Round 6: Primates 3.5 -- Tomato Paste 0.5

The Primates finished up in fine style, winning 3 and drawing one. I took the week off to go travel out of town for Thanksgiving weekend, and Tom stepped up to board 1 for the first time, drawing SonofFlash; while Don, Kristian and Trond all won their games. Well done, Gents.

So we finish up second in the Magnolia Division, but still played pretty solidly throughout. I am planning already for tournament 40, which starts in January. Watch for the Primates!

On one final note: We never did hear back on the protest. Or perhaps in fact we have. Hmmmm.

Also....For an early Christmas present, I picked up Garry Kasparov's "Kasparov v Karpov 1975 - 1985". I am not much for chess books, but I have always considered that rivalry as big as any in sport (if you consider chess a sport, but that is another discussion). I have to say "Kasparov v Karpov 1975 - 1985" is amazing. Wow. No punches pulled and the way he describes not only the variations but the emotions too are top-notch. My goal is to go through this book in the next couple of weeks.

Round 5: Primates v Runners

Here is the belated lineup:
Chiiwen (2069) White -- Campagnolo (2035) Black: Sunday, 23 Nov @ 2100
Martineden (2035) -- Nosalt (1994) 0-1
KarloTurk (1994) -- livis (1944) 1/2 -1/2
chess9397 (1845) -- dnmuscg (1930) 1-0

Please note that chess9397-dnmuscg game is under protest. More to follow after the final game on sunday and result of the protest is determined.

Round 4: Primates 2 -- LeChess Maestros 2

What a weird round this was. In the first game, Tom played an amazing game against Fegary... and drew! Both players were at their best, and the end result was one of the best games I have seen in this league. Then it was my turn and I played Chessduke (I had Black). We went into a rather innocuous line, where I have not lost in tournament play. I knew the entire line all the way to move 16, where Chessduke offered a draw. I accepted. You could call it my "Grandmaster Draw"; I think I have 2 of those in this tournament.

Then bizarro things started to happen. Nosferatu1 showed up an hour late for his game -- and forfeited. Then the very next day, Don's opponent also was a no-show and forfeited. End result: match tied 2-2. Looking back at the match -- 2 draws and 2 forfeits.

Round 5 (the next round) against the Runners arguably is going to the critical round. We are tied with LeChess Maestros and the Runners in match points, but behind a half point in total games won to the Maestros and ahead a half a point in total games won to the Runners. This is a very competitive division and every game now counts -- no grandmaster draws!

One final note: I have noticed an amazing amount of forfeits in tournament #39. Not sure what the cure for that problem is, but I would be interested in seeing some statistics on it.

Round 3: Runners 3 -- Primates 1

It was bound to happen. After 10 rounds of being undefeated, we finally succumbed to the inevitable and lost a round. I knew we were in for a tough fight when Tom, cruising in a superior position, overlooked a pin and hung a rook. Then Kristian fought hard, but went down swinging in a Rook and Pawn endgame. I was the third game to play, and at this point I had to win even to give us a chance to split the match. But it was not to be, as my erstwhile opponent deftly played the Black side of a Maroczy Bind and I could not make a dent into his defensive formation and we drew. As it turned out Trond also drew the final game, and we were left on the short side of a 3-1 decision.

Round 4: Primates v LeChess Maestros
Now we face arguably our biggest match in this tournament as we face LeChess Maestros for the second time, with whom we are tied with 2 of 3 match points but trail them by 1 game point.

Here is the line up:
Chessduke (2108) White -- Campagnolo (2035) Black : Time TBD
Fegary (2038) Black -- Nosalt (1994) White: Friday, Nov 14 @ 09:15
Smitty120 (1936) White -- Dnmuscg (1930) Black: Monday, Nov 17 @ 15:00
Chessateer (1833) Black -- Nosferatu1 (1876) White: Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00

Chessduke and I are still trying to work out the times as he resides in India with a 10.5 hour time difference.

Round 3: Primates v Runners

Here are the Round 3 pairings. Don is taking the week off and Trond is filling in. I think we match up pretty well on paper, let's see how it goes over the board (as it were).

Campagnolo (2035) White - Chiiwen (2069) Black: Sat 8 Nov @ 2100
Nosalt (1994) Black - Martineden (2035) White: Sat 8 Nov @ 1000
Livis (1944) White - KarloTurk (1994) Black: Fri 7 Nov @ 1500
Holm (1899) Black - Chess9793 (1781) White: Tues 11 Nov @ 1230

All times are Eastern Standard Time. Once Tom & Trond get their times posted, I will update.

Primates 3 - LeChess Maestros 1

Despite Tom posting a early loss, we reeled off 2 wins plus Don's opponent forfeiting, giving us the match 3-1. Of note, Don is now 7-0-0 (1 forfeit included). Pretty incredible. My match was the last one to be played, while we were up 2-1, so the least we could do was tie the match. But here I was, tell me what you would do here. Would you sac? Would you risk it all?

Well, not yet.

11.Bf4 Qd8 (pretty much forced)

But after this I decided to go for it:

12.Nxf7!? Rxf7

- 12...Kxf7 13.Rxe6 Ke8 14.Qd2 b4 15.Rxe7+ Qxe7 (15...Kxe7 16.Qe3+ Kd7 17.Qe6#) 16.Re1

13.Bxe6 b4 14.Ne2 Bd5 15.Bxf7+ Bxf7 16.Qd3 Bd6 17.c4 Bxf4 18.Nxf4 Qd6

19.Ne2 Nc6 20.b3

- 20.Rad1 Bg6 21.Qg3 Re8 22.Qxd6=

20...Bg6 21.Qg3 Qxg3

- 21...Nxd4 22.Nxd4 Qxd4 23.Qxc7 Ng4 24.Qg3 Rf8 25.Rad1 Qxf2+ 26.Qxf2 Nxf2 27.Rd6 a5 28.Rd5 Ne4 29.Rxa5+/=

22.hxg3 Re8 23.d5 Ne5 24.Nf4 Bf7 25.Rad1 g5 26.Ne6 Bxe6 27.Rxe5

- 27.dxe6! Might be better but he doesn't have to take

27...Bg4 28.Rxg5+ Kf7 29.f3 Bh5

- 29...h6! 30.Rxg4 Nxg4 31.fxg4 Re2 32.Rf1+ Kg6 33.Rf2 is a pretty tough win for me

Now this is a matter of technique: 30.d6 cxd6 31.Rxd6 Re6 32.Rxe6 Kxe6 33.Ra5 Bg6 34.Rxa6+ Ke7 35.Rb6 Bb1 36.Rxb4 Bxa2 37.Kf2 Nd7 38.Rb5 Kd6 39.Ke3 Nc5 40.b4 Nd7 41.Kd4 Bb1 42.Rd5+ Ke6 43.c5 Bc2 44.Rd6+ Ke7 45.b5 Ba4 46.b6 Nb8 47.Rh6 Black resigns 1-0

Round 2: Primates v LeChess Maestros

Sorry to be late on the posting for Round 2:
Here is the line up
Campagnolo (2035) White - Chessduke (2108) Black: Time Still TBD
Nosalt - Fegary 0-1
Livis (1944) White - Smitty120 (1936) Black: Friday, Oct 31 @ 1600
Dnmuscg - Chessateer 1-0 (forfeit)

Primates 3.5 – Tomato Paste 0.5

Round 1 went well, with Tom, Don & Kristian all triumphiant while I drew on board 1 in an interesting endgame. I frankly was pretty closed to being busted, in a game that my only hopes lay in pushing for a Rook and Pawn endgame – which in fact happened.

Here is what happened next:

I have managed to force myself back into the game and now am up a rook for 2 pawns. White offered a draw and I accepted, not being sure if in fact I could stop that h pawn, especially with my king so far out of play.

Here is some analysis, which confirms my suspicions

56...Rf5 57.Kh6
This is pretty much forced (and what I expected to play). All other moves lose

- 57.h6 Rg5 58.b5 Rxg3 59.b6 Rg6 (59...f5?? throws the game away 60.b7 Rb3 61.Kg6 f4 62.h7 Rb6+ 63.Kf5 f3) 60.b7 Rb6 61.Kg7 Rxb7 62.Kf6 Rb6+ 63.Kxf7 Rxh6

57...f6
- 57...Rb5 (This doesn't work) 58.g4 Rxb4 59.Kg7 (59.g5 Rg4 60.g6 f5 61.Kg7 f4 62.h6 f3 63.h7 f2 64.h8Q f1Q 65.Qh5 Qe2–+) 59...Rxg4+ 60.Kxf7 Rh4 61.Kg6 Rg4+ 62.Kf7 Rh4 63.Kg6 Ke2 64.h6 Kf3 65.h7=]

58.Kg6 Rg5+ 59.Kxf6 Rxh5
- 59...Rxg3 (This doesn't work either) 60.h6 Rh3 61.Kg7 Rg3+ 62.Kf7 Rh3=

60.g4 Rb5 61.g5 Rxb4 62.g6 Rb6+ 63.Kf7 Ke2 64.g7 Rb8= ½–½

Round 1: Primates take on Tomato Paste

Here is the line up for Round 1:

SonofFlash (2200) White – Campagnolo (2035) Black: Friday, 24 Oct @ 2000
DFME (2000) Black – Nosalt (1994) White: 0-1
MrKarma (1651) White – livis (1944) Black: Friday, 24 Oct @ 1700
Cory (1521) Black – dnmuscg (1930) White: Friday, 24 Oct @ 1945

Tomato looks tough on the upper boards, but Tom posted an early, impressive win yesterday – a great start to our season. The rest of our games will be going on this evening, conceivably all three could be going on at the same time if Kristian’s game goes long.

Also, Kudos to Mutaant, the Magnolia Division TD, who promptly fixed a glitch in Tom’s game score. Thanks!

Of note, I did sign up to play for the Peons U2200, so I have that game at 0500 Sunday morning!!! Yikes, but the family plans on going to Busch Gardens after Church, so I have to wedge the game somehow. I guess I will sleep while the wife drives.

I’ll post the results probably Saturday.

Return of the Primates!!!

Tournament #39 has begun. We have assembled the “Primates of the Caribbean” together once again, with all five players returning and the addition of Kristian (aka “Livis”). Trond wanted to stay on the team, but because of work commitments, wanted to play more in a reserve role vice playing every week. All in all, I think the team has good chemistry (if there can be such a thing as chemistry when the team play is all online), especially given that Don, Tom and I play on the same team at US Amateur Team East every year and have known each other for years and years. I also was asked to play as a sub for the U2200 division team “The Peons”, so hopefully I will get some more good games in. I am slated to play 2 games with them, which I think I can handle without too much difficulty.

Getting back to the ICC Team 45 45 Tournament #39, we are seeded in the U2000 Magnolia Division with the following teams: “Tomato Paste”, “Runners U2000” and “LeChess Maestros”. First round kicks off next Tues, October 21st. Once the lineup and game times are announced, I will post them.

Playoff Round 1: Primates 2 - The Peons 2

Well, I have to say I am a bit disappointed -- not sure why exactly. We drew the match with the Peons 2-2, but lost out on tiebreaks, which ironically was the number forfeited games you had. We had 2, Peons had 1 -- so they advance. I am kinda scratching my head here: we didn't lose a single match all season and had the best record, and yet here we are spectators -- without losing a match.

And I feel guilty. Here is why:
1. I play my match against Nfork, who has me outrated by 200+ points. But I have white, so can dictate the position. We go into the famous IQP position played a billion times before that have arisen from Queen's Gambits, Nimzoindians and Caro-Kanns. It turns in to a very interesting R & opposite colored bishop ending, which we draw. But the thing is, in looking back over the game, I think I should have pushed for the win, which would have clinched the match. It was probably a draw, but then again perhaps not. OBTW, I will post it (I know, I have at least 3 games I need to post).
2. So we are up 2 - 1 with 1 game to go: Holm's game. I leave him a message that all we need is a draw. He ends up losing (and to add insult to injury it is the Game of the Week -- which I do not think it was. Don had a pretty ending that I think merited the honors). Did I influence Holm, which cost him the game?

Oh well, our entire team is coming back for T39. We should be tough!!!!!

Round 6: Primates 2.5 - Knightmares 1.5

We finished the season is good shape, beating the Knightmares 2.5 - 1.5, which was not as close as the score would indicate (no offense intended to our opponents). Nosalt took the week off to play in a REAL chess tournament (gasp!), but dnmuscg & I both posted early wins, the Holm clinched the victory with a draw v his opponent, who was 100 points above him. So the match was already won before the last game was to be played, which was fortunate as Nosferatu1 got his dates mixed up and missed this game.

So, we finish up with the best match record 5.5 out of 6, best in the U2000 division. We also had the best game points with 16.5 out of maximum total of 24. We lost a total of 3 games for the entire season (not including my forfeit or Nosferatu1's). Pretty impressive. Dnmusg went 4-0, Holm went 4.5 of 5, and Nosferatu1 had 2 wins and 2 draws. There is no doubt that our middle/lower boards did the heavy lifting and is the strength of the team.

Next stop -- Playoffs as the #1 seed!

Round 5: Primates of the Caribbean 3.5 -- Team Voja 0.5

Well, we clinched the U2000 Maple Division with a round to go with a well played round across all four boards, with only Tom giving up a draw after winning a pawn on move 7. With Don taking the week off, we were matched up rating-wise pretty closely with Team Voja and the final score doesn't indicate how close some of the games were. On a personal note, I finally won a game, defeating Cappelo-upgrate in a variation that I actually had studied quite a bit and played a similar game back in December 2007 -- unluckily for Cappelo, who probably was wondering what hit him. As it is my first win in 5 rounds, I will definitely publish it (I still owe the game from round 4).

We go into Round 6 with Tom taking the week off as he is playing in a 3 day tournament this weekend. And the first result is already in, with Don winning (again! I think he is 4-0-0). Here is the lineup. Once I get Nosferaut1's scheduled game time, I'll post that:

Campagnolo (2043) White - Kinghunter08 (2172) Black: Monday Sep 1 @ 1900

Holm (1900) Black - DFME (2000) White: Monday Sep @ 1500

dnmuscg (1891) 1 - Ehab (1837) 0

Nosferatu1 (1835) Black - Ernie1 (1669) White: TBD

Round 4 results: We draw v Fischer Disciples

Well, after Don blazed a beautiful trail, upsetting his opponent ranked 150 higher than him (with Black no less), Tom & I both stumbled to different degrees then it was up to Nosferatu1 to save our bacon (which he did) and the match with a well earned draw. Tom had white and the Yugoslav attack v the Dragon, went up the exchange but gave back the exchange to what I thought was a fairly even R+P ending. But alas for Tom, he could not hold it. But this accounts for only his first loss in the tournament. As for me, it was an interesting and instructive game full of errors, a reversed Maroczy Bind (if there is such an animal, but that it is how I played it). I had the game won at least twice, so did Ser-Enigma, my opponent. In the end, we split the point. I'll post the game, once I get some more of my thoughts down on it.

I also nominated Don's game for "Game of the Week", but to be fair this week's entries all were pretty good games, so he is in my opinion a long shot to win this week's award.

BREAK BREAK

Round 5 Pirates of the Caribbean v Voja 2000

Here is the lineup (Don has the week off)

Cappelo-upgrate (2164) White - Campagnolo (2043) Black @ Aug 22, 17:00

Proudchess (1880) Black - Nosalt (1999) White @ Aug 23, 13:00

Alo (1839) White - Holm (Black) 1900 @Aug 27, 15:00

Touchthis (1819) Black - Nosferatu1 (1835) White @ Aug 24, 12:00

Overalll, we still remain in 1st place in the Maple Division with 2 rounds left. Everyone (with the exception of me! Argh! Double Argh!!) is playing really well, and I still contend we are going to be tough to beat.

Round 4: Primates v Fischer Disciples

We square off against the Fischer Disciples. Trond has the week off.

(W) Ser-Enigma (2119) - (B) Campagnolo (2043): Friday August 15 @ 1500
(B) JoshRom (2047) - (W) Nosalt (1900): Friday August 15 @ 1400
(W) mcplayerus (2022) - (B) Dnmuscg (1891): 0-1
(B) charles-allen (1802) - (W) Nosferatu1 (1837): Tuesday August 19 @ 1700

Once again, Don captures the early win (and upset!!), with a beautiful Queen Indian Defense. He played beautiful positional chess, negating mcplayerus' initiative then just turning the screws on on the kingside. I don't understand the QID, but I could still appreciate his game. No fiery tactics or pieces en prise all over the board, just really simple chess. A definite Game of the Week candidate.

Primates 3 - Voja 0

Well, Primates of the Caribbean triumph again, with Don, Tom & Trond all continuing their amazing winning ways (all three are undefeated & "undrawn"), while I find a new way to lose (more on that in a minute). In this round, we squared off against the returning U2000 champions, although to be fair I do not know how many of last tournament's winning team had returned. Luckily for us, we fielded off strongest team rating-wise (Nosferatu1 took the week off). We won on boards 2, 3 and 4, while Cappelo-upgrate and I were double-forfeited. Argh.

First off, this is MY FAULT. Cappelo has every right to be upset to have been forfeited (if he is, I am sorry). Here are the circumstances -- in the hope that this saves someone from this situation. As this is my first full tournament, my fourth game ever in the league and my first time as Captain, every week I am learning something.

OK, down to it. Cappelo offered 3 options to play, and I picked on for Monday @ 7:00. Now he wrote 7:00 ICC Server Time (correctly I might add), and I for reasons unknown my brain read that as 7:00 PM NOT AM as he had written. But then in a following post I tried to confirm a 1900 start time. From there, things kinda spiraled downward as I was on travel. He tried to contact me to reschedule, and by the time I read his later posts trying to correct the situation, he had offered Monday afternoon --which then I accepted (but as it turned out not outside the 24 hour window, which is requirement). Therefore, he did not have enough time to accept. So we were both forfeited, a ruling that I think is more than fair on my part but perhaps a bit harsh on him. I am actually considering contacting the TD and appealing Cappelo's forfeit. It seems only fair (tho' I am not sure how to do it yet).

The take aways for everone else:
1. Make sure you use a 24 hour clock to offer times. For example, 0700 for 7:00 AM and 1900 for 7:00 PM. Also all times are in ICC Server Time (aka, Eastern Daylight Time).
2. Give your opponent more that 24 hours lead time.

OK BREAK BREAK

We have faced all three teams in our division and come away with 3 victories. I am not sure we can continue this incredible form, but as long as Tom, Don & Trond keep playing the way they are playing, we are going to be very tough to beat. I am just hoping I can finally step up to the plate and deliver. We are now going to face the same 3 teams again, akin to a "home and away" format. I do believe we have a legitimate shot to make the playoffs.

My Round 1 game

(1411) Tadiran (2090) - Campagnolo (2028) [C58]ICC 45 45 Internet Chess Club, 28.07.2008
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Qf3 This is a tricky line to meet - if there is in fact a refutation to the 2 Knights Defense, it might be hidden somewhere in here. Black has to tread very carefully in order to avoid many pitfalls 8...h6 9.Ne4 Nd5 10.Ba4!? [10.Nbc3! This is what I expected -- and thought was the best move. But in hindsight Ba4 is OK too.] 10...Be7 11.d3 [11.0-0 0-0 12.d3 f5 13.Nec3 ] 11...0-0 12.0-0 f5 13.Nec3 Be6 Better is Bb7 striking along the h1-a8 diagonal. [>=13...Bb7 14.a3 (14.Re1 Nb6 15.Qg3 f4 16.Qg4 Nxa4 17.Nxa4 c5 18.Rxe5 Nc6 19.Re1 Nd4 ) 14...c5 15.Qh5 Nb6 16.Bxh6 Nxa4 17.Qg6 Rf7 18.Nxa4 f4 19.Re1 Qd7 20.Nbc3 Qc6 21.Qxc6 Nxc6 22.Bxf4 exf4 23.Ne4 Nd4 24.Rac1 f3 25.Kf1 fxg2+ 26.Kxg2 Raf8 27.Rf1 Bc6 28.Nac3 Bg5 29.Rb1 Nxc2 30.Kg1 Be7 31.Ne2 c4 32.N2g3 cxd3 33.Rbd1 Rd8 34.Rd2 Nd4 35.f4 Ne2+ 36.Nxe2 Bxe4 0-1 Van Weersel,A-Solleveld,M/Vlissingen 2003/CBM 095 ext] 14.Re1 Qc7 15.Nxd5 Bxd5?! Keeping the pawns together is stronger. The Bishop is vulnerable once the knight comes to c3 [>=15...cxd5 16.Qg3 f4 17.Qf3 Rad8© ] 16.Qh5 Rf6 17.Bd2 Bd6 18.Bc3 Kh7 19.Nd2 Rg6 20.g3 Rf8 21.b4 Nb7 22.Bb3 Nd8 23.Qe2 [23.Nc4 e4 24.Nxd6 Qxd6 25.Rad1 Rg5 26.Qe2 f4 ] 23...Nf7 24.Rab1 [24.Nc4 Ng5 ] 24...f4 25.Ne4 fxg3 26.fxg3 Bxe4 [26...Ng5! 27.Rf1 (27.Kg2 Qc8 28.Rf1 Rxf1 29.Rxf1 ) 27...Nxe4 28.dxe4 Bxb3 29.Rxb3 (29.axb3 ) 29...Rxf1+ 30.Kxf1 Rf6+ 31.Kg2 Qf7+/- ] 27.dxe4 Ng5 28.Rf1 Rgf6 29.Rxf6 Rxf6 30.Rf1 Qe7 31.Rxf6 Qxf6 32.Kg2 Qg6 33.Bc4 Qf6 [33...Kh8 34.Bd3 Ne6 35.Qf2 Nf4+ 36.Kf1 ] 34.Qg4 Bc7 35.Qf5+ Qxf5 36.exf5 Ne4 37.Be1 Nd6 38.Be6 Nb5 39.c3 a5 40.a4 Nd6 41.Bd7 Kg8 42.Bxc6 Nxf5 43.b5 Kf8 44.Bf2 Ke7 45.Kf3 Kd6 46.Bb7 Kd7 47.b6 Bd8 48.Bd5 Ne7 49.b7 Bc7 50.c4 Nc6 51.Bc5 Nb8 52.Kg4 [52.Bf8 ] 52...Ke8 53.Kf5 Na6 54.Bc6+ Kf7 55.Be3 Nb4 56.Be4 g6+ 57.Kg4 h5+ 58.Kf3 Kf6 59.Bb6 Black resigns 1-0

Round 2: Primates of the Caribbean 2.5 - Fischer Disciples 1.5

Well, after I lost to even the match -- Holm pulls off the second upset (Dnmuscg pulled off the first one), and we triumphed again! Unbelieveable. I have to thank my three teammates (Holm, Dnmuscg, Nosferatu1) for scoring points (Tom did take the week off) to pull the victory out of the clutches of defeat.

We finish playing our division opponents in round 3 when we square off U2000 defending champions "Team Voja 2000"; the good news is that for the first time we will field our strongest
lineup, just in time if you ask me.

As for me, bleah - ugly game. Not worth publishing, but I will.

- Bob

Round 1 Results: Primates 3 - Knightmares 1

Well, we have successfully concluded the first round versus the Knightmares and Nosalt (aka Tom), Holm & Nosferatu1 were all victorious -- and with me not so victorious v Tadiran. But, we won 3-1 and now face the Fischer Disciples in Round 2, in which Tom is taking the week off and Don is stepping up to the plate. In fact, Don played yesterday and won versus an opponent 100 points higher than him. A great start. Nice job, Don!

Here is the lineup for Round 2:
(W) Campagnolo (2043) - (B) Ser-Enigma (2119) Monday, 4 Aug @ 1400 EDT
(B) Holm (1900) - (W) JoshRom (2047) Time TBD
(W) Dnmuscg (1891) - (B) Mcplayerus (2022) 1-0
(B) Nosferatu1 (1837) - charles-allen (1820) Thursday, 31 Jul @ 1830 EDT

I have my game v Tadiran ready to post, so it should be up shortly.

Round 1 pairings have been posted

So round 1 pairings have been posted (here they are):

Knightmares v Primates of the Caribbean (U2000 Maple Division)

(W) Tadiran (2050) - (B) Campagnolo (2043) – Monday 28 July @ 2130 EDT
(B) DFME (2000) - (W) Nosalt (1999) – Tuesday 29 July @ 1100 EDT
(W) Ehab (1837) - (B) Holm (1900) – Saturday 26 July @ 0800 EDT
(B) KingofKnights (1804) - (W) Nosferatu1 (1837) Monday 28 July @ 1730 EDT

Don is sitting out this week as he has relatives a' plenty visiting.

On paper we look good and match up rating-wise very closely with the Knightmares.
Of note this will be the first time that Tom will be playing in the 45 45 league and only my second game in 45 45 as well. Don, Tom and I have played together at the US Amateur East tournaments for several years and we collectively decided to try and wean ourselves off of blitz as much as possible (blitz is an additive habit and frankly really provides only limited benefit to your tournament game – at least that is my opinion). So, I am going to use this as a opportunity to prepare as much as possible, given the limited time I have with a job and 2 very energetic young sons!

As a side note, I am still waiting for the ICC correspondence tournaments to start up again. I enjoy them immensely (they seem to synch up nicely with my penchant to do deep analysis) and use them to experiment and learn with new openings. Some of my experiments have not gone well, others I truly learned a great deal. If ICC does not deliver on the correspondence, I’ll look for another avenue (suggestions anyone?).

First Round of the 45 45 T38 Tournament

Here it is. First round of ICC's 45 45 T38 tournament. I did in fact put together get a team of five players together to play in the U2000 section (which were my goals both in terms of having one extra player and being competitive in the under 2000 division). Our team name is "Primates of the Caribbean" and consists of myself, Don and Tom, plus "Holm" and "Nosferatu1" - neither of whom I know personally, but hope to as the tournament progresses.

Now I need to put my money where my mouth is, as I convinced both Tom & Don that we all needed to play more slow chess and less speed chess, as it would (hopefully) be more beneficial. This will be brand new to Don and Tom (neither have played in the 45 45 tournaments before, and I have only played 1 game in the last tournament).

So step one is to put the lineup before Tuesday and then we shall see how things go.

If all goes well, I plan to post the team's results, my game and some analysis.

- Bob

My experience from the Empire State Open

“Well, here is another fine mess you have gotten us into.” I am not sure who said it, but it was ringing in my ears as I walked into the Saratoga Hotel in late December to play in the Empire State Open 28 – 30 December. Why, do you ask? Well, a little explanation is required. First, I am on Christmas leave (otherwise known as a holiday or vacation, dependent on your vocation or locale), and I have come up with my 2 sons to visit the grandparents up in Saratoga Springs, New York. My wife is staying back in Virginia Beach working stupid crazy hours in the mall and we agreed that taking Patrick (9) and Kevin (3) to the snow‑clad environment of upstate New York would be more a joyous Christmas than the stress filled one in snow-deprived Virginia Beach. So, my folks have agreed to let me play in this tournament, which is a mile from the house, but I do not wish to abuse this offer by playing all three days – so I am taking 2 byes (in a six round tournament) in the vain attempt to balance family and chess. Hah! Also, I am playing in the U1900 section, also in the vain attempt to at least get some of my entry back in winnings.
The Empire State Open has two entry options: the 3 day or 2 day. The 3 day is the leisurely one I opt for – 2 rounds per day, all six rounds at 40 moves in 2 hours, with sudden death in 1 hour. The 2 day has the first three rounds in game in 1 hour, then the last three in the 40/2 & SD/1 format. Bleah – who wants to cram that much mind-bending chess in a day. So, the first day only has about half the entrants. OK by me as it is pretty quiet and the playing area has plenty of room, just the way I like it.

Round 1. I am playing Walter Chesnut from Vermont, rated 1619. Walter had a great tournament, finishing up with 3.5 points and gaining 36 points. He has white and we enter a Benko Gambit. He plays really well; I try and complicate the position and he quickly goes astray. Here is the position from 14th move, where he pushes 14. e5 – always a Benko player’s major worry. When White can successfully push e5, Black is usually (although not always) close to being busted. Here I thought I had it pretty well covered. See what you think.

Chesnut,Walter (1619) - Collins,Robert (1857)

Round 1: Empire State Open, 28.12.2007

14.e5!? Always a threat against the Benko, but I felt I had this covered.
14...dxe5
15.Nxe5 Nxe5
16.Rxe5 Qd6

Ng4 with Qh2+/h1+ is a definite threat

17.Bf4??

17.Nb5?? Qxe5; 17.Qe2?! Is what I expected 17...Ng4 18.hxg4
- 18.Rxe7 Qh2+ 19.Kf1 Qh1# Is the threat!!;
- 18.Ne4; 18.Nb5 Qxe5 19.Qxe5 Nxe5
18...Bxe5 19.Qe4 Rb7-+;

17.Qe3?! Ng4 18.hxg4 Bxe5; >=

Best is 17.Re1 e6 18.Rd1 exd5 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Qxd5 Qxd5 21.Rxd5 Bxb2 (21...c4 22.Rc5=) 22.Bxb2 Rxb2 23.Rxc5 Rbxa2 24.Rxa2 Rxa2= completely dead even

17...Nh5

18.Rxh5!?

Yowser! I never even considered this.
But fortunately, there is a reason why I never gave it much thought --> it is bad

18...Qxf4
19.Ne2 [19.g3 Qb4 20.Rh4 Qxb2 21.Rb1 Qxc3 22.Rxb8+ Rxb8 23.Qxc3 Bxc3]

19...Qf6 0-1


Round 2. I take the bye. Have dinner with my parents and the kids. Drink a beer (OK maybe two). Easy round for me.

More to follow in the next installment....