Annotated chess game

With 3 possible recaptures, and no protection, this was never going to come to anything. Simply 22...Rxa2 kept some chances alive, however slender.

Good move. Passed pawns have to be pushed all right .... sooner or later! Here it drives Black back as well as advancing towards promotion.

24...Bc7, although 25.Bd4 would be just about curtains for Black.

A mysterious move indeed! After 26.Rxe4, checkmate will be imminent....

Checkmate is imminent with this recapture as well...

This is no help. But after 26...g6, the game ends with 27.Qe7.

White had a forced mate in two by 27.Qe8ch Rxe8 28.Rxe8#.

There were actually no good moves. For example 27...Rf8 28.Qxf7ch Rxf7 29.Re8ch Rf8 30.Rxf8#; Or 27...Rc8 28.Re8ch ... (27...Qxf7ch is just as effective, if a less elegant move-order ... play it through, and see) 28...Rxe8 29.Qxf7ch Kh8 30.Qxe8#. These mating motifs should be taken to heart as part of your finishing technique.

The early loss of one's Queen is usually a portent of the outcome of the game. But for a while there Black had the means to create headaches for White. Late in the piece, though, some odd choices of move unnecessarily lost Black material and deprived her of the resources for active counter-play. Always keep on the lookout for short-range tactical shots - search consciously for them if necessary - it will become second nature eventually as your board-vision broadens - and look for tactical shots for your opponent as well as yourself. When about to make a move, ask yourself what opportunities it would leave the enemy, satisfy yourself that you aren't giving anything away, and then, only then, make the move.