When preparation meets opportunity

The expression, "luck is when preparation meets opportunity", is often credited to Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger (c. 4 BCE-65CE), but has not been sourced to any of his writings. Another version, credited to several golfers ("the harder I practice, the luckier I get") has been tracked by Quote Investigator, who finds the sentiment was around before any of the golfers credited had been born. The Yale Book of Quotations (2006), ed. Fred R. Shapiro offers, "Luck is the residue of design" from Sporting News (21 Feb. 1946), quoting baseball executive Branch Rickey.

Whatever, the origins of the phrase, the concept has merit. Yesterday, I faced the Budapest Gambit in a ten minute game after having spent part of Sunday reading Vassilios Kotronias, "Budapest Gambit: Repertoire for White" in Chess Informant 162, 49-59. Perhaps it was luck, then, that I was better prepared than my opponent.

Stripes,J. -- Internet Opponent (1459) [A52]
Live Chess Chess.com, 21.04.2025

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ng4 4.Bf4 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bb4+ 6.Nc3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3

All so far as recommended by Vassilios Kotronias in Chess Informant 162. He offers another option at move 4 also, but Bf4 is his top choice.

Black to move

7...0-0?

Four games in CB Mega 2024

7...Qe7 is Black's normal move, which White meets with 8.Qd5 and possibly a slight advantage.

8.h3

Of course.

8...Nh6 9.e4

My move appears to be inaccurate. I considered 9.Qd2 Qe7 (I wanted to prevent 9...Nf5 but it can be met with 10.e4 [10.Nd4 is better 10...Ncxd4 11.cxd4] 10...Nh4 11.Nd4 Qe7 12.0-0-0+/=) 10.g4 d6 11.exd6 Qe4 12.dxc7 Qxc4 13.Bg2 Re8 14.Bxh6 gxh6 15.0-0 Qe6 16.Rfe1 Qe7 17.Qxh6 Qf8 18.Qxf8+ Rxf8 1-0 Anand,V (2786) -- Boffman (1517) Anand Charity sim ICC INT 2007. 

9...Re8N

9...f6 10.exf6 Qxf6 11.Bxc7 Qxc3+ 12.Nd2 with a slight advantage for White.

White to move

10.Qd2

10.Bg5! was a missed opportunity 10...f6 11.exf6 Nf7 12.Bh4 and a clear advantage for White.

10...f6?!

10...d6 11.0-0-0! (11.Bd3? Nxe5 12.Nxe5 dxe5 13.Bxh6 gxh6=) 11...dxe5 12.Qxd8 Nxd8 13.Nxe5 f6 14.Nd3 and White is somewhat better.

11.Bxh6

This move struck me as better after 10...f6, but I could have played 11.c5!

11...gxh6 12.Qxh6

Black to move

12...fxe5

12...Nxe5 was Black's last chance to put up a struggle. 13.0-0-0 Nf7 14.Qh4

13.c5! Re6? 14.Bc4+- d5 15.cxd6 cxd6 16.Bxe6+ Bxe6 17.Qxe6+ Kf8

White to move

18.0-0 Qe7 19.Qh6+ Qg7 20.Qxd6+ White won by resignation 1-0