---
title: How to Save a Lost Game?
description: A couple of weeks ago, I played in an over-the-board chess tournament – something I haven’t done much lately. I prepared properly: a few days before, I focused on tactics, reviewed my openings, chose the ones I wanted to play, and practiced some OTB positions. And it paid off – I won the tournament!
image: https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&h=550&op=thumbnail&path=ublog:m40wkGli:pqJHoRPM.webp&w=880&sig=6773cc93307603fc986b99e1fe9e4dbc21ec6990
---

So today’s idea comes from that event.

https://lichess.org/study/9F8Nnwkk/rOFqmUNe

That position comes from my game against IM Lewicki. I was playing Black. As you can see, I had **an isolated pawn** that was blocked, so I couldn’t push it forward.

That’s why I followed another important principle: **when the pawn can’t move, use your pieces**. I started building up an attack.

That’s how my rook landed on the 2nd rank, the other rook is on g6 (thanks to a rook lift), and my knight is sitting on a nice outpost at c4. But now, my rook on c2 looks a bit lost.

**What should Black play to keep the fight going?**

I knew I had the option to sacrifice my exchange with Rxc1, but I was aware that I would likely lose the endgame against an International Master. So, I decided to create complications:

**1... Nxb2**   
Creating complications. My rook is hanging, but my opponent's rook is hanging too.

**2\. Re1**   
Trying to keep pressure on my rook. After 2. Nxc2 Nxd1, Black is fine.

**2... Rxf2!**   
An unexpected sacrifice.

**3\. Kxf2**   
No other choice.

**3... Bxg3**   
With a skewer on the rook (an alternative was Nd3 with a fork).

**4\. Kf3 Bxe1**

**5\. Bxb2 Bxh4**
Now Black has four pawns for the minor piece, which means their position is slightly better going into the endgame.

https://lichess.org/study/9F8Nnwkk/JWbvWXay

**WHAT DOES IT TEACH US?**

* When you have an isolated pawn, you usually have two main plans: push the pawn forward or organize an attack with your pieces.
* Not sure what to do? Activate your weakest piece. This principle really helped me in the tournament.
* If you are in trouble, try to make the position more complicated. It raises the chances that your opponent will make a mistake.
* In the endgame, three pawns are usually better than a minor piece (especially if the pawns are connected). But in the middlegame, a minor piece is better because it can be used for attack.


![](https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&h=0&op=resize&path=ublogBody:qQrBHpsw0FjE:uEuixohD.jpg&w=800&sig=fa86d69e389fe8095159d21d8d49e7cf114a1660)