Round 3 Round up & looking forward to Round 4

Lower Primates top of the division after 3 rounds. Primates in 3rd.

We knew the games were going to be tough in the U2200 section. What we really did not take into account is the fact that we would be soooooo underrated (or maybe the better term is “overmatched”). For example, Tom on Board 3 plays a FIDE Master. Wow – Board 3! I guess we should be happy to get such tough and ultimately enriching games, but hot diggity. But kudos to the Lower Primates, especially, Curt and The Other Bob (who tongue in cheek calls himself “TOB”) have pulled out some fantastic results and ensured that the Lower Primates are undefeated and top of the table halfway through the competition. And after 3 rounds neither team has had a forfeit. I am justifiably proud of the guys for making sure that they schedule their games on time and show up to play. I have to do very little to remind them, everybody takes care of it on their own. Thanks, guys!

As a side note, Tom, Don & I ventured into northern New Jersey this past weekend for 3 days of the US Amateur Team East, one of our collective chess highlights of the year. Overall we did well, finishing with 4 points out of a possible 6, but lost out Top Military honors to our rivals “Ernest Goes to Parsippany” on tiebreaks (our team name of course was “Primates of the Caribbean”). The best game award goes to Don, who played a very impressive game against an Expert, sacrificing 2 pawns in rapid succession for the initiative, then sacrificing/trading his rooks for his opponent’s queen. He orchestrated his queen and 2 connected passed pawns against the 2 rooks and converted the full point. Also, kudos to Steven Rollins, who played on Board 4, scoring 4.5 points of 6 despite his claims of rustiness.

OK, here are the lineups for Round 4

First, Justin still has a Round 3 game versus the Massachusetts State Champion & 2400 USCF rated Senior Master Denys Shmelov on Sunday.
TheChessKid (2137) v Easycure (2332): Sunday, Feb 22 @ 1200

Primates of the Caribbean v Les Goolie Crushers
TheChessKid (2137) v Pandorasbox (2309): TBD
Campagnolo (2097) v onslaught (2246): TBD
Dnmuscg (2002) v izit (2184): TBD
Holm (1998) v Jonesey (2060): Sunday, Feb 22 @ 0400

Lower Primates v Mistaken Identity
Campagnolo (2097) v Folgers (2115): Friday, Feb 20 @ 2100
Nosalt (2047) v BigTweeds (2050): TBD
Dnmuscg (2002) v MeanMrMustard (1925): Monday, Feb 23 @ 2000
Ivanson (1788) v Jcdios (1906): Sunday, Feb 22 @ 1800