Albert 'boxbox' Zheng 
-vs-
Nathan Stanz 

[Event "Mogul Chessboxing Championship"] [Site "Galen Center, Los Angeles, United States"] [Date "2022.12.11"] [Round "1"] [White "Albert 'boxbox' Zheng"] [Black "Nathan Stanz"] [Result "*"] 1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Nge2 c5 {Black has had a great start in this French Defense: Steinitz Variation. Generally, White will support the d4-square with a pawn push to c3.} 6. g3 {A little too slow considering Black's threats in the center.} (6. f4 $12 {A typical move in the Steinitz. Here, the position is equal.}) 6... Nc6 7. Bg2 Qb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (7... cxd4 {Black misses the free pawn but still plays a viable move.}) 8. O-O f6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This pawn break is proof that Stanz knows some of the typical ideas of the French Defense. Although it is not a great move here, it does show good understanding.} 9. h3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (9. exf6 {White should rip open the center while Black's king is stranded.}) 9... cxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Finally acting on the pressure in the position. Now White has to scramble to win the pawn back.} 10. Na4 Qc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (10... Qa6 {Any counter attack on the knight would have been better than retreat.}) (10... Qa5) 11. exf6 {White takes the lead for the first time in the game.} 11... Nxf6 12. Nxd4 Bd6 {Boxing Round 2} $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Attempting to castle as quickly as possible but missing a key potential response from White.} 13. Bg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (13. Nb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Winning the bishop pair and slowing down White's ability to castle quickly.}) 13... O-O $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (13... Nxd4 {Trades are in Black's best interest to keep things square.}) 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Qg4+ $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] At this level I find it hard to put a question mark next to this move. Clearly White is playing ambitiously against the king and despite the advanced responses of Black, this move is good at this level.} 15... Kh8 16. Nxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now Black can pin to win $1} (16. Nb5 {Still on the cards.}) 16... Bxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A missed opportunity.} (16... Qe7 {[%cal de7e6,dc8e6,dc8g4][%c_arrow e7e6;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false,c8e6;keyPressed;none;from;c8;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false,c8g4;keyPressed;none;from;c8;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false] Black can stack up attackers on the knight which cannot move.}) 17. Qxe6 Rae8 {Black's pieces are active which still spells trouble for White. Whether a few knocks to the head affected BoxBox's play here or not is difficult to say but the queen blunder here was out of character.} 18. Rfe1 $4 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 18... Rxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19. Rxe6 Nd4 20. Bxd5 Bxg3 {A phenomenal sacrifice that opens up White's king.} 21. fxg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Checkmate in seven is now announced by Stockfish.} 21... Ne2+ $4 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Blunder;persistent;true] A return to equality but Black still has better winning chances in a bltz game due to the queens attacking opportunities. Unfortunately in a cruel twist, Stanz forfeited during the next round of boxing.} (21... Qxg3+ 22. Bg2 Rg8 23. Re2 Nxe2+ 24. Kf1 Qe3 25. Ke1 Rxg2 26. Kf1 Rg1#) (21... Ne2+ 22. Rxe2) 1-0