Radiology

In a rapid game online this morning, I planned an attack well before conditions on the board were ready. My opponent failed to defend appropriately and the attack succeeded.

After some opening moves, we reached this position with White to move. I had White.

At this point in the game, I began to have fantasies about an attack along the f-file against a pinned knight. This attack requires a knight sacrifice on f7 to capitalize on the x-ray.

11.f4! gxf4

11...Bxe5 12.fxe5 Nd7 13.Qh5+-

12.Rxf4

12.Qf3 was better--battery 12...Rf8 13.exf4

12...Be7??

12...Rf8= anticipates White's threats and prevents them.

White to move

Now is the time!

13.Qe2

But. I thought that more preparation was necessary, planning to first double rooks on the f-file.

13.Nxf7!! Kxf7 14.Qh5+ Kg8 15.Qg6+ Kf8 16.Raf1+-

13...Bd7

13...Rf8 was still possible, neutralizing White's plans. 14.Raf1

14.Raf1

14.Nxf7 is less effective now 14...Kxf7 15.Qh5+ Kf8 16.Raf1 Be8 the point of Bd7.

14...Rg8

White to move

15.Nxf7! Kxf7

15...Qb6 16.Rxf6 Bxf6 17.Rxf6 Qxb2 18.Na4 Qb4 19.Nc5 is also winning for White.

16.Qh5+ Kf8 17.Qxh6+ Kf7

White to move

18.Be2?!

Throws away most of the advantage.
I considered 18.Bh7 Rg7 19.Qh5+ Kf8 but did not see the ideas clearly enough.

18...Rg6??

Black moves into forced checkmate.

18...Rg7 19.Bd3 (19.Qh5+ Kg8=) 19...Qh8 (19...Qg8 20.Rxf6+ Bxf6 21.Qxf6+ Ke8 22.Rf2) 20.Rxf6+ Bxf6 21.Qxf6+ Kg8 22.Ne2+-.

19.Qh7+ Rg7

19...Kf8 holds out longer 20.Qxg6 Be8 21.Qh6+ Kg8 22.Qg5+ Kf8 23.Rh4

White to move

White has a mate in five, which I saw to the end.

20.Bh5+ Kf8 21.Qh8+ Rg8 22.Rxf6+ Bxf6 23.Rxf6+ Ke7

23...Qxf6 24.Qxf6#

24.Rf7+ Kd6 25.Qe5# 1-0