Instinct

Blitz offers little time for calculation. One must see patterns or play by instinct. Naturally, many players work on having openings that trip up their opponents for a quick win. But games often last into the endgame, too.

I had this position this morning.

White to move

With a 3-2 pawn majority on the queenside, of course I want to exchange rooks.

Stripes,J. -- Internet Opponent [C40]
Live Chess Chess.com, 23.06.2021

34.Rxg7+ Kxg7

Both players are under a minute. White 58 seconds; Black 55 seconds.

35.Kg1 Kf6 36.Kf2 Ke5 37.Ke3 Kd5 38.Kd3

Coincidentally, I was able to maintain the opposition as the kings moved towards the center. Or, was that something I noticed before the rook exchange?

Black to move

38...c6

38...h4 also would be met with 39.a4.

39.a4 a6

White to move

40.g3

Best

40...g4 41.h4

Black is in zugzwang. The king must give way to allow White's plans to convert his majority into a passed pawn. And that results in a pawn race of sorts, and then queen against pawns.

41...Ke5 42.Kc4 Ke4 43.b5 axb5+ 44.axb5 cxb5+ 45.Kxb5 Kf3 46.c6 Kxg3 47.c7 Kxh4 48.c8Q Kh3

White to move

Instinct tells me to move my king closer. How would I have such instinct? I've studied positions in many endgame books, have taught these positions to my students, and have played them against computers and against human opponents.

49.Kc4

Tablebases say that it is mate in nine and this is the only move to make it mate in eight.

49...h4

49...Kh4 50.Kd3 g3 51.Ke2 g2 52.Kf2

50.Kd3

50.Kd4 was equally good.

50...Kg3 51.Ke3

51.Qf4 was as good.

51...h3

White to move

52.Qc7+

When the standard is perfection, as it should be, this move must be accounted an error. I missed a mate in five.

52.Qc2 h2 53.Qf2+ Kh3 54.Kf4 h1N 55.Qg1 Nf2 56.Qg3#

52...Kg2 53.Qc6+

And again, 53.Qc2+ or 53.Qf4 g3 54.Ke2 Kh1

53...Kh2 54.Qd6+

Still missing the fastest checkmate.

54.Qc2+ Kg1 55.Qf2+ Kh1 56.Kf4 g3 57.Kxg3 h2 58.Qf1#

54...g3 55.Qf4 

Black to move

55...Kg2

55...Kh1 is more stubborn. 56.Qxg3 h2 57.Qf3+ Kg1 58.Qf2+ Kh1 59.Qf1#

56.Ke2 h2

Still 56...Kh1 holds out a few moves longer. 57.Qxg3 h2 58.Qf3+ Kg1 59.Qf2+ Kh1 60.Qf1#

57.Qf1# 1-0

The endgame was easy, but felt rushed even though I had almost half a minute left when it ended. Three minute chess is always frantic.