Mating Patterns

Over the past decade I have played 1...Nc6 over 2000 times, trying almost everything typcial set-up for Black. My second move is usually some push of my e-pawn or d-pawn. You never know what kind of game will result.

One good this is that White rarely spends time preparing for 1...Nc6; Black is comfortable playing familiar lines. I like to head toward patterns that make sense to me and watch for combinations. In this game the center becomes closed. Black gets to finish with a nice mating pattern.