How I Played My First 30-Minute English Opening Game with 98% Accuracy and No Mistakes

A Clean Game That Felt Different

Recently, I played a 30-minute rapid chess game on Lichess, starting as White. I had a rating of 1499 and faced an opponent rated 1480. The game lasted 51 moves, and they eventually resigned. What made this game feel special wasn’t just the win—it was how cleanly I played from start to finish. According to the Stockfish analysis, I ended the game with 98% accuracy, no mistakes, and no blunders. That’s never happened to me before, and it felt amazing.

I began with the English Opening, which I don’t usually play often. But this time, I wanted to try something more strategic and flexible. From the very first moves, I focused on playing proper chess—developing my pieces, fighting for central control, and avoiding anything fancy or risky too early.

For the first phase of the game, we stayed pretty equal. Both of us developed well, but then my opponent made a mistake—walking right into a fork that hit both their king and queen. That one move shifted everything. I gained a huge material advantage, and after that, the game started tilting heavily in my favor.

A Risky Queen Trade That Paid Off

A bit later in the game, I faced an interesting decision: I could trade my queen for a knight that was giving check and a rook. It didn’t look like a clear win at the time, and honestly, I wasn’t sure if it was good or not. But I trusted my instincts and went for it. After the game, the engine confirmed—it was the best move in that position. That moment gave me a huge confidence boost. It reminded me that strong moves aren’t always flashy; sometimes, they’re just solid and smart.

I kept applying pressure and didn’t rush. My opponent made a few more mistakes, and finally, they resigned. The game felt smooth and focused the entire way through, and I could feel that I was playing on another level compared to my usual rapid games.

Analysis That Made Me Proud

When I looked at the game report, I was blown away. Almost every move I played was one of the top three choices the engine recommended. Only two moves weren’t, and even those were considered solid. I had no blunders, no inaccuracies, and no missed wins. That level of consistency is really rare for me—especially in longer games like this one.

I usually play fast formats like bullet or blitz, where I hover around the 1200 range. In those, it’s easy to rush, miss tactics, or make bad trades because there’s barely any time to think. But in this longer 30-minute format, I felt like I could breathe, slow down, and actually calculate. That made a huge difference in my performance.

Why I Think I Played So Well

Aside from the slower time control, I’ve also been practicing puzzles a lot lately. I think that really helped. Puzzles build pattern recognition and improve your ability to spot tactics under pressure. During this game, I noticed that I wasn’t just moving by instinct—I was seeing things before they happened and planning a few moves ahead.

This win wasn’t just another game. It was a sign that I’m making progress. It showed me that when I focus, trust my process, and give myself time, I can play strong, accurate chess—even against well-matched opponents. It also reminded me that learning chess isn’t about memorizing fancy lines; it’s about building good habits and sharpening how you think.

If you’re someone who’s just starting out or stuck at a certain level—don’t worry. Progress comes with patience, practice, and paying attention to your games. Chess rewards clear thinking and staying calm under pressure, and every game teaches you something if you’re willing to learn from it.

Whether you’re playing casually or trying to climb the rating ladder, I’d say this—just keep playing. Play slow games, analyze your moves, and enjoy the journey. Improvement comes, and when it does, it feels incredible.

And if anyone wants to play a friendly match, I’m always down. You can challenge me on Lichess. Let’s play and get better together.