Swindling an IM!

Here is a small game from a recent LeChess club activity on ICC, 'Play the Master', where a LeChess member gets to play a one-on-one game Vs. an International Master. I played Polydamas the other day as Black, and after some opening problems was in severe trouble. However, looking for swindles in a lost position (see 'Chess for Tigers', by Simon Webb), I managed to find a neat combo that complicated matters somewhat [29)...Nf3+!?].

The resulting position was still objectively better for White, but the imbalance meant I had hopes for further complications. In the end, I managed a win due to a blunder by the IM. However, the position before blundering the rook was probably drawn.

A good result! Enjoy the game.

Game 3

The 3rd game turned out to be a highly imbalanced game, right from the opening. An exciting open Catalan produced a materially imbalanced position, with White having a Queen for a Rook, Bishop and pawn. 12)...Rd8 was a move I have not seen before, and seems an improvement over the more 'usual' 12)...Be7 or 12)...h5. The game continued with great complexity, I honestly didn't have a clue who stood better until the ending. Sometimes I felt Black's minor pieces were going to finish me off, then in the next flash i felt "yes, but I have the Queen!" and felt I stood better. This see-saw of positional evaluation continued until the clearer ending of Queen and Knight Vs 2 Rooks and one Bishop, with my pawn on h7 I knew I was on top. This was the most difficult, energy consuming, complex and amazing game of chess I have played to this date, I just hope it holds up to the mighty Fritz's critical eye later in the week!

The next game is scheduled for Monday 2nd July at 19:30 UK time, 14:30 ICC time.