Pawned

19 Rf4+ Kg5

20 h4+ mate

Yes, thank you for posting that line. I saw the computer analysis showed that too when I had it analyzed and it is faster and technically still a pawn checkmate.

However, the reason I chose to do it as was played in the game was because I got to sacrifice my queen and it just felt cooler to go from losing the queen and -1.xx to checkmate the next move for some reason. I know, probably sounds weird.

If I ever reach that position again though, I'll definitely opt for the Rf4+ line, because let's face it, it's the better move.

Nice game.  You like that ruy lopez stuff.

Thanks man. Actually, for some odd reason, I've struggled with the Spanish, but there are similar ideas in the systems I use like the c3 to prepare d4 and Re1. I would like to learn the Ruy, but for whatever reason have had trouble applying instruction on it with any success in actual games. Some kind of disconnect between learning and doing.