
My OTB chess cheating
Back in the days when I was a member of a chess club, I once cheated in an OTB game. My opponent was very lower rated. The cheat happened in this position
Of course I calculated the easy winning continuation in my head
.o0( 1... Bxe4 2.Nxe4 Qxe4)
Then I executed the first move and pressed the clock. I leaned back and glanced at my winning position. Then, a shock ran through my body. I had taken the knight with my queen as the first move Frantically I looked around in the playing hall. My opponent was not at the board and no one was paying attention to my move. I putted on my best pokerface and putted my queen back to h4 and instead placed the bishop on e4. Then I pressed the (already pressed) clock again and starred at the board with my heart pounding. The time went super slow, while I was waiting for someone to confront me with my cheating... After a while I knew that no one noticed anything. I was relieved and went on to win.
I have thought of this game many times since, and discussed with my better self about the ethics of my action. You guys are the first to hear about this (after 10 years)... Should I feel bad?