Let's start our journey through Leon's games with the following game played back in his junior days - at the Budapest Spring Open in the pre-pandemic times in 2017. His opponent was a well-known and also very talented Turkish Grandmaster Sanal Vahap. We join the action on the move 15. We can see that White has just moved the knight to d4 and attacked Leon's queen - but also the knight on c6. There is a move that is begging to be played - but can you follow it up in the best manner?15....Qxg2+Boom! This is not only very pretty - but also reasonably necessary, as otherwise, Black would simply lose material. With this queen's sacrifice, Leon draws the king to a square where a discovered check will be delivered. Black will gain two pieces for the queen - and White's king will be permanently exposed. And even though this is not yet sufficient for an advantage - suddenly White has to start defending very carefully.16.Kxg2Nxd4+This discovered check was, of course, the point of the combination. Also note that there are some potential discoveries on the queen on d1 because the rook is on d8.17.Kh3...The only move!17.f3Nxf3And Black wins material due to the discoveries and pins!17.Kg1Nf3+Is even worse as the queen on d1 will be lost.17....Nf3A very nice quiet move, uncovering the attack on the queen and placing the knight on a good square. Black starts to slowly circle the White king.18.Qc2h5Another very strong move, greatly reducing the effect of the g4 pawn push.18...a619.g4If White were allowed to play g4 in peace, he would be winning as the square on g3 would be available for the king.19.Qb2+f620.g4?...Under pressure, the Turkish Grandmaster blunders. Now this advance of the g-pawn is totally faulty as it allows Black to weave a mating net!20.Rc7There were many good moves for White, but probably the simplest was this rook move, seizing the 7th rank. White arguably didn't want to allow the draw afterNg5+21.Kh4Nf3+but now he goes from bad to worse and quickly goes on to lose!20....h4This is a cold shower. Black prevents the king from reaching the safe g3 square and now Ng5 and Rh8 is a massive threat.21.e4...White tries to open the 3rd rank and some squares, but it is not sufficient!21.a3Just to illustrate a threat - Black was actually threatening mate in four.Ng5+22.Kxh4Rh8+23.Kg3Rh3+24.Kf4Rf3#21.Kg2Going back with the king doesn't help as here Black has another powerful strikeRd2Not only attacking the queen - but also preventing the f-pawn from moving later.22.Qc3Ng5+And White has to lose a lot of material, e.g.23.e4Bxe4+24.Kg1Rd325.Qxd3Bxd3When the endgame should be easily winning for Black.21.g5Also doesn't help as afterNxg5+22.Kg4Bf3+23.Kf4The king is in too much peril and many moves win, the cleanest beingRd5With the deadly threat of e5 mate.21....Bxe422.g5Nxg5+23.Kg4...23.Kxh4Rh8+24.Kg4Rh3Is no better - the White king is in the mating net.23....Rd3Now many moves wins as the king is too exposed on g4, but Leon finds a very nice finish!24.f3Bf5+25.Kxh4Ne4Rh8 is unavoidable so White resigned! A brilliant attacking game that demonstrates Leon's creativity and calculating capability - as well as willingness to take risks.0-1