My Longest Online Chess Game

 

While my search for my oldest recorded Chess game continues, I have digressed into finding my longest online Chess game.  This game was started on 25 September 2014, and again, I was Black.  Again, I faced e4 and replied ... e5.  I know this is very one-sided, but it's purely coincidental that I won this game too.  It's got a few interesting decisions throughout (I still think Chess is a game more than a logic puzzle) but a positive ending for me.  My opponent, New_Titanic, resigned, otherwise this long game could have been even longer.   

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6

The way I usually play the Ruy Lopez as Black.  I'm happy to play 4. Bxf6 5. bxf6 Nxe5 6. Qd5 and then capture White's e-pawn.

4. Ba4 Nf6
5. d4 Nxe4
6. O-O b5

I'm not sure why I didn't play ... exd4, although I suspect that it would have lost to Bxf6, and hence I played ... b5 instead.  Not perfect, but playable.

7. Bb3 Bb7
8. dxe5 Be7
9. Qd5 Nxe5?

I don't think I was concentrating, because here is the first of my blunders.  Surely my move loses on the spot to Qxb7; even ...c6 is not going to be a sufficient response.  I'm not sure where my head was, because this was a poor series of moves from me.

10. Qxe5 O-O
11. Bd5 Bxd5
12. Qxd5 Nf6
13. Qd1 Ne4
14. Ne5 Bd6
15. Re1 Nxf2

I'm not sure if this was brave or stupid.  My thought was if Kxf2, then Qf6+ should win me the knight on e5.  Either way, I'm threatening the Queen which thought it was safe on d1.

16. Qd5 Qh4
17. Nf3 Bxh2+

I think I'm overcomplicating this, because Nxh2 is surely a safe move from white, leaving me material down.  Whichever it is, it seems like White is equally confused, and plays a safe move.

18. Kf1 Qg3
19. Nxh2 Nh1

Threatening checkmate, and moving my knight from the frying pan into the fire.

20. Qf3 Qxh2
21. Bf4 Qh4
22. Nd2 d6
23. g3 Nxg3+
24. Qxg3 Qh1+
25. Ke2 Qh5+
26. Qf3 Rfe8+
27. Kd1 Rxe1+

Forced, although I'd prefer not to trade (being a piece down).  My Queen is still en prise and my rook isn't looking great on e8.  My complications have got the better of me and I'm in trouble.  I'm not even well-developed.

28. Kxe1 Qh4+
29. Kd1 Re8

Two pieces down and trying to complicate as much as possible.  This is another transparent checkmate threat.

30. Bg3 Qd4
31. Kc1 Qg1+
32. Nf1 h6
33. Kb1 Re6
34. Bh4 Qd4

Re-centralising my Queen.  If White plays Qa8+ he will need to be aware of my possible move Qd1#.  I'm also threatening his Bishop on h4, so while I don't have much to do, I'm making the most of it.

35. Bf2 Qf6?
36. Qa8+ Kh7
37. Qg2? Re2!
38. Bh4 Rxg2
39. Bxf6 Rg1
40. b3? Rxf1+

Winning back all the material after two White blunders.  I'm now four pawns up, including three unopposed passed pawns on the kingside.  The long-term view (for me) is very positive; all I need to do know is shepherd them home.

41. Kb2 Rxf6
42. a4 b4
43. Re1 Re6
44. Rf1 f6
45. Rf4 c5
46. a5 g5
47. Rf1 h5
48. Rf2 h4
49. c3 bxc3+
50. Kxc3 Kg6
51. Kc4 Re5
52. Rd2 Re4+
53. Kc3 Rd4
54. Rh2 f5
55. Re2 Kf6
56. Re8 h3
57. Rf8+ Ke5
58. Re8+ Kf4
59. Kc2 h2
60. Rh8 Kg3
61. Rh5 Rh4

Blundering to the end.  Surely Rg4 was better, protecting the g-pawn.  But no, not me - I'm going to play this game my way!

62. Rxg5+ Kh3
63. Rxf5 h1=Q

Brute force.  Effective, but lengthy.

64. Kd2 Rd4+
65. Ke3 Qe4+ 

Centralised Rook and Queen against an isolated and defenceless King?  And I'm about to pick up White's Rook for good measure.

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