Beware the Luft Waffle!
Some blunders can come about because you're trying to play it safe with mechanical "when I'm winning, I should probably do this ..." moves. I recently played a blitz game that went up in flames in this very manner.
I christen this ... my "Luft" waffle.
As Black, I thought about 1...Re2 but then that voice in my head said "Wait ... gotta be careful there, sport. There's danger here ... " and I mechanically played 1...h5 instead, creating 'luft' or the air gap for my King to run away from any back rank mate threats.
Little did I realize that this was a very critical position and careful analysis would have determined that 1..Re2! right away was the best move (even though on the surface, that looks a little unsafe?!)
Little did I realize that this was a very critical position and careful analysis would have determined that 1..Re2! right away was the best move (even though on the surface, that looks a little unsafe?!)
This is textbook hand-waving, boys and girls.
" When you erroneously use general principles to decide upon a move in an analytical position when only careful analysis is required instead."
(Chess hand-waving as defined in NM Dan Heisman's page of definitions/terms)
White played the very correct 2.Qd7 and my winning advantage evaporated just like that.
Defiantly exclaiming "No Sir, I will not STAND for a draw!", I then decided to dole out some blueberry jam + whipped cream on top of my "Luft" Waffle and blundered into a mate.
Defiantly exclaiming "No Sir, I will not STAND for a draw!", I then decided to dole out some blueberry jam + whipped cream on top of my "Luft" Waffle and blundered into a mate.
The luft waffle is served! *Italian Chef Kiss.
One of the many lessons here is that mechanically playing the "safety move" without ANALYSIS is just as criminal as rushing into an attack without ANALYSIS.
