Green Bay Open 2010

01. Santarius, Erik (1)........... WI 2311 W49 W28 W46 W11 W07 5.0

02. Jin, David (2)................ WI 2029 W38 D15 W37 W45 W14 4.5

03. Conant, Matt (5).............. WI 2020 -H- W76 W15 W23 W10 4.5

04. Tutush, Dusan (4)............. WI 2023 W57 W47 W24 L07 W25 4.0

05. Liang, Yingming (7)........... WI 1969 W51 W30 D27 D26 W24 4.0

06. Stein, Josiah (9)............. WI 1938 W39 L08 W57 W33 W26 4.0

07. Allen, Jesse (17)............. WI 1880 W82 W72 W33 W04 L01 4.0

08. Boyer, Kenneth (32)........... WI 1738 W92 W06 L11 W66 W19 4.0

09. Kodali, Suhas (38)............ WI 1692 W65 D12 W22 D44 W43 4.0

10. Pan, Hongkai (3).............. WI 2027 W56 W29 W13 D14 L03 3.5

11. Sachs, Derek (11)............. WI 1913 W41 W16 W08 L01 D13 3.5

12. Gomez, Augustine (15)......... WI 1900 W74 D09 W18 D31 D16 3.5

13. Baumgartner, Chris (23)....... WI 1821 W42 W57 L10 W38 D11 3.5

14. Zhou, Jerry (25).............. WI 1810 W91 W52 W44 D10 L02 3.5

15. Christensen, Wade (26)........ WI 1801 W53 D02 L03 W58 W44 3.5

16. Peel, Arthur (34)............. WI 1730 W63 L11 W60 W68 D12 3.5

17. Roberts, Benjamin (35)........ WI 1726 W83 L19 D52 W79 W45 3.5

18. Brown, Christopher (37)....... WI 1707 W84 D22 L12 W74 W46 3.5

19. Elger, William (10)........... WI 1929 W40 W17 -H- D27 L08 3.0

20. Prenot, Jonathaon (12)........ WI 1911 W59 L33 -H- W72 D35 3.0

21. Hoffman, Guy (13)............. WI 1905 L52 W75 W50 D35 D30 3.0

22. Younkle, Douglas (14)......... WI 1901 W60 D18 L09 W73 D32 3.0

23. Jayne, Ryan (19).............. WI 1838 W70 W36 -H- L03 D37 3.0

24. McKinney, Christopher (20).... WI 1836 W79 W48 L04 W54 L05 3.0

25. Lindquist, Daniel (21)........ WI 1834 W80 L37 W51 W36 L04 3.0

26. Wijetunge, Ivan (22).......... WI 1828 W93 W73 -H- D05 L06 3.0

27. Virkud, Apurva (24)........... WI 1812 W94 W55 D05 D19 -N- 3.0

28. Nietman, Mike (27)............ WI 1800 W69 L01 W40 W42 -N- 3.0

29. Bogenschutz, Tim (28)......... WI 1778 W71 L10 W41 -N- W49 3.0

30. Coons, James (30)............. WI 1770 W81 L05 W59 D49 D21 3.0

31. Grochowski, Robin (31)........ WI 1762 W88 W43 -H- D12 -N- 3.0

32. Liang, Awonder (33)........... WI 1738 W89 L44 -H- W75 D22 3.0

33. Zimmermann, Troy (36)......... WI 1722 W64 W20 L07 L06 W59 3.0

34. Zhang, Tianye (41)............ WI 1630 L76 W69 L42 W70 W71 3.0

35. Fogec, Thomas (42)............ WI 1629 W67 L46 W84 D21 D20 3.0

36. Susens, Rich (44)............. WI 1578 W86 L23 W67 L25 W60 3.0

37. Timm, Andrew (46)............. WI 1567 W87 W25 L02 D46 D23 3.0

38. Azbel, Gregory (49)........... WI 1536 L02 W92 W87 L13 W61 3.0

39. Dreuth, Adam (55)............. WI 1449 L06 L53 W90 W78 W66 3.0

40. Steldt, Richard (56).......... WI 1443 L19 W71 L28 W64 W67 3.0

41. Czeren, Ivan (57)............. WI 1417 L11 W63 L29 W65 W54 3.0

42. Shen, Tianlu (91)............. WI nnnn L13 W86 W34 L28 W55 3.0

43. Endsley, Barry (6)............ WI 2000 W50 L31 D58 W48 L09 2.5

44. Borman, Kelly (8)............. WI 1962 W58 W32 L14 D09 L15 2.5

45. Gleason, Neil (16)............ WI 1883 W61 W54 -H- L02 L17 2.5

46. Jing, Aaron (18).............. WI 1842 W62 W35 L01 D37 L18 2.5

47. Grochowski, Andrew (29)....... WI 1778 W78 L04 -H- W52 -N- 2.5

48. Williams, Rory (43)........... WI 1587 W77 L24 -H- L43 W75 2.5

49. John, Robert (48)............. WI 1539 L01 W88 W76 D30 L29 2.5

50. Hegelmeyer, John (52)......... WI 1474 L43 W80 L21 D53 W68 2.5

51. Mariano, DJ (53).............. WI 1458 L05 W93 L25 W81 D53 2.5

52. Kahl, Joey (59)............... WI 1373 W21 L14 D17 L47 W74 2.5

53. Iakimenko, Victor (84)........ WI nnnn L15 W39 D72 D50 D51 2.5

54. Gorectke, Andrew (39)......... WI 1669 W66 L45 W82 L24 L41 2.0

55. Daven, Jeff (47).............. WI 1553 W90 L27 L66 W88 L42 2.0

56. Ziehms, Steven (50)........... WI 1502 L10 W89 L68 -N- W83 2.0

57. Suri, Shiva (51).............. WI 1484 L04 L13 L06 W90 W79 2.0

58. Pahl, Sandra (54)............. WI 1454 L44 W81 D43 L15 D62 2.0

59. Rasmussen, Kenneth (58)....... WI 1389 L20 W83 L30 W89 L33 2.0

60. Lubinski, Paul (60)........... WI 1373 L22 W64 L16 W84 L36 2.0

61. Mattson, Thomas (62).......... WI 1345 L45 L84 W91 W76 L38 2.0

62. Nickiel, James (65)........... WI 1302 L46 -H- L75 W77 D58 2.0

63. Azbel, Joseph (66)............ WI 1141 L16 L41 L89 W92 W87 2.0

64. Gonzalez, Miguel (68)......... WI 1079 L33 L60 W80 L40 W88 2.0

65. Henning, Daniel (70).......... WI 1033 L09 L74 W69 L41 W89 2.0

66. Feldman, Daniel (71).......... WI 1008 L54 W94 W55 L08 L39 2.0

67. Hegelmeyer, John W (74)....... WI 0859 L35 W91 L36 W82 L40 2.0

68. Moran, Michael (77)........... WI 0729 L73 W78 W56 L16 L50 2.0

69. Rank, Nathan (90)............. WI nnnn L28 L34 L65 W86 W85 2.0

70. Groustra, Sean (83)........... WI nnnn L23 L87 W85 L34 W84 2.0

71. DeDene, Christopher (82)...... WI nnnn L29 L40 W86 W87 L34 2.0

72. Sperbeck, Tony (40)........... WI 1649 W85 L07 D53 L20 -N- 1.5

73. Delaney, Greg (45)............ WI 1574 W68 L26 -H- L22 -N- 1.5

74. Liang, Adream (61)............ WI 1372 L12 W65 -H- L18 L52 1.5

75. Rajendra, Avinash (64)........ WI 1312 -H- L21 W62 L32 L48 1.5

76. Cunningham, William (73)...... WI 0947 W34 L03 L49 L61 D81 1.5

77. Shelobolin, Filipp (75)....... WI 0854 L48 L79 W94 L62 D78 1.5

78. Zierer, Grant (94)............ WI nnnn L47 L68 W83 L39 D77 1.5

79. Williams, Wendell (93)........ WI nnnn L24 W77 -H- L17 L57 1.5

80. Sutter, Selena (92)........... WI nnnn L25 L50 L64 D93 W90 1.5

81. Jin, Suhong (85).............. WI nnnn L30 L58 W93 L51 D76 1.5

82. Ballantyne, Drew (63)......... WI 1322 L07 W85 L54 L67 -N- 1.0

83. Cunningham, Patrick (67)...... WI 1122 L17 L59 L78 W94 L56 1.0

84. Breuer, Michael (69).......... WI 1066 L18 W61 L35 L60 L70 1.0

85. Buck, Finn (72)............... WI 0998 L72 L82 L70 W91 L69 1.0

86. Breuer, Ryan (76)............. WI 0807 L36 L42 L71 L69 W94 1.0

87. Jing, Daniel (78)............. WI 0684 L37 W70 L38 L71 L63 1.0

88. Amaro, Alex (81).............. WI nnnn L31 L49 W92 L55 L64 1.0

89. Abrams, Joseph (80)........... WI nnnn L32 L56 W63 L59 L65 1.0

90. Slavney, Daniel (79).......... WI 0359 L55 -H- L39 L57 L80 0.5

91. Mora, Oscar (89).............. WI nnnn L14 L67 L61 L85 D92 0.5

92. Mallela, Teja (88)............ WI nnnn L08 L38 L88 L63 D91 0.5

93. Kline, Jeff (86).............. WI nnnn L26 L51 L81 D80 -N- 0.5

94. Mallela, Lakshman (87)........ WI nnnn L27 L66 L77 L83 L86 0.0

After playing pretty well the whole tournament, I blundered horribly and turned a win into a loss in the final game. My opponent blundered first with 29. Qg4? , when after 29....Rxd6, I am winning instead, I played 29...Rad8??? (We were both in bad time trouble)

This is the adjourned game from round one. The White player, Tutush Dusan (2023) won.

There were 94 players, about 3 short of the all time high.

1. 2311 Santarius Erik
2. 2029 Jin David
3. 2027 Pan Hongkai

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I wonder if WI is the only place in the country where adjournments have not been abolished. With time controls of 40/100, 30/60, SD/30 a game could last more than 6 hours.

I heard of a story a few years ago where a player had taken a 3rd round bye, but had to come back after the 3rd round (around 1 am) to conclude his 2 adjourned games from round 1 & 2!

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I finished with 2-1=1

1. Win Kline, Jeff (unrated)
2. Win Delaney, Greg (1574)
3. bye
4. Draw Yingming, Liang (

   1969)
5. Loss Stein, Josiah (1965)

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Year/# of Players/Winner(s)

2010 94 ERIK SANTARIUS

2009 72 ANTHONY LEE PARKER

2008 63 MATT CONANT, JOSIAH ROBERT STEIN

2007 86 ERIK SANTARIUS, MIKE NIETMAN

2006 79 ERIK SANTARIUS

Canadian Open Blitz (Chaos)

There were over 80 players.

The organizer does not believe in computers & pairings were done by hand!

Pairing took for ever. The number of rounds were cut from 7 to 5 (Double round). Lots of players were complaining about that.

The five rounds lasted past midnight!

IM Artiom Samsonkin & FM Bindi Cheng tied for first with 8.5/10.0 & won $350 each.

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I tied for first with another in my rating group and split $80.00

I was paired against a "B" player, a 1900 and 3 experts. I won one and lost one against all opponents to finish with 5.0/10.0

Canadian Open 2010, Toronto

Info here

Round 7 Betaneli vs Shabalov

I plan to play in the Blitz event

New Brunswick Open

19 year old Elias Oussedik(left) won clear first with 4.5/5.0

5 Rounds 40/120, G/60

There were 24 players.

2 Masters

5 Experts

The top seed was Horton, Joe (2236)

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I broke even.

1. Win vs Cui, Leonardo (1069)
   
2. Draw vs Davis, Neil (2056)
   
3. Loss vs MacDonald, Jonathan (2209)
   
4. Loss vs McKim, Fred (2027)
   
5. Win vs Ossinger, Brian (1611)
   

Click here for the cross table

Chess, Soccer & Barbecue

Experiencing any one of the above would be great, but I had the chance to experience all three at once at the recent BBQ Open held at the Contreras’ residence in Corpus Christi.

Soccer: US vs England

Barbecue : All you can eat chicken, beef, sausage BBQ, potato salad, rice, beans, tortillias, sodas and water included in the 10$ entry fee!

Bill Wheeler(left) on his way to going 3-0

There were 8 people in the top section ans I was the 3rd seed.

I finished 2-1=0 losing to Bill Wheeler in round 2.

Cross table here

I thought I played well until 23. Bxh5?? . I should have just brought the Knight back to e5 instead.

Texas State Championship

Had a lot fun playing chess & hanging out with friends.

Luis & the gang did a very good job running the event.

Click here for the final cross table.

I just wish I had a better result. I lost only one game, but I was paired down every round and had 3 draws. I had a great first and last day going 3-0. But the two days in the middle are what hurt me. (a loss and 3 draws)

The loss was heart breaking:

I was Black in the above position. If I had played ...Q x d3, White can resign. But I played Nf2+ & we reached the following position, which is still winning.

Here Black's only move is Re1, which he played, I should have then played Qd2 maintaining the discovery, but played Q x e1. I then managed to lose the extra Knight to a Queen check on f8.

The above is a beautiful mate in on variation.

DUY MINH NGUYEN vs IVAN WIJETUNGE Rnd 4.

Texas State Addison 30.05.2010

159MB, Rybka3.ctg, DELL-9ECB4ECECC 1.d4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Na6 6.e3 Bg4 7.Bxc4 e6 8.h3 Bh5 9.Bd2 Nb4 10.Be2 a5 11.0–0 Be7 12.Ne5 Bxe2 13.Qxe2 0–0 14.f4 g6 [14...h6 15.f5 Qc8 16.fxe6 Qxe6] 15.g4 Bd6 16.Kh1 Qc7 17.Nc4 Be7 18.f5 exf5 19.gxf5 Nh5 20.Ne4 Bh4 21.Rg1 Kh8 22.Qg4 Qe7 23.Bc3 Nd5 24.Bd2 Nb4 25.Raf1 Nd3 26.Bc3 Kg8 [26...Bf6 27.Nxf6 Nxf6 28.d5 cxd5 29.Qh4 Ra6 30.fxg6 fxg6 31.Rxg6 dxc4 32.Bxf6+ Raxf6 33.Rgxf6 Rxf6] 27.Qxh5 Qxe4+ 28.Kh2 Bf6 29.fxg6 fxg6 30.Rg4 Qe7 31.Rfg1 Bg7 32.Qg5 Rf2+ [32...Qc7+ 33.R4g3 Rf5 (33...Rf2+ 34.Kh1 Re2 35.R3g2 Nf2+ 36.Rxf2 Rxf2) ] 33.R1g2 Rxg2+ [33...Qc7+ 34.Kg1 Rf5 35.Qh4 b5 36.axb5 cxb5 37.Ne5] 34.Rxg2 Qc7+ 35.Qg3 Qd8 36.Nxa5 Rxa5 37.Bxa5 Qxa5 38.Qb8+ Bf8 39.Qxb7 Bd6+ 40.Kh1 Qe1+ 41.Rg1 Nf2+ [41...Qxe3 42.Qc8+ Kg7 43.Qd7+ Kh6 44.Qxd6 Qxh3+; 41...Qf2 42.Qc8+ Kf7 43.Qd7+ Be7 44.Qxc6] 42.Kg2 Qe2 [42...Qxe3 43.Qc8+ Kg7 (43...Bf8 44.Rf1) ] 43.Qc8+ Kg7 44.Qd7+ Kh6 45.Re1 Qxe1 [45...Qd2 46.Kf3 a)46.a5 Ng4+ 47.Re2 (a)47.Kf3 Nh2+ 48.Ke4 Qc2#) ; b)46.Kf1 Ne4; 46...Qxe1 47.Qxd6 Nd3 48.Qxc6 (48.Qf8+ Kh5 49.Ke4 Nf2+ 50.Kf3 Nxh3) 48...Qf2+ (48...Qh1+) 49.Kg4] 46.Qxd6 Qxe3 [46...Nd3 47.Qf8+ Kh5] 1–0

Texas State Championship 2010

This year's tournament will be held in Addison. Click here for all the details.

Next to the Southwest open this is Texas' most attended non-scholastic event.

The highest rated player to register is GM Zviad Izoria , also known as Mr HB Global, for winning $50,000 and a host of other prizes at the 2005 HB Global event.

Click here for pre-registered players.

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I will be playing in this event for the 3rd time. In 1992 & 2002, I had sub-par performances, although I did start 3.5/4.00 drawing the eventual winner in 1992.

Since I have not played much rated chess, I decided to join Paul Haney, and Ethan Rodriguez to play at the Houston Chess Club G60 3 round event yesterday.

I went 2-1=0. My loss was to 2nd seed Bradley Sawyer (2292)

There were 34 players including 3 masters 3 experts. Click here for the cross table.

Bradly & Warren Harper tied for first with 3-0 scores. Warren is closing in on the 2400 mark. He is just 16 rating points away.

The board is not set up right...again

I used loved these Tintin books as a kid. I picked one up at the library the other day. This is from "The broken ear".

They did get the board correct the first time they played!

Sydney 2010

I am back here for a 3 week visit. I plan to get a game in at the giant chess board at Hyde Park.

Future tournament plans :

May 28-30 Texas State Championship
July 23-24 Catfish Days Chess Tournament

Victoria Open (March 27, 2010)

This 4 Round G/60 event was hosted by the Chess Club of the Golden Crescent of Victoria.

There isn't much rated chess down here, but on this Saturday there happened to be 2, both less than 2 hours away. The one in San Antonio was a bigger event with an extra round, but I decided on the one in Victoria because that's place I have not been to. It's always nice to seee new places & meet new people.

The tournament director, Mario Leal remembered my name. I had played in an event he directed back in 2000 when he lived in Waco!

I was the the 3rd seed out of 16 and expected to have a good result.

After winning the first two rounds I was derailed by Ralph Belter(1871) in round 3.

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I am White here and liked my position although I was behind on the clock. I had to quickly come up with a plan. This is what I came up with:

• Get rid of the Knight on f6
• Pawn storm

You know what they say "any plan is better than no plan!"

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This is what I had in mind

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But f4 by Black has left me with an inferior (losing?) position.

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What's amazing is that even right at the end I had a chance to draw, by playing a3 here, but with only seconds left on my clock I played g5.

I finished in a tie for 4th place. Final results here.

I have no business playing this game if I play like this...

I played in the North American open in Las Vegas over the Christmas break. It was fun meeting old friends, but my playing was no fun at all. I was hoping I would play better in the New Year Open in San Antonio last w-end, so that I could end my report in a happy note but it was not to be.

San Antonio, New Year Open Jan.2-3

It was a strong event with 50 players, 3 Masters and several experts. BRADLEY J SAWYER won the event with a 5-0 performance.

Going into the 5th and final round, I was 2.5/4.0 after losing to an expert in round 2.

I was White against expert and current grade 11 champ MATTHEW LIU who had 3.0/4.0

I am White. Matthew blundered a pawn in the opening and here I had a chance to win another pawn with check. My last move was N b1-c3, but Qf7 wins another pawn with check! I looked at Qh8, but did not even look at Qf7. I was just plain lazy.

Here I had a chance to put the game away with f5, but played Rd3?? instead. My whole idea of f4 earlier was to play f5, when I finally got the chance I didn't take it becuase I moved too fast (6 seconds).

Here I had a chance to play Re3 and go into a Knight ending a pawn up, but played Rf5?? instead and went into a rook ending a pawn down. Apparently I forgot that Knights can move backwards as well! Another costly error due to lazyness.

I am sure that with accurate play it should still have been a draw, but I used up too much time and lost.

After reading the following chess base article, I am feeling better!

Wijetunge vs Liu

1.d4 d5 2.Bg5 f6 3.Bh4 Nh6 4.e3 Nf5 5.Bg3 Nxg3 6.hxg3 Bf5 7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3 Qd7 9.Rxh7 Rxh7 10.Qxh7 Nc6 11.Qh5+ Kd8 12.Nc3 [ 12.Qf7 Qe8 13.Qxd5+ Qd7 14.Qf7 Qe8 15.Qc4 e6 16.Nc3 Na5 17.Qd3 Nc6 18.Nf3 Nb4 19.Qd2 Rc8] 12...e6 13.a3 Qe8 14.Qe2 a6 15.Nf3 Bd6 16.e4 dxe4 17.Nxe4 Qh5 18.Nxd6 cxd6 19.0-0-0 Qh6+ 20.Kb1 Kd7 21.d5 exd5 22.Rxd5 Re8 23.Qd1 Re6 24.Nh4 [ 24.c4] 24...Ne7 25.Rd3 Qh7 26.f4 Qe4 27.Rd4 Qe3 28.Rd3 [ 28.f5] 28...Qf2 29.Ka2 [ 29.Nf3 Qxg2 30.Nd4 Re4 31.Nb3 Kc7; 29.Qg4 g6 30.Nxg6 f5] 29...g6 30.c3 [ 30.c4 Qc5 31.Qc2] 30...Kc7 31.Rf3 [ 31.Qb3 Re2 32.a4; 31.Qf3] 31...Qe2 32.Qd3 g5 33.fxg5 fxg5 34.Qxe2 Rxe2 35.Nf5 g4 36.Rf4 [ 36.Re3 Rxe3 37.Nxe3 Kd7 38.Nxg4 Nf5 39.Nf6+ Ke6 40.g4 Ne3 41.g5 Kf5 42.Ne8] 36...Nxf5 37.Rxf5 Rxg2 38.Rg5 Rxg3 39.Rg7+ [ 39.c4 Kc6 40.a4 b6 41.b4 Kd7 42.Kb2 Ke6 43.a5 bxa5 44.Rxa5 Rg1 45.Rxa6 g3 46.Ra5 Rf1 47.Rg5 Rf2+ 48.Kc3 g2 49.b5] 39...Kc6 40.a4 Rg1 41.Kb3 g3 42.Rg5 Rg2 43.Rg7 Kd5 44.Rxb7 [ 44.Ka3; 44.Ka3 b6 45.Kb3 Rg1 46.Kb4 g2 47.Kb3 Ke4 48.Re7+ Kf3 49.Rf7+ Ke2 50.Re7+ Kd3 51.Rg7 d5 52.Rg8 d4 53.cxd4 Kxd4 54.Rd8+ Ke3 55.Re8+ Kd2 56.Rd8+ Ke2 57.Re8+ Kf2 58.Rf8+ Kg3 59.Rg8+ Kf3 60.Rf8+ Ke4 61.Rg8 Kf4 62.Rf8+] 44...Ke4 [ 44...Rd2 45.c4+ Ke4 46.Rg7 g2 47.Kc3 Rf2] 45.Rd7?? [ 45.Re7+ Kf4 ( 45...Kf3 46.Rf7+ Ke2 47.Rg7 Kf2 48.Rf7+ Kg1 49.Rg7) 46.Rf7+ Ke4; 45.Rg7 d5 46.Rg8 d4 47.cxd4 Kxd4] 45...Rd2 46.Re7+ 0-1

This and that...

I haven't played much lately since there are not many opportunities to play rated games near Corpus Christi.

Last Sunday there was a 4 round quick rated event. There were 10 players & finished 4-0.

Round 1

Win Robert Muir (1441)

After an equal middle game and early end game, I played horribly and got to a lost position, but I had a big time advantage & won on time.

Here I am Black and just played Rf5, I missed that White can play g4, after which I should have played pxp e.p. and the game is fairly balanced, but after g4 I played R g5 and got into a worse end game.

Round 2

Win vs Joshua Newsham(1946)

I don't play the exchange variation of the Kings Indian often, but decided to give it a go.

Here Black is supposed to play cxd, but he erred with Nd7. I got a good advantage but later got into a bishops of opposite color ending up a pawn. The ending was probably drawn, but since I had no losing chances, I played on and tried to create as many problems for Black as possible . Just because it is an opposite colored bishop ending it does not mean it is an automatic draw, one still has to work!

Round 3

Win vs James Shaw(1837)

Shaw vs Me

1.d4 c6 2.f4 d5 3.e3 Bf5 4.c4 e6 5.Nf3 Nd7 6.Be2 Ngf6 7.0-0 Ne4 8.Nc3 Ndf6 9.cxd5 exd5 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Ne5 f6 12.Nd3 Bd6 13.g4 Bg6 14.f5 Bf7 15.Nf4 g5 16.fxg6 hxg6 17.Bf3 Qe7 [ 17...g5 18.Bxe4 gxf4 19.Bg2 fxe3] 18.Bxe4 Qxe4 19.Qf3 Qxf3 [ 19...g5 20.Qxe4+ dxe4 21.Ne2 Bxh2+] 20.Rxf3 g5 21.Nh5 Bxh5 22.gxh5 [ 22.Rh3 Kf7 23.Rxh5 Rxh5 24.gxh5 Rh8 25.h3 Rxh5] 22...Rxh5 23.h3 Kf7 24.Bd2 Rah8 25.Kg2 g4 26.Rf2 Rxh3 27.Rg1 f5 28.Rxf5+ Ke6 29.Rf2 Rh2+ [ 29...g3 30.Re2 Rh2+ 31.Kf1 Rf8+ 32.Ke1 Rff2] 30.Kf1 Rxf2+ 31.Kxf2 Rh2+ 32.Rg2 Rxg2+ [ 32...g3+ 33.Kf3] 33.Kxg2 Kf5 34.Kf2 Ke4 35.Ke2 g3 0-1

Round 4

Win vs Henry Velasquez (1534)

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I am also playing a 12 game rated match with Henry Velasquez (1534). The time control is G/60 with a 5 second delay. The score so far is 8-0=2 in my favor.

This is a position from our last game.

I am White and should have played Ra7, but chickened out an played Re2, I managed to get into some trouble, but my opponent blundered in time trouble.

Castling is for sissies

I started coaching my 12 year old's chess team a few weeks back. We went to our 3rd tournament yesterday.The walls of the playing hall were adorned with chess quotes, ones like "Take care of your pieces and they will take care of you", "Chess is the gymnasium of the mind" etc. The one that caught my eye right away was this doozy "Castling is for sissies". I talked to the organizers and had it removed!

As for the tournament we finished in 2nd place.

Could have should have........

A couple of week ago I had a chance to get my rating up to an all time high. All I had to do was win this game.

Wijetunge,I (1889) - Rodriguez,E (1717) [D70]
Corpus Christi Xtreme Chess G/60 (Rnd 3), 10.10.2009
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 0-0 8.h3 [ 8.e5 Ng4 9.h3 Nh6 10.Bg5] 8...c6 9.0-0 b5 10.Bd3 b4 11.Na4 a5 12.Nc5 [ 12.Bd2] 12...Na6 13.Nxa6 Bxa6 14.Bxa6 Rxa6 15.Qd3 Ra8 16.Qc2 Rc8 17.Be3 Qc7 18.Rac1 Qb7 19.Nd2 Nd7 20.Nc4 Qa6 21.Qa4 Ra8 22.f3 Rfc8 23.Rfd1 Nb6 24.Nxb6 Qxb6 25.Rc5 Qa6 26.Qc2 e6 27.Rc1 Rab8 28.Qc4 [ 28.d5 exd5 29.exd5 b3 30.axb3 Re8 31.Rxc6 Qb5 32.Bf4] 28...Rb6 29.b3 Rd8 30.Qxa6 Rxa6 31.Rxc6 Rxc6 32.Rxc6 Bxd4 33.Bxd4 Rxd4 34.Ra6 Rd1+ 35.Kh2 Rd2 36.Rxa5 1/2-1/2

Click here to replay I stopped taking notation here, but this was the final position:

I am White & I had 1 min on my clock. I played RxR which draws, but it looks like it is a draw any way. My error was not getting my king to g7 instead of the pawn.

75th Annual Southwest Open

GERGELY ANTAL  Wins clear first in the Open with 6 points.

PHUNG N NGUYEN Wins the Under 2000 with 7-0.[Phung has a FIDE rating of 2123]

He started the tournament with a provisional rating of 1803 and finished with
a established rating of 1999! Look for Phung in a big money under 2000 event.
10/19/2009 Update :
Phung beats a master and 2 experts at the Lone Star Open : Click here
9/26/2009 Update : 
Phung had another "fishy" result where he drops a boat load of points : Click here
Results

Replay games from the Open at Monroi : Click Here
I finished with 3-0=3 (Not so good since I was paired down in every game.)

1. Draw vs Mark Marshall (1599) In a clearly drawn position I tried too hard and was losing, but managed to draw.
2. Win vs Richard Herrington (1440)
3. Draw vs Victoria Zhang(1726) I got to a rook and pawn ending, up a pawn with very good winning chances, but only manged a draw.
4. Win vs Suchinder Kalyan(1696)
5. Win vs Alfredo Garcia(1663)
6. Draw vs James Ukoli (1860)
7. Bye

Since I had a last round bye I had to win my 6th round game to finish in the money. I reached the following position as Black with White to play and agreed to a draw since I was in a little bit of time trouble. But I should have played to the bitter end à la Nakamura. I gained one rating point to end up at 1889.

10/1/2009 Update : I was pleasantly surprised to receive a check for $31.00 , I did finish in the money!

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History
2009 Ft. Worth 49+82+29 = 160 (Particpants Open+Reserve+Novice)
Open: G ANTAL
Reserve: P NGUYEN

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2008 Houston 62+94 = 156 (Particpants Open+Reserve)
Open: A RAMIREZ, J STOPA, P WANG, S BERCYS
Reserve: E LU

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2007 Brownsville 43+33 = 76
Open: A BACHMANN, S BERCYS, A ALMEIDA, D FERNANDEZ, T VEDRICKAS
Reserve: V FLORES

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2006 Ft. Worth 42+105 = 126
Open: D BOSKOVIC
Reserve : T GWAZE

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2005 Dallas 55+101 = 156
Open: M ZIVANIC, J BRADFORD
Reserve : J CRAWFORD, F BRACK, K WANG

San Antonio - Summer Slammer 7 rounds! of G/60

1st ERNESTO MALAZARTE(2125) with 6.0/7.0
2nd-4th ANDERSON, SELBY K(2234) , PAUL HANEY(2092), STANLEY, GREGG(2086) with 5.5/7.0

USCF Results

Top seeded LANGER, MICHAEL(2319) finished with 5.0/7.0 He lost to ERNESTO MALAZARTE & VERGARA, MITCHELL(2060)

46 players

2 Masters
6 Experts
7 A-Players

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Rnd 7
1 ERNESTO LAGO MALAZARTE(5.0) vs ANDERSON, SELBY K(5.5) 1-0
2 STANLEY, GREGG (4.5) vs FLOURNOY, DONALD W (5.0) 1-0
3 VERGARA, MITCHELL(4.5) vs PAUL ANDREW HANEY (4.5) 0-1

Rnd 6
ANDERSON, SELBY K (4.5) vs VERGARA, MITCHELL(4.5) 1-0
LANGER, MICHAEL (4.0) vs ERNESTO LAGO MALAZARTE (4.0) 0-1
FLOURNOY, DONALD W (4.0) vs CARRIZALES, JUAN (4.0) 1-0

Rnd 5
ERNESTO LAGO MALAZARTE(3.5) vs VERGARA, MITCHELL (4.0) 1/2
ANDREW MINA ISTAFANOUS (3.5) vs ANDERSON, SELBY K (3.5) 0-1
PAUL ANDREW HANEY (3.5) vs LANGER, MICHAEL(3.0) 0-1

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I finished with 4-2=1. Which was enough for a tie for first & second place in class A. (good for $90.00 and a performance rating of 2054)

1) Win DAVID PACHECO (1400)
2) Draw ERNESTO LAGO MALAZARTE (2125)
3) Loss FLOURNOY, DONALD W (2048)
4) Win HUNG, DANIEL (1913)
5) Win BRADLEY, ROBERT D (1945)
6) Loss PAUL ANDREW HANEY (2092)
7) Win HERBERT A BAUMANN (1788)

This position is from my 3rd round loss, All I have to do is move the rook to a7 or b7 and I should win without much trouble, but I played Rxe4 and managed to lose! That's what happens when you only have 12 seconds. (my opponent had around 2 min)

Sacrifice or not?

In my last USCF game in Wisconsin, I played Rc8 in the following position:
I called that move a sacrifice, but many did not agree. WI expert John Becker had this to say:

[It is a pleasing combination that forces the win of material based on taking advantage of overloaded and/or unprotected pieces, but in no way, shape or form can it be considered a "sac".]

To settle the issue I sent in the question to GM Larry Evans, and he replied in the current version of Chess Life for kids: Link here

If you can't get to the link here is the question and answer:

Q: Can you please settle this debate? In this position I played 26.Rc8. Does this move fit the definition of a sacrifice?

A: A sacrifice—whether sound or unsound—is generally understood as a move that gives up material intending to get something good in return. A gambit, for example, usually is a sacrifice in the opening that offers a pawn for speedy development. Here 26.Rc8! (ignoring the knight hanging on f3) could be defined as a temporary and sound sacrifice since after 26...Rxc8 27.Nxe7+ Kg7 28.Nxc8 Qc7 29.Qc2 Qxc2 30.Bxc2 gxf3 31.gxf3 White simplifies to a winning ending a pawn ahead.