I don't know what happened to the aspect ratio- some setting got inadvertently changed. Also around 11:40 I finally remember to turn up the microphone volume so be ready to turn the volume down. finally, the first minute is blank-fast forward to the one minute mark- after that the comedy begins...

Really, could I have made any more errors with both the game and the video??!

Aww... Andrew didn't make me proud and I am critisizing his play. He should have played 20. Bxh7+! Kxh7 Qxf7 and I don't see a defense to the dual threats of Qxe8 and Re3-h3. Even after Ne5? Bxh7+ still wins a pawn, Come on andrew!!! Play like your style Where's your tactial genius side?

Does that mean you're proud of me instead?

Never mind- don't answer that!

Don't let him play the Morra. Just don't.

Yeah, oh well. I saw that it was a legal move, but that was about as much as I looked at it... I didn't want to calculate anything crazy because I figured I should be better so I just didn't spend time on it.

Also, my friend used my account for a while and he played other openings, so that might have been him playing the open sicilian. I can't be bothered to learn all that theory...

But it's your style to be crazy and agressive!
You need to look at crazy moves!
I guess this is what happens when you don't play for a while.
If I can find Bxh7+ in 2 seconds, you can find it in a nanosecond...

I do hate to burst your bubble, but I used to play only d4 and just grind out slow wins. I still revert to that mentality sometimes, I am trying to work on always finding the best move (i.e. making sure that I mate my opponent as opposed to just winning an endgame).

Well Bxh7+ was the best move there and you didn't play it

Kamus

I hope you don't mind me commenting on your game with andrewrun. I like to speak in general terms of lessons learned in the abstract (as I see them) and not so much about this move or that move.

The more chess I play or "watch", the more I realize just how important "time and space" are to creating winning positions! It seems almost ironic that white gives up 2 pawns for this concept and ends up a pawn ahead in the end. This game sort of reminds me of the time I went to the local Annapolis chess club (since I know you are a Marylander) for the first time, sitting down against a 7 year old boy (I was around 47 and very green ), and was humiliated by the Goring Gambit! It left a mark on my ego the size of Jupiters Spot! I think this is why I like to play the Scotch Gambit now! I just had to say this and get it off my chest and I mean no specific comparison of your game to mine, it just brought back memories, that's all.

In regards to your concern about taking the pawn on b2 with your Queen, you were merely speaking your thoughts aloud. You did not make the move. Your mind must go through the process of looking at all checks, captures and threats and that was merely on the "list" in your minds eye. Just because you thought about taking it doesn't make it wrong (IMO). I have noticed many players (of all ratings) do the same thing when doing a video while speaking their thoughts. Taking the pawn on b2 is just such a common threat that it is almost automatic, especially in the Sicilian. I just had to weigh in on this subject since the thought of it seemed to bother you.

It is amazing how powerful a timely pawn move can be! I was the victim of a similar catastrophe (if I may say that) in a very recent Chess.com game with Armis. One pawn move completely ruined my game! What an instructional moment that was for me!

Nonetheless, this was a fun game to watch and your narration was top notch (and the volume adjustment was much appreciated)! I still believe that doing a live video commentary while playing does indeed effect one's focus on the game! It does require brain energy and could actually work against you especially in critical moments. I usually don't talk as much (when I do a live video) when I am in trouble, it's sort of like turning off the car radio when you get close to your destination .... LOL!

I hope I don't offend your or anyone else with my nonspecific and generalized comments as I take the risk of speaking "gibberish" (as JWhis might characterize my comments) ...LOL! I am sorry that I don't feel qualifed to get involved with the specifics of games of higher rated players.

Good Game Gentlemen!

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Kingsblade- I appreciated your comments and found absolutely nothing to take offense at. Basically, as you mention, I lost this game by allowing white to play e5- a move I was aware of but didn't even bother to calculate since I thought I "knew" the position- even though I know from playing this as white that e5 is one of white's main weapons early in the game! How stupid is that? This and other recent experiences is showing me that sheer mental laziness is costing me points. I went through a period where my tactics were above 2000 on ChessTempo but then dropped to below 1800 just because I was getting impatient and making hasty moves. I'm vowing now to eliminate lazy habits from my thinking- wish me luck. BTW, I'm pretty sure Andrew would have beaten me even if I hadn't blundered in the opening- I'm just sorry I didn't make him work harder for it.

I usually pull for the underdog (not necessarily the lowest rated)! There is just something magic about a turn around that makes a game exciting too!