Possible Missed win with a Brilliancy

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Jaybird127

Yesterday, I picked up 33elo in a USCF rated tournament. I could only play 2 of my 3 games but it’s a decision in game 2 that I’d like to get some feedback about.

 

This is the position where I decided as black to go for the draw against my opponent who was 333elo higher.

 

Black to move

 

The game continued

18…Nxg5 19.h4 

 

It is here that I had to summon the courage and decide. So I decided 

 

19…Qf4 which Stockfish said is BRILLIANT!!

 

 

When I sacrificed the Knight he stood up in disbelief. I think he was wondering if it was a blunder or a trick. If he didn’t capture I had already decided that I was going to play for the win. But he captured 20. hxg5 Qxg5+ and I announced a draw by repetition after taking the pawn (I misnamed it; it was actually a perpetual check).

 

He reluctantly played 21. Kh1 where I demonstrated Qh4+ leading to the repetition.

 

Onlookers were aghast and said that I gave up a winning position. My Stockfish analysis put the winning position as deep as 26 moves away with plenty of opportunity for a black error and /or white counter play, swinging the evaluation bar.

 

What do you guys think?💭 

Jaybird127

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