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Another day, another Sicilian Defense, another fiery game of the Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted (1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3)! In this game, I found a smothered checkmate pattern that I’ve only ever seen theoretically – the Philidor’s mate, or the Philidor’s Legacy!

In this game, we had an interesting line with Black making a relative inaccuracy on move 5 with (5… Nf6). Simply, the knight is liable to being attacked immediately by the e-pawn, and after it leaps to the only safe square on the board, d7, it gets struck again by the e-pawn (6. e5 Nfd7 7. e6)!

Black plays the only sensible move by capturing the e-pawn (7. fxe6 8. Bxe6). Curiously, Stockfish gives an evaluation of [0.00] but Black has an f-pawn shaped hole in their defences and the weakness along the light squares is something that can be exploited!

The opening and early middlegame then progresses where both my opponent and I trade some tactical attacks, and neither of us play especially accurately. On move 14, Black castles (14… O-O) and hangs their e-pawn allowing me to capture and taking control of the light squares with me queen with check (15. Qxe6+). Sensing the advantage, I line up a battery (16. Re1) and Black responds by bolstering their own e-file (16… Re8). However, this was a critical blunder, though the reason wasn’t necessarily easy to see.

I had a powerful attack now with (17. Ne5), threatening Nf7+ which would come with a royal fork. In the game, I didn’t initially see the full power of this move, but my opponent now sat on the position for a full five minutes. While I was waiting, it came to me! Black was basically forced to trade their rook for my knight with (17… Rf8 18. Nf7+ Rxf7 19. Qxf7)!

If they, for instance, opted to move their queen so that Nf7+ wouldn’t come with a royal fork, then I had Philidor’s mate! This starts with (18. Nf7+ Kg8) – Black’s king is forced to the g8 square. However, I then had (19. Nh6+) double check (knight and queen), and the king is forced back to the corner (19… Kh8). And now, a glorious and brilliant queen sacrifice with (20. Qg8+) and Black is forced to capture the queen as the only legal move with their rook (20… Rxg8). And then the pièce de résistance (21. Nf7#) smothered checkmate!

I was super-excited, but with full credit to my opponent, they must have calculated it out over those five minutes as they finally played the correct move – (17… Rf8) – and they are forced to trade their rook for my knight.

No matter – I was now in a completely dominant and winning position. Over the next couple of moves, I force trade the queens, and then the knights. My rook then flies onto Black’s back rank (23. Re8) which gives a double back rank pin – Black’s bishop to the king, and black’s knight to the rook. A couple more moves – I force trade the dark square bishops and on move 25, Black resigns having suffered emotional damage. GG!

The big takeaway is to keep an eye out for the pattern that leads to Philidor’s mate! It’s not exactly intuitive or obvious to see so you need to search for it.

Game: https://www.chess.com/game/live/101090002277

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.02.08"]
[Round "-"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "PraisBob79"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "B21"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Sicilian-Defense-Smith-Morra-Gambit-Accepted-4.Nxc3-d6-5.Bc4"]
[UTCDate "2024.02.08"]
[UTCTime "00:12:16"]
[WhiteElo "1312"]
[BlackElo "1262"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]
[StartTime "00:12:16"]
[EndDate "2024.02.08"]
[EndTime "00:32:59"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/101090002277"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723@2x.png"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/93958186.f19e517f.50x50o.a68cee292e2d@2x.png"]
[BlackCountry "3"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:15:10]} 1... c5 {[%clk 0:15:08.4]} 2. d4 {[%clk 0:15:18.1]} 2...
cxd4 {[%clk 0:15:11.4]} 3. c3 {[%clk 0:15:26.7]} 3... dxc3 {[%clk 0:15:18.6]
Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted $1 The best fun against the Sicilian when playing with
White $1} 4. Nxc3 {[%clk 0:15:34.8]} 4... d6 {[%clk 0:15:08.1]} 5. Bc4 {[%clk
0:15:29.3]} 5... Nf6 $6 {[%clk 0:14:48.7][%c_effect
f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b8c6;keyPressed;none;from;b8;opacity;0.8;to;c6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c6;persistent;false] A relative inaccuracy
[+0.2] as the knight can immediately be attacked by e5} 6. e5 {[%clk 0:14:56]}
6... Nfd7 {[%clk 0:14:40.1]} 7. e6 {[%clk 0:13:21.9][%c_arrow
g1f3;keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f3;keyPressed;shift;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false] Stockfish identifies
that developing with Nf3 is probably the most accurate, but I thought that e6
looked very spicy $1 [0.00]} 7... fxe6 {[%clk 0:14:42.5]} 8. Bxe6 {[%clk 0:13:29]
Stockfish thinks that Black is \"fine\" [0.00], but the f-pawn shaped hole in
Black's defences and the weakness in the light squares is something that can be
exploited $1} 8... Nf6 {[%clk 0:14:49.2]} 9. Bb3 {[%clk 0:12:43.9]} 9... e6 {[%clk
0:14:52.5]} 10. Nf3 {[%clk 0:12:22.7]} 10... Be7 $6 {[%clk 0:14:59.8][%c_effect
e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d6d5;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false] This move does make
sense (Black wanting to castle kingside, which places their rook on the
semi-open f-file). However, with the weak light squares around the king,
Stockfish identifies that d5, closing the diagonal is better [+0.8]} 11. Qe2 $6
{[%clk 0:12:24.8][%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
e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] In this position, castling
immediate is the most accurate [0.00]} 11... d5 {[%clk 0:14:59.5]} 12. O-O
{[%clk 0:12:17.6]} 12... b6 $2 {[%clk 0:15:04.5][%c_effect
b6;square;b6;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] Weakens the light
squares [+2.5]} 13. Ne5 $2 {[%clk 0:12:09.4][%c_arrow
f3d4;keyPressed;none;from;f3;opacity;0.8;to;d4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Inaccurate - Nd4, with the attack on
the c6 and e6 squares is better [0.00]} 13... Ba6 $2 {[%clk 0:15:08.6][%c_effect
a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A logical looking attack, but it
doesn't quite work [+1.4]...} 14. Nd3 $2 {[%clk 0:11:57.7][%c_effect
d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b3a4;keyPressed;none;from;b3;opacity;0.8;to;a4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a4;persistent;false] ... however, I don't
find the correct response [0.00]} 14... O-O $2 {[%clk 0:14:57.9][%c_effect
g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake as Black hangs
their e-pawn - dangerous with the weak light squares $1 [+1.0]} 15. Qxe6+ {[%clk
0:11:11.9]} 15... Kh8 {[%clk 0:15:03.9]} 16. Re1 $6 {[%clk 0:09:37.4][%c_effect
e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Moving the rook out of the pin and
creating a battery was seen as slow by Stockfish [0.00] and it doesn't believe
in the attack. Rather, it preferred immediately capturing the d5 pawn with Nxd5
as White has three attackers to Black's two defenders.} 16... Re8 $4 {[%clk
0:15:01.1][%c_arrow
a6d3;keyPressed;none;from;a6;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false,e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false][%c_effect
e8;square;e8;type;Blunder;persistent;true] However, it results in Black
responding to the threat, rather than simply taking the hanging knight, which
was a serious mistake [+5.7]} 17. Ne5 $1 {[%clk 0:08:44.8][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
e5;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false,d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false,h8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h8;persistent;false][%c_arrow
e5f7;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false,f7h8;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;h8;persistent;false,f7d8;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false]
A beautiful threat of a a royal fork. Black's best move is to trade their rook
for the knight. If they choose to move their queen out of the fork, then there
is a beautiful smothered checkmate $1} 17... Rf8 {[%clk 0:10:47.1] Black found the
right move after thinking for 5+ minutes...} ({Let's say Black moves their queen
out of the potential fork...} 17... Qc7 18. Nf7+ {[%c_arrow
f7h8;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;h8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h8;persistent;false] Check} 18... Kg8 19.
Nh6+ {[%c_arrow
h6g8;keyPressed;none;from;h6;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false,e6g8;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false] Double check $1} 19...
Kh8 {This is a must - if Kf8, then Qf7#} 20. Qg8+ $3 {[%c_effect
g8;square;g8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true][%c_highlight
g8;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false,h8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h8;persistent;false][%c_arrow
g8h8;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;h8;persistent;false] Queen
sacrifice $3} 20... Rxg8 {Forced penultimate move...} 21. Nf7# {[%c_arrow
f7h8;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;h8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h8;persistent;false,f7;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false]
Glorious smothered checkmate $1}) 18. Nf7+ {[%clk 0:08:43.5]} 18... Rxf7 {[%clk
0:10:55.7]} 19. Qxf7 {[%clk 0:08:52.5] The tactical approach is now clear -
force trade Black's pieces $1} 19... Bc5 {[%clk 0:10:44.1]} 20. Nxd5 {[%clk
0:08:22.9]} 20... Qf8 {[%clk 0:09:44.1]} 21. Qxf8+ {[%clk 0:07:30.3]} 21... Bxf8
{[%clk 0:09:51.3]} 22. Nxf6 {[%clk 0:07:37.6]} 22... gxf6 {[%clk 0:10:00.7]} 23.
Re8 {[%clk 0:07:42.2][%c_arrow
e1e8;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false,e8f8;keyPressed;none;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;f8;persistent;false,f8h8;keyPressed;none;from;f8;opacity;0.8;to;h8;persistent;false,e8b8;keyPressed;none;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;b8;persistent;false,b8a8;keyPressed;none;from;b8;opacity;0.8;to;a8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f8;persistent;false,b8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b8;persistent;false]
Double back rank pin $1} 23... Kg7 {[%clk 0:10:05.1]} 24. Bh6+ {[%clk
0:07:23.5][%c_arrow
h6g7;keyPressed;none;from;h6;opacity;0.8;to;g7;persistent;false,g7f8;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;f8;persistent;false]
Skewer the black king and force it away from the defence of their bishop $1} 24...
Kxh6 {[%clk 0:10:10]} 25. Rxf8 {[%clk 0:07:32.6][%c_effect
g1;square;g1;type;Winner,h6;square;h6;type;ResignBlack][%c_arrow
f8b8;keyPressed;none;from;f8;opacity;0.8;to;b8;persistent;false,b3d5;keyPressed;none;from;b3;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false,d5a8;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;a8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b8;persistent;false] And in this position,
with further uncompensated material loss inevitable, Black opts to resign. GG $1}
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