Blog

[imagefield_assist|fid=3531|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]Hard work has paid off!  I had a novelty (20.Qe2) ready for Darwin, and I have been analyzing this position for a month!  I had a big-time edge, and pushed my advantage to the maximum.  Darwin made about two bad moves after my novelty, but, he was not happy with his position at all, and said he might give up the line completely.

GM Julio Becerra, who has been unstoppable thus far, lost a long tough game to IM Davorin Kuljasevic. Julio is now only leading by half a point, as IM Gergely Antal won against IM Dean Ippolito.

[imagefield_assist|fid=3528|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]Another day, another....... win?!?

Round 6 saw another *classic* game, as I was winning against GM Jesse Kraai, when he played the opening a bit too fancy (maybe he prepared for the game with Squidward?), and at the point where Rybka says I am +5 (!) I promptly blow all my advantage.

The next round, I was black against FM Eric Hansen, who is trying to get his final IM norm.  I was very slightly better most of the game, and, when Eric finally made some bad moves near the end ...

[imagefield_assist|fid=3523|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]Another tough day and two more tough draws.  I was lucky in both games, as I stood worse for about 90% of the moves today!

IM Irina Krush and I played a crazy game, which started quietly, then, after she won a pawn, I got some good counterplay.  Irina was better, but, after we both missed some tactics, and both got lucky at various points, a draw was the logical result. Afterwards, we had a nice lunch at Applebee's (Is that possible?) although Irina's salad had too much dressing. It's nice to have a pleasant dining experience with your opponent after such a hard fought battle, and the feeling of camaraderie amongst the players here is great.

[imagefield_assist|fid=3521|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]A very tough day at the office.  Two long draws, and I struggled in each game.

I was slightly worse with black against IM Gergely Antal.  We drifted into time trouble, and I was able to equalize against inexact play. 

Gergely probably had a nice advantage somewhere, but after 33.Qe2? I should be equal or better.  I played badly in mutual time trouble and was lucky to draw.