Adopting Dash the Reindeer | Holiday Bot Adoptions Part 4
This is where it should start to get hard. People have told me that beating Dash isn't easy. Let's see if they're right.
So far I've adopted three of the five holiday bots: Powder, Eve, and Santa. They've all fell relatively easily. I'm hoping that these last two bots, Dash and Holly, will be more challenging.
I'm going to have to take a little more time for Dash; I don't think I can just spew out moves like I did for the past adoptions. Let's get going.
Round 1 (Black)
1. e4 is the best opening move.
- Dash the Reindeer
Ooh, Bobby Fischer of the North pole?
Best by test.
- Bobby Fischer on 1. e4
I hope you're not as strong as him. It would be really hard to adopt you then.
Honestly though, that first game was pretty easygoing. Dash didn't really grossly blunder material like Powder, Eve, and Santa did, but it was almost like I was playing a human 1200 who just gets wore down. Let's hope the next nine games will be similar.
Round 2 (Black)
Oh no! How did I let that happen?
- Dash the Reindeer after I promoted to a queen
I DON'T KNOW YOU HAD TO BE WINNING AT SOME POINT
I was terrified for most of the game that I was going to lose, I have no idea how I came back. That game should have ended me. I really need to slow down.
Unfortunately I wasn't in the mood to underpromote. After that traumatizing middlegame I needed to finish the game fast.
Round 3 (White)
This is my kind of position!
- Dash the Reindeer after 1. e4 e5
What if I played 2. Ke2?
I'm playing terribly against Dash. Possibly because I didn't warm up at all. I really need to slow down.
Round 4 (White)
The Reti is a good opening.
- Dash the Reindeer on 1. Nf3
I don't play the Reti. Only the KIA.
Round 5 (Black)
The French Defense is solid.
- Dash the Reindeer
Yeah, when you play it right.
Round 6 (White)
OK, I’ll get my king safe.
- Dash the Reindeer about to get checkmated
That's a good idea.
I'm really playing terribly... thankfully so is Dash.
Round 7 (Black)
Yes, I expected that capture.
- Dash the Reindeer after I gobbled his free queen hungrily
Are you saying you meant to give up your queen?
Round 8 (Black)
Wow! You might be better than Holly! Give her a try
- Dash the Reindeer
Don't worry, I will play her.
Round 9 (White)
WHAT WAS THAT OPENING???
- me
Round 10 (White for the adoption)
Do you like offbeat openings?
- Dash the Reindeer after 1. b3
Apparently.
I finally got to underpromote and checkmate with a knight! So happy.
There were some bumps along the way but I did finally manage to adopt Dash! The relief I'm feeling right now is coming in waves. I survived to see Holly tomorrow!
My prediction is that I won't be able to adopt Holly. There's almost no chance that she won't be able to at least squeeze a draw out of me, and with my terrible form, she may win quickly.
As you can see openings aren't my strong suit, which is why I was going for some different, untheoretical lines. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.
Dash was actually stronger than I predicted after the first game. He does still blunder material (see the last game for a sure example of that) but he can fight. I would say that he is a solid 1600 this time when he doesn't blunder material.
Thanks for reading! Facing Holly tomorrow, make sure to check out how I do.
Happy holidays!
