Crushed in 13 moves

Carl's Jr. G/20, Mesa, AZ, Sept. 5, 2012
Round 2
Randy (2008) - Lance (1984)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 Bb4 5. Nxe5 O-O 6. Qd3 d5 7. Bd2?

I wanted to prepare to castle queenside, but I suppose I needed to resolve the situation in the center first.

7...dxe4 8. Nxe4 Nxe4 9. Qxe4

9. Bxb4 was better, but I didn't even consider it. After the game, we were looking at 9...Nxb4 10. Qxe4 Nxc2+!? 11. Qxc2 Qxd4. Black sacs a piece for pressure. I think the sac is dubious, but Lance likes it.

9...Bxd2+ 10. Kxd2 Nxd4 11. Bd3 Bf5 12. Qf4 Qd6

White to Play

Here, I calculated 13. Bxf5 Nxf5+ 14. Nd3 blocking the check and protecting my Queen. I was so excited to see this line that I missed 13...Ne6 winning the Queen.

13. Bxf5?? Ne6+ 0-1

Lessons from the Game:

• I need to have better board vision