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CHESS UNPLUGGED | Sometimes, I just like to unwind by not thinking too hard, play a couple of quick casual unrated games, while listening to some slow jazz! 😌♟️🎵

I’ve not made one of these Noob vs Noob UNPLUGGED videos for around six months, and my channel has undergone some massive changes. Firstly, it’s grown from 4,000 to 16,000 subscribers (yay!), I started the Blitz Chess Chats interview series and have mostly transitioned from rapid to blitz. The last month has also been quite busy workwise, and I haven’t had much time for chess. I had today as a day off, so this morning, I decided to spend a few moments to record a game of unrated 10-min rapid with a coffee!

Channel news!

This might be the year of chess robots 🤖♟️ A couple of months ago, I received and reviewed the Chessnut Move robotic chess board, which moved the chess pieces by making every piece a microrobot — super cool and amazing that it works (and works well!). Yesterday, the postman dropped off another chess robot for review, the SenseRobot Chess which moves the pieces with a robotic arm with a gripper!

I’ll be unboxing and reviewing this second chess robot in the coming days and weeks!

* * *

I had the White pieces, and Random Noob played the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian variation, where they pulled their queen back to d8 against my queen’s knight. A curious historical fact is that this opening is the oldest known recorded opening in modern chess for Black, and a deeply Romantic line. It was first described in 1475 in a poem in the Valencian language, Scachs d’amor, by Francesc de Castellví i de Vic (-1506), Bernat Fenollar (1438-1516), and Narcís Vinyoles (1442-1517). The English translation for the title is Chess of Love, and in the poem, Mars and Venus meet to play a game of chess, with Mercury acting as an arbiter. Venus plays the Valencian line.

As I was in a bit of a relaxed mood, I opted to play in a mostly principled manner in the opening, developing, castling, and not necessarily angling for an immediate opening attack. This was a bit inaccurate as I had a powerful attack with d5 on turn 7, a move I didn’t play until a couple of turns later.

Nonetheless, I was completely fine out of the opening, but kind of derailed in the early middlegame by being too impatient, which led to a trading down of material with Black a pawn up. This then resulted in a simplification towards an endgame where Black retained an extra pawn with opposite-colour bishops; this advantages the player with attacking chances and initiative as the opposing bishop is limited in its defence.

By turn 27, I knew that I was in a lot of trouble having lost another two pawns, and Black having three connected passed pawns on the queenside. Here, I knew that the only possibility of a reversal was to attack and potentially provoke Black into making a mistake. So, I played (27. Rf6): come at me bro!

Simply, this move was a bluff. At a very superficial level, I’m asking Black to trade rooks (Rxf6 exf6), which seems to bring my passed e-pawn one step closer to promotion. However, a careful look would identify that promotion should be impossible (Black’s dark square bishop guards the promotion square) and thus, Black should accept the trade and simplification.

However, one of the strong cognitive biases that can be at play at beginner-level chess is loss aversion. For many players, this bias causes them to refrain from trading material even when they are ahead, especially when they are ahead and it is advantageous to do so! The recognition of this bias in the opponent is what makes moves like (27. Rf6) possible — my pieces can have access to squares they shouldn’t.

The bluff worked! Black refused to capture and opted to simply hold the tension and push their a-pawn instead. It does make sense for Black to exploit their connected passed pawns. However, this single step of tempo gave me (28. Rxg6), diminishing Black’s king’s defenses. Black pushed the a-pawn again (28… a4), which wasn’t a mistake, but after (29. Bc2), Black made a game-ending blunder with (29… Kh7??). Stockfish finds a forced checkmate. Black’s logic was once again about loss aversion, trying to avoid the loss of their h6-pawn, but this single careless move gave me just enough tempo to make my kingside attack devastating.

I knew that Black had made a mistake and could see a forced draw by threefold repetition. I couldn’t initially see whether I had a win as well but eventually found it! It was a very lovely “windmill” pattern that allowed me to capture one rook, and then the other. As I had the attack, Black’s opposite coloured bishop stood helplessly in the distance! And then finally on turn 39, a ladder checkmate. Good game, GG!

* * *

Learn how to play the best chess opening attacks in the Romantic style with my new book, “Become a Chess Assassin!” available now on your local Amazon store!

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.09.02"]
[Round "?"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "Random Noob"]
[Result "1-0"]
[TimeControl "600"]
[Termination "vitualis won by checkmate"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/5NggXda2sp/analysis?move=76"]
[WhiteUrl ""]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl ""]
[BlackCountry "225"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:09:57.6][%timestamp 24]} 1... d5 {[%clk 0:09:59.1][%timestamp 9]
Scandinavian Defense $1} 2. exd5 {[%clk 0:09:55.1][%timestamp 25]} 2... Qxd5
{[%clk 0:09:58.2][%timestamp 9]} 3. Nc3 {[%clk 0:09:53.9][%timestamp 12]} 3...
Qd8 {[%clk 0:09:57.6][%timestamp 6] This is the Valencian variation, which is
the OLDEST described opening for Black $1} 4. d4 {[%clk 0:09:47.4][%timestamp 65]}
4... Nf6 {[%clk 0:09:56.6][%timestamp 10]} 5. Bc4 {[%clk 0:09:42.5][%timestamp
49]} 5... Nc6 {[%clk 0:09:55.3][%timestamp 13]} 6. Nf3 {[%clk
0:09:37.4][%timestamp 51]} 6... Bf5 $2 {[%clk 0:09:53.1][%timestamp 22][%c_effect
f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 7. O-O $6  {[%clk
0:09:34.1][%timestamp 33][%c_arrow
d4d5;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false][%c_effect
g1;square;g1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The more accurate and aggressive
approach is to immediately attack with d5, but I was feeling a bit relaxed with
my coffee $1} 7... h6 $2 {[%clk 0:09:37.3][%timestamp 158][%c_effect
h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e7e6;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false] e6 is best to prevent
d5} 8. Be3 $6  {[%clk 0:09:25.5][%timestamp 86][%c_arrow
d4d5;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false][%c_effect
e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The engine recommends attacking
immediately. I decided to just develop} 8... g5 $2  {[%clk 0:09:34.3][%timestamp
30][%c_arrow
e7e6;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false][%c_effect
g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 9. d5 {[%clk 0:09:06.8][%timestamp
187]} 9... Nb4 $6 {[%clk 0:09:10.3][%timestamp 240][%c_effect
b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c6b8;keyPressed;none;from;c6;opacity;0.8;to;b8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b8;persistent;false] A bold move} 10. a3
{[%clk 0:09:02.6][%timestamp 42]} 10... Nxc2 {[%clk 0:09:08][%timestamp 23]} 11.
Rc1 $2 {[%clk 0:08:53.8][%timestamp 88][%c_effect
c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c4b5;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;b5;persistent;false,b5e8;keyPressed;none;from;b5;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false,b5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b5;persistent;false]
I have to admit, I didn't see Bb5+ as an approach - look for checks $1} 11... Nxe3
{[%clk 0:09:01.3][%timestamp 67]} 12. fxe3 {[%clk 0:08:51.3][%timestamp 25]}
12... Bg7 {[%clk 0:08:52.1][%timestamp 92]} 13. Ne5 $1 {[%clk
0:08:39.6][%timestamp 117][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
e5;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false,f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false,f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false][%c_arrow
f1f5;keyPressed;none;from;f1;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false,e5f7;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false]
Revealed attack on Black's bishop and pressuring the f7 square} 13... Bg6 $6
{[%clk 0:08:15.5][%timestamp 366][%c_effect
g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f5d7;keyPressed;none;from;f5;opacity;0.8;to;d7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false]} 14. Nxg6 {[%clk
0:08:33.5][%timestamp 61]} 14... fxg6 {[%clk 0:08:13.2][%timestamp 23] I'm
pretty happy - this reveals a hole and now my rook controls the fully open
f-file} 15. e4 $2  {[%clk 0:07:58.5][%timestamp 350][%c_effect
e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d1a4;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;a4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a4;persistent;false] And here, I make a
serious mistake in the middlegame. In game I knew that I must had made a mistake
somewhere as I found myself in a bad position. It was only on analysis that I
found that it was this move that was wrong.} 15... O-O $1 {[%clk
0:08:05.8][%timestamp 74][%c_effect
g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
g8;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false]} 16. d6+ {[%clk
0:07:43.9][%timestamp 146][%c_arrow
c4g8;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;g8;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][%c_highlight
g8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false,e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false,c7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c7;persistent;false]}
16... Kh8 $6 {[%clk 0:08:02.7][%timestamp 31][%c_effect
h8;square;h8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g8h7;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;h7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h7;persistent;false] Snuggling the king to
behind their block of pawns was best} 17. dxe7 $2 {[%clk 0:07:28][%timestamp
159][%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e4e5;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;e5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false] I was too impatient}
17... Qxe7 {[%clk 0:07:59.6][%timestamp 31]} 18. Nd5 $6 {[%clk
0:07:07.3][%timestamp 207][%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This simplification doesn't
benefit me, making it a tactical mistake} 18... Nxd5 {[%clk
0:07:55.5][%timestamp 41]} 19. Qxd5 {[%clk 0:06:54.3][%timestamp 130]} 19... c6
{[%clk 0:07:44.5][%timestamp 110]} 20. Qe6 {[%clk 0:06:03.3][%timestamp 510]}
20... Qc5+ $6 {[%clk 0:07:34.9][%timestamp 96][%c_arrow
e7e6;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false][%c_effect
c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black didn't want to trade queens
when they were only up a point of material. But that would have been the more
accurate approach.} 21. Kh1 {[%clk 0:05:58.1][%timestamp 52]} 21... Qe5 $2  {[%clk
0:07:28.9][%timestamp 60][%c_arrow
a8e8;keyPressed;none;from;a8;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black offers to trade queens, which
hangs their g6 pawn} 22. Qxe5 $2 {[%clk 0:05:22.9][%timestamp 352][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_highlight
g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false][%c_arrow
e6g6;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;g6;persistent;false] I accept the
trade, which was a mistake, perhaps justifying Black's approach} 22... Bxe5
{[%clk 0:07:27.1][%timestamp 18]} 23. b4 $6 {[%clk 0:05:19.9][%timestamp
30][%c_effect b4;square;b4;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]} 23... b5 $6 {[%clk
0:07:18.8][%timestamp 83][%c_effect
b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 24. Bb3 $2 {[%clk
0:04:44.3][%timestamp 356][%c_effect
b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c4e2;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;e2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false] Jostling for position
as we were potentially moving to an opposite coloured bishop endgame. I wasn't
feeling confident and the engine indeed evaluates that Black has a substantial
winning advantage.} 24... Bb2 $1 {[%clk 0:07:16.9][%timestamp 19][%c_effect
b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
b2;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;b2;persistent;false]} 25. Rcd1 {[%clk
0:04:21.9][%timestamp 224] My rook is tactically pinned to the back rank to
defend the f1-rook. Otherwise Rxf1 is back rank mate $1} 25... Bxa3 {[%clk
0:07:15][%timestamp 19]} 26. e5 {[%clk 0:04:15][%timestamp 69]} 26... Bxb4
{[%clk 0:07:13.3][%timestamp 17]} 27. Rf6 {[%clk 0:03:59.4][%timestamp 156]
Dropping pawns in an endgame is bad $1 The only potential way to recover is to
attack $1} 27... a5 $6 {[%clk 0:07:06.8][%timestamp 65][%c_effect
a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f8f6;keyPressed;none;from;f8;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false] ... and exploiting
Black's loss aversion bias $1 They should trade rooks and believe in their
material advantage. However, they don't, which gives my pieces access to squares
they shouldn't have.} 28. Rxg6 {[%clk 0:03:55.2][%timestamp 42]} 28... a4 {[%clk
0:07:05.2][%timestamp 16]} 29. Bc2 {[%clk 0:03:14.4][%timestamp 408]} 29...
Kh7 $4 {[%clk 0:07:03.2][%timestamp 20][%c_effect
h7;square;h7;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_highlight
h7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h7;persistent;false,d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false][%c_arrow
a8d8;keyPressed;none;from;a8;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false] Again loss
aversion $1 In protecting this pawn that they didn't need to keep, Black blunders
a loss of the position. At this point, I was pretty sure that I could force a
draw, with maybe a possibility to win. Stockfish can see a forced line of
checkmate $1} 30. Rd7+ $1 {[%clk 0:02:57.4][%timestamp 170][%c_effect
d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight
d7;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false]} 30... Kh8 {[%clk
0:07:01.2][%timestamp 20]} 31. Rxh6+ {[%clk 0:02:47.9][%timestamp 95]} 31... Kg8
{[%clk 0:06:59.2][%timestamp 20]} 32. Bh7+ {[%clk 0:02:09.3][%timestamp 386] I
don't know if I played this the most accurately, but the rooks and bishop
liquidate Black's defences $1 If you get the attack in an opposite coloured bishop
endgame, the opponent is helpless as their bishop is on the wrong coloured
square $1} 32... Kh8 {[%clk 0:06:56][%timestamp 32]} 33. Bf5+ {[%clk
0:01:47.4][%timestamp 219]} 33... Kg8 {[%clk 0:06:53.8][%timestamp 22]} 34. Be6+
{[%clk 0:01:46.6][%timestamp 8]} 34... Rf7 {[%clk 0:06:50.4][%timestamp 34]} 35.
Rxf7 {[%clk 0:01:31.3][%timestamp 153]} 35... Rf8 {[%clk 0:06:42.9][%timestamp
75]} 36. Rc7+ {[%clk 0:01:08.2][%timestamp 231]} 36... Rf7 {[%clk
0:06:38.7][%timestamp 42]} 37. Rxf7 {[%clk 0:01:07.2][%timestamp 10]} 37... a3
{[%clk 0:06:34][%timestamp 47]} 38. Ra7+ {[%clk 0:01:01.8][%timestamp 54]} 38...
Kf8 {[%clk 0:06:32.5][%timestamp 15]} 39. Rh8# {[%clk 0:00:59.9][%timestamp
19][%c_effect
h1;square;h1;type;Winner;animated;true,f8;square;f8;type;CheckmateBlack;animated;true]
Ladder checkmate, GG $1} 1-0