Annotated chess game

Obvious... and good.

horrible. It pains me to see this move played. An Xmas gift for black.

This has been a fine clash of wills so far (excpet for Black's slip at move 17, and it is a pity White spoils her game with a short-range oversight like this. After 22.Rxc4 she would still have retained enough attack to keep Black on her toes.

better left unsaid. The Q dominates nothing here

But it is worth mentioning - in general terms - that centralising is a good idea. True, it doesn't much help White in this game to overcome a rook deficit - nothing will - but it does leave White better placed to take advantage of any mistakes Black might yet make.

losing the R should be looked at as giving material back to slow the attack.

Anyway here what it can to do?

very dangerous place, f6

The alternative was Ke8. It loses, it seems, but with more work for white. It's a very nice position: white is under a full R and pawns: he is "forced" to win.

This move looks extremely risky in view of the attack White generates with her next move. It just goes to show that even minus a rook, White still had some counter-play. Possibly 24...Ke6 was marginally safer...

Yes!Great move,Nairobigal!Well done!

the right move, but good for only a draw with best play.

'Only a draw'... Given the minus-7 material deficit, no doubt White would have been prepared to settle for that!

a suicidal move

With correct play, black'd had survived and, eventually, won...

It would be interesting I think to subject to searching analysis the positions after 25....Qe8 or ...Qb8. Could Black have survived the attack to win? Or would White's resources have been sufficient at least for survival?

a wonderful game.Full of ideas and creativity.

Many thanks everyone - Yes I think this game shows the importance of developing and castling....

Thanks to all for useful comments!

I prefer the more 'economical' checkmate: 27...Ke5 28.Bb2#. This was a fine and entertaining game - a real fight, withal. Well done to both sides. There is a great deal to this game, well worth exploring more deeply. Black's 24th move was ultimately the turning point, that might well repay searching analysis of ...Kf6 (as played), ...Ke6, and the rook 'return' sacrifice, ...Qc7.

Thanks guys😆