Southwest Chess Club Championship

The 2007 Southwest Chess Club Championship ended today.

Final Results

My last round game against Coons was very interesting.

I tried a new opening and got into all kinds of trouble with my king in the middle of the board, but my king almost made it back to safety. Although I lost this game the following possible variation made the game worth while.

Here I played the losing 12....Ke6, since White can play d5+ then Bf4+ and d6. What's amazing is that the best move here is 12...g6! 13.Qd5+ Kg7 14.Qxa8 Bb4+ 15.Bd2 Qe7+ 16.Kd1 and Black is ok. But since White did not play the best moves, the game ended up in the following postion where I could have consolidated with Qb6 and then Ke7, Kf8, but I thought I could force an exchange of queens by going Qe8, but I ended up exposing my king to a deadly attack

After ....Qe8, Qh4 Qe4, Qf2 White is winning! The Queen check on c5 through my rook is a big threat.

2007 Catfish Days etc.

I think I have addressed my confidence issues, these are the last ten results. (That last loss could have easily been a win, details below)

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2007 Catfish Days Results

Organizer : James Kanne

Unique locally handcrafted trophies

I talked about previous Catfish Tournaments here.

Going into the last round, a win would have guaranteed a tie for second place, and my 1987 rated opponent handed me the game on a platter:(Looks like a position from Chess Tactics Server)

here Bb5 wins , but I just missed it (possible reasons; time trouble, didn't think my opponent would make such a mistake(I did see the move right after I took my hand off the Bishop on b3))

A few moves later I didn't see a move that lost the game (It's hard to believe that White has no defence here).

Game replay

GBO 2007

My Games

Final results

It's nice to see a fellow adult A player have a great tournement. Mike Neitman went 5-0 to tie for first with Erik Santarius. In the 2nd round Mike beat the top seed Alex Betaneli.

Mike Neitman's rating jump : 1827 -->1940!

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I finished 2-1=1

For a description of playing conditions etc click here. (Greg's Chess Progress)

This and that..............

It was confirmed today by the organizer that there will NOT be a 2007 Governor's Cup in Sioux Falls SD. That's a shame since it was a one of my favorite events from last year.

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Dennis Monokroussos had some comments for me on his blog (scroll down to Getting to 2000?)

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When I started my plan to get to 2000 was to play many rated games, then get a coach and work on my weaknesses, and also study tactics/end games. That's what I did(I only got about 5 lessons). I did start making progress (measured by rating going upto 1885) . But about 4 months ago things started going wrong when I kept losing lots of games and my rating went back down to my floor of 1800.

I plan to do the same thing again. Most of the stronger players say I play far too much. I plan to spend Aug and Sep working with a coach.

Western Open, Milwaukee WI, July 7-8

Tournament Results

Although my result (0-3=2) was horrible, I learned a lot and had a good time. In the first round I was paired against expert RENE GLEN ANCHETA who tied for first last year.

In this game I had the following position.

All I have to do is take the knight(37 Nxd6) and then Play 38.Q f5 or 38.Q e2.

I decided to play 37 Qe2 first, I am still better but not after the horrible blunder 38.Ne2?? (after 37...Nde4) Black now wins with 38...Qb2 ouch!

Your mental state playes a big part in your results. I was feeling pretty bad after this loss. In the next round I was paird against a 1900 player and had the following position. I am up a piece AND threatening mate but with 15 seconds left (vs about 2min) settled for a draw. I didn't see that f7 was a safe square. Earlier I made a mental note not to go to g3 as it allowes a queen check on e8. For some reason I though that f7 was a bad square too.

After these two set backs I couldn't get back in mental shape for the next round and lost pretty routinely. In the fourth round after being a pawn down for a long while, manageed to draw against a 1844 player. I remembered most of what I had learned about defending a rook end game a pawn down. At this stage I probably should have withdrawn , but I did play the last round against a 1888 player and hung a piece very early in the game.

I know that if I had beaten the expert in the first round, it would have boosted my confidence for the rest of the rounds. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

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I heard that there might not be a Governor's Cup in South Dakota this your, due to hotel issues.

This and that..............

Here is a tournament I highly recommend: CATFISH DAYS CHESS TOURNAMENT in Franklin, MN

I have played there twice and had a great time. Unfortunately I don't think I will be able to go this year. (I am playing in two other w-end tournaments this month and it's a 6.5 hr. drive)

Here is a link to an article by Pete Karagianis on the 2004 version

Here is a page I put together for the 2005 version

2005 cross table

2006 cross table

CATFISH DAYS CHESS TOURNAMENT
2007July 27 & 28, Friday and Saturday. Franklin MN.

Stay at the Casino and have fun.The much praised, longest running out-state tournament.

5-SS RDS: 1-5:30-9;1-5 TL: Game/90 + 15 sec. PZ: 1st $300, 2nd $180, 3rd $110 and Class prizes. 5 Trophies: Open, u2100, u1850, u1600 & u1350. EF: early registration A and above $23; B and below $20; at the door $30. The famous Potluck supper is at 5:00 Friday. Send registrations to James Kanne, 66104 Co. Road 5, Franklin MN 55333. ( #507.557.8334)

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I was following the USCF forums and saw a thread about an organizer who organizes chess tournaments with names that resemble actual events(e.g. 2007 ACA 150th Anniversary US Open) in order to fool players. He has managed to post his tournament on the Wisconsin Chess Website. I have been trying to contact the webmaster, but have had no luck.

Check out the prizes for this event: $6000-3000-2000-1000-600-400-300-200 in Round Table Pizza $20 gift certificates

UPDATE : Link has been removed from Wisconsin Chess Website

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I made a $2o wager with Tony from Tony's Chess and Softball Blog.
Who ever has the higher rating in the Dec 2008 rating supplement wins.

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Every Thursday at 8:00 pm central time there is a free lecture by NM Dennis Monokroussos.

Dennis Monokroussos' Radio ChessBase lectures begin on Thursdays at 9 p.m. EDT, which translates to 01:00h GMT, 02:00 Paris/Berlin, 11:00h Sydney (on Friday). Other time zones can be found at the bottom of this page. You can use Fritz or any Fritz-compatible program (Shredder, Junior, Tiger, Hiarcs) to follow the lectures, or download a free trial client.

This is the Dennis Monokroussos site.

The Centrifuge II etc.

4SS, G/90 Green Bay, WI 54304.

Tournament Result

I scored 1-1=2. With a performance rating of 1900. I think that my main problem is lack of confidence when I have bad results.

My confidence took a big hit on 2007-04-14 when I played in this Rockford tournament and it took me a while to get it back.

I think I have turned it a round in the last two tournaments. In the last 7 rated games I have played, I have lost three games to players rated 2100, 1967 and 1918 (2-3=2).

This is the story behind the loss to the 1967 (Me vs Ferguson,W - Hales Corners G/100 21.06.2007).

I have been reading the very interesting book, "The Art of Learning" by J. Waitzkin. In it he talks about how he used to confused opponents by going into complex positions confident that he would be able to come out on top. In the following position, I guess you could say I was inspired by J.W. to play the move 17 e4. (But when a floored out A player tries to do what J.W. was able to, the results are unpredictable to say the least!)


17.... Nfxe4 18.Bxg7 Nxd2 19.Bd5
I saw the moves up to this:
But here Black has the winning move Qe2.

Hales Coners G/100. 3 Rnd Swiss.

Games Replay
Round 3 June 21
Loss to Ferguson,W (1967)

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Round 2 June 14
Won against Alex Jensen 1579

After a dismal run of 14 games(2-5=7) where I had just 2 wins (against a 1200 and an unrated), I finally won against a 1579 player today. Might not seem like much, but I was 0-1=1 against this opponent until today and I was starting to believe that I could not beat anyone over 1200!

Me (1800) - Jensen,A (1579) [A40]Hales Corners G/100 (2), 21.06.2007

1.d4 e6 2.c4 Bb4+ 3.Nd2 b6 4.a3 Be7 5.e4 Bb7 6.Bd3 d5 7.cxd5 exd5 8.e5 Bg5 9.Ngf3 Bh6 10.0-0 [ 10.Qc2 Nd7 11.Nb3 Bxc1 12.Rxc1 ] 10...Ba6? 11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.Qe2? [ 12.Qa4++- ] 12...Qc8 13.Qb5+ [ 13.Nb3 Bxc1 14.Raxc1 Ne7 ] 13...c6 14.Qe2 Nc7 15.Re1 Ne6 16.b4 Ne7 [ 16...Nf4 17.Qf1 Ne7 18.Nb3 0-0 19.Bxf4 Bxf4 20.g3 ] 17.Nb3 Bxc1 18.Rexc1 Qb7 [ 18...Nf4 19.Qd2 Qg4 20.Ne1 Ne2+ ] 19.Rc3 Rc8 20.Rac1 0-0 21.h4 Rc7 22.Ng5 Qc8 23.Qc2 Nxg5 24.hxg5 a6 25.f4 Qg4 26.Qf2 Rfc8 27.Rg3 Qe6 28.Rh3 Rf8 29.Rcc3 Qg4 30.Rc1 Nf5 31.Qf3 [ 31.Qc2= ] 31...Qxf3 32.Rxf3 g6 33.g4 Ne7 34.Kg2 Kg7 35.Rh1 [ 35.f5 gxf5 36.gxf5 Nc8 37.Rh3 Na7 38.Rch1 Rh8 39.a4 ] 35...Rh8 36.f5 gxf5 37.gxf5 Ng8 38.Rg3 Kf8 39.Rgh3 Kg7 40.Kf3 Rc8 41.Kf4 [ 41.f6+ Kg6 42.Kf4 h6 43.gxh6 Rxh6 44.Rg1+ Kh7 45.Rg7+ Kh8 46.Rxh6+ Nxh6 47.Kg5 Ng8 48.Rxf7 a5 49.Kg6 Nxf6 50.exf6 Rg8+ 51.Kh6 Rg1 52.Rf8+ Rg8 ] 41...h6 42.Rg1 [ 42.f6+ Kg6 43.gxh6 Rxh6 44.Rg1+ Kh7 45.Rg7+ ] 42...Kf8 43.g6 fxg6 44.Rxg6 Rc7 45.f6 [ 45.e6 h5 46.f6 Rch7 47.Rc3 Rh6 48.Rxc6 Nxf6 49.Rxh6 Rxh6 50.Kg5 Ng8 51.Rxb6 h4 52.Rb8+ Kg7 53.Rb7+ Kh8 54.Rb6 h3 55.e7 Rh5+ 56.Kg4 Rh4+ 57.Kg3 Re4 ] 45...Rf7 46.Ke3 [ 46.a4 Ne7 47.Rgxh6 ] 46...Ke8 47.Rf3 Kd7 48.Rfg3 Rf8 49.Nc1 [ 49.Rg7+ Ke6 50.Rc7 Nxf6 51.exf6 Rxf6 52.Rxc6+ Kf7 53.Rc7+ Ke6 54.Rb7 Kf5 ] 49...h5 50.Nd3 Nh6 51.Rg7+ Kc8 52.Kf4 Ng4 53.Kf5 Rh6 54.Ke6 Kd8 [ 54...Nxf6 55.exf6 Rfxf6+ 56.Ke5 Re6+ 57.Kf5 Rhf6+ 58.Kg5 Rh6 ] 55.Rf3 Re8+ 56.Kd6 Rf8 57.Kxc6 [ 57.Ra7 ] 57...Nxf6 58.Rxf6 Rfxf6+ 59.exf6 Rxf6+ 60.Kxd5 Rf3 61.Ke4 Rf1 62.Rh7 Rh1 63.Kd5 1-0

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Round 1 June 7
Loss to Jon Breider 2100

(1) Breider,J (2100) - Me (1800) [B12]Hales Corners G/100 (1), 21.06.2007

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 e6 4.Bd3 Nd7 [ 4...c5 5.exd5 exd5 6.Bb5+ Nc6; 4...dxe4 5.Bxe4 f5 6.Bd3 Qxd4] 5.Qe2 Qb6 6.c3 Ne7 7.b4 Ng6 8.h4 h5 [ 8...Bd6 9.e5 Bxb4 10.cxb4 Qxb4+ 11.Bd2 ( 11.Kf1 Qxd4 12.Bb2 Qf4 13.Qd2 Qxd2 14.Nxd2 Ngxe5) 11...Qxd4 12.Bc3 Qf4 13.Bxg6 hxg6; 8...Qc7 9.e5 a5 10.b5 cxb5 11.Bxb5 Ne7 12.Be3 b6; 8...Bxb4 9.cxb4 Qxb4+ 10.Qd2 Qxd4 11.Bb2] 9.exd5 cxd5 10.Bxg6 fxg6 11.Nh3 Be7 12.Bg5 a5 [ 12...Bxg5 13.Nxg5 0-0 14.Qxe6+ ( 14.Nxe6 Re8-+; 14.Qd3 e5 15.dxe5 Nxe5 16.Qxd5+ Nf7 17.Qd4 Nxg5 18.hxg5 Qxd4 19.cxd4 Rf5) 14...Qxe6+ 15.Nxe6 Re8-+; 12...Bf6 13.Bxf6 ( 13.Nf4 Kf7 14.0-0 Qd6 15.Nh3 e5 16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.Bf4) 13...gxf6 14.Nf4 Kf7] 13.b5 a4 14.Nd2 [ 14.Bxe7 Kxe7 15.Ng5 Nf6 16.Qd3 Rh6] 14...Ra5 15.Rb1 Qc7 16.Qxe6 Nf6 [ 16...Qg3+ 17.Kf1] 17.Qe5 Qxc3 [ 17...Qxe5+ 18.dxe5 Bf5 19.exf6 ( 19.Rd1 Nd7 20.Bxe7 Kxe7 21.Nf4) 19...gxf6 20.Be3 Bxb1 21.Nxb1 Rxb5] 18.0-0 Kf7 [ 18...Bxh3 19.gxh3 0-0 20.Qxe7 Qxd4+ 21.Kh1] 19.Rfc1 Qa3 20.Nf4 Bd6 21.Rc7+ Bxc7 [ 21...Bd7 22.Qe6+ Kf8 23.Nxg6#] 22.Qxc7+ Qe7 23.Qxa5 Qe3+ 24.Kh1 Re8 25.Nxd5 Qxd4 26.Nxf6 gxf6 27.Qc7+ Kf8 28.Bh6+ Kg8 29.Qg7# 1-0

Games Replay

Chicago Open - After

I had a great time meeting old friends from all over the US.

My performance was well below par. I had 5 draws! and a loss.

I have lost the confidence I had a few weeks ago. I have to work on getting it back.

Click here for games (opens new window)

Interesting positions from the games:

Game 1 - I am White with the move

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Game 2 - I am Black with the move

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Game 3 - I am Black with the move

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Game 4 - I am White with the move

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Game 5 - I am Black with the move

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Game 6 - I am White with the move

Click here for games (opens new window)

Chicago Open - Before

I will try to concentrate on the following issues during this tournament:

Not worry about rating points - actually since I am back on my floor there are no points to lose!

Overconfidence I - Although I try, I have a problem with not taking the game seriously if my opponent is low rated (more than 200 points less than me). It won't be an issue here since there won't be any low rated players.

Overconfidence II - Do not relax till the game is over. I have a pattern of getting good positions and then relaxing, usually drawing or losing winning positions.

Don't Panic - Chess is infinitely complex and there often are defensive resources available, when none seem to exist. I have lost many games when an unexpected move by me opponent sent me into panic mode. If I had searched a little bit more I would have found the correct defensive move.

Take a "time out" when necessary to completely re-evaluate a position. An example is when you are attacking, and the opponent plays a move (usually a sacrifice) that forces you to go on the defensive.

Impatience - Realize that there is plenty of time, double and triple check everything if time permits. Especially watch for offensive possibilities of defensive looking moves. For instance there is a line in the advance variation of the Caro-Kann where White plays c3, which looks like a defense move with the goal of strengthening the d4 square, but in fact c3 opens the path for the queen to get to a4 which attacks an unprotected bishop on g4 and double attacks the pinned knight on c6.

4 Round Quick event in Waukesha

Took part in a 4 round G/15 (13, with 5 sec. delay) event.
Managed to go 4-0

Results

74 points dropped in less than 30 days!

I was in a confident mood 30 days ago, I had a decent run of 14 games with no losses except to two masters and was 26 points away from reaching 1900.

That's when I decided to play in a G/80 event.

Since then I have gone 10-9=4

Which included losses to : 1400, three 1600s,two 1700s

Click here for losses.

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Loss 1
Time Control : G/80
Opponent : Romano, Robert
Rating : 1430
Event : Rockford, IL
Date : 4/14/2007

This loss was described here.

Comments : Over-confidence, miscalculating a K&P ending, time-trouble

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Loss 2
Time Control : G/80
Opponent : Johnson, Alex
Rating : 1703
Event : Rockford, IL
Date : 4/14/2007

(21) Wijetunge,I (1874) - Johnson ,A (1703) [A85]Rockford (2), 14.04.2007
1.d4 e6 2.c4 [ 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bf4 Nf6 4.e3 b6 5.Bd3 Bb7 6.Nbd2 Be7] 2...f5 3.Nf3 [ 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.0-0 d6 ( 6...d5 7.b3) 7.Nc3 Qe8 ( 7...Ne4 8.Qd3 Nxc3 9.Qxc3 Bd7) ; 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 h6 5.Bxf6 Qxf6 6.e3] 3...Nf6 4.Nc3 b6 5.g3 Bb7 6.Bg2 Bb4 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qb3 Bxc3 9.bxc3 [ 9.Qxc3 Ne4 10.Qd3 Nc6 11.a3 Qf6 12.b4 a5 13.b5 Ne7 14.a4 Ng6 15.Ba3 d6] 9...Nc6 10.a4 Ne4 11.Bb2 [ 11.a5 Nxa5 ( 11...Ba6 12.axb6 axb6 13.Ba3 Na5 14.Qc2 c5 15.dxc5 bxc5 16.Nd2 Nxd2 17.Qxd2 Nb3) 12.Rxa5 bxa5 13.Qxb7 Rb8 14.Qxa7 Nxc3 15.Re1 Ra8] 11...Na5 12.Qa2 Ba6 13.Ba3 Bxc4 14.Qb2 Re8 15.Ne5 Bd5 16.Qc1 Nb3 17.Qc2 Nxa1 18.Rxa1 d6 19.Nd3 Nf6 20.f3 Rc8 21.c4 Ba8 22.Rd1 Qe7 23.Bh3 g6 24.Qc3 Kf7 25.Qd2 c5 26.dxc5 dxc5 27.Ne5+ Kg7 28.Bc1 Rcd8 29.Qh6+ Kg8 30.Rxd8 Rxd8 31.Bg5 Qg7 32.Qh4 Rd4 33.g4 Nd7 34.Bh6 Qf6 35.Qxf6 Nxf6 36.Kf2 Nd7 37.Nxd7 Rxd7 38.Be3 0-1

Comments : Thinking about Loss 1, misplaying the opening

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Loss 3
Time Control : G/60
Opponent : Wagner, Richard
Rating : 18
Event : Hales Corners, WI
Date : Date : 4/22/2007

Comments : Threw away a completely winning game in time-trouble . Game was described here.

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Loss 4
Time Control : G/30
Opponent :Ireland, Jonathan
Rating : 1791
Event : Hales Corners, WI
Date : 4/26/2007

(16) Wijetunge,I (1829) - Ireland,J (1791)
1.d4 f5 2.Bg5 d5 3.e3 Nd7 4.Bd3 Ndf6 5.h3 Bd7 6.Nf3 c6 7.c4 Qa5+ 8.Nbd2 dxc4 9.Bxc4 Ne4 10.Bf4 [ 10.Qb3+-] 10...e6 11.0-0 Ngf6 12.Nb3 Qd8 13.Ne5 g6 14.f3 [ 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.f3 Nd6 16.Nc5] 14...Nd6 15.Be2 Bg7 16.Rc1 Nd5 17.Nc5 Bc8 18.Bd3 Nxf4 19.exf4 0-0 20.Qb3 Qb6 21.Qc2 Qd8 22.Rfe1 Nb5 23.Bxb5 Qxd4+ 24.Kh1 cxb5 25.g3 b6 26.Red1 [ 26.Nb3 Qb4 27.Qc6 Rb8 28.Qc7 Bb7] 26...Qxc5 *

Comments : Got a great position in the opening(missed 10.Qb3 above), then dropped a piece in an equal position.

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Loss 5
Time Control : G/60
Opponent : Mc Clanahan, Gavin
Rating : 1651
Event : RCC, Northbrook, IL
Date : 5/6/2007

Comments : Equal middle game, blundered in endgame, time-trouble . Game described here.

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Loss 6
Time Control : G/60
Opponent : Tennant, Steve
Rating : 2200
Event : RCC, Northbrook, IL
Date : 5/6/2007

Comments : I thought I had a equal opening, but miscalculated the power of the 2 knights on the queen side.

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Loss 7
Time Control : G/90
Opponent : Jensen, Alex
Rating : 1554
Event : Waukesha CC, WI
Date : 5/9/2007

(10) Wijetunge,I (1822) - Jensen,A (1544) [B13]Waukesha Championship (5), 09.05.2007[Wijetunge,I]
I normally play d4, but wanted to play against the Caro Kann, which happens to be my favorite defense to 1.e4 ( I knew my opponent plays the Caro) 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.c5 I didn't expect this, I thought 6..Bg4 would be the reply 6...e5 7.dxe5 Nxe5 8.Qd4 I should have played Bb5+ 8...Nc6 9.Bb5 Qe7+ 10.Be3 Be6 11.h3 I wanted to play Nf3, but didn't want Ng5 [ 11.Nf3 Ng4 12.b4 Nxe3 13.fxe3+/=] 11...a6 12.Ba4 g6 13.Nf3 Bg7 14.Ne5 Rc8 15.0-0 0-0 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Qh4 Qb7 18.Bd4 Ne8 19.Bb3 Qb4 20.Rad1 Bxd4 21.Qxd4 Qxd4 22.Rxd4 Nc7 23.Ra4 Ra8 24.Ne2 Nb5 25.Nd4 Nxd4 26.Rxd4 Rfb8 27.Rc1 Ra7 28.Rc2 Bf5 29.Rc3 Bd7 30.Ra4 a5 31.Rd4 Kg7 32.f3 Be8 33.Kf2 a4 34.Rxa4 Rxa4 35.Bxa4 Rxb2+ 36.Rc2 Rb4 37.Bb3 Bd7 38.g4 f5 39.Re2 Kf7 40.Kg3 f4+ 41.Kf2 Bc8 42.Re4 Rxe4 43.fxe4 Ke6 44.exd5+ cxd5 45.h4 h6 46.Kf3 g5 47.hxg5 hxg5 48.a4 Ba6 49.a5 Kd7 50.Ba4+ [ 50.Bxd5 The score sheet may be wrong, since I can't believe I missed this move] 50...Kc7 51.Kf2 With 4 sec to go on my clock and 29 min on my opponents, I realized that time-delay was not on. I requested a delay clock, and it was given with my time reduced by half. So now I have 2 sec + the 5 sec delay, but I lost on time. With best play this end game might be drawable? 51...Bc4 52.Kf3 Kb7 53.Be8 d4 54.Kf2 d3 55.Ke1 White lost on time 0-1

Comments : Over confidence, time trouble

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Loss 8
Time Control : G/90
Opponent : Walker, Arlen
Rating : 1827
Event : Waukesha CC, WI
Date : 5/9/2007

Missed the easy 12.f4 to put the game away

(5) Wijetunge,I (1822) - Walker,A (1827) 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.e3 Ne4 5.Bd3 f5 6.0-0 c6 7.Ne5 Nd7 8.Qh5+ g6 9.Nxg6 Ndf6 10.Qh4 Rg8 11.Nxf8 Ng5 12.Qh6 [ 12.f4+-] 12...Ng4 13.Nxe6?? [ 13.Qh5++-] 13...Bxe6 14.Qxe6+ Nxe6 15.Bxf5 Qf6 16.Bxe6 Qxe6 17.c5 0-0-0 18.Nd2 Qg6 19.g3 Rdf8 20.b4 h5 21.h4 Nxf2 0-1

Comments : Over confidence

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Loss 9
Time Control : G/45
Opponent : May, J
Rating : 1650
Event : Parents/Friends event K-6 Nationals, Nashville, TN
Date : May 13,2007

(2) Wijetunge,I (1810) - May,J [D02]K-6 Parents/Friends (3), 12.05.2007[Wijetunge,I]
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 c6 3.e3 [ 3.c4] 3...Bf5 4.c4 e6 5.Nc3 Nd7 6.Qb3 Qc7 7.Bd2 Ngf6 8.Rc1 Qb6 9.Be2 Bd6 10.c5 Qxb3 11.axb3 Bc7 12.b4 0-0 13.b5 e5 14.0-0 Ne4 15.Nxe4 Bxe4 16.Ra1 exd4 17.exd4 Rfe8 18.Be3 [ 18.Rfe1] 18...Nf6 19.bxc6 bxc6 20.Ra6 Re7 21.Nd2 Bf5 22.Rxc6 Rb8 23.b3 Ba5 24.Bd1? [ 24.Rd1 Bxd2 25.Bxd2 Rxb3 26.Bf3+/-] 24...Bd3 25.Rd6 [ 25.Re1-/+] 25...Bxf1 26.Kxf1 Rxe3 27.fxe3 Bxd2 28.Ke2 Bc1 29.b4 h6 30.c6 Rc8 31.b5 Ne4 32.Rd7 Nc3+ 33.Ke1 Nxb5 34.Ba4 0-1

Reason(s) : Over confidence, too passive.

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I won't be having any over-confidence or time-trouble issues at the Chicago Open. Although results like the above would have normally left me feeling pretty down, for some reason I have a good feeling about the Chicago Open.

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This is what I plan to do for rest of the year:
Play
Play in tournaments with time control slower than G/60
Play at most one w-end tournament a month.
Play about 19 G/100 games (one game a week tournaments) for the rest of the year.
Study
Tactics
Endgames
Openings
Study middle games/plans based on my openings
Annotate my own games
Other
Regular (5-6 times a week) exercise
Healthier eating
Drink more water

May 06 - 3rd Coast G/60 Open at the Renaissance Hotel

There were 32 participants. Results

FM Stamnov, FM Tennant, Brian Luo(2043 #1 Age 9) and Mc Clanahan, (1651 #26 Age 10) tied for first with 3.5/4.

I won the first two games, lost the 3rd to Tennant, and the 4th to Mc Clanahan.

In the following 4th round game, I missed, 29..Nxd6, 30.Qxa2 Kc8 with an equal game.
(5) Mc Clanahan,G (1651) - Wijetunge,I (1830) [B16]RKnights G/60 (4), 06.05.2007
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 [ 4...Nd7 5.Ng5 Ndf6 6.N1f3 h6 7.Nxf7 Kxf7 8.Ne5+ Ke8 9.Qd3 Qd5 10.Qg6+ Kd8 11.Nf7+ Kc7 12.Bf4+ Kb6 13.Qg3 e5 14.Nxe5 Nh5 15.Nd7+ Ka5 16.Bc7+ Kb4] 5.Nxf6+ gxf6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.Be2 Rg8 8.Bf4 e6 9.Qd2 Nd7 10.c3 Nb6 11.Bg3 Nd5 12.h3 Bh5 13.Qc2 Bg6 14.Bd3 Bd6 15.Bxg6 hxg6 16.Bxd6 Qxd6 17.g3 0-0-0 18.0-0-0 Qc7 19.Nd2 Rh8 20.h4 Rh7 21.Ne4 Qe7 [ 21...f5 22.Ng5] 22.Qb3 Rdh8 23.c4 Nb6 24.Rhe1 Rh5 [ 24...g5 25.hxg5 fxg5] 25.c5 Nd5 26.Nd6+ Kb8 27.Qa4 Nc7 28.Rd3 Ne8 29.Ra3 a6 [ 29...Nxd6 30.Qxa7+ Kc8 31.cxd6 ( 31.Qa8+ Kd7) 31...Qxd6 32.Rb3 Qb8; 29...b5 30.cxb6 Nxd6 31.bxa7+ Ka8 32.Qxc6+ Nb7 33.Kb1] 30.Nxb7 1-0

Hales Corners Challenge V

Emory Tate vs Anthony Parker

International Master Emory Tate and FM Alexander Stamnov tied for first with 4-0 in the 4 round G/60 event. Mr. Tate just returned from the Reykjavik International. He was on his way to a GM norm there but only scored 0-3=1 in the last 4 rounds.
Tournament Results

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I went 1-1=1. I had the following postion against a 1905 player but could not find the move Nf5+ in bad time trouble. I still went into the endgame a piece up, but lost.

(6) Wijetunge,I (1850) - Wagner,R (1905) [D30]Hales Coreners V (2), 22.04.2007 G/55 with 5 sec. delay
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.e3 Nbd7 5.Bd3 Bb4+ 6.Nc3 0-0 7.0-0 b6 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Qc2 Re8 10.Bd2 Bb7 11.a3 Bf8 12.b4 [ 12.Ng5 g6] 12...c5 13.bxc5 [ 13.Ng5 g6 14.bxc5 bxc5 15.Rfb1 c4 16.Rxb7 cxd3 17.Qxd3] 13...bxc5 14.dxc5 Nxc5 15.Bb5 Re6 16.Nd4 Rb6 17.a4 [ 17.Na4 Nxa4 18.Qxa4] 17...a6 18.a5 Rd6 [ 18...Rxb5 19.Ndxb5 axb5 20.Nxb5 Ba6] 19.Be2 g6 20.Na4 Nxa4 21.Qxa4 Rc8 22.Rab1 Rd7 23.Rb6 Ne4 24.Bb4 Bc5 25.Bxc5 Nxc5 26.Qb4 Rcc7 27.Rb1 Kg7 28.Bg4 Rd6 29.Qb2 Qf6 30.Rxd6 Nd3 31.Rxf6 [ 31.Nf5+] 31...Nxb2 32.Rc6 [ 32.Rb6] 32...Bxc6 33.Rxb2 * 0-1

(*at this stage I am down to a few seconds and stopped keeping score, and ended up making a few horrible moves)

Waukesha Chess Club Tournament

I am the 2nd seed in an 8 person sectional. One game a week on Wednesdays. (G/90)

1) 3/14 Draw D. Wetzel (1630) vs Me
2) 3/21 Win Me vs J.Hetzel (1639)
3) 3/28 Win H. Lilly(1798) vs Me
4) 4/4 Me vs A. Walker (1824) - Postponed till 5/2
5) 4/11 Me vs R.Jayne (1595) - Postponed till 5/9
6) 4/18 Win J. Coons (1879) vs me
7) 4/25 Loss Me vs A Jensen (1620)

4) 5/2 Loss Me vs A. Walker (1824)
5) 5/9 Draw Me vs R.Jayne (1595)


Round 6 J. Coons (1879) vs me Win (Click here to replay)

I missed a few tactics, but the endgame was easily winning.
Here I missed 9...Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Qxd4 Here I missed 24...Nd3

(1) Coons,J (1845) - Wijetunge,I (1840)

1.Nf3 c6 2.d4 d5 3.c4 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Na6 6.e4 Bg4 7.Bxc4 e6 8.Be2 Nb4 9.h3 Bh5 [ 9...Bxf3 10.Bxf3] 10.0-0 a5 11.Bf4 Be7 12.Rc1 0-0 13.Re1 Rc8 14.Ne5 Bxe2 15.Rxe2 Nh5 16.Be3 Bg5 17.Qd2 h6 18.Nf3 Bxe3 19.Qxe3 Qf6 20.g3 Rce8 21.Ne5 Rd8 22.Nf3 Rfe8 23.e5 Qg6 24.g4 f5 [ 24...Nd3 25.Nh4 Qg5 26.Rd1] 25.Nh4 Qg5 26.Qxg5 hxg5 27.gxh5 gxh4 28.Rd1 Kf7 29.f4 Rh8 30.Rg2 Rxh5 31.Rdd2 Rg8 32.b3 g5 33.Ne2 g4 34.Kh2 Nd5 35.Rd3 Rh7 36.hxg4 fxg4 37.Kg1 Ne7 38.Nc3 h3 39.Rgg3 Nf5 40.Ne4 Nxg3 41.Rxg3 Rh4 42.Nd6+ Kg6 43.Nxb7 Kf5 44.Nxa5 Kxf4 45.Kh2 Rc8 46.b4 Rh7 47.Nc4 Rb8 48.Rb3 Rhb7 49.b5 cxb5 50.Nd6 Rc7 51.Rb2 b4 52.Rf2+ Kg5 0-1

Brought back to earth in Rockford

In my last 14 rated games I had lost only two games, both to masters. I was the top seed and paired against a player more than 400 points below me. I spent my time getting the following position as black with black to play. Around this time my confidence had turned into over-confidence, and that is very dangerous place to be.

I went into a pawn endgame which I thought was a win for me, but with best play it was a draw, but I still had a chance to win with a4 in this position, but by this time I didn't have that much time left:I ended up losing, and was so rattled by this that I lost the next game to a 1700 player.

Well, back to the drawing board...

(2) Romano,R (1430) - Wijetunge,I (1874) [B16]Rockford (1), 14.04.2007
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ gxf6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.gxf3 e6 9.Be3 Nd7 10.f4 f5 11.Bc4 Nb6 12.Bb3 Qh4 13.Qf3 Nd5 14.Bxd5 cxd5 15.0-0-0 Qd8 16.Rd3 Rc8 17.Rb3 Qd7 18.Qe2 Rg8 19.Qb5 Qxb5 20.Rxb5 Rc7 21.Rd1 Kd7 22.Rb3 Be7 23.Rbd3 Rg2 24.Rh1 Rc8 25.Rdd1 Bh4 26.Rdf1 b5 27.Kd2 b4 28.Rhg1 Rcg8 29.Rxg2 Rxg2 30.Ke2 Bf6 31.Rh1 Kc6 32.Kd3 Bh4 33.Ke2 Kb5 34.b3 Rg8 35.Kd3 a5 36.Rc1 Rc8 37.c4+ bxc3 38.Rxc3 Rxc3+ 39.Kxc3 Be7 40.Kc2 Bb4 41.Bd2 Bxd2 42.Kxd2 Kb4 43.Kc2 Ka3 44.Kb1 f6 45.f3 h6 46.h4 h5 47.Ka1 Kb4? [ 47...a4 Wins! for black 48.bxa4 Kxa4 49.Kb2 Kb4 50.Kc2 Kc4 51.Kb2 Kxd4 52.a4 Kc5 53.Kb3 d4 54.a5 d3 55.Kc3 Kb5 56.Kxd3 Kxa5 57.Kd4 Kb4 58.Kd3] 48.Kb2 Kb5 49.a3 a4 50.Kc3 Ka5 51.bxa4 Kxa4 52.Kb2 Kb5 53.Kb3 1-0

This and that...

I was going to play in the Great Lakes Open in Michgan, but decided against it because of the low prize to entry fee ratio and distance to the event from Milwaukee.

Instead I decided to play in 2 one day events this month:

April 14 Rockford 2nd Saturday Open (Illinois)
EF $20 by April 9, $25 at site.
4SS, G/80,
Our Master’s United Methodist Church, 5973 Darlene Dr., Rockford 61109. Free parking.

Prizes Fund: 70% of EF’s, 30% first. No Smoking.

Schedule: Reg. 8:30-9:30 am. ANY reg. after 9:50 am must take 1/2 point bye in 1st rd.

Rds. 10:00, 1, 3:30, 6:30. Bye: 1/2 pt avail. in rds. 1-3, max. 1 bye. Ent: (Check Payable to) Rockford Chess Association, 2764 Panorama Drive, Rockford, IL 61109. http://www.rockfordchess.com/ Questions: 815-397-9186. Email: mabarkdoll@gmail.com BRING CLOCKS—NONE PROVIDED.

Apr. 21 Hales Corners Challenge V GPP: 10 (Wisconsin)
4SS, G/60. Two Sections: Open & Reserve (under 1600).

Village Hall, 5635 S. New Berlin Rd., Hales Corners, WI (Milwaukee Area).

EF: $35-Open, $25-Reserve, both $5 more after 4/18. Comp EF for USCF 2200+, contact TD for details.

$$Open (b/25)=1st-$325 (guaranteed), 2nd-$175 (guaranteed), A-$100, B and Below-$75;

$$ Reserve (b/25)=1st-$100, 2nd-$75, D-$50, E & Below-$40. Reg: 8:30-9:30, Rds: 10-1-3:30-6. Ent: Payable to Southwest Chess Club, c/o Allen Becker, 6105 Thorncrest Drive, Greendale, WI 53129. (allenbecker@wi.rr.com). Questions to TD Gary Wright 414-315-0043.

According to the TD, International Master Emory Tate will most probably play in this event.

I had a very interesting game against Mr. Tate in a G/90 side event at the US Open last year.

Click here to replay. (I am playing White)

Me (1800) - Tate,E (2447) [A40]
Chicago G/90 (2), 05.08.2006

1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 b6 3.Bg5 f6 4.Bh4 Bb7 5.e3 Nh6 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.c3 Ne7 8.Nbd2 Nhf5 9.Bg3 h5 10.e4 h4 11.Bf4 Ng6 12.Be3 Nxe3 13.fxe3 Qe7 14.Qa4 a6 15.Rf1 c5 16.Rc1 b5 17.Qd1 cxd4 18.cxd4 Qb4 19.Qb3 Qa5 20.Ke2 Be7 21.a3 h3 22.g3 0-0 23.Ng1 Rab8 24.Nxh3 b4 25.Rf5 Qd8 26.a4 d5 27.Rf2 Qe8 28.Kf1 Rc8 29.Rc2 [ 29.Rxc8 Qxc8 30.Kg2 Qc1 31.Nf4 Nxf4+ 32.exf4 Rc8] 29...Qd7 30.e5 f5 31.Nf4 Nxf4 32.exf4 Bc6 33.Qa2 [ 33.Bxa6 Bxa4 ( 33...Ra8 34.Bb5 Bxb5+ 35.axb5 Qxb5+) 34.Bxc8 Bxb3] 33...Bxa4 34.b3 Bb5 35.Rf3 [ 35.Bxb5 Qxb5+ 36.Kg2 g5] 35...Rc3 [ 35...Bxd3+ 36.Rxd3 Qb5 37.Ke2] 36.Bxb5 [ 36.Rxc3 bxc3 37.Nb1 Rc8 38.Qc2 Bxd3+ 39.Rxd3 Qb5 40.Nxc3 Bb4] 36...Qxb5+ 37.Kg2 Rfc8 38.Rb2 [ 38.Rcxc3 bxc3 39.Qc2 Qe2+ 40.Rf2 Qe3 41.Nf3 Qe4] 38...g5 39.Rf2 gxf4 40.Rxf4 Bg5 41.Rf1 Be3 42.Nf3 Qd3 0-1

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I am pretty excited about the Chicago Open. It's not often that I get to be one of the top seeds.(1874 in the Under-1900 Section) I am playing in the 4 day event with a bye in round 1, that way I get 2 games a day and one less night to spend in Chicago.

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I am almost done with the very entertaining book Kings of New York. It will be interesting to see how the team does this w-end at the National High School (K12) Championship . It will be the last time their 2 stars Bercys, Salvijus (2491) and Lenderman, Alex (2471) compete.

There are 1436 players from 37 states registered so far!

Interesting game against a master

I played this game against Tim Mc Entee (2200) in the last round of the Hawkeye Mind Chellenge last Sunday(March 25th)

Click here to replay

[Event "Hawkeye Mind Challenge"]
[Site "Iowa City"]
[Date "2007.02.25"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Mc Entee, Tim"]
[Black "Wijetunge, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2200"]
[BlackElo "1866"]
1. d4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. Nf3 dxc4 4. e3 b5 5. a4 Bb7 6. axb5 cxb5 7. b3 e6 (7... a5
8. bxc4 b4) 8. bxc4 b4 9. c5 a5 10. Ne5 Be7 11. Bb5+ Kf8 12. O-O Qd5 13. Qf3
Qxf3 14. gxf3 f6 (14... Bd8 15. e4 Ne7 16. Rd1 Bc7) 15. c6 Bc8 (15... fxe5 16.
cxb7 Ra7 17. dxe5 Bd8 (17... Rxb7 18. Bc4 Bd8 19. f4 Ke7) 18. Bc4 Ke7 19. Rd1)
16. Nc4 Bd8 17. e4 Ne7 18. d5 g6 (18... exd5 19. exd5 Ba6 20. Bxa6 Rxa6) 19.
Bh6+ Kg8 20. Rd1 Ba6 21. Bxa6 Rxa6 22. c7 Bxc7 23. d6 Bxd6 24. Rxd6 Rxd6 25.
Nxd6 1-0

I tried a side line 4....b5 and although it looked to me and others watching that Black was in a bad way most of the game, infact black was only slightly worse until the bad move 18...g6. (The idea was to find a home for the king at g7 so thet I could get the king's rook out, but I completely missed the obvious reply Bh6)

If I had played 14...Bd8 or 15...fxe5, I was still in the game.

Hawkeye Mind Challenge XIV Mar. 24-25 Iowa City, IA

Betaneli scores 4.5/5, wins clear first and $500

Tournament Results

Beteneli (left). On the right is Siem Tesfaslase from Iowa City, who tied for 2nd and gained 101 rating points. He has brought he rating from 1573 to 1760 in the last two tournaments (10 games) !

Siem is also the current Iowa Quick Chess Champion finishing ahead of an expert and several A-players.

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I scored 2-2=0 with a bye in round 2.

I won with black against Brian Blackbarth (1450) in the first round. My 10 game unbeaten streak ended when I lost to Betanel in round 3. I won with white against Thomas Gaul (1792) in round 4. I then lost the last round to Iowa master Tim Mc Entee.

I gained a few rating points to end with 1874. (which will be my highest published rating for the May 2007 supplement)

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Round 1 Click to replay Blackbarth vs Wijetunge

Final position

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Round 3 Click to replay Wijetunge vs Betaneli

I had an interesting game againts Betaneli, I sacrificed a Bishop for 2 pawns in an equal position, but lost my way. Later analysis shows that the postion is unclear.
[Event "Hawkeye Mind Challanege"]
[Date "2007.03.24"][Round "3"]
[White "Wijetunge, Ivan"]
[Black "Betaneli, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"][ECO "D47"]
[WhiteElo "1866"]
[BlackElo "2274"]
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. e3 Nf6 4. c4 e6 5. Nc3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Be2Bb7 9. O-O a6 10. a3 c5 11. dxc5 Nxc5 12. b4 Qxd1 13. Rxd1 Ncd7 14. Bb2 Be7 15.Nxb5 (15. e4 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 Bxe4 17. Bxg7) 15... axb5 16. Bxb5 Bxf3 17. gxf3O-O-O 18. Rdc1+ (18. Rac1+ Kb8 19. Bc6) 18... Kb8 19. Bc6 Bd6 20. b5 (20. f4 e5) 20... Be5 21. Rc2 Bxb2 22. Rxb2 Ne5 23. Rc2 Rc8 24. Rac1 Nxc6 25. Rxc6 Rxc626. Rxc6 Kb7 27. a4 Ra8 28. Rc4 Nd5 29. Rg4 g6 30. Rh4 h5 31. e4 Rxa4 0-1

Black (Betaneli) to move

26th Annual Waukesha Memorial

A great turn out: 47 players

Considering the fact that there are no monetary prizes this is remarkable.

Tournament results

I finished with 2-0=1 with a draw agianst the top seed Jon Breider 2152 in the last round.

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Round 1
I won against a 1300

I am playing Black above with White to play.

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Round 2
I won against a 1700
I am playing White above with Black to play, Black lost on time in a bad position.

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Round 3
I took a bye

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Round 4

Jon Breider 2152 vs me. Jon won the 2005 Chicago Open Under 2200 section by going 7-0! 1.5 points above second place. He re-entered the tournament after having overslept and missed the first round!

I managed to get my self into a completley lost position, but wriggled out with a draw in the end.

Click here to replay the game.