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Delivering a beautiful checkmate is one of the intellectual pleasures of chess. However, I’m going to propose that wrangling a forced draw by perpetual check out of a dead lost position is a rarer fruit that is just as sweet!

I had the White pieces, and in this game, we had a Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted against Black’s Sicilian Defense (1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3). I really enjoy the Smith-Morra lines as it takes the Sicilian player out of the Sicilian, and I often find the game entering down interesting tactical lines.

That said, it can be quite complicated, and I don’t feel I have gotten a good grasp of nuances of the tactics and strategy in the Smith-Morra yet. For instance, one of the tactical ideas that I haven’t gotten a good intuition of yet is pushing the e-pawn to e5. On paper, it makes sense – taking central control and advantage of Black’s delayed central pawn development, and attacking Black’s knight on f6 which can often be closed to being trapped. Although it intellectually makes sense to me, I haven’t gotten the “feel” of the move.

Inaccuracies on my part in the very early middlegame by not playing e5 early results in me losing my opening advantage. Luckily, the complicated position meant that Black didn’t play accurately either.

On move 16, I made my first major (and game-changing) mistake with (16. Qxf3), capturing Black’s bishop with my queen rather than g-pawn. I knew it was a mistake almost immediately afterwards and this was a result of a loss of continuity. The queen on e2 was defending my e-pawn on e5 and I momentarily forgot this after Black unexpectedly chose to trade away their strong light square bishop on the long diagonal for my knight. Without thinking it through, I captured with the queen following the “heuristic” of not opening my g-file and exposing my castled king. Of course, this heuristic can be broken in context – in this case, winning one piece directly, and a second (the knight) which was trapped.

A bit annoyed at myself, I played on and felt that I still had some good tactical chances despite being down material. And this was somewhat successful! I managed to centralise my rooks and had coordinated an attack on Black’s king with rook, bishop and queen. Stockfish gave the evaluation as neutral [0.00] despite me being down two points of material. In practice, this often means that the side with less material has not only a better objective position, but that their position is easier to play!

However, on move 23, Black played (23… Qg6), blocking the attack with the offer to trade queens. After spending over a minute looking at the position, I couldn’t find an obvious way to break through or create an attack. Moreover, if the attack is held at an impasse, Black should be able to marshal their material advantage to counterattack! I noticed that time differential on the clock – I had less than 6.5 minutes left while Black had over 11! So, I decided to not give them the opportunity by playing exciting chess with a bold aggressive approach, that I knew was probably inaccurate! Audentes Fortuna Iuvat!

I play (24. Bxh6) and sacrifice my bishop! This would trade my bishop for two of Black’s pawns, but not just any pawns! It would be two pawns guarding the black king, punching a massive hole in Black’s defences, and leaving it exposed.

Stockfish correctly evaluates this as a mistake – dead lost in fact at better than [-5] for Black. However, Black needs to convert their position to win! Black correctly trades down and the queens come off the board. I knew that I would not be able to win now having insufficient attackers but saw a possibility… Black played (27… Rac8) with the clear intention of capturing my lonely, isolated c-pawn. However, Black’s king was completely exposed on the fully open g- and h-files – I could create a box with my rooks! I play (28. Rf1), closing the box – will it work? Black has one final opportunity to defuse the attack by attacking my rook, but it would require them to defer capturing my c-pawn for a turn…

Black doesn’t see my tactic, possibly blinded by the “obvious” notion that they were completely winning. They play the fateful move (29. Rxc3), a blunder! The evaluation returns to [0.00] as Black can now force perpetual check by moving their rook on the 4th rank between the g- and h-files! Black’s king cannot escape to the f-file as the rook on f1 creates an impenetrable barrier. Black struggles against their fate for the next eight turns, before finally, their spirit broken, accepts a draw. Good game, GG!

The big takeaway from this game that playing aggressively in a losing position can sometimes create the opportunities for a reversal in the game!

Game: https://www.chess.com/game/live/95645980247

[Event "Live Chess"]

[Site "Chess.com"]

[Date "2023.12.06"]

[Round "-"]

[White "vitualis"]

[Black "LiningerLake"]

[Result "1/2-1/2"]

[Timezone "UTC"]

[ECO "B21"]

[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Sicilian-Defense-Smith-Morra-Gambit-Accepted-4.Nxc3-Nc6-5.Bc4"]

[UTCDate "2023.12.06"]

[UTCTime "23:56:20"]

[WhiteElo "1255"]

[BlackElo "1234"]

[TimeControl "900+10"]

[Termination "Game drawn by agreement"]

[StartTime "23:56:20"]

[EndDate "2023.12.07"]

[EndTime "00:20:56"]

[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/95645980247"]

[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 "2"]

[BlackTitle ""]



1. e4 {[%clk 0:15:09.1]} 1... c5 {[%clk 0:15:08.2]} 2. d4 {[%clk 0:15:14.4]}

2... cxd4 {[%clk 0:15:00.6]} 3. c3 {[%clk 0:15:23.3]} 3... dxc3 {[%clk

0:15:07.4] Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted} 4. Nxc3 {[%clk 0:15:32.4]} 4... Nc6

{[%clk 0:15:16.1]} 5. Bc4 {[%clk 0:15:41.1]} 5... Nf6 {[%clk 0:15:19.9]} 6. Nf3

{[%clk 0:15:43.2]} 6... e6 {[%clk 0:15:23.9]} 7. O-O {[%clk 0:15:40.4]} 7... Bb4

{[%clk 0:15:30.4] A very typical Smith-Morra line with rapid development and

king-side castling for White. Black's (Bb4) is somewhat inaccurate given that

the bishop doesn't have much of a target [+0.5].} 8. Qe2 {[%clk 0:15:13.4]} 8...

Bxc3 {[%clk 0:15:26.6]} 9. bxc3 {[%clk 0:15:21.5]} 9... h6 $2 {[%clk

0:15:22.8][%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow

d7d5;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight

d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false] Stockfish calls this

a mistake [+1.5]. Black's best move is to capitalise on the removal of White's

knight by an immediate d5.} 10. Rd1 $2 {[%clk 0:15:00.4][%c_effect

d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow

e4e5;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;e5;persistent;false][%c_highlight

e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false] White's best move is

the immediate e5, to prevent d5. I have to admit to often not seeing this in

these lines [+0.5].} 10... a6 $2 {[%clk 0:15:20.9][%c_arrow

e8g8;keyPressed;none;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false][%c_highlight

g8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false][%c_effect

a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Stockfish doesn't approve of this

slow creeping move... [+1.5]} 11. a3 $2 {[%clk 0:14:00.1][%c_effect

a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow

c1a3;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;a3;persistent;false][%c_highlight

a3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a3;persistent;false] I think was was

planning a4 and that this was a mouseslip... Regardless, it is still a mistake

as Black has no targets on the queenside. Ba3 would prevent Black from castling

short [0.00].} 11... b5 {[%clk 0:15:26.9]} 12. Bb3 {[%clk 0:14:04.7]} 12... Bb7

{[%clk 0:15:34]} 13. e5 {[%clk 0:13:37.7]} 13... Ng4 $4 {[%clk

0:14:12.2][%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow

c6a5;keyPressed;none;from;c6;opacity;0.8;to;a5;persistent;false][%c_highlight

a5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a5;persistent;false] A blunder, as Black's

knight is trapped [+3].} 14. h3 $1 {[%clk 0:13:30.5][%c_effect

h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14... Na5 {[%clk 0:14:11.2]} 15.

Ba2 {[%clk 0:13:15.5]} 15... Bxf3 {[%clk 0:14:13.6]} 16. Qxf3 $2 {[%clk

0:13:08.1][%c_arrow

g2f3;keyPressed;none;from;g2;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight

f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false][%c_effect

f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] As soon as I made this move, I knew

that I had made a bad mistake [-1]. This was from a loss of continuity that I

needed the queen on the e-file to defend my e5-pawn. I had quickly thought that

I didn't want to open the g-file, but capturing the knight with the g-pawn was

of course worthwhile $1} 16... Nxe5 {[%clk 0:14:20.3]} 17. Qg3 {[%clk 0:11:48.2]}

17... Qf6 $1 {[%clk 0:13:40.4][%c_effect

f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18. Bf4 $2 {[%clk

0:10:25.4][%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow

a3a4;keyPressed;none;from;a3;opacity;0.8;to;a4;persistent;false][%c_highlight

a4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a4;persistent;false] Stockfish considered

Bf4 a mistake [-2], but the most accurate move was difficult to see.} 18... Nac4

{[%clk 0:13:33.8]} 19. Bxc4 {[%clk 0:10:30]} 19... Nxc4 {[%clk 0:13:27.6]} 20.

Rd4 {[%clk 0:08:09.7]} 20... d5 {[%clk 0:13:00.1]} 21. Re1 {[%clk 0:07:40.1]}

21... Nxa3 $2 {[%clk 0:12:47.8][%c_effect

a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow

e8g8;keyPressed;none;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false][%c_highlight

g8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false] Black's material

greed is a mistake [+0.7] that gives me an advantage. Black might not have

recognised the significance of their e-pawn being pinned and my central control

with rooks. Their best move was to move their king out of the centre by short

castling.} 22. Rxd5 $2 {[%clk 0:07:40.1][%c_effect

d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow

f4e5;keyPressed;none;from;f4;opacity;0.8;to;e5;persistent;false][%c_highlight

e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false] However, this move

was suboptimal [-1.7] - Be5, which skewers the black queen against the g-pawn on

g7 was the winning tactic.} 22... O-O $2 {[%clk 0:12:03.3][%c_effect

g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow

a3c4;keyPressed;none;from;a3;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false][%c_highlight

c4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c4;persistent;false] Surprisingly, this

was not the optimal move, even though it is the obvious one [0.00]. Transferring

the knight back into the game was the engine's preferred approach.} 23. Rh5

{[%clk 0:07:31.1]} 23... Qg6 {[%clk 0:11:12.5]} 24. Bxh6 $4 {[%clk

0:06:24.1][%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow

g3h4;keyPressed;none;from;g3;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false][%c_highlight

h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false] Running short on

time, I decided on a bold aggressive approach, that I thought was probably

incorrect in game. My thinking was that my only way of possibly having a win or

at least, getting a tactical advantage was to punch a hole in Black's king's

defences. Stockfish thinks that this is a mistake (though noted, the position is

otherwise [0.00]), but this tactic came through in the end...} 24... Qxg3 $1

{[%clk 0:11:09.9][%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black

finds the correct response...} 25. fxg3 {[%clk 0:06:32.3]} 25... gxh6 {[%clk

0:11:14.4]} 26. Rxh6 {[%clk 0:06:41.2] Here, Black is completely winning at

[-5.3], but they need to convert with a knight on the edge of the board...}

26... Kg7 {[%clk 0:11:15.8]} 27. Rh4 {[%clk 0:06:45.7]} 27... Rac8 {[%clk

0:11:13.6]} 28. Rf1 $1 {[%clk 0:05:30.7][%c_effect

f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Here, I saw a tactic to force a

draw in a losing position $1 Black was very likely going to capture my \"hanging\"

c-pawn, and Black's exposed king will be trapped in perpetual check along the

fully open g- and h-files $1} 28... Rxc3 $4 {[%clk 0:11:04.7][%c_effect

c3;square;c3;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow

c8c4;keyPressed;none;from;c8;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false][%c_highlight

c4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c4;persistent;false] And Black falls for

the trap $1 Forcing a draw in a dead lost position is almost as good as a win, as

a draw is by definition a tie $1} 29. Rg4+ $1 {[%clk 0:05:38.5][%c_effect

g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29... Kh7 {[%clk 0:10:43.9]} 30.

Rh4+ $1 {[%clk 0:05:40.5][%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}

30... Kg6 {[%clk 0:10:51.8]} 31. Rg4+ $1 {[%clk 0:05:48][%c_effect

g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31... Kh6 {[%clk 0:11:00]} 32.

Rh4+ $1 {[%clk 0:05:56.8][%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}

32... Kg7 {[%clk 0:11:05.8]} 33. Rg4+ $1 {[%clk 0:06:04.7][%c_effect

g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33... Kh7 {[%clk 0:11:13.2]} 34.

Rh4+ $1 {[%clk 0:06:11.9][%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}

34... Kg6 {[%clk 0:11:15.9]} 35. Rg4+ $1 {[%clk 0:06:20.1][%c_effect

g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35... Kh5 {[%clk 0:11:24.4]} 36.

Rh4+ $1 {[%clk 0:06:23.9][%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}

36... Kg5 {[%clk 0:11:32.1]} 37. Rg4+ $1 {[%clk 0:06:29.5][%c_effect

g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true,g5;square;g5;type;DrawBlack,g1;square;g1;type;DrawWhite]

Black, defeated, gives up rather than continuing the shuffle towards three-fold

repetition. GG $1} 1/2-1/2