Black, Unrated vs. Jon Jones, 1002

My second game was also a rematch; I defeated Jon rather handily in a G/20 Quick game just a few days earlier, so once again I went in feeling confident. I played approximately as well as my opponent, with a tumultuous middlegame seeing Lichess' evaluation swing between +5ish and nearly even several times (Lichess points out several errors on both sides).

I was able to maintain material equality (minus a pawn) for about half the game, but the advantage for White was finally cemented when I played 29...♜d8, intending to take White's bishop on d3 after 30. ♗xc5 but failing to realize that 30. ♗xc5 would put me in check. I played 30...♚e8 to escape check—trying to make sure White's light-square bishop couldn't follow up—but failed to consider 31. ♖f8+ leading to an exchange of our remaining rooks.

Unable to stop White from promoting, my king was sufficiently boxed-in that I thought perhaps I could force a stalemate. But, alas, even if it were possible I couldn't think far enough forwards to pull it off.