---
title: A 97% Accuracy Draw That Defies Logic
description: A near-perfect 2600-level blitz game explodes into a chain of sacrifices, and somehow ends in a forced draw.
image: https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&h=550&op=thumbnail&path=nHjYfiHW9OKU.webp&w=880&sig=be6c2544ce0e346be24434e20572fa6fe24a5524
---

We join the game in a very unusual middlegame where Black is already doing extremely well.
https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#26
As you can probably tell, White went for an ambitious plan with pushing the a-pawn as far as possible, but it kind of got nowhere and the pawn on **a6** is just as much a weakness as it is a strength. Meanwhile, Black enjoys all the perks of their position: **active pieces, pressure on f2, and excellent coordination**.

***

> **14\. Bb2 Ne4**

https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#28
Black centralizes the knight and increases pressure on **f2**.
This is the key theme of the position:
White’s pieces feel slightly awkward, while Black’s play is *easy and natural*.
Black didn't even have to move the knight and could instead play something like **...d5**, where Black would gladly give up the knight to eliminate the dark-squared bishop, leaving White with long-term weaknesses, even if their kingside structure is a bit damaged.

***

> **15\. Nd4**

White blocks the dangerous diagonal and hints at hitting the bishop, though right now White isn't threatening to take on c6 because f2 would collapse.

> **15... Bd5**

https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#30
Black’s move is logical, but not the most precise.
A very instructive improvement was:
**15... Rad8!**
followed by **...Ba8** after e3.
The retreat to a8 would keep the bishop **safe, active, and untouchable**, instead of slightly exposed on d5, which becomes *very relevant soon*.

***

> **16\. Qd3 f5**

Black commits to the knight on e4.
This move is slightly weakening, but necessary. Without **f5**, the knight on e4 simply cannot be maintained.

***

> **17\. e3 Rac8**

https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#34
White consolidates.
Black improves again, and *this is the moment everything changes*.
Up to here, it’s a strong, stable position for Black.
Now comes chaos.

***

## The Turning Point

> **18\. Nxf5\!**

https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#35
An incredible practical decision.
Objectively, this move fights for equality, but more importantly, it **destroys the nature of the position**.
Instead of suffering in a passive setup, White:

* Targets the awkward **bishop on d5**
* Exploits loose coordination in Black’s center
* Forces immediate complications

And here’s the key tactical point:

* **Rxf5?** → the knight on e4 hangs
* **exf5?** → the bishop on d5 hangs

This is exactly why the earlier **...Bd5** decision was slightly inaccurate.
From **a8**, this idea wouldn’t exist.
Black now realizes something important:
**There are no clean solutions.**

***

> **18... Nxf2!**

https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#36
So instead of defending...
Black goes all-in.
A **counter-sacrifice**, and the only way to stay in the game.

***

> **19\. Rxf2**

https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#37
White accepts.
But here’s where things get truly insane.

***

### Hidden Brilliance

Instead of recapturing, White had: an amazing alternative possibility
**19\. Qxd5\!**
A *quiet* queen sacrifice.
If:
**19... exd5 20. Bxd5+ Rf7 21. Rxf2**
Material is equal, and White’s activity is overwhelming.
Even more telling:
**Black is better off declining the sacrifice.**
Instead, they're better off just taking the knight with **19... Rxf5**, with an objectively equal, but an extremely complicated position.
Already, we see the theme of this game:

> *Sacrifices that are objectively sound, but almost impossible to fully calculate in blitz.*

***

> **19... Bxg2**

https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#38
And instead of resolving tension, Black escalates it further.
Now *even more pieces are hanging*, and neither side has time to capture anything cleanly.

***

### Another Hidden Idea

If instead:
**19... Rxf5 20. Qxf5!**
Another stunning queen sacrifice.
After:
**20... exf5 21. Bxd5+ Kh8 22. Rxf5**
White gets:

* Rook + bishop for the queen
* Massive activity
* Continuous pressure

Again, completely playable. But understandably, White may not have even considered it.

***

## The Point of No Return

> **20\. Qxd7**

https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#39
Instead of calmly recapturing on g2, White goes forward.
This move does two things:

* Threatens **Qg7#**
* Forces Black into *only moves*

And from here on...

> **Almost every move played is the only move that doesn’t lose.**

***

> **20... Rc7**

https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#40
The only move.

* **Rf7?** fails to **Nh6+**
* Other defenses simply collapse

Black is already walking a tightrope.

***

## The Culmination

> **21\. Qxg7\+\!\!**

https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#41
A queen sacrifice... for a pawn.
And this is not optional.
Anything else:

* The queen retreats
* Black consolidates
* White is simply worse

So White commits fully:

> **The only way forward... is forward.**

***

> **21... Rxg7 22. Nh6+ Kh8**

https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#44
A precise check.
This forces the king into the corner,
which will soon have *huge consequences*.

***

> **23\. Rxf8\+ Bxf8**

https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#46
This exchange is critical.
Because:

* The king on h8 no longer defends f8
* Black is forced to recapture with the bishop

This sets up the final mechanism.

***

## The Most Beautiful Perpetual

> \*\*24. Nf7+ Kg8

25. Nh6+ Kh8
26. Nf7+ Kg8
27. Nh6+ Kh8\*\*

https://lichess.org/study/GqBGutYF/zf0iSbyj#54
Draw.
But not just any draw.

***

### Why This Works

This is one of the most fascinating perpetual check mechanisms you’ll ever see:

* The **rook on g7 is pinned** by the bishop on b2
* The **knight jumps to “defended” square** (f7)
* But because of the pin, the rook cannot capture it

So:

1. Knight checks on f7 → king steps aside
2. Knight checks on h6 → king forced back
3. Repeat forever

***

### The Deeper Beauty

At first glance, this looks absurd:

* Black is up a **queen for two pawns**
* Yet... cannot escape a perpetual

Why?
Because of one subtle detail:

> **The pawn on e6**

That pawn:

* Blocks the queen’s access to the 6th rank
* Prevents defensive coordination
* Turns the queen into a *spectator*

If that pawn wasn’t there?
→ No Nh6+
→ No perpetual
→ Black likely wins

***

## Final Thoughts

Sometimes, the most beautiful chess games are not decisive victories.
They’re battles where:

* Both sides play almost perfectly
* Both sides sacrifice relentlessly
* And neither side can escape the actual truth of the position

This game is one of those rare cases where:

> **The only plausible outcome... was a draw.**

And yet, the thorny path to that draw was filled with:

* Multiple queen sacrifices
* Only moves at every turn
* And a perpetual check mechanism that feels almost impossible

***

**One of the most insane draws you’ll ever see.**