# Coffee for Dessert The coffee is metaphorical. The dessert is a wormhole-driving android. The mythology and the newsletter are running the same play. - Site: https://coffeefordessert.com/ ## Learn the Rules like a Pro, Break them like an Artist..4 - Link: https://coffeefordessert.com/2026/11/10/learn-the-rules-like-a-pro-break-them-like-an-artist-4/ - Published: 2026-11-10T04:45:00-06:00 - Author: Coach Chad > Check out this #chess game: apv17 vs TCZ_CoachChad – [https://www.chess.com/live/game/106373796601](https://www.chess.com/live/game/106373796601) Learn the rules like a pro, break them like an artist. The rule says keep your king safe. In this 5|0 blitz game I had Black against apv17. After 1…g5 and 3…g4, White gave up a knight with 5.Nxf7 Kxf7 to pull my king into the open. My king never castled. Instead it walked to the kingside corner with 23…Kg7 and 24…Kh7, and I used the extra knight to counterattack: 25…Qxh3 hit the pawn cover in front of White’s castled king. After 27…Be4 White’s clock ran out. – Coach Chad Check Coach Chad’s tactics in the full game. Full game Find more moments to study in the full game. Copy the PGN into Lichess → Analysis Board to study on your own. ``` [Event "Live Chess"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.04.09"] [White "apv17"] [Black "TCZ_CoachChad"] [Result "0-1"] [Tournament "https://www.chess.com/tournament/live/-us-chess-50-blitz-4677790"] [ECO "A40"] [WhiteElo "897"] [BlackElo "1519"] [TimeControl "300"] [Termination "TCZ_CoachChad won on time"] 1.d4 g5 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nf3 g4 4.Ng5 h6 5.Nxf7 Kxf7 6.Qxg4 Nf6 7.Bc4+ d5 8.Bxd5+ Nxd5 9.Qf3+ Nf6 10.e5 Bg4 11.Qf4 Re8 12.exf6 exf6+ 13.Be3 Qd7 14.O-O Nc6 15.h3 Bf5 16.c3 Re4 17.Qf3 Rg8 18.Qh5+ Bg6 19.Qf3 Bf8 20.Nd2 Re7 21.Nc4 Be4 22.Qh5+ Bg6 23.Qf3 Kg7 24.Qf4 Kh7 25.Qxf6 Qxh3 26.Ne5 Nxe5 27.dxe5 Be4 {0-1} ``` ## Learn the Rules like a Pro, Break them like an Artist..5 - Link: https://coffeefordessert.com/2026/11/09/learn-the-rules-like-a-pro-break-them-like-an-artist-5/ - Published: 2026-11-09T04:45:00-06:00 - Author: Coach Chad > Check out this #chess game: TCZ_CoachChad vs InternationalMoron – [https://www.chess.com/live/game/106957284753](https://www.chess.com/live/game/106957284753) Learn the rules like a pro, break them like an artist. The rule says don’t push the pawns in front of your castled king. In this 10|0 game I had White against InternationalMoron. I castled with 8.O-O, then broke the rule with 13.g4, which won the knight on f5 after 13…g6 14.gxf5 gxf5. But the g-file was now open, and Black’s rooks took it with 17…Rhg8 and 21…Rdg8. Black’s a-pawn did the rest: 30…bxa4, 32…a3, 36…a2 and 44…a1=Q+. 48…Qg3# was the price of an open king. I won the knight and lost the game. – Coach Chad Check Coach Chad’s tactics in the full game. Full game Find more moments to study in the full game. Copy the PGN into Lichess → Analysis Board to study on your own. ``` [Event "Live Chess"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.04.15"] [White "TCZ_CoachChad"] [Black "InternationalMoron"] [Result "0-1"] [Tournament "https://www.chess.com/tournament/live/-us-chess-100-rapid-4701824"] [ECO "B10"] [WhiteElo "1404"] [BlackElo "1935"] [TimeControl "600"] [Termination "InternationalMoron won by checkmate"] 1.e4 c6 2.f4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.d4 h6 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 e6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.O-O Qb6 9.a4 a5 10.Be3 Ne7 11.Nbd2 Nf5 12.Bf2 Be7 13.g4 g6 14.gxf5 gxf5 15.Kh1 O-O-O 16.Bh4 Bxh4 17.Nxh4 Rhg8 18.Rg1 Qxb2 19.Rgb1 Qxa1 20.Rxa1 Rg4 21.Ng2 Rdg8 22.Rg1 h5 23.Nf3 f6 24.Ngh4 fxe5 25.fxe5 Nb6 26.h3 Rxg1+ 27.Nxg1 Nc4 28.Ngf3 Kc7 29.Qd1 b5 30.Qc1 bxa4 31.Ng5 Re8 32.Qa1 a3 33.Nhf3 Kd7 34.c3 Rb8 35.Qa2 Rb2 36.Qa1 a2 37.Nd2 Rxd2 38.Qxa2 Rxa2 39.Nf3 Rf2 40.Ng1 a4 41.h4 a3 42.Nh3 Rb2 43.Ng1 a2 44.Nh3 a1=Q+ 45.Ng1 Rb1 46.Kh2 Rxg1 47.Kh3 Qxc3+ 48.Kh2 Qg3# {0-1} ``` ## Learn the Rules like a Pro, Break them like an Artist..6 - Link: https://coffeefordessert.com/2026/11/08/learn-the-rules-like-a-pro-break-them-like-an-artist-6/ - Published: 2026-11-08T04:45:00-06:00 - Author: Coach Chad > Check out this #chess game: vhgus vs TCZ_CoachChad – [https://www.chess.com/live/game/107141423311](https://www.chess.com/live/game/107141423311) Learn the rules like a pro, break them like an artist. The rule says don’t go pawn hunting with your queen in the opening. In this 3|2 blitz game I had Black against vhgus. My king had already moved with 5…Kf8, and my queen went hunting anyway: 6… Qxb2, 7…Qxa1, 11…Qxa2 and 13…Qxb1+. A queen raid only works if it comes back with threats, and this one did: 14…Qc2+ and 15…Bd3+ drove White’s king to e3, and 17… Qd3# ended it. – Coach Chad Check Coach Chad’s tactics in the full game. Full game Find more moments to study in the full game. Copy the PGN into Lichess → Analysis Board to study on your own. ``` [Event "Live Chess"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.04.18"] [White "vhgus"] [Black "TCZ_CoachChad"] [Result "0-1"] [Tournament "https://www.chess.com/tournament/live/-us-chess-32-blitz-4703035"] [ECO "B00"] [WhiteElo "1622"] [BlackElo "1497"] [TimeControl "180+2"] [Termination "TCZ_CoachChad won by checkmate"] 1.e4 g5 2.d4 Bg7 3.Bxg5 c5 4.Be3 Qb6 5.Qg4 Kf8 6.e5 Qxb2 7.Bd3 Qxa1 8.c3 Nc6 9.Nf3 d5 10.Qh4 c4 11.Bc2 Qxa2 12.Bxh7 Bf5 13.Ng5 Qxb1+ 14.Ke2 Qc2+ 15.Bd2 Bd3+ 16.Ke3 Bxh7 17.Qf4 Qd3# {0-1} ``` ## The king walked in - Link: https://coffeefordessert.com/2026/11/07/the-king-walked-in/ - Published: 2026-11-07T09:15:00-06:00 - Author: Chad Ambrose White’s king marches up the board to hunt pawns. Black’s queen and rook are waiting. ![46.Kb6 Rb8+](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ 6133-b1.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **The walk.** 46.Kb6 Rb8+. The king is on the queenside and the rook checks it. ![47.Kc7 Qa7+](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ 6133-b2.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **Deeper.** 47.Kc7 Qa7+. ![48.Kxc6?](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/6133- b3.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **One pawn too many.** 48.Kxc6. The king grabs c6. ![48...Qb7#](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/6133- b4.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **Mate.** 48…Qb7#. Queen backed by the b8 rook. **Lesson:** With queens and rooks still on, your king hunts pawns only after the enemy checks run out. [https://www.chess.com/game/141266113778](https://www.chess.com/game/141266113778) ## Learn the Rules like a Pro, Break them like an Artist..7 - Link: https://coffeefordessert.com/2026/11/07/learn-the-rules-like-a-pro-break-them-like-an-artist-7/ - Published: 2026-11-07T04:45:00-06:00 - Author: Coach Chad > Check out this #chess game: SouthTroy vs TCZ_CoachChad – [https://www.chess.com/live/game/107139083407](https://www.chess.com/live/game/107139083407) Learn the rules like a pro, break them like an artist. The rule says passed pawns must be pushed, and in this 3|2 blitz game SouthTroy followed it while I broke a different rule. I had Black, opened with 1…g5, and went pawn grabbing with my queen: 11…Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Qxc3+ 13.Qd2 Qxa1+. I got the trades I wanted, ending with 22…Rxh1 23.Bxh1, but my king and rook could not stop White’s pawns. White promoted twice, with 52.h8=Q+ and 60.e8=Q, and mated with 66.Qf1#. A broken rule needs a follow- up plan. I won material and had no plan for White’s passed pawns. – Coach Chad Check Coach Chad’s tactics in the full game. Full game Find more moments to study in the full game. Copy the PGN into Lichess → Analysis Board to study on your own. ``` [Event "Live Chess"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.04.18"] [White "SouthTroy"] [Black "TCZ_CoachChad"] [Result "1-0"] [Tournament "https://www.chess.com/tournament/live/-us-chess-32-blitz-4703035"] [ECO "A04"] [WhiteElo "1898"] [BlackElo "1486"] [TimeControl "180+2"] [Termination "SouthTroy won by checkmate"] 1.Nf3 g5 2.d4 g4 3.Ne5 d6 4.Nd3 Bg7 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bg5 Ne4 7.Bh4 c5 8.dxc5 Qa5 9.Nd2 Bf5 10.Nxe4 Bxe4 11.cxd6 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Qxc3+ 13.Qd2 Qxa1+ 14.Nc1 Nd7 15.f3 Rc8 16.fxe4 Rxc1+ 17.Kf2 Rd1 18.Qg5 Qd4+ 19.Qe3 Qxe3+ 20.Kxe3 Rxd6 21.g3 Rd1 22.Bg2 Rxh1 23.Bxh1 h5 24.Kf4 b6 25.e5 Rh6 26.Bd5 e6 27.Bc6 a6 28.a4 b5 29.axb5 axb5 30.Bxb5 f5 31.exf6 e5+ 32.Kf5 Kf7 33.Bxd7 Rh8 34.Be6+ Kf8 35.Kxe5 Rh6 36.Kf5 Rh7 37.Bg5 h4 38.gxh4 Rh5 39.Kxg4 Rh8 40.Bd2 Rh7 41.Bb4+ Ke8 42.f7+ Rxf7 43.Bxf7+ Kxf7 44.Kg5 Kg7 45.e4 Kf7 46.h5 Kg7 47.Bc3+ Kh7 48.e5 Kg8 49.Kg6 Kh8 50.h6 Kg8 51.h7+ Kf8 52.h8=Q+ Ke7 53.Qf6+ Kd7 54.Qd6+ Kc8 55.e6 Kb7 56.e7 Ka7 57.Qd7+ Kb6 58.Bd4+ Ka5 59.Qd8+ Kb4 60.e8=Q Kc4 61.Qc6+ Kd3 62.Bg7+ Ke2 63.Qe6+ Kf3 64.Qf5+ Kg2 65.Qd2+ Kh1 66.Qf1# {1-0} ``` ## Three checks to a1 - Link: https://coffeefordessert.com/2026/11/06/three-checks-to-a1/ - Published: 2026-11-06T09:15:00-06:00 - Author: Chad Ambrose Black’s queen gives three checks, and every one of them is aiming at the rook on a1. ![14...Qe3+ 15.Qe2](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/ 10/6131-b1.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **First check.** 14…Qe3+ 15.Qe2. ![15...Qc1+ 16.Qd1](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/ 10/6131-b2.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **Second check.** 15…Qc1+ 16.Qd1. ![16...Qxd1+ 17.Kxd1](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/ 2026/10/6131-b3.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **Trade queens with check.** 16…Qxd1+ 17.Kxd1. ![17...Bxa1](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/6131- b4.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **Collect.** 17…Bxa1. The e5 bishop had the long diagonal the whole time. **Lesson:** Checks buy you time; spend it on the piece that was already loose. [https://www.chess.com/game/141228136200](https://www.chess.com/game/141228136200) ## Learn the Rules like a Pro, Break them like an Artist..8 - Link: https://coffeefordessert.com/2026/11/06/learn-the-rules-like-a-pro-break-them-like-an-artist-8/ - Published: 2026-11-06T04:45:00-06:00 - Author: Coach Chad > Check out this #chess game: qiqi1027 vs TCZ_CoachChad – [https://www.chess.com/live/game/107745783239](https://www.chess.com/live/game/107745783239) Learn the rules like a pro, break them like an artist. The rule says develop your pieces before you push flank pawns. In this 3|2 blitz game I had Black against qiqi1027 and pushed my g-pawn on moves 1, 2 and 10: 1…g5, 2…g4 and 10…g3. After 13.Bb5+ Kf8 my king had lost the right to castle. The pawn on g3 earned its place: it defended 14…Nf2, and 16…Nxh1 won White’s rook. With the extra material my queen hunted White’s king, and it ended 31…Qxc2+ 32.Ke1 Qc1#. – Coach Chad Check Coach Chad’s tactics in the full game. Full game Find more moments to study in the full game. Copy the PGN into Lichess → Analysis Board to study on your own. ``` [Event "Live Chess"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.04.25"] [White "qiqi1027"] [Black "TCZ_CoachChad"] [Result "0-1"] [Tournament "https://www.chess.com/tournament/live/-us-chess-32-blitz-4717171"] [ECO "B00"] [WhiteElo "1215"] [BlackElo "1411"] [TimeControl "180+2"] [Termination "TCZ_CoachChad won by checkmate"] 1.e4 g5 2.Nf3 g4 3.Ng1 d5 4.exd5 Bg7 5.Nc3 c6 6.dxc6 Nxc6 7.Be2 Nf6 8.f3 h5 9.fxg4 hxg4 10.Bc4 g3 11.h3 Ng4 12.Qf3 Nce5 13.Bb5+ Kf8 14.Qe2 Nf2 15.Nf3 Nxf3+ 16.gxf3 Nxh1 17.Qg2 Rxh3 18.d3 Bxc3+ 19.bxc3 Qa5 20.Qd2 Qxb5 21.Ba3 Qe5+ 22.Kd1 Nf2+ 23.Kc1 Qb5 24.Bxe7+ Kxe7 25.Qe3+ Be6 26.Kd2 Qb2 27.Qc5+ Kf6 28.Qd4+ Kg6 29.Rf1 Rh2 30.Rg1 Ng4+ 31.Kd1 Qxc2+ 32.Ke1 Qc1# {0-1} ``` ## Trade off the guard - Link: https://coffeefordessert.com/2026/11/05/trade-off-the-guard/ - Published: 2026-11-05T09:15:00-06:00 - Author: Chad Ambrose White has exactly one piece guarding h2. Black trades it off. ![16.Bxg4 Nfxg4](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/ 10/6124-b1.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **Trade into g4.** 16.Bxg4 Nfxg4. A black knight lands on g4, eyeing h2. ![17.Nf3 guards h2](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/ 10/6124-b2.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **The defender comes.** 17.Nf3, covering h2. ![17...Nxf3+ 18.Qxf3](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/ 2026/10/6124-b3.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **Remove it.** 17…Nxf3+ 18.Qxf3. The guard is gone and the queen recaptured away from h2. ![18...Qh2#](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/6124- b4.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **Mate.** 18…Qh2#. Queen c7 to h2, backed by the g4 knight. **Lesson:** Count the defenders of the square next to your king, then ask which one can be traded off. [https://www.chess.com/game/140999279766](https://www.chess.com/game/140999279766) ## Learn the Rules like a Pro, Break them like an Artist..9 - Link: https://coffeefordessert.com/2026/11/05/learn-the-rules-like-a-pro-break-them-like-an-artist-9/ - Published: 2026-11-05T04:45:00-06:00 - Author: Coach Chad > Check out this #chess game: aponbabu vs TCZ_CoachChad – [https://www.chess.com/live/game/107754119145](https://www.chess.com/live/game/107754119145) Learn the rules like a pro, break them like an artist. The rule says don’t bring your queen out early. In this 3|0 blitz game I had Black against aponbabu and we both broke it: my queen came out with 4…Qb6, and White’s went to f3 on move 7. The difference was where the queens went next. White’s queen spent moves 15 and 16 taking pawns with 15.Qxf3 and 16.Qxf7, while mine went after White’s king: 18…Qh1+, 20… Qf3+, 21…Qxf2+ and 22…Qxg3. After 24…Qf3+ White resigned. – Coach Chad Check Coach Chad’s tactics in the full game. Full game Find more moments to study in the full game. Copy the PGN into Lichess → Analysis Board to study on your own. ``` [Event "Live Chess"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.04.25"] [White "aponbabu"] [Black "TCZ_CoachChad"] [Result "0-1"] [Tournament "https://www.chess.com/tournament/live/30-blitz-3364578"] [ECO "A00"] [WhiteElo "1524"] [BlackElo "1406"] [TimeControl "180"] [Termination "TCZ_CoachChad won by resignation"] 1.g3 g5 2.h4 Bg7 3.hxg5 c5 4.e3 Qb6 5.c3 Nc6 6.Bg2 d6 7.Qf3 Ne5 8.Qe2 Bg4 9.Bf3 h5 10.Bxg4 hxg4 11.Rxh8 Bxh8 12.d4 cxd4 13.exd4 Nf3+ 14.Nxf3 gxf3 15.Qxf3 O-O-O 16.Qxf7 Qc6 17.Qe6+ Kb8 18.Na3 Qh1+ 19.Ke2 Rf8 20.Nc2 Qf3+ 21.Kd2 Qxf2+ 22.Qe2 Qxg3 23.Kd1 Rf2 24.Qe1 Qf3+ {0-1} ``` ## Walk the king home - Link: https://coffeefordessert.com/2026/11/04/walk-the-king-home/ - Published: 2026-11-04T09:15:00-06:00 - Author: Chad Ambrose Check after check, and the black king runs straight into the corner. ![19.Bh5+ Kg8](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ 6117-b1.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **Bishop joins.** 19.Bh5+ Kg8. White’s bishop and queen box in the king. ![20.Qg4+ Kh7](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ 6117-b2.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **Queen swings over.** 20.Qg4+ Kh7. ![21.Rf7+ Kh8](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ 6117-b3.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **The rook arrives.** 21.Rf7+ Kh8. The f-file rook takes the seventh rank. ![22.Qg7#](https://i0.wp.com/coffeefordessert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/6117- b4.png?resize=1080%2C1080&ssl=1) **Mate.** 22.Qg7#. The rook on f7 guards the queen; the king has no square left. **Lesson:** When the king runs, bring one more piece before you deliver the last check. [https://www.chess.com/game/141039942414](https://www.chess.com/game/141039942414)