I wish I didn't have to show you this · Road to GM, Game 380

[@bluefin.64]

I really like your analyses of these road to GM these days. They're very well thought out, coherent and lucidly present. You still miss stuff, everyone does, but the egregious tactical oversights that have sometimes plagued you have been absent. Also, kudos for showing us the engine analysis to compare with your own, it takes some courage. :-) Anyway, really great job, thanks for doing it.

[@siraf1234]

I found this game interesting because I've learnt a few things in the last year that might help your understanding of these positions. Generally you always want to push d5 only when black has played c6 in that structure since it gives you the option to play dxc6 at an optimal moment, if they ever take on d5 then white is forever better. If they play c5 like they did in the game, the way you actually win the position convincingly is by ignoring the queenside and playing for a pawnstorm on the kingside. Using stockfish at the highest possible depth reveals that ...a5 is a mistake, mainly because this plan of expanding on the kingside only works if black never has the option to break open the queenside. Thats why ...a5 is suboptimal and white should play for a plan with h3 Bxf3 Bxf3 and an eventual g4 with g3 h4 and then playing for f3 g4. Since black has played ...c5, the queenside can never open and white wins easily.

[@DoronBarShay]

You definitely give too much weight to the Re8 "tempo loss". The rook might need to move again but with d5 you are closing the center and slowing down the play significantly, I see no reason to think that white has a significant advantage there..

[@cliffbunch2725]

The dreaded curse of time trouble!

[@Epikur63]

Two endgame principles for winning positions: Do not rush. Do not allow counterplay. Of course I also do not always follow them and pay the price 😢

[@thirdEye915]

great game, badly finished 😢

[@gtaverse6333]

Beautiful thumbnail.

[@diggitus]

wow that's painful.

[@o7e6wı4srıytdkuyflı]

❤❤

[@multiYellowHorse]

I think you played well, only mistake due to time pressure

[@diggitus]

Missing f4 with an immediate win is pretty bad, also rushing to play Nf5 when bringing the other knight around should be seen fairly quickly by someone of his strength. But apart from that and mishandling the ending Stjepan played well I agree. He maneuvered behind his space very well, keeping play open on both sides of the board.

[@The_Dark_Knight__999]

You calculated to a draw and decided to play it anyway? That does not make any sense !!!

[@stevenromo90]

Everything was very good until the very end.

[@adambelos2157]

I just watched your endgame video. And i realised you need to practice tactics. And i mean long hard tactics preferably on chesstempo then rewatch your own videos on endgames!! And open engine analysis put teoretical position on the board and play some not correct move but moves that might not necesary win the game and watch when you winning loosing and drawing and think about it why. You will find some great concepts that will help you win endgames like this instantly. This game was loosing of one battle but amazingly will win you war.. you are amazing strategic player and you had probably 5 or 6 tactics to win and winning endgame. That shows your biggest weakness just work on that weakness! Play tactics tactics tactics play different type of tactics and force yourself to calculate! You can become amazing player! You even noted it yourself you calculated badly.. 4 times of 5.

[@davidbikhdriker4737]

Why spoiling tho