Unusual Chess Game

At chess.com, I played an unusual game of speed chess. My opponent was Merimopsi of Finland who played black. My game was unusual because I sacrificed a bishop, never developed my queen knight, allowed the pawn shield around my king to be ruined, and delivered mate with a king knight pawn. Here are the moves of the game along with my commentary:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Bd6

Nc6 and Nf6 are more popular moves for black.

3. Bc4 a6
4. a4 Nc6
5. d3 h6

I usually play d4.

6. c3 Nf6
7. 0-0 0-0
8. Be3 Be7

Black makes a very passive move. A move such as Re8 is better.

9. Re1 d6

Black's dark-squared bishop is immobile.

10. Qd2 Bg4

Black threatens to double my pawns. I do not mind because opening the g-file can help in an attack against the white king.

11. Bxh6 gxh6
12. Qxh6 Nh7
13. h3 Bxf3
14. gxf3 Bg5
15. Qh5 b5
16. axb axb
17. Rxa8 Qxa8
18. Bd5 Qa6

Black moves the queen out of the pin.

19. Kh1 Ne7

I prepare to place my rook on the open g-file.

20. Rg1 Nxd5
21. exd5 f6
22. h4 Qa1

I pin the bishop.

23. hxg5 f5

It is better for black to play fxg.

24. Qg6+ Kh8

Black's move is forced.

25. Qe6 Qxb2
26. g6 Qxf2
27. g7#

It is not so common to deliver mate with a king pawn. In this game I fail to develop my queen knight and allow my pawn shield around my king to be destroyed. This is normally disastrous, but in this game it is effective because I generate sufficient threats to prevent black from taking advantage. This game illustrates that in certain situations basic chess principles can be broken.