---

A question that I’ve been asked frequently by beginner players is, “what opening should I learn to play?”, often in the context that they want to branch out from playing the Italian Game. Now, clearly there are many named openings which are excellent – they are solid and a great foundation for improvement. Those of you who follow my channel and blog will know that I’m a great proponent of the idea that we must keep chess fun, especially at the casual level. So, my view is that part of the decision-making in developing your opening repertoire must include a reflection about your own character – what sort of chess do you like to play?

If you haven’t tried out the chess.com Chess Personality Test, give it a go as a bit of fun! I’m apparently a Chess Assassin!

For me, I love openings that give the opportunity for brash, swashbuckling tactics! And against the very solid Sicilian Defense, my favourite response is the Smith-Morra Gambit with the white pieces. And it’s not even dodgy! With the Sicilian Defense (1. e4 c5), Black immediately equalises the win ratio according to the Lichess community database: 48% vs 48%, but at the point of the Smith-Morra Gambit, Accepted (2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3), White regains the win advantage at 52% vs Black 45%.

A historical digression:
The very first game of the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted that I could find in the massive LumbrasGigabase was played by Lionel Kieseritzky (1806-1853), one of the best chess masters from the Romantic Age of chess. He was born in the Baltic part of the then Russian Empire, now part of modern-day Estonia. In 1840, he relocated to Paris and was one of the leading French masters in the famous Café de la Régence, along with luminaries such as Bourdonnais, Saint-Amant, and Boncourt. We have Kieseritzsky to thank for not only losing the casual game against Anderssen’s “The Immortal Game”, but recording it, and publishing it while he was the editor of La Regence.

Check out this amazing game (Kieseritzky — Vitzthrum, 1846, Paris, France) where we see Kieseritzky’s romantic flair with the Smith-Morra! He sacrifices… the ROOOKK!… on turn 14 as a trap and crushes poor Vitzthrum thereafter!

Curiously, as I doing some research for this article, I noticed a name that I didn’t recognise playing the opening very frequently – GM Milan Matulović (1935-2013) from Serbia/the former Yugoslavia. In fact, The Oxford Companion to Chess (2^nd Ed) which I use extensively, has an entry for the “Matulović Gambit” as a synonym for the Smith-Morra Gambit!

He was a very strong player, twice Yugloslav Chess Champion (1965, and ’67), and at his peak, was able to competitively compete with the world’s best. Indeed, in 1958, he played a four-game training match with Bobby Fischer, where he won once, drew once, and lost twice. Not bad! So, why do we know so little about him? It is perhaps a salutary message on why one must hold themselves with integrity. Regardless of his many accomplishments, Matulović’s legacy is tainted by reports of repeated instances of poor sportsmanship, and unethical behaviour. The Oxford Companion outright states that he cheated in 1967, and that he wasn’t invited to many tournaments due to antisocial behaviour! And from Wikipedia:

Perhaps Matulović’s most notorious transgression was against István Bilek at the Sousse Interzonal in 1967. He played a losing move but then took it back after saying “j’adoube” (“I adjust” – spoken before adjusting pieces on their square). His opponent complained to the arbiter but the move was allowed to stand. This incident earned Matulović the nickname “J’adoubovic”. This reportedly happened several times, including in a game against Bobby Fischer.

In an alternate timeline, what might have become known as the Matulović Gambit rather than the Smith-Morra is demonstrated by the smashing 13-move victory in (Matulović — Vincent, 1954, Yugoslavia).

I recently played a couple of games of the Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted. The first was against a Random Noob and in fact, was what inspired me to start the new series on my channel – Noob vs Noob UNPLUGGED! The second game was an exciting swashbuckling 10+5 game of pirate chess(🦜🤪👍🏴‍☠️♟️), where I blunder a piece in the opening, and then turn it around for glorious victory! 🤩

Game 1: The Hidden Triple Sacrifice Line!

Game 1 transposes down the well-trodden path of the Paulsen Formation in the Smith-Morra Gambit. Black is slightly better evaluation-wise and up a pawn, but White is slightly more likely to win.

My opponent plays well, and I play largely fine too, and the evaluation stays mostly equal. The fascinating thing on analysis is discovering things that you didn’t see in game. On turn 17, I played a tricky move (17. Nh4) which Stockfish didn’t like but was critical to my eventual winning attack. However, at this point in the game, the engine identifies an absolutely ridiculous triple sacrifice winning line! Check out the video and the PGN below – it starts with (17. Nxe5!!) knight sacrifice, followed by (18. Rxc6!!) rook sacrifice, and then a few moves later, we sacrifice the OTHER ROOK (21. Rxd7+!!). It looks like utter madness, but if Black takes that last rook, then White wins with forced checkmate [+M4] down six points of material! WOW! 😍 It’s an incredible romantic line that I wish I saw in game!

Instead, Black plays an aggressive forward knight move (17… Nd4??) – setting up an absolute fork on my king and rook. In doing so though, they hang their own rook on a8, which critically weakens their back rank! Black’s king attempts to run, but the knight I moved earlier to h4 strikes, forcing the king back onto the back rank (20… Ke7 21. Nf5+ Ke8). Checkmate-in-two – it’s never too late to hang back rank mate!

Game 1: https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/5ErFKcHvW2

Game 2: Reversing a lost position with pirate chess for the win!

Game 2 was a Lichess game of 10+5 rapid, and I was a bit tipsy having had a few drinks with dinner. Black played an interested fianchetto line (5… g6) and I decided to be provocative and played (6. Qf3?!), threatening a Scholar’s Mate. This is not a good move as it is quite easy for Black to block that attack, which they did with (6… e6).

A couple of moves later, a pretty much blunder a piece after (7… Ne5). Black had a fork of my bishop and queen (don’t bring out your queen early!) and I missed a tricky response (8. Qe3 Nxc4 9. Qd4) which counter-forks Black’s knight and rook – essentially trading the light square bishop for Black’s knight.

Instead, having lost a minor piece with not much compensation [-2.7], this woke me up a bit and I was determined to get a reversal! That is, pirate chess, aggressive swashbuckling play to at least wrangle a draw, but a win if possible.

We manoeuvre a bit and in the early middlegame, I find an opportunity! I manage to trap Black’s dark square bishop with (17. g3), so at least I should be able to at least return to numerical piece equality. However, Black decided to double-down with the attack on my kingside with (17… Bh3), threatening my f1-rook. Here, the sensible part of me knew that I could just move the rook, but I didn’t like the fact that Black had their light square bishop on h3 near my king – a position that I couldn’t easily touch.

So, I decided to trade my rook for their bishop! After (18. gxh4!? Bxf1 19. Kxf1), I’d captured both of Black’s bishop for the cost of my rook.  Stockfish thinks I’m mad, but it took away an immediate risk.

My logic was that I was in a losing position, but I saw a possible counterattack on Black’s king’s position, especially along the dark squares. Black infiltrated with their queen and bishop – a very powerful combination, a winning combination! However, my intuition was that I could defend the position just enough to successful launch my tactic. And I was right!

On turn 28, Black couldn’t resist gobbling up my material, capturing my hanging rook with (28… Qxb1??), but it’s a blunder! I get my reversal and the evaluation shifts from [-8.5 to 0.00]! What Black didn’t appreciate with my last few moves moving my queen to attack their king was that I was now close enough to force a draw. Against (29. Qxe5+), which skewers Black’s king along the long dark square diagonal against their rook, Black had only three legal moves.  The first is to block the check with their f-pawn (29… f6), which is what they played. Perhaps better was (29… Kg8), but after (30. Bb2) forming a battery along the diagonal, Black is in a zugzwang!  The third move (29… Kf8) transposes to the same position as Kg8 after (30. Ba3+ Kg8 31. Bb2).

In the game, after (29… f6 30 Qe7+!), Black’s king has only two legal moves. If Kg8, then I can force a threefold repetition: my queen shuffles between e6 and e7, and the king dances between g7 and g8.

Black attempted the dance for one repetition, and then tried the other legal move (32… Kh6??). However, what seems like an escape door was a path to the king’s doom [+M4], but this wasn’t easy to see as the first step was… (33. Ng4+), double-check! Three knight moves with check corral Black’s king into the killing square and then (36. Qg5#), the queen strikes the killing blow! Glorious victory, good game, GG!

Game 2: https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/4XgddXbeW2

The big takeaway from these games is that if you love tactical chess, then the Smith-Morra Gambit is a fantastic way of responding to the Sicilian Defense!

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.09.16"]
[Round "?"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "Random Noob"]
[Result "1-0"]
[TimeControl "600"]
[WhiteElo ""]
[BlackElo ""]
[Termination "Guest1617660181 won by checkmate"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/vbZvYKEw8?tab=analysis&move=44"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.100x100o.671ef4f371ed@3x.png"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl ""]
[BlackCountry "225"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:10:00][%timestamp 1]} 1... c5 {[%clk 0:09:57.2][%timestamp 28]}
2. d4 {[%clk 0:09:58.1][%timestamp 19]} 2... cxd4 {[%clk 0:09:54.1][%timestamp
31]} 3. c3 {[%clk 0:09:57.4][%timestamp 7]} 3... dxc3 {[%clk
0:09:51.7][%timestamp 24] Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit, Accepted. Let's
go $1} 4. Nxc3 {[%clk 0:09:57.1][%timestamp 3]} 4... Nc6 {[%clk
0:09:47][%timestamp 47]} 5. Bc4 {[%clk 0:09:56][%timestamp 11]} 5... e6 {[%clk
0:09:42.6][%timestamp 44]} 6. Nf3 {[%clk 0:09:55.5][%timestamp 5]} 6... a6
{[%clk 0:09:38.9][%timestamp 37] The game transposes into the Smith-Morra
Gambit, Paulsen Formation. Evaluation-wise, it's slightly better for Black
[-0.2], but White has the win ratio advantage 50\% vs 47\%.} 7. O-O {[%clk
0:09:54.6][%timestamp 9]} 7... b5 {[%clk 0:09:33.4][%timestamp 55]} 8. Bb3
{[%clk 0:09:47.1][%timestamp 75]} 8... Bb4 $6 {[%clk 0:09:12.6][%timestamp
208][%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;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] Apparently, Na5 is
best, but it's bit of an awkward and counterintuitive move, and not easy to
find. [-0.4 $37 0.00]} 9. a3 {[%clk 0:09:39.4][%timestamp 77]} 9... Ba5 {[%clk
0:09:00.7][%timestamp 119]} 10. Bg5 {[%clk 0:09:17.3][%timestamp 221] At some
point having played quite a few Smith-Morra Gambit games, I've learnt that Bg5
to entice Black to push their f-pawn to f7 is good for White. This weakens the
light squares and creates the possibility of tactics to use against the black
king.} 10... Nge7 {[%clk 0:08:49.6][%timestamp 111]} 11. Rc1 {[%clk
0:08:42.4][%timestamp 349]} 11... f6 {[%clk 0:08:43.7][%timestamp 59]} 12. Bf4
{[%clk 0:08:36.7][%timestamp 57]} 12... e5 $2 {[%clk 0:08:39][%timestamp
47][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;path;null;size;100%2525;animated;false;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e7g6;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;g6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false] And here, Black has
weakened the light squares around their king $1 Admittedly, it isn't the easiest
insight to see. Stockfish now gives a firm evaluation advantage to White
[+1.4].} 13. Be3 {[%clk 0:08:35.2][%timestamp 15]} 13... Bb6 $2 {[%clk
0:08:16.9][%timestamp 221][%c_effect
b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;path;null;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a5c3;keyPressed;none;from;a5;opacity;0.8;to;c3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c3;persistent;false] The position is
complicated and not intuitive. From the perspective of Black, this has some
sense, trading away White's bishop. However, the engine considers this a big
mistake [+4] and prefers Black to trade away White's c3-knight.} 14. Bxb6 {[%clk
0:08:23][%timestamp 122]} 14... Qxb6 {[%clk 0:08:13.3][%timestamp 36]} 15. Nd5 $1
{[%clk 0:08:21.8][%timestamp 12][%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false,b6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b6;persistent;false][%c_arrow
d5e7;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false,d5b6;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;b6;persistent;false]
However, we now have this knight fork, which mostly forces a knight trade, which
comes with an attack into Black's territory $1} 15... Nxd5 {[%clk
0:08:09.6][%timestamp 37]} 16. Qxd5 $6 {[%clk 0:08:20.9][%timestamp 9][%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;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] I took the approach
of capturing with the queen as a more direct and forcing attack - note the
battery along the light square diagonal. The engine thinks that capturing with
the e4-pawn was better.} 16... Rf8 $1 {[%clk 0:07:57.9][%timestamp 117][%c_effect
f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;path;null;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true]}
17. Nh4 $2 {[%clk 0:07:36.9][%timestamp 440][%c_effect
h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;path;null;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f3e5;keyPressed;none;from;f3;opacity;0.8;to;e5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false] My logic was to bring
the knight to the f5 square, but this was inaccurate. The best move is the
amazing knight sacrifice by capturing on e5, which begins a potential checkmate
sequence $1} (17. Nxe5 $3 {[%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true][%c_highlight
e5;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false] Sacrifice $1} 17... fxe5
18. Rxc6 $3 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true][%c_highlight
c6;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;c6;persistent;false] And we sacrifice, the
roook $1} 18... dxc6 19. Qxe5+ Kd8 20. Rd1+ Bd7 21. Rxd7+ $3 {[%c_effect
d7;square;d7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true][%c_highlight
d7;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false] And the third
sacrifice $3} 21... Kxd7 22. Be6+ {[%c_arrow
e5b8;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;b8;persistent;false,e5e6;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false,e6c8;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;c8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false,c7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c7;persistent;false,e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false,d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false,c8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c8;persistent;false]}
22... Ke8 {[%c_arrow
e6c8;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;c8;persistent;false,e6g8;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false,d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false]}
23. Bg4+ {[%c_arrow
g4c8;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;c8;persistent;false,e5e8;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false,e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false]}
23... Kd8 {[%c_arrow
g4c8;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;c8;persistent;false,e5e8;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c8;persistent;false,d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false,e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false]}
24. Qd6+ {[%c_arrow
g4c8;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;c8;persistent;false,d6c7;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;c7;persistent;false,d6e7;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false,d6d8;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c8;persistent;false,d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false,c7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c7;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false,d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false]}
24... Ke8 {[%c_arrow
g4c8;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;c8;persistent;false,d6d8;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false,d6e7;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false,d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false]}
25. Qd7# {[%c_arrow
g4d7;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;d7;persistent;false,d7d8;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false,d7e8;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false,d7f7;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false,d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false,e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false,f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false]})
17... Nd4 $4 {[%clk 0:07:46.9][%timestamp 110][%c_effect
d4;square;d4;type;Blunder;path;null;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true][%c_highlight
d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false,b7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b7;persistent;false][%c_arrow
c8b7;keyPressed;none;from;c8;opacity;0.8;to;b7;persistent;false] In the game,
Black launches a knight attack, and is going for Ne2 absolute fork of my king
and rook. However, my intuition was that this was \"fine\" as Black has hung
their a8-rook in doing so $1 For Black, this intemperate move was a blunder $1 [+9]}
18. Qxa8 $1 {[%clk 0:07:07.1][%timestamp 298][%c_effect
a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;path;null;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true][%c_highlight
a8;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;a8;persistent;false]} 18... Ne2+ $4 {[%clk
0:07:34][%timestamp 129][%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,e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false][%c_effect
e2;square;e2;type;Blunder;path;null;size;100%2525;animated;false;persistent;true]
Curiously, this is a mistake and at high depth, Stockfish finds [+M12]} 19. Kh1
{[%clk 0:06:58][%timestamp 91]} 19... Nxc1 {[%clk 0:07:29.5][%timestamp 45]} 20.
Rxc1 {[%clk 0:06:56.9][%timestamp 11]} 20... Ke7 {[%clk 0:07:07.4][%timestamp
221][%c_arrow
g7g6;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;g6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false] Checkmate is coming,
but g6 would have delayed it} 21. Nf5+ {[%clk 0:06:35][%timestamp 219][%c_arrow
f5e7;keyPressed;none;from;f5;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false,b3g8;keyPressed;none;from;b3;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false,f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false,e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false]}
21... Ke8 {[%clk 0:06:51.7][%timestamp 157][%c_arrow
b3g8;keyPressed;none;from;b3;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false,f5e7;keyPressed;none;from;f5;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false]}
22. Rxc8+ {[%clk 0:06:16.4][%timestamp 186][%c_arrow
f5e7;keyPressed;none;from;f5;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false,b3g8;keyPressed;none;from;b3;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false,c8e8;keyPressed;none;from;c8;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false,f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false,e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false,d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false]}
22... Qd8 {[%clk 0:06:35.4][%timestamp 163][%c_arrow
f5e7;keyPressed;none;from;f5;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false,b3g8;keyPressed;none;from;b3;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false,f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false]}
23. Rxd8# {[%clk 0:06:14.1][%timestamp 23][%c_effect
h1;square;h1;type;Winner,e8;square;e8;type;CheckmateBlack][%c_arrow
d8e8;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false,a8d8;keyPressed;none;from;a8;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false,f5e7;keyPressed;none;from;f5;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false,b3g8;keyPressed;none;from;b3;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false,d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false,f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false]
GG $1} 1-0

[Event "Rated rapid game"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/z6Y8GT2W"]
[Date "2024.09.22"]
[Round "?"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "LORANZI"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2024.09.22"]
[UTCTime "10:27:48"]
[WhiteElo "1455"]
[BlackElo "1475"]
[WhiteRatingDiff "+9"]
[BlackRatingDiff "-13"]
[TimeControl "600+5"]
[ECO "B21"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted"]
[Termination "Normal"]
[Annotator "lichess.org"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.100x100o.671ef4f371ed@3x.png"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl ""]
[BlackCountry "225"]
[BlackTitle ""]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/3uQTCATKqG?tab=analysis&move=70"]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:10:00]} 1... c5 {[%clk 0:10:00]} 2. d4 {[%clk 0:10:03]} 2... cxd4
{[%clk 0:10:04]} 3. c3 {[%clk 0:10:07]} 3... dxc3 {[%clk 0:10:07] Sicilian
Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted. Let's go $1} 4. Nxc3 {[%clk 0:10:12]} 4...
Nc6 {[%clk 0:10:11]} 5. Bc4 {[%clk 0:10:16]} 5... g6 {[%clk 0:10:15] The
fianchetto approach by Black is an interested way to play. This occurs about
10\% of the time. [0.00]} 6. Qf3 $6 {[%clk 0:10:11][%c_effect
f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g1f3;keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false] I decided to be
provocative $1 This is not a good move as the Scholar's Mate threat is easily
blocked by Black with Nf6. I played this game after having had a few drinks and
I was just unwisely fishing for a quick win $1 [-0.7]} 6... e6 {[%clk
0:10:18][%c_arrow
g8f6;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;shift;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false]} 7. Nge2 {[%clk
0:10:13]} 7... Ne5 {[%clk 0:10:21][%c_arrow
e5c4;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false,e5f3;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c4;persistent;false,f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false]
Good move by Black, with the fork $1 White does have a way out of the fork but I
didn't see it...} 8. Qg3 $2 {[%clk 0:10:11][%c_arrow
f3e3;keyPressed;none;from;f3;opacity;0.8;to;e3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e3;persistent;false][%c_effect
g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Qe3 is best...} (8. Qe3 Nxc4 9. Qd4
{[%c_arrow
d4h8;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;h8;persistent;false,d4c4;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h8;persistent;false,c4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c4;persistent;false]
The queen on d4 forks back and wins back a minor piece, and chess continues. I
didn't see this in the game.}) 8... Nxc4 {[%clk 0:10:23] And here, I was kicking
myself and I woke up a bit $1 In this position, I was cleanly down a full piece
[-2.7]. However, I was determined to aim for a reversal $1 Black's knight is
somewhat offside and I'm better developed. Let's view this as a gambit and play
pirate chess $1} 9. O-O $6 {[%clk 0:10:04][%c_effect
g1;square;g1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b2b3;keyPressed;none;from;b2;opacity;0.8;to;b3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b3;persistent;false] The engine prefers to
kick the knight backwards but I thought that getting the king out of the centre
first would be prudent.} 9... Bg7 $6 {[%clk 0:10:24][%c_arrow
d7d6;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;d6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false][%c_effect
g7;square;g7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Curiously, this was inaccurate
according to the engine as well. It's a complicated position $1} 10. Bg5 $5 {[%clk
0:10:06][%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Stockfish
calls this move a mistake, but my goal was to bait Black into blocking their
dark square diagonal...} 10... Bf6 {[%clk 0:10:21][%c_arrow
g8e7;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;shift;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false]} 11. Bf4 {[%clk
0:10:05]} 11... e5 {[%clk 0:10:20]} 12. Bc1 {[%clk 0:10:03] ... and it worked $1
This somewhat neutered Black's dark square bishop. Stockfish isn't impressed by
this and thinks that it doesn't matter.} 12... Nb6 {[%clk 0:10:07]} 13. b3
{[%clk 0:10:02]} 13... d6 {[%clk 0:10:05]} 14. a4 {[%clk 0:09:43]} 14... Be6
{[%clk 0:10:07]} 15. Rb1 {[%clk 0:09:37]} 15... Bh4 {[%clk 0:10:03]} 16. Qd3
{[%clk 0:09:24] A fair amount of manoeuvering...} 16... Nf6 $2 {[%clk
0:09:55][%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
h4e7;keyPressed;none;from;h4;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false] This is a mistake as
Black's h4-bishop is trapped $1 [-4 to -2]} 17. g3 {[%clk 0:09:05]} 17... Bh3 $2
{[%clk 0:09:51][%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;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 was an
interested approach by Black - to double-down on the attack $1 [-2 to -0.3] In my
mind, I knew that I could just move the rook and Black's dark square bishop was
still trapped. However, I decided to go full swashbuckling pirate and take both
of Black's bishops $1 I was taking a gamble that Black's loss of their bishop
would was impactful than my rook. Stockfish of course disagrees, but we'll see $1}
18. gxh4 $5 {[%clk 0:08:45][%c_arrow
f1d1;keyPressed;none;from;f1;opacity;0.8;to;d1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false,h4;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false][%c_effect
h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Come at me bro $1 Spicy chess.
Black is nominally up on material, but we've the same number of pieces. Through
this manoeuvre, I rid Black of their bishops skulking around my king $1 [-2.5]}
18... Bxf1 {[%clk 0:09:54]} 19. Kxf1 {[%clk 0:08:49]} 19... Ng4 $2 {[%clk
0:09:31][%c_effect g4;square;g4;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 pushes their
knight forward...} 20. Kg1 $2 {[%clk 0:08:50][%c_effect
g1;square;g1;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
h2h3;keyPressed;none;from;h2;opacity;0.8;to;h3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h3;persistent;false] ... and I'm wondering
whether I might be able to trap their knight as well. However, this wasn't the
best approach and evaluation-wise, Black is winning [-3.7]. The correct move is
h3.} 20... Qf6 $2 {[%clk 0:09:30][%c_effect
f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d8h4;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false] Fascinatingly, there
is a reversal in this position as f3 wins Black's knight $1 [-3.7 to +1.3]} 21.
Qb5+ $2 {[%clk 0:08:05][%c_effect
b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f2f3;keyPressed;none;from;f2;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false] However, I didn't see
this in the game. I did see, however, the rudiments of a counterattack strategy
with my queen and dark square bishop infiltrating and chasing Black's king $1 This
move is completely unsound, but it starts the process...} 21... Kf8 {[%clk
0:09:26]} 22. Nd1 {[%clk 0:07:57][%c_arrow
d1f2;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;f2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f2;persistent;false] Critical move
defending the f2 square and preventing a mating attack} 22... Qxh4 {[%clk
0:09:23]} 23. Qb4 {[%clk 0:06:55][%c_arrow
b4d6;keyPressed;none;from;b4;opacity;0.8;to;d6;persistent;false,d6f8;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;f8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false] The only possible way
to reverse it is to counterattack $1 I'm angling for a draw by threefold
repetition at this point $1} 23... Qxh2+ {[%clk 0:09:25]} 24. Kf1 {[%clk 0:06:59]}
24... Qh1+ {[%clk 0:09:03]} 25. Ng1 {[%clk 0:07:01] It's not checkmate yet $1 Ha
ha $1} 25... Nh2+ {[%clk 0:09:07]} 26. Ke2 {[%clk 0:06:58]} 26... Kg7 $6 {[%clk
0:08:11][%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
h1g1;keyPressed;none;from;h1;opacity;0.8;to;g1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g1;persistent;false] Black trying to run
their king...} 27. Qxd6 $5 {[%clk 0:06:49][%c_effect
d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d6e5;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;e5;persistent;false,e5h8;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;h8;persistent;false,c1h6;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false]
As before, angling for a counterattack and draw by repetition $1} 27... Qxe4+
{[%clk 0:08:00][%c_arrow
e4e2;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;e2;persistent;false,e4b1;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;b1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false,b1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b1;persistent;false]
... looks like a great move with a fork...} 28. Ne3 {[%clk 0:06:43]} 28...
Qxb1 $4 {[%clk 0:07:57][%c_arrow
a8d8;keyPressed;none;from;a8;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false,b1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b1;persistent;false][%c_effect
b1;square;b1;type;Blunder;persistent;true] ... and Black couldn't resist the
temptation to gobble up material $1 They didn't see my attack and with their queen
unable to defend their e-pawn, it's now [-8.5 to 0.00] despite them being up 10
points of material $1 Pirate tactics FTW $1 🤩} 29. Qxe5+ {[%clk 0:06:45]} 29... f6
{[%clk 0:07:58]} 30. Qe7+ $1 {[%clk 0:06:49][%c_effect
e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false] Black has only two
legal moves - Kg8 which will result in a draw by threefold repetition, or Kh6,
which is forced checkmate $1} 30... Kg8 $1 {[%clk 0:07:59][%c_effect
g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
g8;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false]} 31. Qe6+ $1 {[%clk
0:06:44][%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
e6;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false]} 31... Kg7 {[%clk
0:07:44]} 32. Qe7+ $1 {[%clk 0:06:47][%c_effect
e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false]} 32... Kh6 $4 {[%clk
0:07:43][%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_highlight
h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false] And by refusing the
draw, Black's king walks to his doom $1} 33. Ng4+ $1 {[%clk 0:06:45][%c_effect
g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
g4;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;g4;persistent;false,g7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g7;persistent;false,g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false,h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false][%c_arrow
c1h6;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false,g4h6;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false,e7g7;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;g7;persistent;false]
Double-check $1} 33... Kh5 {[%clk 0:07:45][%c_arrow
c1h6;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false,h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false]}
34. Nxf6+ {[%clk 0:06:35][%c_arrow
f6h5;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;h5;persistent;false,c1h6;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false,f6g4;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false,h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false,g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false,g4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g4;persistent;false]}
34... Kh4 {[%clk 0:07:47][%c_arrow
f6h5;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;h5;persistent;false,f6g4;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false,c1h6;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false,f2g3;keyPressed;none;from;f2;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false,g1h3;keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;h3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g4;persistent;false,h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false,g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false,g3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g3;persistent;false,h3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h3;persistent;false]}
35. Ne4+ {[%clk 0:06:09][%c_arrow
e7h4;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false,f2g3;keyPressed;none;from;f2;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false,g1h3;keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;h3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false,h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false,g3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g3;persistent;false,h3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h3;persistent;false]}
35... Kg4 {[%clk 0:07:06][%c_arrow
g1h3;keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;h3;persistent;false,f2g3;keyPressed;none;from;f2;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false,e2f3;keyPressed;none;from;e2;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false,c1h6;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false,e7h4;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h3;persistent;false,g3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g3;persistent;false,f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false,f4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f4;persistent;false,g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false,h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false,h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false]}
36. Qg5# {[%clk 0:05:54][%c_effect
e2;square;e2;type;Winner,g4;square;g4;type;CheckmateBlack][%c_arrow
c1g5;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;g5;persistent;false,g5f5;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false,g5h5;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;h5;persistent;false,g5g3;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false,g5h4;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false,g5f4;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;f4;persistent;false,g1h3;keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;h3;persistent;false,e2f3;keyPressed;none;from;e2;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false,h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false,g3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g3;persistent;false,g4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g4;persistent;false,g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false,h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false,f4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f4;persistent;false,h3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h3;persistent;false,f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false]
Glorious checkmate. Good game, GG $1} 1-0