Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Ranken Variation as Black with rating 1500

e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 Nc3 Nf6 Bb5 a6 Bxc6 bxc6 d4 exd4 Nxd4 d5 exd5 Qe7+ Qe2 Qxe2+ Ncxe2 cxd5 Bf4 Bc5 Nc6 O-O Rd1 Bd6 h4 Bxf4 Rd4 Bd6 O-O Re8 Ng3 Bd7 Nb4 a5 Nxd5 Nxd5 Ne4 Nf4 Rc4 Bf5 Nd2 Re4 Ra1 Rxc4 a3 Rxc2 Nf3 Rxb2 Kf1 Nd3 Kg1 Rxf2 Rd1 Bc5 Kh1 Bg4 Rxd3 Bxf3 Rxf3 Rxf3 a4 Ra3 Kh2 Rxa4 g3 Bd6 Kg1 Rb8 Kh2 Rb2+ Kg1 Ra1#

Game Analysis

Summary

Playing as black in this Four Knights Game was a satisfying experience that culminated in a decisive checkmate victory. I handled the opening phase well after the opponent traded their bishop for my knight which allowed me to consolidate my pawn structure and neutralise early pressure. After trading queens I focused on piece activity and slowly outmanoeuvred the opponent by targeting their vulnerable pieces. A major turning point occurred when I trapped and captured the rook on the c file which gave me a significant material advantage. From there I coordinated my rooks and minor pieces to launch a powerful attack against the white king. I maintained control throughout the endgame and successfully delivered a back rank checkmate with my rook on a1. It was a well executed game where my tactical patience and positional pressure eventually overwhelmed the defences of the opponent to secure the win.

Brilliant Move

The most brilliant move I played was Nf4 on move twenty. This was a critical tactical strike that created multiple threats against the position of the opponent. By placing my knight on this active square I threatened a fork on the king and rook while also increasing the pressure on the white pieces. This move forced the opponent into a defensive stance and allowed me to seize full control of the game flow. It was the catalyst for my final attack that eventually led to a successful checkmate.

Blunder Move

My most notable blunder was playing Re4 on move twenty two. While I eventually won the game this move was a mistake because it allowed the opponent a chance to simplify the position and trade off my active rook unnecessarily. I should have focused on maintaining my positional advantage rather than offering a trade that could have given the opponent some breathing space. It was a lapse in judgement that could have made the conversion much harder if the opponent had responded with more precision during the endgame.