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Recently, I travelled to Canberra, the capital city of Australia for work for a few days. I brought along my Chessnut Air and on a day off, played some chess on Red Hill, a lovely spot which overlooks Parliament House and the central CBD of Canberra! Those of you wondering what playing online chess on the Chessnut Air is like, I hope this video gives you some inspiration! You can buy the Chessnut electronic boards from the Chessnut Store, and will get a nice discount by using my coupon code: CHESSNOOB64

I had the black pieces, and my opponent lead with the Italian Game, I responded with the Two Knights Defense, and White played a slower positional line with the Modern Bishop’s Opening (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3). I must admit that this is one of my least favourite openings to play against!

On move 8, White made their first slightly inaccurate move with (8. Bb5), which is a fantastic achievement for someone rated under 1000 ELO! This second move of their bishop, ostensibly to pin my knight to my king doesn’t work. It’s effectively a “too slow” Ruy Lopez Opening as Black is already too developed for the pin to be a threat. Indeed, I castle kingside immediate (8… O-O), which renders the bishop’s second move and loss of tempo questionable.

This is reflected in the next few moves where I force White to trade some pieces, and then win more tempo with pawn moves that pushes back White’s bishop. Indeed, by move 14 I hold the centre with my central pawns, control more space on the board, and both of White’s bishops are awkwardly hemmed in on the queenside. Although there is material equality, I held the initiative with the Black pieces.

Nonetheless, White is still okay as this was a complicated position to play for both Black and White. White’s (17. Ne2) was a blunder, but it required me to see the winning line, something that I didn’t see in the game, losing the advantage. However, my control of space meant that White’s inaccurate moves were more impactful. On move 22, they struggled to find a move, and eventually opted for (22. Qd2). This seemingly innocent looking developing move was a mistake according to Stockfish [-3], though the engine’s preferred move, c4, would have been difficult to contemplate.

We go through several moves battling for the g3 square. Curiously, Stockfish doesn’t think this is good for either White or Black! As we start to run low on time, White makes a tactical blunder [-5.3] with (26. c4). After en passant (26. dxc3) White superficially calculated that they had three attackers on the c3 square, but Black only had two defenders. However, White was mistaken as after (27. Bxc3 Bxc3) their knight on e2 was pinned to the queen!

With each of us only having a minute left on the clock, I stuff up! I knew I was winning, but White found a tricky counterattack. Playing outside, distracted by some friendly hikers who walked past, and being mindful of the camera resulted in me losing track of time and the clock. At the point I was about to commit to Rc1+, I ran out of time! 😅

I’ve included in the PGN below a line to checkmate from this completely winning position for Black. I’d like to think that I had the moral victory, but as Savielly Tartakower quipped, “moral victories don’t count”! Only winning is winning. 😂

The big takeaway from this game is to keep an eye on the clock!

Game on chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/live/92702427363

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.02"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Rodrigosozinho"]
[Black "vitualis"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "C55"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Italian-Game-Two-Knights-Modern-Bishops-Opening-4...h6"]
[UTCDate "2023.11.02"]
[UTCTime "22:14:31"]
[WhiteElo "949"]
[BlackElo "1318"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]
[Termination "Rodrigosozinho won on time"]
[StartTime "22:14:31"]
[EndDate "2023.11.02"]
[EndTime "22:53:59"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/92702427363"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/318460467.c7725ed8.50x50o.1e9a88d28a13.jpg"]
[WhiteCountry "27"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723.png"]
[BlackCountry "17"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:15:08.3]} 1... e5 {[%clk 0:15:02.6]} 2. Nf3 {[%clk 0:15:14.3]}
2... Nc6 {[%clk 0:15:07.6]} 3. Bc4 {[%clk 0:15:20.8]} 3... Nf6 {[%clk
0:15:12.7]} 4. d3 {[%clk 0:15:10.8] Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern
Bishop's Opening. This is a super solid opening by White, and not my favourite
opening to play against with the Black pieces [+0.2].} 4... h6 {[%clk
0:15:09.2]} 5. a3 {[%clk 0:14:21]} 5... Bc5 {[%clk 0:14:47.8]} 6. b4 {[%clk
0:13:54.1]} 6... Bb6 {[%clk 0:14:53]} 7. h3 {[%clk 0:13:50.8]} 7... d6 {[%clk
0:14:18.1]} 8. Bb5 $6 {[%clk 0:13:16.4][%c_effect
b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b1c3;keyPressed;none;from;b1;opacity;0.8;to;c3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c3;persistent;false] White's first
slightly inaccurate move [-0.4], which is fantastic for someone rated under 1000
ELO $1 The best move for White is to develop their other knight before launching
an attack.} 8... O-O {[%clk 0:14:13.2] The reason Bb5 is a bit in accurate is
that White has moved their bishop a second time in the opening, so it's like a
slower Ruy Lopez Opening. However, As Black has more development, the pin is
immediately lost with short castles.} 9. Nc3 $6 {[%clk 0:13:21.7][%c_effect
c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b5c6;keyPressed;none;from;b5;opacity;0.8;to;c6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c6;persistent;false] Again, this is
slightly inaccurate [-0.8]. White's best move was to make the second bishop move
\"count\" by \"cashing in\" by trading their bishop for my unpinned knight.
White loses the bishop pair, but Black loses an active piece and is forced to
double their c-pawns.} 9... Nd4 {[%clk 0:13:52.8]} 10. Nxd4 {[%clk 0:13:17.1]}
10... Bxd4 {[%clk 0:13:41.8]} 11. Bb2 {[%clk 0:12:43.4] At the end of this
series of trades, there is material equality. However, Black has more space and
arguably the initiative and hence, the evaluation advantage [-1.5].} 11... c6
{[%clk 0:13:31.7]} 12. Bc4 {[%clk 0:12:47.1]} 12... d5 {[%clk 0:13:28.5]} 13.
exd5 {[%clk 0:12:44.7]} 13... cxd5 {[%clk 0:13:23.9]} 14. Bb3 {[%clk 0:11:57.3]}
14... e4 $2 {[%clk 0:12:13.5][%c_arrow
f8e8;keyPressed;none;from;f8;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false][%c_effect
e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Stockfish called this move a mistake
as I lose my advantage [0.00]. My logic, however, was that White's knight is
\"relatively pinned\" to White's dark square bishop. I was hoping that White
would capture (actually, it's their best move) and then the board would open up
with White's king still in the centre.} 15. Rb1 $2 {[%clk 0:12:00.7][%c_arrow
d3e4;keyPressed;none;from;d3;opacity;0.8;to;e4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false][%c_effect
b1;square;b1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White should have captured. This slow
defensive move gives Black the advantage again [-1.5]} 15... Re8 $6 {[%clk
0:10:35.4][%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e4e3;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;e3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e3;persistent;false] Perhaps I was drawn
into White's mode of thinking $1 I had thought that placing the rook on the e-file
would be useful but this was inaccruate [-0.4]. I'm still ahead, but I lose some
of the position advantage. Stockfish recommended immediately pushing the
e-pawn.} 16. O-O $6 {[%clk 0:10:56][%c_arrow
c3e2;keyPressed;none;from;c3;opacity;0.8;to;e2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false][%c_effect
g1;square;g1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] However, this is a complicated
position and neither of us play accurately $1 [-1.5]} 16... e3 $1 {[%clk
0:10:21][%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An aggressive
push $1} 17. Ne2 $4 {[%clk 0:09:42.2][%c_effect
e2;square;e2;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d1f3;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false] White plays a
backwards knight move to physically block the e2 square, but this is a blunder $1
[-5.6] However, this required me to see a brilliant sequence, which I didn't
see $1} 17... exf2+ {[%clk 0:10:11.1]} 18. Kh1 {[%clk 0:09:44.9]} 18... Be5 $2
{[%clk 0:08:37.8][%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d4b2;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;b2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b2;persistent;false] Staring at the
position for two minutes, I couldn't see a path forward so retreated the bishop
to e5, a mistake where we are close to equal again [-0.4]. The best move to
start a trappy line was Bxb2...} ({The beginning of a trappy line...} 18... Bxb2
{The idea is to prevent White from capturing the pawn on f2 by creating other
targets.} 19. Rxb2 Ng4 $3 {[%c_effect
g4;square;g4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A brilliant move $1 White can't
actually the knight without checkmate, but it might not be obvious...} 20.
hxg4 $4 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 20... Qh4#
{[%c_arrow
f2g1;keyPressed;none;from;f2;opacity;0.8;to;g1;persistent;false,h4h1;keyPressed;none;from;h4;opacity;0.8;to;h1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g1;persistent;false,h3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h3;persistent;false,h2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h2;persistent;false,h1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h1;persistent;false]
GG $1}) 19. Rxf2 {[%clk 0:09:24.5]} 19... d4 {[%clk 0:08:34.5]} 20. Ba4 $6 {[%clk
0:09:08][%c_arrow
e2f4;keyPressed;none;from;e2;opacity;0.8;to;f4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f4;persistent;false][%c_effect
a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A logical move, but inaccurate as
after a bishop trade, White is worse off [-1.5]} 20... Bd7 {[%clk 0:08:04.6]}
21. Bxd7 {[%clk 0:09:13.9]} 21... Qxd7 {[%clk 0:08:09.4]} 22. Qd2 $2 {[%clk
0:08:01.9][%c_arrow
c2c4;keyPressed;none;from;c2;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c4;persistent;false][%c_effect
d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A complicated position for White and
this was a mistake [-3.1]. A pawn break on the queenside was best.} 22... Nh5
{[%clk 0:06:40.7][%c_highlight
g3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g3;persistent;false] I see a tactical
approach of targeting the g3 square...} 23. Rbf1 {[%clk 0:07:53.4]} 23... f6 $6
{[%clk 0:05:41.1][%c_effect
f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e8e7;keyPressed;none;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false] Ultimately, this
weakened my kingside defences and was thus a mistake/inaccuracy [-1.5]. However,
I wasn't sure that Re7 (Stockfish's preferred move) in game.} 24. Rf3 {[%clk
0:06:56.8]} 24... Qd6 $2 {[%clk 0:04:46.8][%c_arrow
h5g3;keyPressed;none;from;h5;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false,d6g3;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false,f3g3;keyPressed;none;from;f3;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false,e2g3;keyPressed;none;from;e2;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false,e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false,d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false,e2;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false,f3;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false][%c_effect
d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Stockfish doesn't believe in my
tactic and thinks this is a mistake [-0.1] and prefers f5. However, I've already
committed to this tactic $1} 25. Qe1 $2 {[%clk 0:03:59.8][%c_highlight
h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false,e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false,d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false,e1;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;e1;persistent;false,e2;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false,f3;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false][%c_arrow
h5g3;keyPressed;none;from;h5;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false,d6g3;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false,f3g3;keyPressed;none;from;f3;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false,e1g3;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false,e2g3;keyPressed;none;from;e2;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false][%c_effect
e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] And clearly, White believed in the
threat as well, which is perhaps what matters [-0.6] $1} 25... Rac8 $6 {[%clk
0:02:59.7][%c_arrow
g7g5;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;g5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false][%c_effect
c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] In this difficult position, we are
basically in a drawn position [0.00]. Stockfish doesn't believe that the threat
from Rac8 is credible.} 26. c4 $4 {[%clk 0:03:12.6][%c_effect
c4;square;c4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] However, White believed it was real,
and that's what matters $1 I knew this was good for me as White incorrectly
calculated that the c3 square is defended three times (bishop, knight and
queen). The knight doesn't defend the square as it's pinned by my rook on the
e-file to White's queen $1 This means that this is a blunder by White $1 [-5.3].}
26... dxc3 $1 {[%clk 0:02:55.6][%c_effect
c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27. Bxc3 {[%clk 0:02:38.5]} 27...
Bxc3 {[%clk 0:02:40]} 28. Qh4 {[%clk 0:01:09]} 28... Qe5 {[%clk 0:01:15.5]
Feeling the time pressure $3} 29. Ng3 {[%clk 0:00:59.3]} 29... Nxg3+ {[%clk
0:01:12.6]} 30. Rxg3 {[%clk 0:01:02.4]} 30... Bd2 {[%clk 0:01:03.8]} 31. Rxf6
{[%clk 0:00:57.9][%c_effect
h1;square;h1;type;Winner,g8;square;g8;type;TimeoutBlack] And in this position,
with White having the pins, I didn't hear the 1 min chime and then flagged $1 😅 I
actually had a winning position [-M9] and was calculating the winning move
(Rc1+) when I lost on time $1} (31. Rxf6 Rc1+ {The start of the winning move -
this isn't the quickest line, but is the most human...} 32. Kh2 {Forced move}
32... Bg5 {Fork of the queen and bishop, and the rook on g3 is pinned.} 33. Qe4
{Invite a queen trade} 33... Rh1+ $1 {[%c_effect
h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Rook sacrifice $1} 34. Kxh1 {Forced}
34... Qa1+ 35. Kh2 Rxe4 36. dxe4 Bxf6 {And the remaining endgame is fairly
simple...} 37. Rf3 Be5+ 38. g3 Qb2+ 39. Kg1 Bd4+ 40. Kf1 Qc1+ 41. Kg2 Qg1#) 1-0