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I’ve recently been a little less active with making new videos and articles. We’re rapidly heading towards the end of the year, and I’ve been quite busy at work, and have been following the World Chess Championship between Ding and Gukesh! 🤩 As it was held in Singapore, it meant that the broadcast ran from 8 PM Sydney time, one of the few times that an international competition is at convenient hours for Australians!

So, congratulations to the young Gukesh, our 18^th World Chess Champion! I was personally rooting for Ding, but Gukesh is deservedly the victor.

* * *

A week or so ago, Mrs Chess Noob and I were out at a local bar for a few drinks and dinner. I brought along a portable chess board (the Chessnut GO) and we played this rather fun game while a little bit tipsy. Mrs Chess Noob is much more of a beginner chess player and so, we allowed a rule so that she could change colours, swap sides, at a time of her choosing!

Part 1: I have Black

https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/4LGe9atQc6

The game started as a Four Knights Italian (1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Bc4). Those of you who are a little further along your journey would know that this opening isn’t that good for White as Black can force an opening exchange where Black must play accurately (4… Nxe4 5. Nxe4 d5!).

On turn 6, White must find (6. Bd3) to keep the equality, but this is not obvious for beginner players. In fact, in the Lichess community database (6. Bd3) has been played in in only 17% of games from the position!

Unfortunately, Mrs Chess Noob seemed to play in a style of wanting to keep or build tension with (6. Bb5??), which was a blunder! In the subsequent few turns, my d-pawn becomes a MONSTER: capturing one knight (6… dxe4), then another (7… exf3), and then a pawn (8… fxg2)!

We had a bunch of trades and in the middlegame, I made a tactical mistake having missed Mrs Chess Noob’s attack down the g-file against my castled king. I don’t calculate well after a few drinks! 😅

Luckily for me, neither does Mrs Chess Noob and rather than punishing me by “placing pressure on the pinned piece” with (17. Bh6), she saw the idea but executed it incorrectly with (17. Bf6??), blundering the bishop (17… Rxf6)!

Part 2: Switched to White!

https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/3SnCuEGSM4

It was at this point that Mrs Chess Noob challenged me on whether I could win the position with White, and switched sides!

So, what to do? Stockfish gives an evaluation that the position is favouring Black at better than [-5]. White is up substantial material; they have an extra bishop and two pawns. Tactically, a potential that I still had was the semi-opened g-file controlled by one of my rooks and so, if there is any chance at all, it is to attack down that file!

Black naturally responded to (18. Rdg1), the rook battery by pushing forward their g-pawn (18… g6). However, this lends itself to a simple tactic that we’ve seen already in this game – place pressure on the pinned piece! This time, it can be achieved by striking forward with the h-pawn to destabilise Black’s g-pawn. First, we had (19. h4) and then (20. h5).

And in the position, Mrs Chess Noob played the very natural (20… g5) but now I had (21. Rxg5+)! Stockfish still evaluates that Black is technically fine at [-5], but the dynamics have completely changed. On turn 21, the only human response for Black is to move the king, and there were three legal king moves: Kh8 (best), Kf7 (okay), and Kf8 (blunder). Unfortunately, Mrs Chess Noob chose incorrectly with (21… Kf8??)!

With (22. Rg8+!), the rook skewers Black’s king to the a8-rook, winning at least that rook. Unfortunately, Black blundered again with (22… Kf7??) as (23. R1g7#) was perhaps a surprising ladder mate! Good game, GG!

The big takeaway from this game is to try to find tactical threats to keep up the pressure when in a losing position, as it creates the opportunities for your opponent to make a mistake, and thus, get a reversal. Furthermore, consider playing this chess variant against an opponent who is weaker in strength as it’s lots of fun!

[Event "Dinner chess"]
[Site "Newtown General Store, Sydney Australia"]
[Date "2024.12.03"]
[White "Mrs Chess Noob"]
[Black "vitualis"]
[Result "*"]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723@3x.png"]
[BlackCountry "17"]
[BlackTitle ""]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/115896138.07895b80.100x100o.c3bd7b4db463@3x.jpeg"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[Termination "Switch sides!"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Bc4 {Four Knights Game: Italian Variation}
4... Nxe4 {Critical move to know for Black  $1} 5. Nxe4 d5 {[%c_arrow
d5c4;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false,d5e4;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;e4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c4;persistent;false,e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false]}
6. Bb5 $4 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_highlight
b5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b5;persistent;false,d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false][%c_arrow
c4d3;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false] This is a
natural looking move, but it's a mistake $1} 6... dxe4 {[%c_arrow
e4f3;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false]} 7. d4 $2 {[%c_effect
d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;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] For beginner players,
opening pressure can often result in making the wrong choices} 7... exf3 8. d5
fxg2 {[%c_arrow
d7d5;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false,d5e4;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;e4;persistent;false,e4f3;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false,f3g2;keyPressed;none;from;f3;opacity;0.8;to;g2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g2;persistent;false] A MONSTER pawn walk $1}
9. Rg1 Qf6 $5 {[%c_arrow
a7a6;keyPressed;none;from;a7;opacity;0.8;to;a6;persistent;false,d8h4;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a6;persistent;false,h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false][%c_effect
f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is definitely not the most
accurate move, but as I'm completely winning, I have no issue with giving back
some material. The idea is immediately developing the queen and targeting the
weak f2-pawn.} 10. Rxg2 $2  {[%c_arrow
d5c6;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;c6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c6;persistent;false][%c_effect
g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake as it isn't
forcing. dxc6 capturing the knight is best.} 10... Bd7 $6 {[%c_effect
d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a7a6;keyPressed;none;from;a7;opacity;0.8;to;a6;persistent;false,f6h4;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a6;persistent;false,h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false]
The engine prefers more tactical play. I thought this was a safe consolidating
move.} 11. Bg5 {A nice provocative move $1} 11... Qd6 12. dxc6 bxc6 $6 {[%c_effect
c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13. Qxd6 $6 {[%c_effect
d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13... Bxd6 14. Bc4 O-O $6
{[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%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] I'm a couple of
drinks by this point. This is inaccurate as the g-file is semi-open and
controlled by White's rook, meaning Bh6 would be forcing.} 15. O-O-O $6
{[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g5h6;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false] However, it isn't
seen} 15... Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%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] I thought that I
would just force a trade down of pieces...} 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Bf6 $4 {[%c_effect
f6;square;f6;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false,h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false][%c_arrow
g5h6;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false] Mrs Chess Noob
has also had a couple of drinks $1 The right idea, but the wrong execution $1} 17...
Rxf6 {... and at this point, we swap sides $1} *

[Event "Dinner chess"]
[Site "Newtown General Store, Sydney Australia"]
[Date "2024.12.03"]
[Round "?"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "Mrs Chess Noob"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r5k1/p1p3pp/2pbpr2/4p3/8/8/PPP2PRP/2KR4 w - - 0 18"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723@3x.png"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/115896138.07895b80.100x100o.c3bd7b4db463@3x.jpeg"]
[BlackCountry "17"]
[BlackTitle ""]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/analysis?tab=analysis"]

{Switched colours $1 Mrs Chess Noob challenged me to win from her lost position $1}
18. Rdg1 {[%c_highlight
g1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g1;persistent;false,g2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g2;persistent;false][%c_arrow
g1g7;keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;g7;persistent;false] Battery down
the g-file. Create a tactical resource $1} 18... g6 {The move makes sense $1} 19. h4
{Strike with the h-pawn to try to destabilise the g-pawn} 19... e4 {Not
technically bad. But will Black be able to correctly deal with h5 $2} 20. h5
{[%c_arrow
h5g6;keyPressed;none;from;h5;opacity;0.8;to;g6;persistent;false,g2g6;keyPressed;none;from;g2;opacity;0.8;to;g6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false]} 20... g5 {[%c_arrow
d6f4;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;f4;persistent;false,f4c1;keyPressed;none;from;f4;opacity;0.8;to;c1;persistent;false,g8f7;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f4;keyPressed;shift;opacity;0.8;square;f4;persistent;false,f7;keyPressed;shift;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false]
Probably a tactical mistake, even though it is technically fine. Bf4+ first,
winning tempo, and then g5 (which would then be supported by the bishop) is the
most accurate move...} 21. Rxg5+ {[%c_highlight
g1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g1;persistent;false,g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false,g8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false][%c_arrow
g1g8;keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false] With this
check, Black is technically fine at [-5], but they are forced to find the
correct responses $1} 21... Kf8 $4 {[%c_effect
f8;square;f8;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_highlight
f8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f8;persistent;false,f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false,h8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h8;persistent;false][%c_arrow
g7h8;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;h8;persistent;false,g7f7;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false]
And unfortunately, Black chose the wrong square for the king, a massive blunder $1
[-5 $37 +5]} 22. Rg8+ $1 {[%c_effect
g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
g8;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false,g1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g1;persistent;false,f8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f8;persistent;false,a8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a8;persistent;false][%c_arrow
g1g8;keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false,g8f8;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;f8;persistent;false,f8a8;keyPressed;none;from;f8;opacity;0.8;to;a8;persistent;false]
This not only skewers the king, at least cleanly winning the a8-rook, but once
again, forces Black to play accurately. There are only two legal squares for the
king: e7 and f7.} 22... Kf7 $4 {[%c_effect
f7;square;f7;type;Blunder;path;null;size;100%2525;animated;false;persistent;true][%c_highlight
f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false][%c_arrow
f8e7;keyPressed;none;from;f8;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false] Mrs Chess Noob
had convinced herself that she'd lost so didn't calculate the correct square,
and blunders checkmate.} 23. R1g7# {[%c_effect
c1;square;c1;type;Winner,f7;square;f7;type;CheckmateBlack][%c_highlight
g8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false,f8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f8;persistent;false,e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false,g7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g7;persistent;false,f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false][%c_arrow
g8b8;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;b8;persistent;false,g8g7;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;g7;persistent;false,g7g8;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false,g7d7;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;d7;persistent;false]
Ladder mate $1} 1-0