Round 1: Primates 3 – Friends of Punk 1

Round 1 went pretty well with Tom and Curt doing all the heavy lifting, both of whom winning in distinctly different ways (some might say polar opposite). Ironically both games were Ruy Lopezes – Tom with white & Curt with black. However that is about where the similarities ended as Tom picked up an early pawn, then another and very efficiently converted his advantage. Curt on the other hand had to endure all sorts of pressure (Curt’s game definitely demonstrated why the Ruy is often deservedly referred to as the “Spanish Torture” for Black) before his opponent overreached attacking Curt’s kingside fortress. Curt finally converted after a long and grueling 3+ hour session.

On Board 4, Bob had the misfortune of being extremely busted in the opening due to a tactical oversight, then valiantly fighting back for 20+ moves to reach and even R+P endgame, only to lose in the endgame when his opponent was able to penetrate with a passer. Unbelievably bad luck, but one that I have had experienced with all too common frequency.

As for me?? Well, I had the easiest game of all with my opponent gifting me the forfeit win. On any other week I would have gladly accepted the free point; but as I am prepping for US Amateur Team East (with Tom), I was looking forward to “sharpening the blade” a bit. At least I got a couple of pretty solid, focused studying in while preparing for the game – as opposed to the hours of mindless blitz which usually fill my ICC time.