Chess for no good reason, part 1387
My best (!?) game

This is possibly my best game.

It's not because I beat a Master. I've defeated higher rated players than this, though not by much.

It's not because I win with a mating attack in under 30 moves using my favorite opening against the line considered the most deadly against the Modern Benoni.

No, I consider it my best because my opponent liked it.

After the game, we exchanged scoresheets to affix our signatures. Mine came back with a little extra note written on it: NICE GAME.

Now, you may mistrust my judgment, but how can you dispute a Master's?

Patty,John (2282) - Moody,David (2037) [A67]
U.S. Open Boston, Mass. (2), 08.08.1988

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Bb5+ Nfd7 9.a4 0–0 10.Nf3 Nf6 11.0–0 a6 12.Be2 Bg4 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Nbd7 15.Be3

15.Re1 seems to be the most consistent move here, supporting the center and the e4-e5 push. The bishop just gets in the way, and is also vulnerable.

15...Re8 16.Qc2

Allowing Black to free his game by exploiting the bishop on e3.

16...b5 17.axb5 axb5 18.Nxb5 Rxa1 19.Rxa1 Nxd5 20.exd5

Going for the win of a pawn, but giving up his dark-squared bishop and turning Black's KB into an almighty terror.

20...Rxe3 21.Nxd6 Bd4 22.Kh1

Probably the worst of the available king moves, as it leaves White subject to a nasty check on e1.

22...Qe7

The immediate 22...Qh4 is better.

23.Ra8+?

23.Ne4 avoids the worst.

23...Kg7 24.Ne4 Qh4!

There we go! White has no effective defense.

25.Ra1 Re1+ 26.Rxe1 Qxe1+ 27.Kh2 Bg1+ 0-1

Mate in two follows by 28...Bf2+ and 29...Qg1#.