:52.2][%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c4e3;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;e3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e3;persistent;false] Apparently a mistake
[+1.8]} 29... Nd8 {[%clk 0:04:33]} 30. Ne3 $1 {[%clk 0:01:42.5][%c_effect
e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30... Qe4 $2 {[%clk
0:03:29.7][%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d5f3;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false] A mistake [+6.8]} 31.
Rc4 $5 {[%clk 0:01:07.6][%c_effect
g1;square;g1;type;Winner,f8;square;f8;type;ResignBlack,c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f1d1;keyPressed;none;from;f1;opacity;0.8;to;d1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false] The queen appears to
be trapped and Black having sufferred emotional damage, resigns. This is a
fascinating position [+1.2] as the queen isn't actually trapped and can escape
to f3 $1} 1-0