Two Cool Losses

Five minute games are the WORST.....

I just lost three in a row on time but not in losing positions (quite the opposite) .

I am actually quite happy with my play in them, though, so here are the two better ones:

The next game, we both suffered time trouble, but my opponent won on time at a drawish position (a slight advantage to me).

Then, I was black again, and it was a rematch in truth.  We both knew that my opponent could not play the opening well, so he would try to differ.  This led to a rather interesting new opening, in which I gained the advantage, but as it turns out, I spent too much time thinking through the opening.

I believe I played very strongly throughout this game (with the possible exception of the last 20 seconds), even though it was only a 5 minute one and I had not played the opening (variation) before.

So, the fact that they were losses is discouraging :(, but they were still amazing games.  I will just have to work on playing quicker...  Or I will avoid the issue and go to 10 minute games exclusively :).

I hope you enjoyed them!  Please comment!!

I like your black oppenings.

Any games as white?

Thanks, lucam .

Here's a cool miniature I just played (and it reminded me of how much I should review my Sicilian...):

Black's lack of development ultimately led to his downfall.  Rather than 9... Rb8, a developing move like 9... Nf6 is crucial.  I am quite pleased with this game, as I believe I played very strongly .

Please comment!  Any advice?

On your first game, 22... b4 was a killer move! :D

Yes, b4 was a good move (the best, methinks?), but I was outright winning all ready.  Time was my only concern, so I was trying not to think much.  Unfortunately, time beat me .

As for the second game, that is a cool mate .  I didn't notice that move until the next move, which was really unfortunate...  (I included both the mate with variations and my comments on the next move in my analysis; look over the move list)

Ya...  I normally try to play with a time increment (I think I did reasonably well with 5+3), but I will always prefer standard time .

Thanks for the comments and analysis!  And...

Happy winter break !!!

~ Flying2828 °·°

Very nice games. On game two, you had a last chance to mate with 31... Bb3# (or any other square other than d5).

Still, you played very well and always got the advantage. Just don't forget the time factor in blitz :)

Ya, 31... Bxa2# would have been mate .  Even in the last position, if I had had more time, I would have played 32... Bd3 33. Qc2 Bxc2#.  Oh, well, my opponent played smarter.

Thanks for the comment .

Ever tried correspondance chess? I like it best