I've blogged before about the fun I have playing reckless Chess, and earlier this week I wrapped up an online correspondence game which featured a sacrifice and a breakthrough on the kingside. In this game, I remembered to wait until my opponent had castled before I went all-in.
I was Black, playing against Gaunah, and it was a Bishop's Opening: Berlin Defence.
1. e4 e5
2. Bc4 Nf6
3. d3 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. O-O Bg4
6. h3 Bh5
7. Nc3 Nc6
8. Be3 Qd7
Preparing to castle queenside, and moving my queen onto the h3 diagonal, which will be ideal if I can induce my opponent into playing g4.
9. Qd2 g5 
A temporary sacrifice. I am confident I can get my king to safety in time, but don't need to immediately. Instead, I want to open lines against White's king and target the g- and h- pawns. Most boring computer engines tell me I should play Na5, but I'm playing on the kingside, not putting pieces on the opposite edge of the board.
10. Nxg5 Rg8
11. g4
This was a real surprise, and a definite bonus for me. Having moved my rook onto the g-file, I did not expect my opponent to start pushing his kingside pawns and creating opportunities and space - and certainly not so soon. My opponent had realised he couldn't retreat his knight, in the face of Qxh3 or Bxf3.
11. ... Nxg4
12. hxg4
At this point, Stockfish declares that checkmate by Black is unavoidable.
12 ... Qxg4+
13. Kh2 Qh4+
14. Nh3 Bg4
15. Ne2
Covering g1 and g3, but there are multiple paths open now, all of them heading the same way.
15. ... Qxh3+
16. Kg1 Bf3+
17. Ng3 Qg2# 0-1
The final position.
No comments:
Post a Comment