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My Best Game of Chess Ever

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Coach_Dylan_Old

This game is particularly exciting, or amazing, it's a testament to how I play. I have a list of general principles that I adhere to (Other than common rules of chess such as opening theory) and this game shows how powerful a few rules can be.

1. Avoid complicated positions
I don't like to play in positions where I have to calculate and keep track of every threatened piece and every single threat my opponent and I have against each other. This kind of chess is frustrating to me and I avoid it if all possible.

2. Avoid Sacrificing unless you are sure it is the best way to play
I don't even consider a sacrifice unless my position looks good enough; meaning all of my pieces are in a a good place to attack. These situations are the only situations (excluding tactical situations) where I calculate deeply. If I can't find any concrete variations, I play normally.

3. Play around your bishops.
Usually, I will try to retain the Bishop pair as long as possible, unless I can exchange my bishop for his bishop. Other than that, I don't often consider bishop for knight exchanges. If I do, trade my bishops off, I have no intention of trading queens unless I'm up material or I can get a winning endgame. If I have bishops and my opponent doesn't, I trade the Queens and play with my rook and bishop pair. 

All of these rules follow also follow a general rule I have for any game of chess I play:

Avoid the risk.

My game is all about subtly and waiting. My opponents usually hate playing against me because i'm boring. I don't take risks unless I know without a doubt that i'm winning. This, to me, is enjoyable. I study Endgame diligently and prepare for the Opening tediously. When my opponent makes mistakes, I punish him for them. When my opponent doesn't make mistakes, I'm okay with a draw usually. Unless my opponent is weaker, then I like to push a little harder, but not so much so that I weaken my position. If my opponent doesn't make any mistakes, and I didn't make any mistakes (at least not any huge mistakes) then I deserved to lose. Every legitimate loss is a huge win for me, because I will learn a lot from it. 

Chess is what you make of it. You can be aggressive and play with bravado; or you can play solid and quietly. There is no correct way to play the game as long as you play to win, to improve and to have fun in whatever way that is.