The Patzer Chronicles: Moving on Up

I have three games to post. The headliner is a short one against chowlong.  Chowlong has been And on Chess.com since 2016, but he only started playing rapid format last year. (At least according to what I could gather from the Chess.com archives.)  I was the white pieces. He was black. And as always, I started with d4.

A couple more things about Chowlong. He is currently rated in the low 1200's which on Chess.com puts him right about at the 90 percentile. So, first off, he (I assume he is a he) is a damn good chess player.  If you are at the 90% that's excellent. Secondly, he has been as high as 1346. Which is even more impressive. Yes, I know for the casual chess.com observer, that might not mean much. But it's really good. Trust me.

Now, after the game I did do a little more research on Chowlong. Against 1. d4 he has had good success. His standard play is the rather unconventional 1...d6. This is an uncommon move. By playing this move he is catching players out of their comfort zone. Most often white responds to him with  2. e4 and then he plays a Pirc defense. And as black he holds his own, dealing as good as he gets.

However, if white responds with the standard play for white players 2. c4 he cleans their clocks with an outstanding 13% draw and 63% win rate with black!  Let me put another exclamation point there!  Wowser! 63% win rate playing the black pieces against d4, c4! I strongly recommend Chowlong continue his game in this manner. 

But, I've been doing some opening theory work with Sam Shanklands' Lifetime Repertoire on Chessable. And when I saw 1. d4 d6 I identified this as a possible Wade defense.  And the response to this according to Sam is 2. Nf3. Against that his results are not as strong.  

Anyway. Here's the game, and I continue to be on pace in chess ratings ascent.  

Having said that, however, I'm doomed!

And a quick break for a puzzle.  Black to play. Mate in two. Let me know if you get it.  (Hint in comments)