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Occasionally, you’ll play a game where the computer analysis is difficult to understand. In this game, some of the positions were rather complicated, and the computer would suggest relatively inhuman lines. What I mean is that there are sometimes lines that are slightly better evaluation wise, but only when you play very accurately. One error, and the opponent is ahead.

This game started with a Vienna Game with the “Philidor-ish” defense (1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 d6). The game almost immediately turned down an unusual path with Black defending their e-pawn with a queen move (3. d4 Qe7). Now, I knew that this couldn’t possibly be good having analysed the position previously, but how to gain an advantage? I played (4. Nd5) chasing the queen for tempo (4… Qd8). However, although Black wasted two moves, arguably it was also premature for my knight to be on the d5 as it was liable to being kicked by c6 and I had insufficient development.

Here, Stockfish gives a curious recommendation on move 5. It suggests (5. Bg5), which straight up hangs the bishop! Now, although it is true that we’ll get Nxc7+, forcing the king the move, and then allowing a capture of the Black rook, is it actually better for White? Stockfish thinks so, but the evaluation is only slightly better (by about +0.5) compared to playing more solidly. I find it difficult to recommend Stockfish’s recommendation here as there are many things that can go wrong down that line!

On move 12, Stockfish makes another fearless recommendation. Black’s queen has just moved to a6 with an attack on our undefended a2 pawn after we have castled queenside. So, I played (12. Kb1) in the game, usually a good move and defending a2. However, Stockfish was completely unafraid and simply recommended a cool central pawn capture (dxe5) and allowing Qxa2! Frankly, the queen capture looks terrifying with a potential mate, damaged king defence, and no obvious way that the black queen would be trapped. And again, the difference is evaluation is from [+4.3 → +3] making Stockfish’s risky play hardly worthwhile!

On move 18, I had the option of capturing Black’s d5 pawn with either my bishop or my pawn on e4. I took with the bishop, which led it to be defended in the centre of the board by the e4 pawn. Stockfish, however, suggested capturing the with the pawn, which would result in isolated doubled d-pawns and isolated doubled f-pawns, was better! Like in the other positions, it was difficult to see why this would be better.

Now, what this means in this game is that the computer evaluation needs to be taken with a grain of salt in understanding the psychological evaluation flow. The position was complex and unbalanced. Black had one additional piece but was only up one point of material. I had a substantial majority of pawns, better development, and a king that wasn’t exposed in the centre. Although the position was in my favour at times, or close to equal, I suspected that I was winning the psychological brinksmanship in the game.

On move 22, I made a psychological attack with (22. Bxf7+)! Now, this LOOKED like a bishop sacrifice with check and frankly, had the appearance of a trap. However, it completely a bluff! Black was spooked and after thinking for a minute, declined to capture my bishop (which was their best move) and moved their king out of check (22… Kd8), which was a blunder [+4.5] giving me now a winning advantage!

With Black now having cemented in their mind the idea that I’m making sacrificial traps, I now employed this bluff tactic a second time on move 25. Black had moved their knight to h6 the previous move to attack my bishop, the same bishop, still on f7. However, rather than moving it out of the way, I instead play (25. Rhd1) seemingly baiting Black to capture the bishop, once again, looking like a trap. Black, once again spooked, declined to take the bishop and once again, game me a massive advantage [+5.7]!

On move 30, we enter the endgame where Black’s king was isolated from their other pieces. I chase the king with checks and on move 33, Black blunders by playing (33… Ka5) which traps their king on the a-file with impending checkmate, other than some spite checks to delay. Black, now chooses to let their clock run out for over 6 minutes, which was rather annoying. Don’t be that person! Even if you’re annoyed or disappointed at your position, play with good sportsmanship. In any case, I win when Black times out.

The big takeaways from this game is to that you need to look at Stockfish evaluations with context. Best engine moves might result in lines that are difficult to play. Secondly, your opponents are human! Psychological brinksmanship includes using bluffs!

Game on chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/live/84513153715

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.31"]
[Round "-"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "Antoniofmath4"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "C25"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Vienna-Game-2...d6"]
[UTCDate "2023.07.31"]
[UTCTime "03:27:30"]
[WhiteElo "1398"]
[BlackElo "1282"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]
[Termination "vitualis won on time"]
[StartTime "03:27:30"]
[EndDate "2023.07.31"]
[EndTime "04:03:31"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/84513153715"]
[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 "27"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:15:10]} 1... e5 {[%clk 0:15:08.5]} 2. Nc3 {[%clk 0:15:16.6]} 2...
d6 {[%clk 0:15:13.8] Vienna Game, 2... d6} 3. d4 {[%clk 0:15:24.6]} 3... Qe7 $6
{[%clk 0:14:48][%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An
unexpected move $1 I knew that this was clearly at least an inaccuracy [+1], but
how to punish $2} 4. Nd5 {[%clk 0:15:21.2]} 4... Qd8 {[%clk 0:14:47]} 5. Nf3
{[%clk 0:14:57.1][%c_arrow
c1g5;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;g5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false] Curiously, Stockfish
recommends Bg5, seemingly hanging the bishop. The engine evaluates that this is
slightly better for White should Black simply capture the bishop with their
queen (from about 1.0 $37 1.5) making this quite an inhuman recommendation $1} 5...
Bg4 $6 {[%clk 0:14:47.3][%c_arrow
c7c6;keyPressed;none;from;c7;opacity;0.8;to;c6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c6;persistent;false][%c_effect
g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A relative inaccuracy [+1.3].
Stockfish recommends kicking out the knight.} 6. Qd3 $6 {[%clk
0:13:27.8][%c_arrow
c1g5;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;g5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false][%c_effect
d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Stockfish still recommends the
inhuman move [+0.7]} 6... c6 {[%clk 0:14:52.9]} 7. Ne3 {[%clk 0:13:28.4]} 7...
Bxf3 {[%clk 0:14:54.6]} 8. gxf3 {[%clk 0:13:25.9]} 8... Nd7 {[%clk 0:14:50.3]}
9. Bd2 {[%clk 0:13:17]} 9... h5 $6 {[%clk 0:14:40.3][%c_effect
h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This was an inaccuracy [+1.8].
Fundamentally, the kingside pawn attack isn't likely to be a successful strategy
as my king will likely castle queenside. Stockfish rates a number of possible
candidate moves as best depending on the depth of analysis.} 10. O-O-O {[%clk
0:13:10.8]} 10... Qb6 $6 {[%clk 0:14:30.9][%c_arrow
e5d4;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;d4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false][%c_effect
b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An understandable move, but an
inaccuracy according to the engine [+2.7]. Capturing in the centre prevents me
from doing the same.} 11. Nc4 {[%clk 0:12:56]} 11... Qa6 $6 {[%clk
0:12:47.2][%c_arrow
b6c7;keyPressed;none;from;b6;opacity;0.8;to;c7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c7;persistent;false][%c_effect
a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An inaccuracy [+4.3]} 12. Kb1 $6
{[%clk 0:10:46.5][%c_effect
b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d4e5;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;e5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false] Stockfish was
apparently unafraid of Qxa2 and thinks this move is inaccurate $1 [+3]} 12... b5
{[%clk 0:12:29.6]} 13. Na3 $6 {[%clk 0:09:51][%c_effect
a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c4a5;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;a5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a5;persistent;false] A complicated
position with some surprising best moves according to the engine $1 This was an
inaccuracy [+1.7]} 13... d5 $2 {[%clk 0:12:05.5][%c_arrow
e5d4;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;d4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false][%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Complicated, complicated $1 Apparently
a mistake [+4.1]} 14. Nxb5 $2 {[%clk 0:09:10.5][%c_arrow
e4d5;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false][%c_effect
b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] And this was also a mistake [+1]}
14... cxb5 $2 {[%clk 0:12:00.8][%c_arrow
a6b5;keyPressed;none;from;a6;opacity;0.8;to;b5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b5;persistent;false][%c_effect
b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true] As was this $1
[+2.5]} 15. Qxb5 $2 {[%clk 0:09:19.2][%c_arrow
d4e5;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;e5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false][%c_effect
b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true] Stockfish simply
didn't like my tactical line now giving Black the advantage with the trading
away of material [-0.2]} 15... Qxb5 {[%clk 0:12:00.5]} 16. Bxb5 {[%clk
0:09:25.9]} 16... a6 $6 {[%clk 0:12:08.1][%c_effect
a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] But luckily, I come out ahead in
the exchange $1 [+0.6]} 17. Bc6 {[%clk 0:09:25.4]} 17... Rb8 $2 {[%clk
0:11:43][%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a8c8;keyPressed;none;from;a8;opacity;0.8;to;c8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c8;persistent;false] Surprising how
sensible looking moves are mistakes in this position $1 [+1.9]} 18. Bxd5 $2 {[%clk
0:09:25][%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e4d5;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false] Surprisingly,
doubling pawns on another file was the optimal move [+0.3]} 18... exd4 {[%clk
0:11:47.9]} 19. Bf4 {[%clk 0:09:24.2]} 19... Rb4 {[%clk 0:11:19.5]} 20. a3
{[%clk 0:08:35.1]} 20... Rb6 {[%clk 0:10:35.4]} 21. Rxd4 {[%clk 0:08:18.3]}
21... Bxa3 {[%clk 0:10:39.6]} 22. Bxf7+ $5 {[%clk 0:07:25.9][%c_effect
f7;square;f7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a mistake according to
the engine [-1.5] but it was a bluff $1 I was hoping that with the complications,
Black will make a mistake. It looks like the bishop is a trap, but it isn't $1}
22... Kd8 $4 {[%clk 0:09:46.1][%c_effect
d8;square;d8;type;Blunder;persistent;true] And the psychological trick worked $1
Black spooked, blunders [+4.5] and doesn't capture my bishop.} 23. b3 $2 {[%clk
0:07:27.3][%c_arrow
f7b3;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;b3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b3;persistent;false][%c_effect
b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This was a mistake, but I'm still
well ahead [+2.1]} 23... Bc5 {[%clk 0:08:50.3]} 24. Rd2 $6 {[%clk
0:07:15.2][%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Another
surprising mistake according to the engine that isn't obvious [+1.2]} 24... Nh6 $2
{[%clk 0:08:43.6][%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b6f6;keyPressed;none;from;b6;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false] A mistake [+3.1]} 25.
Rhd1 $5 {[%clk 0:07:20.6][%c_effect
d1;square;d1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Stockfish doesn't believe that
sacrificing the bishop for a step of tempo was necessary or rise and rates this
a mistake [+0.4]} 25... Rb7 $2 {[%clk 0:08:01.5][%c_effect
b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] But this bishop is immortal $1 Black
had adopted the position that a seemingly sacrifice of that bishop must be a
trap, and their refusal to take it gives me a massive advantage [+5.7] $1} 26.
Be6 $1 {[%clk 0:07:00.5][%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}
26... Rf8 {[%clk 0:07:00.3]} 27. Bxd7 $6 {[%clk 0:06:29.5][%c_arrow
f4g5;keyPressed;none;from;f4;opacity;0.8;to;g5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false][%c_effect
d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Moving the other bishop first is
perhaps more accurate [+4.9], but I thought this was very forcing with the
threat of discovered check} 27... Rxf4 {[%clk 0:07:00.7]} 28. Bc6+ {[%clk
0:06:32.2]} 28... Kc7 {[%clk 0:07:06.6]} 29. Bxb7 {[%clk 0:06:36.5]} 29... Kxb7
{[%clk 0:07:13.9]} 30. Rd7+ $1 {[%clk 0:06:33][%c_effect
d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30... Kb6 {[%clk 0:07:14.3]} 31.
Rxg7 {[%clk 0:06:38.8]} 31... Kb5 {[%clk 0:06:41.1]} 32. c4+ {[%clk 0:05:23.4] I
was looking for a mating net and spent over a minute looking. I thought this
might be promising...} 32... Kb4 {[%clk 0:06:17]} 33. Rb7+ {[%clk 0:05:26]}
33... Ka5 $4 {[%clk 0:06:12.6][%c_arrow
b4c3;keyPressed;none;from;b4;opacity;0.8;to;c3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c3;persistent;false][%c_effect
a5;square;a5;type;Blunder;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true] And under
attack, Black makes the wrong move [+M3]. The king is now trapped in the a-file
and their pieces are too distant to defend.} 34. Rd5 {[%clk 0:05:26.2][%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true,b1;square;b1;type;Winner,a5;square;a5;type;TimeoutBlack]
And here, Black let their clock run out rather than play on or resign, which
isn't good sportsmanship. Don't be that person $1} 1-0