I finally beat my friend at chess!  He's around 1900 uscf, so I'm pretty proud of myself right now.  It only took me like a hundred losses to finally get one win...

Actually, I don't think it was a good idea to take that pawn.  After 18... Kh8 it looks like you're losing material.

RXf7 was a mistake,he should have move k-h8 and then the pressure to avoid the checkmate would be back on you. I used to fall for that rook combo alot, for 1900+ i can't believe he did'nt recognised it on bxf7+

I can believe he missed it, but only because I've spent a year lulling him into a false sense of security. :)

And yes, tonydal, I think I do lose an exchange after Kh8.  I totally lucked out on this one.  I fritzed it and it said that black is still winning event after Qxf7.

Oh well.  I suspect that even masters profit from a little luck now and again.

That is a classic mate.  I am surprised he fell for that and moved Rxf7.  You did a great job and congratulations but I am pretty sure your friend let you win...

Jarlaxte78, I thought about that, but if was going to let me win I don't think he would have waited so long...  Also, he thought it was pretty funny that he had missed Re8+ after looking at the board for four minutes.  If you knew him you would know that he would considder it dishonorable to throw even a casual game.  I think he just blundered while I was lucky enough to be sitting  accross from him.  I felt like more like I had scratched off a winning lotto ticket that played a great game of chess.

"Personally, I am of the view that if a strong master does not see such a threat at once he will not notice it, even if he analyses the position for twenty or thirty minutes." - PETROSIAN.