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
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
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.
(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.
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.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
