The World's Strangest Blitz Game
Blitz has got to be one of the most interesting time controls. Image Credit: TheChessWorld©

The World's Strangest Blitz Game

Avatar of aditya0405
| 2

Peter looked at his clock. Thirty seconds. His opponent had thirty five. Peter was up an exchange. The game had already attracted quite a large crowd. He fervently grabbed his queen and practically hurled it at the black king. His opponent smiled, and captured the queen. A few moments later, the smile disappeared as Peter elaborately conducted a series of sacrifices and mating threats which resulted in an eventual checkmate, with less than a second to spare. Everyone clamored around him and praised his brilliance, but who knew what Peter was feeling when he took the risk and his queen vanished off the board?

Blitz chess is arguably one of the most popular time controls in chess. After a point, the world around you fades to black, you get tunnel vision, and the board descends into chaos. 

Who doesn't love that?

A few weeks ago, I was watching a match between International Master Murad İbrahimli and Grandmaster Paulius Pultinevičius. Both are incredibly talented players. The match was of the time control 3 minutes no increment. Typical blitz control. Atypical game.

Here's how the game went.

Of course, while people are playing a game, I guess their moves. But this? This was so strange I didn't guess even one move! (guessing opening moves in a blitz game is rather difficult, especially in such a game!)
If this isn't odd enough for you, let me continue.
Black now revealed just how attackingly and superbly he could play.

Can you guess Black's ingenious tactical move?

Of course, this move is perfect in the given circumstances, but how often do you see a rook capture the h2 pawn so early? This was the 20th move! Wonderfully odd.
Now, White is definitely in trouble, but this game just gets stranger and stranger and so full of ripe tactical possibilities.


The ending of this game is probably one of the most beautiful ones there is. 
Quite an unusual game, but nonetheless brilliant.  

Hope you enjoyed reading this article!

Hi! I'm Aditya, better known as Adi and on Chess.com also known as Dark Knight. This is a weekly blog in which I write about anything chess related at all, including my favorite openings, interesting games and analyses of them, nice puzzles, chess jokes, and more! You can reach out to me at @aditya0405 and send me a message! Enjoy 'The King's Tale'!