Recently, I’ve been undertaking some introspection regarding my chess channel and blog.

Three-and-a-half years ago, I published my very first video on my YouTube channel with an accompanying blog. Very fittingly, it was a chaotic and Romantic game of the Vienna Game: Max Lange Defense where I had a mate-in-one on turn 14, missed it (😅), but won anyway a few turns later. From the very beginning, it was my discovery and exploration of the Vienna Game that inspired this entire creative endeavour!

Since then, I’ve published 665 videos on my channel, as many articles, with almost 4,000 subscribers. I’ve written and published two chess books and pleasingly, the little bit of revenue from Adventures of a Chess Noob has meant for the first time, I’ve had a hobby that pays for itself (🤩), though this isn’t my motivation doing it. Rather, it’s been a pleasure to develop technical skills; to indulge in the delightful mix of history, humanity, and technology; and of course, meeting and communicating with all of you — my fellow adventurers on the journey of chess!

However, a practice that I’ve adopted is that I make a major review and potential change in both my professional life and personal projects in roughly three-year cycles. This might be in taking on a new role, investing in learning a new skill, or creating a new substantive project. Often, this also requires some mindful divestment: for instance, stepping down from a long-term committee (for instance, if I’ve been a member already for 6 or 9 years), or reducing the amount of time regularly spent on an activity.

After I started my channel and blog, I was playing several games daily and had settled into a publication schedule of 3 or 4 videos and articles a week. Some of you may have noticed that I’d reduced this substantially towards the end of last year (hitting the three-year mark!) as I was feeling a bit burnt out with chess. So far in 2025, I’ve been very busy at work, but I’ve also noticed that I haven’t had as much patience with playing slower, principled, and sound chess. Increasingly, I found myself playing wild unprincipled chess for kicks — perhaps less a chess assassin, and more a chess pirate! 😅 (see a few of my recent games below!)

So, I’ve been pondering; where do I take my channel and blog to next?

Plan for a new direction

I will be starting a major new series on my channel in 2025, one that takes advantage of my professional life. 😲

Some of you might know that in my day job, I’m an Australian specialist general practitioner (US: “family physician”) and am a senior lecturer (US: “assistant or associate professor”) at the University of New South Wales. I will be creating a relaxed, informal and fun interview series with medical academics and researchers, over a game of chess!

I don’t know if the idea will work, and it might end up being a “clash of worlds”, but it does have the virtue of being unique! I have the first interview scheduled for recording on the 9^th of May.

This does mean that I won’t be making new content on some of the existing series on the Adventures of a Chess Noob channel.

• Quick Wins: this series is being retired after 103 videos! The original premise for this series were short, sharp videos of quick wins with limited analysis. Early videos were often less than two minutes in length. The more recent entries have been much more detailed, to the point that they aren’t especially different to my regular content. I’ll still make some videos of quick wins but will not be listing these as a separate category.
• Game Review: this series was originally planned for more detailed study of specific lines, especially in games where I lost. However, like quick wins, the category blurred as I started including more detailed analyses in my regular videos.

I’ll still make some other chess video content, but at a lesser frequency, with a goal of higher quality. I’m intending on keeping up with:

• Noob vs Noob UNPLUGGED: the occasional game of low-stakes casual chess with unexpected tactical fireworks is exactly the sort of chess I love!
• Chess Out and About: playing in-real-life over-the-board chess, especially in a nice location is a joy. Indeed, my planned new interview series is practically an excuse to bring along a nice chess set to use on location! One of my most successful videos on my channel is still Chess on a Summer’s Morning.

* * *

I’d collected many games since the beginning of 2025 as educational material for videos and articles, but ultimately, I think the following four games from the last couple of weeks is the sort of romantic and swashbuckling “pirate chess” that’s worth promoting. Many chess content creators will teach you how to play good, legitimate chess much better than me. However, I hope that I can inspire you to play chess that is fun! Don’t take chess so seriously that you become terrified of losing; on average, you’ll lose roughly half the time!

I have Black and for a long while, I play the Two Knights Defense against White’s Italian Game (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6), baiting White to try the Knight Attack (4. Ng5), which is them attempting the Fried Liver Attack. Recently, I’ve been responding with the risky but splendid Traxler Counterattack (4… Bc5).

Note: my book, “Become a Chess Assassin!” contains a chapter on how to play and refute both the Fried Liver Attack for White, and the Traxler Counterattack for Black.

One of the problems with the Traxler Counterattack is that increasingly, Fried Liver Attack players know the refutation (5. Bxf7+). While this is far from a killer blow, the resulting position is tricky to play for Black, and relatively straightforward for White. For Black, the king is forced to bongcloud (5… Ke7) and the critical understanding for White is that they must evacuate their f7-bishop. It’s done its job sniping the f-pawn, it’s offside, and it’s time to get out (either Bc4 or Bc3).

In the game, White didn’t understand this, castled instead (6. O-O??), which effectively blundered a piece after the simple double-attack with (6… h6!). White will lose either the knight or the bishop.

In the game, my middlegame approach was simple: “manually castle” to bring the king to safety and take advantage of the semi-opened f-file to put massive pressure on White’s f2 square. On turn 10, I play a devious move with (10… Nxe4!?), putting three attackers on f2, and offering a trade-down of material. Stockfish rates this a blunder (if White played accurately, they win back the lost material), but the evaluation was still advantage Black. In essence, it was a risk worth taking in my view, and in fact, this ended up being the winning tactic.

White attempted to counterattack and avoided trading down material, but while logical, it resulted in their demise. I just had the stronger attack. White probably didn’t calculate the entire sequence and missed the final move of the game (14… Nf2+) royal fork! Good game, GG!

I don’t like playing against the Modern Defense (1. e4 g6). Black effectively bunkers down, can avoid an open game, and attempts to undermine White’s more classical approaches. What I usually do is to play explicitly to opening principles (take the centre with pawns, develop minor pieces, knights before bishops), and then look for tactical opportunities to punish any inaccuracies by Black. From an overall strategic perspective, neutralising or trading away Black’s fianchetto g7-bishop, and launching a kingside attack, if permitted, is typically good. These simple ideas are often worthwhile playing, even if the engine doesn’t consider them to be the most accurate, especially at the beginner-intermediate level.

So, I played (6. e5?!) to close Black’s control of the long diagonal with their g7-bishop. Later, (8. Qd2) to form a battery with my g5-bishop, with the goal of forcing Black to trade away that bishop.

On turn 8, Black made a serious mistake with castling kingside (8… O-O?) as I was prepared to launch a quick attack on that side. I’d seen that putting my knight on g5, and then queen on h6 was now a completely winning attack. Black would be forced to trade their queen for my knight to avoid checkmate. Black seemed to have been overly relying on their king’s knight, so I played (11. Bd3), perhaps a slightly obscure move. It looked like a normal developing move, but the goal was to defend the f5 square, so that Black’s knight couldn’t go there to defend h6 from my queen.

Just like in the last game, knight moves can be tricky to fully see in calculations and my tactic worked. I played (12. Qh6) and Black responded with (12… Nf5?) to kick my queen. But the bishop was ready, and Black probably thought it was just an equal trade (13. Bxf5! exf5). But no, (14. Ng5) and as before, Black can only avoid checkmate by trading their queen for the knight. They resigned, good game, GG!

In this game, Black attempted to decline the Vienna Gambit with Nc6 (1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 Nc6), one of the most common mistakes that literally results in a losing position on turn 3! Playing the two knights is rarely bad in an e4-e5 game, but the Vienna Gambit is an exception!

Note the very natural evolution of the position by turn 9! White has full control of the centre, is almost fully developed, and poised to attack Black’s weak f7 square. Black has almost no development, with their queen’s knight in an odd position on g6!

Two turns later, I played (11. Bxf7+!!) the very thematic brilliant sacrifice of the bishop. Black seeing the impending crushing attack down the f-file, opted to try to run their king rather than take the sacrificial bishop. However, this doesn’t work. In fact, (11… Kd7?) and then (12… Kc6??) were serious mistakes.  You see, one of the motifs in the Vienna Game/Gambit when the f-file attacks work is that White corrals and isolates the black king onto the field of battle on the queenside and ultimately delivers checkmate against the edge of the board. Black’s voluntary king march only expedited his demise. Turn 14, Black’s king was trapped on the a-file (14. Rb1+ Ka6?!), and Black resigned one move away from checkmate with (15. Qd3+). GG!

One of the most delicious experiences in Romantic chess, is to swindle your way out of a dead lost position, equalise, capture the lead, and then win! This is especially so when that reversal is not due to a serendipitous or egregious blunder on the opponent’s part. But rather, it is through a deliberate and risky bluff, a swashbuckling manoeuvre, laughing at the spectre of imminent defeat and punching it in the face! For today we shall not resign even if we must lose in ignominy! 🤪

I usually play the Steiner Variation against the annoyingly civilised French Defense (1. e4 e6 2. c4) as after (2… d5 3. cxd5 exd5), there is the audacious (4. Qa4+!?). The Steiner Variation drags the French player out of their safe harbour of a nice, closed and predictable position, for a chaotic naval battle on treacherous seas!

However, the pirate’s life is a dangerous one and I misplayed the opening terribly. By the early middlegame on turn 13, I knew that I was in serious trouble: I had hardly any development, I’d lost the right to castle, and my king was stuck on d2 behind an isolated d-pawn! Although I was a point of material up, StockFISH, the great oracle of the sea has already declared my doom with an evaluation of roughly [-5]! 😱

Black marshalled their forces and with (15… Rfd8) signalled their intent to strike the d-file to attack my hapless king with a combination of knight, bishop and rook. And on turn 16, I played a deliberate pirate move with (16. b3!?). The great FISH labels it an egregious blunder, and so it is! Stepping the b-pawn forward opens the dark square diagonal for Black’s queen on f6; the follow up moves of Qb2+ or Qxa1 taking the free rook is obviously winning. I saw this in game. The prescient gaze of the FISH can see that checkmate is inevitable in no more than 12 moves!

However, does my opponent see it? You see, I was losing anyway, and Black had constructed an attack plan that didn’t involve their queen. I banked on the possibility that Black was so invested in their winning tactic that they wouldn’t see the gaping hole I had created. Instead, the bluff of (16. b3!?) was that it seemed like I was desperately trying to defend the c4 square to delay their attack plan for a turn…

And it worked! 🦜🤪🏴‍☠️

Black, fully invested in their plan, played the expected (16… Rac8?), piling pressure on the c-file a major mistake! Black was still completely winning, but suddenly, I had (17. Qe5) asking for a trade of queens, something that they were not expecting. Disoriented, they blundered by throwing in a check (17… Qh6+) rather than pulling their queen back with (17… Qe7) to reposition for another attack line. Why was this a blunder? With (18. Qg5!), the queen trade was forced (18… Qxg5+ 19. Nxg5) and suddenly the evaluation was equal, and we were playing a queen-less middlegame! 🤩👍

It is likely that at this point Black realised that something just went very wrong, but that it wasn’t obvious what that was. In fact, they immediately made another inaccuracy by doubling down and pushed their a-pawn, with the goal of destabilising my pirate b3-pawn, and its defence of c4. This gave me the opportunity to make an advantageous trade of my knight for Black’s light square bishop (20. Nxe6 fxe6), resulting in Black too, having an isolated pawn. However, moving towards the late-middlegame, I managed to retain that extra point of material, a pawn, and it was going to be increasingly felt!

Rook pairs can be difficult to coordinate and on turn 28, Black made a blunder that hung a mate-in-three with (28… R3d4??). I’ve written previously that bishops tend to synergise especially well with rooks in the endgame, and this was a great example. Black’s move itself had a certain logic, Black was putting pressure on my light square bishop, and they’d probably miscalculated that I wouldn’t be able to defend the bishop. They were wrong. 😏

A lovely mating net had been woven and unfortunately for Black, their remaining pieces were in the wrong position and could not defend their king. Check with one rook, then the other, and the coup de grâce (31. g3#), glorious pawn checkmate! Romantic chess, for the win.

* * *

I’ve some upcoming travel. Next week, I’m visiting Busan, South Korea for a conference, and in mid-May, I’ll be in Melbourne for work. These will be an opportunity to create some chess “out and about” content, potentially with my Chessnut GO electronic chess board!

Learn how to play the best chess opening attacks in the Romantic style with my new book, “Become a Chess Assassin!”, and read more stories about interesting historical chess masters from the past! Available now on your local Amazon store:

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.04.15"]
[Round "-"]
[White "kinkylinky94"]
[Black "vitualis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[CurrentPosition "r1b2qk1/pppp2p1/2n4B/4p3/6Qb/2NP4/PPP2nPP/R6K w - - 1 15"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "C57"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Italian-Game-Traxler-Bishop-Sacrifice-Line-5...Ke7"]
[UTCDate "2025.04.15"]
[UTCTime "03:14:35"]
[WhiteElo "1161"]
[BlackElo "1186"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]
[StartTime "03:14:35"]
[EndDate "2025.04.15"]
[EndTime "03:19:30"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/26ukMQ6gmc?tab=analysis"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/157615861.7fd5b310.50x50o.3cf7abb3ad31.jpg"]
[WhiteCountry "164"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723.png"]
[BlackCountry "17"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:15:09.8][%timestamp 2]} 1... e5 {[%clk 0:15:08.7][%timestamp 13]}
2. Nf3 {[%clk 0:15:18.6][%timestamp 12]} 2... Nc6 {[%clk 0:15:18.3][%timestamp
4]} 3. Bc4 {[%clk 0:15:27][%timestamp 16]} 3... Nf6 {[%clk 0:15:27.1][%timestamp
12] Italian Game: Two Knights Defense} 4. Ng5 {[%clk 0:15:34.5][%timestamp 25]
Knight Attack} 4... Bc5 {[%clk 0:15:36.4][%timestamp 7] Traxler Counterattack:
let's go $1} 5. Bxf7+ {[%clk 0:15:38.1][%timestamp 64][%c_highlight
f7;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false] The correct response
by White $1} 5... Ke7 {[%clk 0:15:45.1][%timestamp 13]} 6. O-O $4 {[%clk
0:15:35.9][%timestamp 122][%c_effect
g1;square;g1;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_highlight
g1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g1;persistent;false,c4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c4;persistent;false,b3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b3;persistent;false][%c_arrow
f7c4;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false,c4b3;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;b3;persistent;false]
However, this is a blunder $1 The correct move for White is to evacuate their
bishop. This move results in a loss of one of White's pieces.} 6... h6 $1 {[%clk
0:15:45.1][%timestamp 100][%c_effect
h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
h6;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false,g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false,f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false][%c_arrow
h6g5;keyPressed;none;from;h6;opacity;0.8;to;g5;persistent;false,e7f7;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false]
Black has a double attack} 7. Nf3 {[%clk 0:15:16.6][%timestamp 293][%c_arrow
e7f7;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false]} 7... Kxf7 {[%clk
0:15:52.9][%timestamp 22] And the goal for Black if White plays carefully is to
manually \"castle\" the king, and play a middlegame up a piece} 8. Nc3 {[%clk
0:15:24.7][%timestamp 19]} 8... Rf8 {[%clk 0:15:55.6][%timestamp 73][%c_arrow
d7d5;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;shift;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false] Striking in the
centre is also correct and fits with opening principles. However, I wanted to
get the king to safety first.} 9. d3 $6 {[%clk 0:15:29.9][%timestamp 48][%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][%c_effect
d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White had an opportunity to
counterattack with Nxe5+ and if Nxe5, strike with d4 fork $1} 9... Kg8 {[%clk
0:15:44.3][%timestamp 213]} 10. Nh4 {[%clk 0:15:38.3][%timestamp 16]} 10...
Nxe4 $5 {[%clk 0:14:56.2][%timestamp 581][%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
e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Technically a blunder as Nxe4
chains an attack on my c5-bishop. However, I thought that this was a very tricky
pirate move as I have three attackers on the f2-pawn, and have a discovered
attack on White's undefended h4-knight $1 Despite being a \"blunder\", Black is
still ahead. In the game, I knew that this move couldn't be \"too bad\", but
that it was probably suboptimal from an objective sense. My intuition was
correct as White's inaccurate response results in the winning tactic $1} 11. Qg4 $4
{[%clk 0:15:26][%timestamp 223][%c_effect
g4;square;g4;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_highlight
g4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g4;persistent;false,e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false][%c_arrow
c3e4;keyPressed;none;from;c3;opacity;0.8;to;e4;persistent;false] White tries to
counterattack with their queen, defending their h4-knight, but this was a
critical mistake $1} 11... Bxf2+ $5 {[%clk 0:14:39][%timestamp 272][%c_effect
f2;square;f2;type;Interesting;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] This looks
overwhelming even if it isn't the most accurate $1} 12. Kh1 {[%clk
0:15:25.8][%timestamp 102][%c_arrow
f1f2;keyPressed;none;from;f1;opacity;0.8;to;f2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f2;persistent;false]} 12... Bxh4 {[%clk
0:14:31.6][%timestamp 174][%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] Holding the tension
was the most accurate according to the engine, but simplifying by liquidation is
easier and still completely winning.} 13. Rxf8+ $2 {[%clk 0:15:20.9][%timestamp
149][%c_arrow
c1h6;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false][%c_effect
f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Bxh6 is more forcing, as it's a
checkmate threat, and doubles the rooks on the back rank} 13... Qxf8 {[%clk
0:14:35.3][%timestamp 63]} 14. Bxh6 $4 {[%clk 0:15:24.6][%timestamp 63][%c_effect
h6;square;h6;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_highlight
h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false,e3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e3;persistent;false][%c_arrow
c1e3;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;e3;persistent;false] White needed to
defend the f2 square...} 14... Nf2+ {[%clk 0:14:34.4][%timestamp 109][%c_effect
g8;square;g8;type;Winner;animated;true,h1;square;h1;type;ResignWhite;animated;true][%c_arrow
f2h1;keyPressed;none;from;f2;opacity;0.8;to;h1;persistent;false,f2g4;keyPressed;none;from;f2;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h1;persistent;false,g4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g4;persistent;false]
Royal fork, and White resigns. GG $1} 0-1

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.04.10"]
[Round "-"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "MaRkObAiN"]
[Result "1-0"]
[CurrentPosition "r1bq1rk1/pppn1p1p/6pQ/3pPpN1/3P4/2N5/PPP2PPP/R3K2R b KQ -"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "B06"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Modern-Defense-with-1-e4-2.d4-Bg7-3.Nf3"]
[UTCDate "2025.04.10"]
[UTCTime "02:18:43"]
[WhiteElo "1182"]
[BlackElo "1144"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]
[StartTime "02:18:43"]
[EndDate "2025.04.10"]
[EndTime "02:21:38"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/254iBBdjki?tab=analysis"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723.png"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/5375103.6a935fb3.50x50o.9e81062a643a.png"]
[BlackCountry "95"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:15:07.1][%timestamp 29]} 1... g6 {[%clk 0:15:09.8][%timestamp 2]
Modern Defense} 2. d4 {[%clk 0:15:14.5][%timestamp 26]} 2... Bg7 {[%clk
0:15:19.7][%timestamp 1]} 3. Nf3 {[%clk 0:15:22.2][%timestamp 23]} 3... e6
{[%clk 0:15:29.6][%timestamp 1]} 4. Nc3 {[%clk 0:15:17.1][%timestamp 151]
Opening principles  $1} 4... Ne7 $6 {[%clk 0:15:38][%timestamp 16][%c_arrow
d7d6;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;d6;persistent;false,h7h6;keyPressed;none;from;h7;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false,a7a6;keyPressed;none;from;a7;opacity;0.8;to;a6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false,h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false,a6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a6;persistent;false][%c_effect
e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true]
Slightly odd move. The Modern is something that you need to study a bit. I think
Black wanted to castle short, but didn't want to put their knight on f6 given
e5.} 5. Be3 {[%clk 0:15:22.7][%timestamp 44]} 5... d5 {[%clk
0:15:46.5][%timestamp 15]} 6. e5 $6 {[%clk 0:15:31][%timestamp 17][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d1d2;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;d2;persistent;false,h2h4;keyPressed;none;from;h2;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false,h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false]
I wasn't sure of the best move and opted to close the dark square diagonal of
Black's fianchetto bishop. It would have been better to play Qd2, aiming to
trade the dark square bishops, or destabilise Black's king side with h4.} 6...
Nf5 $6 {[%clk 0:15:55.5][%timestamp 10][%c_effect
f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b8d7;keyPressed;none;from;b8;opacity;0.8;to;d7;persistent;false,c7c5;keyPressed;none;from;c7;opacity;0.8;to;c5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false,c5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c5;persistent;false]
Complicated position, but this knight adventurism isn't correct} 7. Bg5 {[%clk
0:15:29.3][%timestamp 117]} 7... Ne7 {[%clk 0:16:03.7][%timestamp 18]} 8. Qd2
{[%clk 0:15:24.3][%timestamp 150]} 8... O-O $2 {[%clk 0:16:06.2][%timestamp
75][%c_effect
g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true] Strategic
mistake - castling into White's attack} 9. Bh6 $6 {[%clk 0:15:30.2][%timestamp
41][%c_effect
h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e1c1;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;c1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c1;persistent;false] The engine calls this
inaccurate, but it's a simple idea that works anyway} 9... Nf5 $6 {[%clk
0:15:52][%timestamp 242][%c_effect
f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g7h6;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false]} 10. Bxg7 {[%clk
0:15:33.5][%timestamp 67]} 10... Nxg7 {[%clk 0:15:59.6][%timestamp 24]} 11. Bd3
{[%clk 0:15:30.7][%timestamp 128][%c_arrow
d3f5;keyPressed;none;from;d3;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false,d2h6;keyPressed;none;from;d2;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false,h6;keyPressed;shift;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false]
The logic of Bd3 is to prevent Black from moving their knight back to f5 and
defending the h6 square} 11... Nd7 $6 {[%clk 0:15:50][%timestamp 196][%c_effect
d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f7f6;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false]} 12. Qh6 {[%clk
0:15:39.1][%timestamp 16]} 12... Nf5 $2 {[%clk 0:15:56.6][%timestamp
34][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false][%c_arrow
f7f6;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_effect
f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true] Black
doesn't see the tactic, which is Ng5 threatening checkmate, and thus, forcing
Black to trade their queen for the knight.} 13. Bxf5 $1 {[%clk
0:15:47.8][%timestamp 13][%c_effect
f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;size;100%25;animated;false;persistent;true][%c_highlight
f5;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false]} 13... exf5 {[%clk
0:16:04.5][%timestamp 21]} 14. Ng5 {[%clk 0:15:56.7][%timestamp 11][%c_effect
e1;square;e1;type;Winner;animated;true,g8;square;g8;type;ResignBlack;animated;true][%c_arrow
h6h7;keyPressed;none;from;h6;opacity;0.8;to;h7;persistent;false,g5h7;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;h7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h7;persistent;false] And Black resigns as
Qxg5 is the only move that avoid checkmate. Good game, GG  $1} 1-0

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.04.08"]
[Round "-"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "Elizabeth_MC"]
[Result "1-0"]
[CurrentPosition "r1bq2nr/ppp2Bp1/k2pP1np/3P4/8/2PQ1N2/P1P3PP/1RB2RK1 b - -"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "C28"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Vienna-Game-Falkbeer-Vienna-Gambit"]
[UTCDate "2025.04.08"]
[UTCTime "01:51:06"]
[WhiteElo "1205"]
[BlackElo "1207"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]
[StartTime "01:51:06"]
[EndDate "2025.04.08"]
[EndTime "01:57:08"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/3Lp9fTbQ3p?tab=analysis"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723.png"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/431035389.6cb8452a.50x50o.aafd496f14db.jpg"]
[BlackCountry "102"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:15:09.8][%timestamp 2]} 1... e5 {[%clk 0:15:07.6][%timestamp 24]}
2. Nc3 {[%clk 0:15:17.4][%timestamp 24]} 2... Nf6 {[%clk 0:15:03.5][%timestamp
141]} 3. f4 {[%clk 0:15:25.1][%timestamp 23] Vienna Gambit, let's go $1} 3... Nc6 $2
{[%clk 0:14:48.2][%timestamp 253][%c_effect
c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Declined with Nc6, a mistake $1} 4.
fxe5 {[%clk 0:15:33.1][%timestamp 20]} 4... Nxe5 {[%clk 0:14:54.8][%timestamp
34]} 5. d4 $1 {[%clk 0:15:42.7][%timestamp 4][%c_effect
d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
d4;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false,e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false][%c_arrow
d4e5;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;e5;persistent;false]} 5... Ng6
{[%clk 0:14:46.3][%timestamp 185]} 6. e5 {[%clk 0:15:51.8][%timestamp
9][%c_arrow
e5f6;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false,f6d5;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false,f6e4;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;e4;persistent;false,f6h5;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;h5;persistent;false,f6g4;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false,c3e4;keyPressed;shift;from;c3;opacity;0.8;to;e4;persistent;false,c3d5;keyPressed;shift;from;c3;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false,d1g4;keyPressed;shift;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false,g4h5;keyPressed;shift;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;h5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false,d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false,e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false,g4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g4;persistent;false,h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false]
And Black's knight is forced to un-develop $1} 6... Ng8 {[%clk
0:14:46.2][%timestamp 101]} 7. Nf3 {[%clk 0:15:59.1][%timestamp 27][%c_arrow
d8h4;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false,f3h4;keyPressed;shift;from;f3;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false]} 7... Bb4 {[%clk
0:14:47.7][%timestamp 85]} 8. Bc4 {[%clk 0:16:07.9][%timestamp 12][%c_arrow
c4f7;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false] Pressuring Black's f7
square} 8... Bxc3+ $2 {[%clk 0:14:50.2][%timestamp 75][%c_effect
c3;square;c3;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] One of the most
common moves, but this is a mistake} 9. bxc3 {[%clk 0:16:16.4][%timestamp
15][%c_highlight
c2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c2;persistent;false,c3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c3;persistent;false,d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false,e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false]
White has a strong central complex of paws, and White's goal is to castle
kingside anyway} 9... h6 $2 {[%clk 0:14:53.1][%timestamp 71][%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] A logical looking
move to defend g5, but a mistake} 10. O-O {[%clk 0:16:25.2][%timestamp
12][%c_arrow
c4f7;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false,f1f7;keyPressed;none;from;f1;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false] Vienna Gambit tactic:
piling pressure on f7 $1} 10... d6 $2 {[%clk 0:14:46.8][%timestamp 163][%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][%c_effect
d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 11. Bxf7+ $3 {[%clk
0:16:13.5][%timestamp 217][%c_effect
f7;square;f7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true][%c_highlight
f7;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false,e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false][%c_arrow
f7e8;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false] A potential
bishop sacrifice, brilliant move $1 After Kxf7, there is a discovered check with
Nh4+ $1} 11... Kd7 $2 {[%clk 0:13:26.3][%timestamp 905][%c_arrow
e8f7;keyPressed;none;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false][%c_effect
d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Pretty much all is lost anyway, and
Black's best move is to play into the attack with Kxf7. Black thought for
one-and-a-half minutes and opted to try to run their king, a mistake $1} 12. e6+
{[%clk 0:15:33.5][%timestamp 500]} 12... Kc6 $4 {[%clk 0:13:34][%timestamp
23][%c_arrow
d7e7;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false,c6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c6;persistent;false][%c_effect
c6;square;c6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] What does a blunder really mean in
the setting $2 One of the checkmate motifs in the Vienna is forcing Black's king
to march forward to the queenside of the board, and then checkmate on the
a-file.} 13. d5+ {[%clk 0:15:42.2][%timestamp 13]} 13... Kb6 {[%clk
0:13:23.1][%timestamp 209]} 14. Rb1+ {[%clk 0:15:41.2][%timestamp 110]} 14...
Ka6 $6 {[%clk 0:13:30.8][%timestamp 23][%c_effect
a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 15. Qd3+ {[%clk
0:15:45.8][%timestamp 54][%c_effect
g1;square;g1;type;Winner;animated;true,a6;square;a6;type;ResignBlack;animated;true][%c_arrow
b1b6;keyPressed;none;from;b1;opacity;0.8;to;b6;persistent;false,d3a6;keyPressed;none;from;d3;opacity;0.8;to;a6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b6;persistent;false,b5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b5;persistent;false,a6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a6;persistent;false]
With checkmate next turn, Black resigns. Good game, GG $1} 1-0

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.04.07"]
[Round "-"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "fabianocarannante"]
[Result "1-0"]
[CurrentPosition "3r4/6Rp/1n2R3/8/3r1kB1/1P4P1/2K2P1P/8 b - -"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "C00"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/French-Defense-Steiner-Variation-2...d5-3.cxd5-exd5"]
[UTCDate "2025.04.07"]
[UTCTime "14:12:51"]
[WhiteElo "1237"]
[BlackElo "1246"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]
[Termination "vitualis won by checkmate"]
[StartTime "14:12:51"]
[EndDate "2025.04.07"]
[EndTime "14:30:24"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/3u8ttPpywU?tab=analysis"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723.png"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/99062917.2d213bd1.50x50o.605277a7a16d.jpeg"]
[BlackCountry "76"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:15:09.9][%timestamp 1]} 1... e6 {[%clk 0:14:42.4][%timestamp
276]} 2. c4 {[%clk 0:15:17.9][%timestamp 20] French Defense: Steiner Variation.
This is a game of pirate chess $1} 2... d5 {[%clk 0:14:48.1][%timestamp 43]} 3.
cxd5 {[%clk 0:15:26.8][%timestamp 11]} 3... exd5 {[%clk 0:14:51.4][%timestamp
67]} 4. Qa4+ $5 {[%clk 0:15:32.8][%timestamp 40][%c_effect
a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a4e8;keyPressed;none;from;a4;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false] The goal of the
Steiner Variation is to force a French player to play an open tactical game $1}
4... c6 {[%clk 0:14:51.8][%timestamp 96]} 5. Qb3 $2 {[%clk 0:15:41][%timestamp
18][%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d2d3;keyPressed;none;from;d2;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false,e4d5;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false,d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false]
However, here I lost my nerve a bit and pulled the queen back. I should have
just played simply with exd5.} 5... Nf6 $6  {[%clk 0:14:52.9][%timestamp
89][%c_arrow
d5e4;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;e4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false][%c_effect
f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 6. d3 $6 {[%clk
0:15:00.9][%timestamp 501][%c_effect
d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e4e5;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;e5;persistent;false,e4d5;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false,e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false]
I can't remember the reason, but my skittishness resulted in me holding the
centre rather than pushing the e-pawn} 6... Nbd7 $6 {[%clk 0:14:44.4][%timestamp
185][%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 7. exd5 $2 {[%clk
0:14:45.1][%timestamp 258][%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%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]} 7... Nxd5 {[%clk
0:14:35.1][%timestamp 193]} 8. Nc3 $6 {[%clk 0:14:30.3][%timestamp 248][%c_effect
c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d3d4;keyPressed;none;from;d3;opacity;0.8;to;d4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false] At this point, I was
fairly sure that I'd flubbed the opening... ha ha.} 8... Bb4 $6 {[%clk
0:14:33.2][%timestamp 119][%c_effect
b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d7c5;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;c5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c5;persistent;false]} 9. Bd2 {[%clk
0:14:30.6][%timestamp 97]} 9... O-O {[%clk 0:14:35.3][%timestamp 79]} 10. Nxd5
{[%clk 0:14:35.5][%timestamp 51]} 10... Bxd2+ {[%clk 0:14:36.8][%timestamp 85]}
11. Kxd2 {[%clk 0:14:39.6][%timestamp 59]} 11... cxd5 $1 {[%clk
0:14:38][%timestamp 88][%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false]} 12. Qxd5 $2 {[%clk
0:14:38.8][%timestamp 108][%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b3c3;keyPressed;none;from;b3;opacity;0.8;to;c3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c3;persistent;false] I knew that I was in
trouble in the middlegame. I took the material, but this was a mistake as Qb6
and my king is hopelessly exposed in the centre.} 12... Nb6 $4 {[%clk
0:14:24.5][%timestamp 235][%c_arrow
d8b6;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;b6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b6;persistent;false][%c_effect
b6;square;b6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] This was a blunder as after the trade
of queens, the evaluation is surprisingly equal $1} 13. Qb3 $4  {[%clk
0:14:42.7][%timestamp 61][%c_effect
b3;square;b3;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_highlight
b3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b3;persistent;false,d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false][%c_arrow
d5d8;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false] Objectively, a
blunder as trading queens takes away Black's attack. I wanted to keep my queen
though, and perhaps, trade queens on \"better\" terms. Pirate chess $1} 13... Be6
{[%clk 0:14:20.1][%timestamp 144]} 14. Qb5 {[%clk 0:14:35.9][%timestamp 168]}
14... Qf6 $6 {[%clk 0:13:55.3][%timestamp 348][%c_effect
f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a7a6;keyPressed;none;from;a7;opacity;0.8;to;a6;persistent;false,f6f2;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;f2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a6;persistent;false,f2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f2;persistent;false]
Logical, but inaccurate...} 15. Nf3 {[%clk 0:14:24.3][%timestamp 216] ... as I
can block the attack with development. I'm looking for a reversal $1} 15... Rfd8
{[%clk 0:13:39.2][%timestamp 261][%c_arrow
d8d3;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false,b6c4;keyPressed;none;from;b6;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false,e6c4;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false,c4d2;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;d2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false,c4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c4;persistent;false]
Great move. I could read Black's thoughts and needed to defend the critical c4
square.} 16. b3 $5 {[%clk 0:14:02.5][%timestamp 318][%c_effect
b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f6a1;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;a1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a1;persistent;false,b2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b2;persistent;false]
A pirate move $1 This is obviously a blunder as Black's queen attacks down the
dark square diagonal. However, I was banking on Black's tunnel vision in what
was a losing position anyway $1} 16... Rac8 $2  {[%clk 0:13:21.3][%timestamp
279][%c_highlight
c8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c8;persistent;false,b2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b2;persistent;false,a1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a1;persistent;false][%c_effect
c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f6b2;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;b2;persistent;false,b2a1;keyPressed;none;from;b2;opacity;0.8;to;a1;persistent;false]
And it paid off $1} 17. Qe5 {[%clk 0:14:04][%timestamp 85] Now, let's trade
queens $1} 17... Qh6+ $4 {[%clk 0:12:58.7][%timestamp 326][%c_effect
h6;square;h6;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_highlight
h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false][%c_arrow
f6e7;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false] And just like
that, we equalise $1} 18. Qg5 $1 {[%clk 0:13:55.1][%timestamp 189][%c_effect
g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
g5;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false] I force a trade of
queens in MY terms $1} 18... Qxg5+ {[%clk 0:12:36][%timestamp 327]} 19. Nxg5
{[%clk 0:14:03.5][%timestamp 16] It's 0.00 $1} 19... a5 $6 {[%clk
0:12:16.5][%timestamp 295][%c_effect
a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e6f5;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false,e6d7;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;d7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false,d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false]
At this point, I knew I had probably equalised as Black didn't have a winning
attack as everything of mine was defended. Black was probably disoriented from
having somehow lost a massive advantage $1} 20. Nxe6 {[%clk 0:14:10][%timestamp
35]} 20... fxe6 {[%clk 0:12:20.2][%timestamp 63] Here, I thought that I was
probably ahead, but definitely I had to prove it} 21. Be2 {[%clk
0:14:07.5][%timestamp 125]} 21... a4 $6 {[%clk 0:12:12.9][%timestamp
173][%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 22. Bg4 {[%clk
0:13:56.3][%timestamp 212][%c_arrow
g4e6;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false,e6g8;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false,e6c8;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;c8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false]} 22... Kf7 {[%clk
0:12:03.6][%timestamp 193]} 23. Rhe1 {[%clk 0:13:59][%timestamp 73][%c_arrow
e1e6;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false,g4e6;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false]} 23... Rc6 $6 {[%clk
0:12:01.5][%timestamp 121][%c_effect
c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d8d6;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;d6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false] Coordinating rooks
can be complicated} 24. Rac1 {[%clk 0:13:51.8][%timestamp 172]} 24... axb3 $6
{[%clk 0:11:53.7][%timestamp 178][%c_effect
b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 25. axb3  {[%clk
0:13:56.4][%timestamp 54][%c_arrow
b6a4;keyPressed;none;from;b6;opacity;0.8;to;a4;persistent;false,b6c4;keyPressed;none;from;b6;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a4;persistent;false,c4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c4;persistent;false]
Note: a pawn three squares from a knight blocks its forward movement $1} 25...
Rcd6 {[%clk 0:11:05.6][%timestamp 581]} 26. Rc7+ $1 {[%clk 0:13:52.9][%timestamp
135][%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
c7;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;c7;persistent;false]} 26... Kf6 {[%clk
0:11:01.2][%timestamp 144]} 27. Rxb7 {[%clk 0:13:58.1][%timestamp 48] I'd made a
guess that I could survive Black's rook battery. I'm glad that I was actually
correct on analysis $1} 27... Rxd3+ $2 {[%clk 0:10:57.3][%timestamp 139][%c_arrow
b6d5;keyPressed;none;from;b6;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false][%c_effect
d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This was a mistake as Black's e6-pawn
is under-defended $1} 28. Kc2 {[%clk 0:14:01.8][%timestamp 63]} 28... R3d4 $4
{[%clk 0:09:58.4][%timestamp 689][%c_arrow
d3d2;keyPressed;none;from;d3;opacity;0.8;to;d2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false,d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false][%c_effect
d4;square;d4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] This hangs checkmate-in-three $1 It
took time to find, but the sequence was logical and the pattern lovely $1} 29.
Rxe6+ {[%clk 0:13:30.8][%timestamp 410][%c_arrow
g4e6;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false,e6e5;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;e5;persistent;false,b7f7;keyPressed;none;from;b7;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false,e6g6;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;g6;persistent;false,f6g5;keyPressed;shift;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;g5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false,e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false,e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false,f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false,f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false,g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false]}
29... Kg5 {[%clk 0:09:53.9][%timestamp 145][%c_arrow
e6h6;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false,g4f5;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false,g4h5;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;h5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false,g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false,f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false,f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false,h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false]}
30. Rxg7+ {[%clk 0:13:10.1][%timestamp 307][%c_arrow
e6h6;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false,g7g4;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false,g4f5;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false,g4h5;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;h5;persistent;false,g5f4;keyPressed;shift;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;f4;persistent;false,g5h4;keyPressed;shift;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false,g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false,f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false,g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false,g4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g4;persistent;false,f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false,h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false]}
30... Kf4 {[%clk 0:09:49.9][%timestamp 140][%c_arrow
g4f5;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false,g4h5;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;h5;persistent;false,g7g4;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false,h2g3;keyPressed;none;from;h2;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false,g2f3;keyPressed;none;from;g2;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false,e6e3;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;e3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false,h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false,g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false,g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false,g4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g4;persistent;false,g3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g3;persistent;false,f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false,e3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e3;persistent;false,e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false,e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false]}
31. g3# {[%clk 0:13:05.4][%timestamp 147][%c_effect
c2;square;c2;type;Winner;animated;true,f4;square;f4;type;CheckmateBlack;animated;true][%c_arrow
g3f4;keyPressed;none;from;g3;opacity;0.8;to;f4;persistent;false,g7g4;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false,g4f3;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false,g4f5;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false,e6e3;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;e3;persistent;false,h2g3;keyPressed;none;from;h2;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f4;persistent;false,g4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g4;persistent;false,g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false,f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false,f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false,e3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e3;persistent;false,e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false,e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false,g3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g3;persistent;false]
Pirate bluff to equalise dead lost position, and the reversal, and pawn
checkmate. Romantic chess, FTW $1} 1-0