Winning With "Arrogant" Chess Moves

And it can win us rating points.

However, arrogance can obviously not be condoned!

This study gives detailed instruction on arrogance so that we know exactly what NOT to do, no matter how fun it is.

These 3 positions below make up a small part of the video by Antichess Expert RTPonting (previous world's number 1 antichess leaderboard player on some chess sites) about arrogance in chess on his YouTube video "Winning with arrogance - the fun side of bullet chess (ft. Jagulep)" on the "Antichess Lore" channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9S8o4L4rq8

BASIC ARROGANCE

In this position with Black to move (after 26. Rf1), White is a strong 2500 player and has scary threats with Qf7+ and a possible checkmate or perpetual check.

However, White only has 1.6 seconds left so we respect his tactical abilities enough to play the arrogant 26...Qc2+ against him. White was then too surprised by the move to respond quickly enough and thereby lost on time. A shame!

Then the important touch after such a win is to click on the "Good game" button in the spirit of good sportsmanship.

FAILED ARROGANCE

Arrogance doesn't always work and this one is an example of it failing.

Actually, my opponent is attempting to employ arrogance in this game by wasting time with trying to queen possibly all their black pawns before giving checkmate - not what I would endorse.

Nevertheless, it had an amusing finish.

Oops, Black stalemates. Arrogance FAIL! :)

I played this game with my blindfold account. It's quite fun to try blindfold chess and I'd recommend anyone to try it, since it is allowed to have a second account if it is for something different to your main account, like playing blindfold games.

ARROGANCE AGAINST AN INTERNATIONAL MASTER

Finally an example of arrogance scoring a win against an IM.

After 48. e7, Black has 8.1 seconds left and White has only 2.2 seconds left. However, for an IM, they might well construct a checkmate from this position in just two seconds. Arrogance might be Black's best chance for victory.

48...Qe3+! Checks are a good strategy in bullet to curtail the opponent from just premoving a string of planned moves in a row.

49. Kh1 Qg1+! White's hand was possibly hovering over the e7-pawn to promote it but now he needs to take his hand all the way to the other side of the board to play a legal move to stop the check. Meanwhile, Black will be premoving his (hopefully) final move in the game.

50. Kxg1 g5

White now has an opportunity to checkmate in one move but, sadly, could not make the move before his clock ran out.

Aside from clicking the "Good game" button, it is advocated in arrogance to not accept an offered rematch from the opponent - we can play someone else. Revenge for them is then averted!

The video on arrogance by RTPonting given above contains more positions and theory on arrogance in chess, including some wins against grandmasters using the strategy.

Arrogance is not to be condoned in chess. However, if it appears to be the only way to win, maybe it's okayish ;). Best of luck to the readers in any games where they feel they, unfortunately, need to resort to it :).