What is your favorite move?

Updated: Oct 23, 2025, 4:59 AM | 12

Hello, fellow chess maniacs!

I once came across a question — I think it was on Gregory Serper’s blog (@Gserper) — that immediately stumped me: "What is your favorite chess move?"

It was totally unexpected. Of course, every move is unique, executed in a specific, often critical, position. Objectively, I could point to tactical gems like 32.Qxd5!! from my The best Game of August or any of the moves in my Top 5 amazing moves topic.

But that’s not really the question, is it?

Perhaps I should choose my most effective move? Without a doubt, that would be Bxh7+! from my lesson Let's sacrifice on h7 ! I don't know any move that yields better results. If we counted the rating points I've gained after executing this particular sacrifice, we'd probably hit two or three hundred before we stopped counting! I'm not even joking.

I once won four games in a row with this attack, including one against a FIDE 2404 player (which I detailed in My Good Games #55).

However, while Bxh7+ is a terrible weapon, it rarely feels like a balanced fight. More often, it's just the pursuit of an opponent who made one small, fatal mistake. A masterpiece? Rarely. More often — just craft.

So, what is the right answer?

I took a moment to listen to myself, to truly analyze the moves that make me excited. And I found the answer. Yes!

I have one move that I make with pure pleasure, knowing it’s the prologue to a real adventure! It's great to have a move like that in your arsenal, isn't it?

My favorite move is g2-g4! It's time to showcase it in all its glory!

This game, and the next one, demonstrates all the charms of this fantastic pawn thrust. When attack and defense are reaching their peak — BANG! — this move creates an explosion on the kingside. It’s often completely unexpected for the opponent, which makes it a truly terrifying weapon. If you don't know what to do next, just remember my favorite move!

I even used that exact piece of advice to save a game against an extra-creative American player who was trying to out-maneuver me. You can watch the full analysis of that game here: My Good Games #67.

If you happen to get the Black pieces, don't worry. You can also join the fun! Here’s the mirror image of its White twin: the incredible g7-g5!

And finally, my most beloved my favorites — my personal discovery from the time I was first studying the Wing Gambit, learning not from textbooks, but right at the board!