How could I have won this?

In this game, I obviously blunder in the biggest of ways in the end.😲 I'm sure I will get a thorough thrashing from Greenpawn since he pointed out this weakness of mine.:'( The real question though, is could I have won this? I'm white. I enjoy playing this opponent and our games typically go between 50 and 60 or so moves. Just wondered if there was a way to have won it before the BIG BLUNDER!😴 Game 6284540

Originally posted by Eric LeFavour
In this game, I obviously blunder in the biggest of ways in the end.😲 I'm sure I will get a thorough thrashing from Greenpawn since he pointed out this weakness of mine.:'( The real question though, is could I have won this? I'm white. I enjoy playing this opponent and our games typically go between 50 and 60 or so moves. Just wondered if there was a way to have won it before the BIG BLUNDER!😴 Game 6284540

Originally posted by Eric LeFavour
In this game, I obviously blunder in the biggest of ways in the end.😲 I'm sure I will get a thorough thrashing from Greenpawn since he pointed out this weakness of mine.:'( The real question though, is could I have won this? I'm white. I enjoy playing this opponent and our games typically go between 50 and 60 or so moves. Just wondered if there was a way to have won it before the BIG BLUNDER!😴 Game 6284540

Originally posted by Eric LeFavour
In this game, I obviously blunder in the biggest of ways in the end.😲 I'm sure I will get a thorough thrashing from Greenpawn since he pointed out this weakness of mine.:'( The real question though, is could I have won this? I'm white. I enjoy playing this opponent and our games typically go between 50 and 60 or so moves. Just wondered if there was a way to have won it before the BIG BLUNDER!😴 Game 6284540

Originally posted by Eric LeFavour
How could I have won this? Game 6284540

Hi,

Bahari is correct 17 Nd5+ wins in a canter. (see below).

Please lads if you are going to suggest a move, use the PGN mover
from a set position thingy. It makes things so much clearer.

Remember it does not work with Black to move to you have
White moving first all the time.

You can practise posting positions and PGN movers by sending PM's to yourself.

(I do this all the time to say nice things about myself).

Back to the game. We are discussing this position.



You saw your Queen was being attacked so moved her.
You did not stop to think for one second to look for another move.

This is what your opponent also expected, you to move your Queen.
He did not stop to think for a second that you may play another move.

Always look for a move your opponent does not expect you to play
Over the board this can be very unsettling.

You must check all checks even the silly looking ones,
for both you and your opponent.

And finally:
I hope Robert the Bruce wins a few more games. I want to his grade to reach 1314.....(why?).

Here is the 'simple' winning variation - if Black tries to stop the mate he just
loses a sackful of pieces.
I'll drag the King down to e4 you can mate him from there.

Originally posted by greenpawn34
I'll drag the King down to e4 you can mate him from there.

Originally posted by Eric LeFavour
In this game, I obviously blunder in the biggest of ways in the end.😲 I'm sure I will get a thorough thrashing from Greenpawn since he pointed out this weakness of mine.:'( The real question though, is could I have won this? I'm white. I enjoy playing this opponent and our games typically go between 50 and 60 or so moves. Just wondered if there was a way to have won it before the BIG BLUNDER!😴 Game 6284540

Originally posted by heinzkat
I can only find mate in three.

Originally posted by heinzkat
I can only find mate in three.

Originally posted by davaniel
I was thinking 2, Bc4 or something like this threatening Rhe1# but black has a queencheck unfortunately, so probably 3... pity, Bd3+ looks so nice...

Reveal Hidden Content

You don't have to look for the mate when in your mind you
have a King on e4 in those positions.

It's how I analyse and I'm sure most other players do as well.

I ponder a sac or two get the postion in my mind and then say to myrself.

"That looks good, Ill pick it up again from that position."

Weaker players try to find the whole mate before the they sac a piece
so consequently the sound sac never gets played.

Do it in chunks.

Nearly came unstcuk first time I pulled this one out OTB.
I've had this twice in OTB games and numerous Blitz games.

But the first time I stopped looking after Bxh7+ Ng5+ and Rh3
thinking "mate in a few, I'll find it when I'm there."

I had an uncomfortable time at the board and self doubt was
creeping in till I found it.

There is only one move that does it. and it's not Qd3+ or Qg4.
So now you should see it easy. But at the board I looked at those
two moves first and was horrified to see neither appeared to mate.
(and they don't).

Thanks GreenPawn. I've never seen that move before in that sort of position. It took me five minutes to find the winning move but hopefully if it every crops up in one of my games I'll remember it!

Thanks everyone for the help. I was really trying to see if there was a way to win with the end position before I blundered the last rook. Seeing that earlier mate only drives the nail in deeper. LOL I really appreciate all of the help. I would like to be much better than I am, but it's going to take some time.
To Greenpawn, I read up some on Morphy last night. At least what I could find. All I really have to say about that guy is WOW! Completely amazing and what a tragic ending. I had never heard of him until the "pride and sorrow" comment I saw in a thread. I agree with the comment someone made about knowing who he is. It seems like that would be taught in chess 101. Yet, until I got on this site and talked to some players who are obviously very good, I had never heard the name. It just seems like he would come up sooner than some of the more popular names that people hear. Again, phenomenal.
Just want to say thanks again for all you peoples help. I need plenty and it's nice to have a place to get some input.