One of the perks of reputation when playing games with the same group is sometimes you can lean on it! If you can bait someone into a bad attack and fuck them up for it, you can use that for a good long while :)

Lose pawn

It's a gambit

Lose piece

It's a bold sacrifice

Lose game

Well shit

I've won via opponent forfeit just from having a good poker face. Not good at talking shit, but I can keep a straighter face than George Washington's painting.

Confidence can win when skill fails. (note: this requires your opponent to have less confidence, your experience may vary wildly)

in one game, i have managed to terrify my opponent, making them think i have a master plan, while i moved pieces randomly since i had no idea what to do