Wins don't come any Sweeter

When you find a good move, find a better one.

Off late, I have been playing too much Bullet and Blitz, which led to my game to deteriorate. Then my fellow chess friend DJAgrwl encouraged me to play Correspondence Chess where I would have practically infinite time to think and execute long term plans and strategies along with complex calculations for endgames and tactics. I was sold at the idea and started 3 games.

Believe it or not. One of those turned out to be my best game ever. Let me show you why by taking you through the game.

The Game

I was playing White and we started with the Ruy Lopez, something I have played a lot and am familiar with the closed structures of it.

I don't usually play d4 in Ruy Lopez structures. I like the center to be closed. But taking advantage of unlimited time at hand, I decided to explore a new style breaking the center and trying to grab initiative. It felt right given his King is still in center with a pinned Knight while I am already castled.

Soon we reached this position, which is very different from what I have seen in any Spanish structures. But guess what? I wanted to spend time and explore a new idea, and I was ready for it!

But I soon played f4, continuing with my idea of attacking his uncastled King. Idea was to push f4, f5 to open his kingside. Well the computer now says he had h5,h4. Thankfully my opponent didn't see it.

I could see an attack on black brewing and wanted to eliminate his dark squared bishop. This would leave many dark square weaknesses around the black king.

This where things started getting interesting and I could see what could become a final attack.
I captured the g4 Knight to leave his f6 and h6 squares undefended. This was the chance for him to sense the attack and take back his other Knight, but he went for the pawn and couldn't be happier.

In comes f6! I felt I was winning here, but then I saw Kh8 immediately saves him.

21.Qh6 Rg8 22.e5 Qf8 This is what I was calculating, but I realised it doesn't work anymore. I don't have a timely Ne4, Ng5. I literally felt so bad, given I have spoiled my structure with no compensation. If the attack doesn't work, I am practically lost.

Then I recollected a famous chess technique: Reversing Move Order. I started calculating 21.e5 and noticed this could be good. I delay Qh6. This makes sure I don't show my attack to my opponent yet and he has to keep guessing. It worked.

It feels so good to have this position on board, where you have offered your Queen to win the game. The opponent takes it and allows me to checkmate him.

Picturesque.

You have got such games too? Share them, let's discuss!