Answers.Body: <p>Three (bad) things happened:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>You weakened your kingside by playing <code>g4</code>.</li>
  <li>Black castled O-O-O, to take advantage of number 1, while protecting his king behind the phalanx of (doubled) pawns.</li>
  <li>The worst thing that happened was that <code>13. Nxg6 hxg6</code> opened up the h file for Black in front of a rook that had not moved. You should have moved the N back to <code>f3</code> to keep a defender in place, and to keep the h file closed. On move 14, your best chance was the defensive <code>Qf3</code>, rather than the developing <code>d4</code>. You had a won game up to move 13, and a questionable game after <code>14...Rxh3</code> (Black could have played differently than he did and gotten a perpetual check to compensate for his piece down.)</li>
  </ol>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-04-10T14:08:54.677Z
Answers.Text: If he plays Nf3, Black has 13...h5!? Plus the bishop on g6 is too strong. 13. Nxg6 is correct. 14. Qf3 or 14. Kg2 was required.
Answers.UserDisplayName: NM Wesley Falcao
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-04-10T19:22:19.417Z
Answers.Text: @Wes: If Black plays 13...h5!?, I play 14. Nh2, supporting the pawn on g4, and eventually the pawn on f3. These two pawns dampen the B on g6. But White could have saved himself on move 14 with Qf3 or Kg2.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Tom Au
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-04-10T20:48:00.773Z
Answers.Text: After Nh2, hxg4 opens the h-file anyway. So Nf3 doesn't really stop black from opening the h-file. Better to play Nxg6 and get rid of that strong bishop. Also, note that after hxg4 you can't play hxg4, because of Qxh2+!
Answers.UserDisplayName: NM Wesley Falcao
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-04-12T00:11:39.940Z
Answers.Text: @Wes: If Black plays hxg4, I play Qxg4 CHECK and bring my queen to the defense.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Tom Au
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-04-12T04:57:19.113Z
Answers.Text: structurally, its worse for White because of the isolated pawns
Answers.UserDisplayName: NM Wesley Falcao
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-06-12T16:20:12.453Z
Answers.Text: @Wes: If Black plays hxg4, I play Qxg4 CHECK and capture the forked bishop.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Tom Au
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-06-12T17:54:14.150Z
Answers.Text: f5 protects the bishop!
Answers.UserDisplayName: NM Wesley Falcao
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-06-12T17:59:52.417Z
Answers.Text: @Wes: The bishop can interpose on f5, but where's the guard? It's not the h pawn, because it captured on g4, rather than g6. Black's queen is on a black square (no diagonal guard), and on d6, not d5 (no horizontal guard). No vertical guard on the f file, either.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Tom Au
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-06-12T21:29:18.817Z
Answers.Text: I mean pawn to f5, of course. The queen on d6 then supports the bishop on g6.
Answers.UserDisplayName: NM Wesley Falcao
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-04-09T00:32:26.007Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-04-10T19:23:43.353Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2014-04-10T19:23:43.353Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Tom Au
Answers.Body: <p>Two things leap out at me:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li><p>Moderate error: After 8...Bh5, you're a piece up but you're not done developing and your knight on e4 is unprotected. Reasonable moves (I'm sure there are others) include 9.d3, supporting your knight and allowing your bishop to develop; 9.Re1, centralizing your rook and supporting your knight; and 9.Ng3, kicking Black's bishop and moving your knight to a safe square. Instead you played 9.g4, weakening your king's position and forcing the Black bishop to a place where it attacks your knight.</p></li>
  <li><p>Huge error: You're still doing OK as of 13...hxg6, but your h3-pawn is under attack. (Note that this wouldn't have been an issue if you hadn't played 9.g4.) The simplest defense is 14.Qf3 but 14.Kg2 is possible too. Instead you let Black's rook capture on h3 and now your king is under severe attack.</p></li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>You could have defended against the ensuing attack better, but I'm not going to bother with that because the way to win games like these is to not even let it get to that point.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-04-07T20:43:27.197Z
Answers.Text: Yea... 9. g4  was such a bad move.
Answers.UserDisplayName: NoName
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-04-07T20:38:35.520Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-04-07T20:38:35.520Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: dfan
Body: <p>Throughout the game, I thought I had a positional and piece advantage, but I STILL LOST! </p>
  
  <p>What did I do wrong? (using Ruy Lopez btw)</p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  
  1. e4 e5 
  2. Nf3 Nc6 
  3. Bb5 Nf6 
  4. Nc3 a6 
  5. Bxc6 dxc6 
  6. O-O Nxe4 
  7. Nxe4 Bg4 
  8. h3 Bh5 
  9. g4 Bg6 
  10. Nc3 Qd6 
  11. Re1 O-O-O
  12. Ne5 f6 
  13. Ng6 hxg6 
  14. d4 Rxh3 
  15. Kf1 Rh1 
  16. Kg2 Qh2 
  17. Kf3 Qh3 
  18. Ke2 Re8 
  19. Kd2 Re8xe1 
  20. Qxe1 Rxe1 
  21. Kxe1 Qg4 
  22. Be3 Bb4
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>At this point, I surrendered because I'm at a positional disadvantage, my knight is pinned and my rook is still undeveloped. </p>
  
  <p>I know one weakness of using Ruy Lopez is that your left side develops slowly, but damn! Where did I make a mistake? Was I just unlucky?</p>
  
  <p><strong>EDIT 1:</strong>
  OMG I just realized he baited my king-side pawns to open up for an attack! >:(</p>
  
  <p>I should've read this article earlier: <a href="http://chess.about.com/od/tipsforbeginners/a/Keeping-Your-Castled-King-Safe.htm">Keeping Your Castled King Safe</a></p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-04-07T21:13:12.683Z
Comments.Text: After `19.Be3!` instead of `19.Kd2??` you win easily. That was the only mistake you made. Other moves are less precise, **but still good enough** to ensure victory. Best regards.
Comments.UserDisplayName: AlwaysLearningNewStuff
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-04-07T21:38:29.393Z
Comments.Text: Gah! You're right!
Comments.UserDisplayName: NoName
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-04-07T23:07:17.997Z
Comments.Text: Actually, I am not so sure it's an easy win.  After several minutes, Stockfish gives White a slight advantage (1.2) and says  1.... Rh2 2.Kd2 Bd6 3.Ne2 Qxg4 4.Rh1 c5 5.Rxh2 Bxh2 6.c3 Rd8 7.Kc2 cxd4 8.cxd4 Kb8 9.Rc1 Bd6 10.Kb1 Re8 11.Qd3 Qe4 12.Qxe4 Rxe4 13.Rh1
Comments.UserDisplayName: Tony Ennis
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-04-08T01:25:32.117Z
Comments.Text: I agree with @Tony Ennis, after `19.Be3` white is a piece up, but is under attack, I don't see an easy win here.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Akavall
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-04-08T04:37:18.753Z
Comments.Text: There's a recent thread on GMs who are hard to beat.  This is the sort of position they could hold.  You can do it if you're tenacious enough.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Tony Ennis
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-04-08T11:46:23.100Z
Comments.Text: @TonyEnnis: 1...Rh2 2.Rh1! and White will exchange at least a pair of rooks, **gain control of the h-file** and manage to safely introduce the last rook into the game, while keeping his king safe. *Stockfish* gives the current evaluation, which is "White stands better" since Black has a pawn for a piece, but can not evaluate the position properly **on the long run**. The 2.Kd2?! it chose over simple 2.Rh1!, which liquidates the attack, is the good proof. Best regards.
Comments.UserDisplayName: AlwaysLearningNewStuff
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-04-08T14:32:31.353Z
Comments.Text: This is question number 1000!
Comments.UserDisplayName: Dag Oskar Madsen
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-04-08T14:39:28.063Z
Comments.Text: @BroSlow 14. d4 was meant to develop my bishop.
Comments.UserDisplayName: NoName
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-04-08T22:43:03.177Z
Comments.Text: @AlwaysLearningNewStuff after 19. Be3 Rh2 20. Rh1!, Black retorts with 20...Qxe3+ 21. Kf1 Qxf2#.  I don't see how White wins after this.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Tony Ennis
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-04-09T12:26:19.943Z
Comments.Text: @TonyEnnis: I missed that one... I do not have time at the moment to fully analyze the position, which my blunder can confirm. After I get some spare time I will post an answer that thoroughly analyses the game. Best regards.
Comments.UserDisplayName: AlwaysLearningNewStuff
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-04-11T16:34:49.667Z
Comments.Text: Can't believe this hasn't been said: You let Black's rook out when you traded your knight fora  bishop. Getting the bishop off that diagonal wasn't important because Black castled queen-side.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Alec Teal
Tags: <opening><theory><endgame><positional-play>
Title: How did I still lose with 1 piece advantage?
ThreadText: # How did I still lose with 1 piece advantage?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2014-04-07)
  
  Throughout the game, I thought I had a positional and piece advantage, but I STILL LOST! 
  What did I do wrong? (using Ruy Lopez btw)
  [FEN ""]
  
  1. e4 e5 
  2. Nf3 Nc6 
  3. Bb5 Nf6 
  4. Nc3 a6 
  5. Bxc6 dxc6 
  6. O-O Nxe4 
  7. Nxe4 Bg4 
  8. h3 Bh5 
  9. g4 Bg6 
  10. Nc3 Qd6 
  11. Re1 O-O-O
  12. Ne5 f6 
  13. Ng6 hxg6 
  14. d4 Rxh3 
  15. Kf1 Rh1 
  16. Kg2 Qh2 
  17. Kf3 Qh3 
  18. Ke2 Re8 
  19. Kd2 Re8xe1 
  20. Qxe1 Rxe1 
  21. Kxe1 Qg4 
  22. Be3 Bb4
  
  At this point, I surrendered because I'm at a positional disadvantage, my knight is pinned and my rook is still undeveloped. 
  I know one weakness of using Ruy Lopez is that your left side develops slowly, but damn! Where did I make a mistake? Was I just unlucky?
  EDIT 1:
  OMG I just realized he baited my king-side pawns to open up for an attack! >:(
  I should've read this article earlier: Keeping Your Castled King Safe
  
  **Tags:** opening, theory, endgame, positional-play
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: After `19.Be3!` instead of `19.Kd2??` you win easily. That was the only mistake you made. Other moves are less precise, **but still good enough** to ensure victory. Best regards.  
  > **username_0**: Gah! You're right!  
  > **username_2**: Actually, I am not so sure it's an easy win.  After several minutes, Stockfish gives White a slight advantage (1.2) and says  1.... Rh2 2.Kd2 Bd6 3.Ne2 Qxg4 4.Rh1 c5 5.Rxh2 Bxh2 6.c3 Rd8 7.Kc2 cxd4 8.cxd4 Kb8 9.Rc1 Bd6 10.Kb1 Re8 11.Qd3 Qe4 12.Qxe4 Rxe4 13.Rh1  
  > **username_3**: I agree with @username_2, after `19.Be3` white is a piece up, but is under attack, I don't see an easy win here.  
  > **username_2**: There's a recent thread on GMs who are hard to beat.  This is the sort of position they could hold.  You can do it if you're tenacious enough.  
  > **username_1**: @TonyEnnis: 1...Rh2 2.Rh1! and White will exchange at least a pair of rooks, **gain control of the h-file** and manage to safely introduce the last rook into the game, while keeping his king safe. *Stockfish* gives the current evaluation, which is "White stands better" since Black has a pawn for a piece, but can not evaluate the position properly **on the long run**. The 2.Kd2?! it chose over simple 2.Rh1!, which liquidates the attack, is the good proof. Best regards.  
  > **username_4**: This is question number 1000!  
  > **username_0**: @BroSlow 14. d4 was meant to develop my bishop.  
  > **username_2**: @username_1 after 19. Be3 Rh2 20. Rh1!, Black retorts with 20...Qxe3+ 21. Kf1 Qxf2#.  I don't see how White wins after this.  
  > **username_1**: @TonyEnnis: I missed that one... I do not have time at the moment to fully analyze the position, which my blunder can confirm. After I get some spare time I will post an answer that thoroughly analyses the game. Best regards.  
  > **username_5**: Can't believe this hasn't been said: You let Black's rook out when you traded your knight fora  bishop. Getting the bishop off that diagonal wasn't important because Black castled queen-side.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 2 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_8 on 2014-04-07. Score: 10 | Accepted answer
  
  Two things leap out at me:
  
  1. Moderate error: After 8...Bh5, you're a piece up but you're not done developing and your knight on e4 is unprotected. Reasonable moves (I'm sure there are others) include 9.d3, supporting your knight and allowing your bishop to develop; 9.Re1, centralizing your rook and supporting your knight; and 9.Ng3, kicking Black's bishop and moving your knight to a safe square. Instead you played 9.g4, weakening your king's position and forcing the Black bishop to a place where it attacks your knight.
  2. Huge error: You're still doing OK as of 13...hxg6, but your h3-pawn is under attack. (Note that this wouldn't have been an issue if you hadn't played 9.g4.) The simplest defense is 14.Qf3 but 14.Kg2 is possible too. Instead you let Black's rook capture on h3 and now your king is under severe attack.
  
  You could have defended against the ensuing attack better, but I'm not going to bother with that because the way to win games like these is to not even let it get to that point.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Yea... 9. g4  was such a bad move.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2014-04-09. Score: 1
  
  Three (bad) things happened:
  
  1. You weakened your kingside by playing `g4`.
  2. Black castled O-O-O, to take advantage of number 1, while protecting his king behind the phalanx of (doubled) pawns.
  3. The worst thing that happened was that `13. Nxg6 hxg6` opened up the h file for Black in front of a rook that had not moved. You should have moved the N back to `f3` to keep a defender in place, and to keep the h file closed. On move 14, your best chance was the defensive `Qf3`, rather than the developing `d4`. You had a won game up to move 13, and a questionable game after `14...Rxh3` (Black could have played differently than he did and gotten a perpetual check to compensate for his piece down.)
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_7**: If he plays Nf3, Black has 13...h5!? Plus the bishop on g6 is too strong. 13. Nxg6 is correct. 14. Qf3 or 14. Kg2 was required.  
  > **username_6**: @Wes: If Black plays 13...h5!?, I play 14. Nh2, supporting the pawn on g4, and eventually the pawn on f3. These two pawns dampen the B on g6. But White could have saved himself on move 14 with Qf3 or Kg2.  
  > **username_7**: After Nh2, hxg4 opens the h-file anyway. So Nf3 doesn't really stop black from opening the h-file. Better to play Nxg6 and get rid of that strong bishop. Also, note that after hxg4 you can't play hxg4, because of Qxh2+!  
  > **username_6**: @Wes: If Black plays hxg4, I play Qxg4 CHECK and bring my queen to the defense.  
  > **username_7**: structurally, its worse for White because of the isolated pawns  
  > **username_6**: @Wes: If Black plays hxg4, I play Qxg4 CHECK and capture the forked bishop.  
  > **username_7**: f5 protects the bishop!  
  > **username_6**: @Wes: The bishop can interpose on f5, but where's the guard? It's not the h pawn, because it captured on g4, rather than g6. Black's queen is on a black square (no diagonal guard), and on d6, not d5 (no horizontal guard). No vertical guard on the f file, either.  
  > **username_7**: I mean pawn to f5, of course. The queen on d6 then supports the bishop on g6.  
  
  ---
  
  