How Bad is Your Chess?

Some days it is better to read a book than to play chess online. During this morning's online blitz, two minutes and 25 moves were sufficient to complete an appalling loss and an equally appalling victory.

These two games call loudly for a New Year's Resolution to limit blitz.


Internet Opponent (1800) -- Stripes,J (1697) [B41]
Live Chess Chess.com, 31.12.2014

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3

Black to move

The Sicilian Kan is good if you understand it.

6...Bc5? 

Wrong square. This move belongs in the "don't try this at home" category. Black should leave the Sicilian Kan in the hands of trained professionals.

6...Bb4 was sensible.

7.Be3 d5? 

What is Black thinking?

7...Qc7 is often made without thinking, and here would be a solid move.

8.e5 Ne4 9.Nxe4? 

If White's plays as bad as Black, the second player might survive.

9.Qg4 applies pressure.

9...dxe4 10.Be2

Black to move

The stage is set for a terrible move

10...Nc6??

Free horse! Do not look at its teeth.

11.Nxc6 Qb6

11...Qxd1+ is no better.

12.Bxc5 Qxc5

Making the worst possible move because he doesn't know where the resign button is located.

13.Qd8# 1–0


Stripes,J (1704) -- Internet Opponent (1660) [B04]
Live Chess Chess.com, 31.12.2014

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bc4?!

5.c4 seems normal.

5...Nb6 6.Bb3 dxe5 7.d5!? 

Making the most of prior errors.

7...Na5

White to move

A position in the database

It may come as a shock that two masters also have found themselves in this position.

8.c4 Nxb3

8...e6 would show White that he has no center.

9.axb3 Qd6 10.Nbd2 g6

Perhaps White's pawns and the weakness of e5 compensate for is temporary one pawn deficit.

11.Ne4

Black to move

"Look mom! The Blind squirrel is hungry."

11...Qb4+??

"Always check, it might be mate."

12.Bd2 1–0

With nowhere to run, Black's queen showed her king where to find the resign button.