Chess psychology.

Last round, paired in a hopeless matchup, fighting for honour. What to do, how to think?

Red (apparently strong person) vs Black (me.)

1. E3+5

What? Xiang opening? I don't know how to play this! Hm... He's probably faced zhong pao and fei xiang with this opening many times. Is this defensive or counteraggressive or... let's wait and see.

1. ...P7+1
2. P7+1

Gah. He's waiting too. Well, what to do. I don't know how to use fan3 gong1 ma3, but I bet he doesn't play against that very often either. Charge!

2. ...C8=6
3. H8+7

It worked! He thought a while longer than before! Surprise! Now, to be honest, I can't quite remember the next few moves in order, but here is a plausible (?) sequence:

3. ...H8+7
4. H2+3 H2+3
5. H7+6 R9=8
6. R1=2 R8+6
7. C8=7 C2+5
8. P7+1

Shoot. Beginner's trap. Should've played E3+5 or E7+5 (I think the former is better), probably. Hm. Well... we've nothing to lose this round, so.

8. ...P3+1

I accept! *serious face* Hopefully he's jolted.

9. C7+5 C2=7
10. C7=3 C6+5

*starts grinning manically* (At this point, I don't care if the sacrifice is horrible. It's his turn, and I refuse to think about the position, giving him the problem instead. This is a good way of turning blunders into sacrifices... if you're lucky.

11. C2-1 R1+2
12. C3-1 R1=4

I have a lead in development... if only because all my remaining seeds are developed.

13. H6+5 R4+6
14. R2=3 C7=5

killkillkillkillkillkill... (hoping this berserking makes him uncomfortable.)

15. H5-4

Ah. Drat. This is irritating. *continues grinning, starts giggling* (hopefully he doesn't notice I'm in trouble)

15. ...R8+2
16. H4-5 C6-4
17. R3+2 R8-5
18. C3+1 R8-1
19. C3-1 R8=5

Red is in the interesting situation of being a piece up, but all his pieces are disorganised and out of the game.

20. R3-1 C6+5

Deny all trades. AGGRO. Nothing short of a mad attack will save me now.

21. R9+2 R5+4

killkillKILLKILLkillKILLKILL...

22. C3=2 R5=4
23. C2=5 R-=5
24. C5=2 R5=4

An amazing repetition draw of one chase one threat, helped by tactics. If A(4/6)+5, C6-1 for some sudden pin and threat, or a fei jiang-assisted kill if either piece moves.