Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense as Black [1500 Elo] - PunchThePony - 2025-12-06

[Event "casual correspondence game"]
[Date "2025.12.06"]
[White "lichess AI level 3"]
[Black "PunchThePony"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2025.12.06"]
[UTCTime "04:57:45"]
[WhiteElo "?"]
[BlackElo "1500"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[TimeControl "-"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d5 Ne5 5. f4 Ng4 6. h3 N4f6 7. e3 e5 8. fxe5 Nd7 9. Qd4 Bc5 10. Qxc4 Nxe5 11. Qf4 Bd6 12. Bd2 Nd3+ 13. Bxd3 Bxf4 14. O-O-O Be5 15. Nf3 Bxc3 16. bxc3 Nf6 17. c4 O-O 18. Kb1 c6 19. Ne5 cxd5 20. Bc3 dxc4 21. Bxh7+ Kxh7 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Kb2 a5 24. Bd4 b5 25. Rf1 a4 26. Nxf7 Re8 27. Nd6 Bxh3 28. Bxf6 gxf6 29. Nxe8 Bxg2 30. Rf2 Rxe8 31. Rxf6 Rxe3 32. Rf4 c3+ 33. Kb1 Re2 34. a3 c2+ 35. Kb2 Kg6 36. Rd4 Kf5 37. Kc1 Ke5 38. Rd7 Ke4 39. Rd6 Kf3 40. Rd5 Kf2 41. Rxb5 Be4 42. Kb2 Re1 43. Rf5+ Ke2 44. Ka2 c1=Q 45. Rf2+ Ke3 46. Rf3+ Kd4 47. Rd3+ Ke5 48. Rd1 Qc2+ 49. Ka1 Rxd1# 0-1

Game Analysis

Summary

I played as black in this correspondence match and secured a fantastic victory by capitalising on a major tactical error during the opening phase. The game began with a variation of the Queens Gambit and things became very intense quickly when the opponent pushed their f pawn forward. I managed to set up a clever discovery with my knight on d3 which forced the opponent to give up their queen for a minor piece early on. From that point I focused on consolidating my massive material advantage while navigating a few tricky checks and pawn trades. I eventually coordinated my rook and queen perfectly to hunt down the white king. After a long chase across the board I delivered a satisfying checkmate on d1. This win was a great example of being alert to tactical opportunities and maintaining pressure when ahead in material to ensure the opponent had no hope of a comeback.

Brilliant

The absolute highlight of this match was my twelfth move where I jumped my knight into d3 for a discovered check. This was a brilliant tactical find because it forced the opponent to sacrifice their queen to escape the pressure. By winning the queen so early I gained a decisive material lead that dictated the entire rest of the game. It was the critical turning point that dismantled the enemy strategy and made my eventual victory much easier to achieve through careful simplification and coordination.

Blunder

My most significant error happened on move twenty seven when I played bishop to h3 and allowed a messy trade. This was a blunder because it permitted the opponent to capture my bishop and create unnecessary complications during the endgame. I should have kept my bishop active or focused on pushing my passed pawns rather than allowing this tactical sequence. While I still held a massive advantage this move gave the opponent a small glimmer of hope by simplifying the board and removing one of my best defenders.