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One the interesting things when playing people on chess.com is that your opponents are from all over the world. In some countries, the local traditions with chess openings can be different. For instance, my understanding is that openings like the King’s Fianchetto Opening (1. g3), also known as the Hungarian Opening or Benko Opening, is quite common in India. The logic is to immediately fianchetto the bishop (2. Bg2) and the opening is quite flexible and can transpose into many other lines that involve a fianchetto. This fits in well with the hypermodern approaches.

This is what I played against with the Black pieces against an Indian player with White, in round 1 of the 2024 Chess.com Daily Chess Championship!

With daily games, I have a habit of losing continuity and undercalculating sometimes due to the time between moves. This struck on move 6 with (6… Bh3), a blunder! I thought that this was potentially a very clever move as I lodge my light square bishop in a place where it can’t be removed, I prevent White from castling kingside, and I saw a potential checkmate form a very early quick win in combination with another attack on White’s weak f-pawn on f2. However, I simply forgot about White’s bishop on the long light square diagonal, and hence, hung my b-pawn on b7, and potentially, my rook in the corner!

White punished me immediately by capturing the b-pawn (7. Bxb7), but here, I decided to treat that as a gambit, and to play a very tricky move and double-down on my quick win attacking idea with (7… Ng4). Stockfish calls this a blunder as I literally am hanging my rook. However, White can’t capture it immediately as they would hang checkmate, i.e., (8. Bxa8 Bxf2#)!

White did see this, but against the threats, didn’t find the best response (which was d4 – which blocks my bishop’s vision on f2, and wins tempo by attacking my bishop). They played (8. Ne4) which is seemingly a good move – defending f2 and attacking my dark square bishop on c5. However, I expected this and with (8… Bg2), we have an extremely interesting position! Both light square bishops are on the long diagonal – it’s like an old Spaghetti Western film with two cowboys duelling down the main street of town!

White blinks first, capturing my rook (9. Bxa8) and this was a blunder! As I now had (9… Bxe4), capturing White’s knight and removing the defender to the f2 square. White captures my bishop with their bishop (10. Bxe4) seemingly winning the duel, but not seeing this was a distraction from the real attack on f2! With (10… Nxf2), my knight attacks White’s queen, who cannot escape as she is smothered!

After winning the queen, my approach was simple. Consolidate and keep the king safe. Then, simplify with piece trades to move towards an endgame where my superiority from having a queen will be felt.

On move 23, I was able to do just that by trading my rook for White’s knight. This trade might seem disadvantageous materially, but it converted the game to an endgame of my queen + bishop versus White’s rook and bishop. White didn’t recognise that their rook needed to stay on the back rank to defend their king at risk of back rank mate. Combined with their earlier preference to fianchetto their bishops (and thus, having moved their g- and b-pawns to accommodate this), this resulted in a critical weakness in their king’s defence. White resigned on move 27 with checkmate inevitable. GG!

The big takeaway from this game is that you can sometimes approach a blunder as an aggressive gambit!

Game: https://www.chess.com/game/daily/602989729

[Event "2024 Chess.com Daily Chess Championship - Round 1"]

[Site "Chess.com"]

[Date "2024.01.01"]

[Round "-"]

[White "Wi0_0iW"]

[Black "vitualis"]

[Result "0-1"]

[Tournament "https://www.chess.com/tournament/2024-chess-com-daily-chess-championship"]

[Timezone "UTC"]

[ECO "A00"]

[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Kings-Fianchetto-Opening-1...d5-2.Bg2-e5"]

[UTCDate "2024.01.01"]

[UTCTime "15:38:50"]

[WhiteElo "729"]

[BlackElo "1208"]

[TimeControl "1/86400"]

[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]

[StartTime "15:38:50"]

[EndDate "2024.01.02"]

[EndTime "09:20:33"]

[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/daily/602989729"]

[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/117606704.fa53330b.50x50o.20f63c5fcef9.jpg"]

[WhiteCountry "69"]

[WhiteTitle ""]

[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723.png"]

[BlackCountry "17"]

[BlackTitle ""]



1. g3 {King's Fianchetto Opening, aka, Benko Opening and the Hungarian Opening.

Apparently, this opening is more common with players from India $1} 1... e5 2. Bg2

d5 3. e4 {[%c_arrow

d2d3;keyPressed;none;from;d2;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false][%c_highlight

d3;keyPressed;shift;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false] Like any hypermodern

type openings, the computer gives the advantage to against it [-0.7] though they

are tricky to play against $1} 3... dxe4 4. Bxe4 $6 {[%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][%c_effect

e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White immediately recaptures

material to keep the long diagonal open. However, Stockfish considers this an

inaccuracy [-1.1] and suggests that developing Nc3 is optimal.} 4... Nf6 5. Nc3 $2

{[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow

e4g2;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;g2;persistent;false][%c_highlight

g2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g2;persistent;false] This is a mistake

[-2.5] as it allows Black to trade their knight for White's powerful fianchetto

bishop - which is advantageous for Black.} 5... Bc5 $2 {[%c_effect

c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%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] In the game, I didn't

appreciate Nxe4 would be the best move. I decided to prioritise development

instead [-2.5 $37 0.7] and tactically, I was eyeing White's weak f-pawn on f2.} 6.

Nge2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow

e4g2;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;g2;persistent;false][%c_highlight

g2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g2;persistent;false] Tactically, White

should withdraw their fianchetto bishop [-2.0]} 6... Bh3 $4 {[%c_effect

h3;square;h3;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow

f6e4;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;e4;persistent;false,c8b7;keyPressed;shift;from;c8;opacity;0.8;to;b7;persistent;false][%c_highlight

e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false,b7;keyPressed;ctrl;opacity;0.8;square;b7;persistent;false]

This was actually just a blunder [+0.3] by me $1 I thought that this would be

quite a tricky move (it is), but I hang my b-pawn and potentially the rook on a8

in the process $1 😅} 7. Bxb7 Ng4 $5 {[%c_effect

g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true][%c_arrow

b8d7;keyPressed;none;from;b8;opacity;0.8;to;d7;persistent;false][%c_highlight

d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false] Stockfish calls this

move also a blunder [+4.5]. Nd7 would have defended the rook on a8 with the

queen. However, this was a deliberate tricky move with a potential checkmate

attack on White's f-pawn. Notice also that White's queen is \"smothered\".} 8.

Ne4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow

d2d4;keyPressed;none;from;d2;opacity;0.8;to;d4;persistent;false][%c_highlight

d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false] White defends f2, but

this was the wrong approach [+4.5 $37 +1.9]} 8... Bg2 $1 {[%c_effect

g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A duel between light square bishops

down the long diagonal $1} 9. Bxa8 $4 {[%c_effect

a8;square;a8;type;Blunder;persistent;true] This is a blunder as the White queen

can now be won by force $1 [+1.9 $37 -1.0]} ({The correct line for White to play - I

did calculate this as the least-worst option for me...} 9. Nxc5 Bxb7 10. Nxb7

Qd5 {[%c_arrow

d5h1;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;h1;persistent;false,d5b7;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;b7;persistent;false][%c_highlight

b7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b7;persistent;false,h1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h1;persistent;false]

And with the fork, I win back material, and chess continues...}) 9... Bxe4

{Note: this removes White's defender of the f2 $1} 10. Bxe4 Nxf2 {[%c_arrow

f2d1;keyPressed;none;from;f2;opacity;0.8;to;d1;persistent;false,c5f2;keyPressed;none;from;c5;opacity;0.8;to;f2;persistent;false,f2h1;keyPressed;none;from;f2;opacity;0.8;to;h1;persistent;false][%c_highlight

d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false,h1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h1;persistent;false]

And the queen is trapped $1} 11. Rf1 $2 {[%c_effect

f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow

b2b4;keyPressed;none;from;b2;opacity;0.8;to;b4;persistent;false][%c_highlight

b4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b4;persistent;false] This move is a

mistake [-3.5] as it is unnecessary. Clearly, the knight will capture the queen

the next move, which places the knight in a position where it is trapped. This

gives White the opportunity to attack another piece.} 11... Nxd1 12. Kxd1 O-O

{My strategy is now to consolidate. I have a queen, but White has an extra

piece. The goal is to try to trade down material so that the queen's superiority

will be felt.} 13. d3 Nd7 14. b3 Nf6 $6 {[%c_arrow

h7h6;keyPressed;none;from;h7;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false][%c_highlight

h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false][%c_effect

f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Stockfish considered this a bit

inaccurate [-4.3 $37 -3.5]} 15. Bg2 $6 {[%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

g2;square;g2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] However, piece coordination is

difficult and White makes an error back [-5.5]} 15... Re8 {[%c_arrow

e5e4;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;e4;persistent;false][%c_highlight

e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false] A bit slow - I could

have pushed e4 immediately} 16. Bb2 $2 {[%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

b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White's preference for fianchettos

potentially biases them from seeing the risks from weakened king defences

[-6.1]. This is a mistake as the dark square bishop doesn't have a target down

this diagonal...} 16... Ng4 {[%c_arrow

g4h2;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;h2;persistent;false,g4e3;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;e3;persistent;false][%c_highlight

h2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h2;persistent;false,e3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e3;persistent;false]

... and it permits this knight advance which forks the h-pawn and the e3 square}

17. h4 Ne3+ {[%c_arrow

e3d1;keyPressed;none;from;e3;opacity;0.8;to;d1;persistent;false,e3f1;keyPressed;none;from;e3;opacity;0.8;to;f1;persistent;false,e3g2;keyPressed;none;from;e3;opacity;0.8;to;g2;persistent;false][%c_highlight

d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false,f1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f1;persistent;false,g2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g2;persistent;false]}

18. Kd2 Nxf1+ $6 {[%c_arrow

e3g2;keyPressed;none;from;e3;opacity;0.8;to;g2;persistent;false][%c_highlight

g2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g2;persistent;false][%c_effect

f1;square;f1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] I undercalculated this, but

capturing the bishop is more accurate as the knight cannot be immediately

captured} 19. Rxf1 e4 {[%c_arrow

d8d3;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false,d3d2;keyPressed;none;from;d3;opacity;0.8;to;d2;persistent;false][%c_highlight

d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false] Note: White's e-pawn

is pinned} 20. Bxe4 Rxe4 {[%c_arrow

d8d3;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false,d3d2;keyPressed;none;from;d3;opacity;0.8;to;d2;persistent;false][%c_highlight

d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false] White might have

missed this, and I trade down even further towards the endgame} 21. Nc3 Bb4 22.

Kc1 Rg4 23. Ne4 Rxe4 {I was happy to trade down as queen + bishop should be

completely winning over rook + bishop} 24. dxe4 Qd2+ 25. Kb1 {Note: the White

king is trapped on the back rank, and thus, their rook is also stuck on guard

duty} 25... Qe2 26. Rf4 $4 {[%c_arrow

f1g1;keyPressed;none;from;f1;opacity;0.8;to;g1;persistent;false][%c_highlight

g1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g1;persistent;false][%c_effect

f4;square;f4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] However, White doesn't recognise the

mating pattern} 26... Qd1+ $1 {[%c_effect

d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27. Bc1 Ba3 {[%c_effect

g8;square;g8;type;Winner,b1;square;b1;type;ResignWhite] And White resigns with

the end inevitable. GG $1} 0-1