That's it!

I have played 10 tournaments in a row in which I have not been able to get off my floor. It's time to stop playing so much and figure out how I can improve.

When I started playing rated chess I got my rating up to the mid 1800s pretty quickly, then I it was stuck from 1600 - 1700 for almost 15 years. Then last year I managed to get my rating up to 1880, but since then I have been stuck at my floor of 1800 (This is a floor based on prize money, not rating) . If not for the floor I would be back in the 1600-1700 range. Is history repeating itself? It might be another 15 years before I see my rating go over 1800 again!

Encouraged by the results of last year I decided to set a goal for myself. To get to 2000 by the February 2007 rating supplement.

My plan

Phase 1) Play lots of rated games
Phase 2) Go over the games with a coach and study (tactics mainly , endgames, grand master games in the openings I play)

I am done with phase 1 I have more than enough games to go over. I didn't expect any rating gains, but a few points would have been nice. There were many instances where it came down to the last round. May be I should start skipping the last round!

I am going to look at my last 100 games and pay special attention to the last 50 losses.

For the month of October I plan to play in two main events, The Midwest Class in Chicago and the Governor's Cup in Sioux Falls. I will be taking first round byes in both so that's only 8 games. I also plan to play another 6 games at local chess clubs. That's a total of 14. (I averaged 28 games/month for last 3 months).

Greg Knutson Memorial - Sep 23-23

Top seeds :

1) ALEXANDER BETANELI 2280
2) JOSEPH P RICHARDS 2036
3) LUO, BRIAN J 1972

Two of the nations top juniors are here.
Velikanov the nations #2 eight year old.
Luo the nations #1 nine year old.

Betaneli vs Luo in round 5 (Betaneli won)








"I am impressed to see kids like Ray Robson, Daniel Naroditsky and Brian Lou. All of them have the potential to become not only strong, but leading American grandmasters....."

-Gary Kasparov (page 39 September 2006 Chess Life)

Velikanov has a +1-0=1 record against Luo.

Touranament results

Cardenas, Jayne,new comer Zeeshaun and I made the trip from Milwaukee

Round 2
me vs Betaneli loss
I had a great game against Betaneli, but it came at a cost; bad time management. I made a critical error right before time control. But I was happy with way I played upto then.

This and that

A few days ago I had a dream that I had suddenly become a better player. I had two relatively easy wins against a 1600 and 1700 right after that. I was almost starting to believe my dream, but was brought back to earth pretty quickly. I had a couple of losses to an expert and an A player and then only scored 1-3=1 at the Iowa Open. One win in seven games!

Today was the last game at the Waukesha Team Tournament. I was paired against the 9-0, eight year old Alexander Velikanov.

I don't think many people gave me a chance, (Including myself) but I managed to win.

I was going to play the Caro Kann which I used to play, instead of my new defense to e4 the Qd6 Scandinavian. But I was surprised when he played 1.d4 which I have never seen him play. He then followed that up with e3, Bd3 and f4.

It was a classic case of good Knight vs bad Bishop.

Game replay

Check out this great application by Wayne Zimmerle

Iowa Open - Sep 16-17

Burgess beats Betaneli to tie for first(Along with Robert Raynolds). Remarkable come back by Burgess after he was upset in the first round by a 1700 player. This 1700 player Dan Brashaw had a great tournament. 2 wins and 3 draws agains very tough competition.

Cardenas had a chance to tie for first, but lost to Raynolds in the last round.

Complete Results

My problem is that when it comes to chess I am caught in two minds.

1) I really enjoy playing in tournaments.

2) I want to become a better player.

I am obviously playing far too much and not doing much when it comes to # 2 above. Playing so much without studying will have a negative impact (Jose Gatica). Since I am making the same kinds of mistakes over and over.

In this tournament I lost to a 2300 player in the first round. (No time trouble)

In the second round I could only manage a draw against a 1666 player after obtaining the following position as black: (Time trouble) In round 3 I lost to a 1523 player (Who is actually much better and beat a 1943 player in the first round) I had this position as White, but could not come up with a good plan. (Time trouble)
I finally had a win aginst a 1732 player in round 4. I just played e5 (I am black) and right after that saw that White could play Rxh2. But I can then play Qf5 and it gets pretty complicated. (No time trouble)

Round 5 : Made the wrong move in the opening and it was all down hill from there. I am suposed to bring the Q bishop to g4. (6.....Bg4)
(12) Johnson,K (1677) - Me (1800) [B01]Iowa Open (5), 17.09.2006
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 a6 6.Bd3 b5? [ 6...Bg4 7.Ne4 Nxe4 8.Bxe4 Nc6] 7.Ne4 Nxe4 8.Bxe4 Nc6 9.0-0 [ 9.Bf4 Qf6 10.Be5 Qh6 11.Bxc7] 9...Bb7 10.c3 Na5 11.Qc2 e6 12.Ne5 c5 13.Bf4 Qb6 14.dxc5 Bxc5 [ 14...Bxe4 15.Qxe4 Qb7 16.c6] 15.b4 Bxf2+ 16.Rxf2 Nc6 17.Nxf7 Rf8 18.Nd6+ Ke7 19.Qd2 Rad8 20.Bg5+ Rf6 21.Bxf6+ gxf6 22.Qf4 Rxd6 23.Qxf6+ Kd7 24.Kh1 Ne7 25.Bxb7 Qxb7 26.Qg7 Qd5 27.Raf1 Qd1 28.h3 1-0

My Games

Caption Time

Dream etc.

I had a dream a couple of days ago that I had suddenly become a better player! Since then I have played 2 rated games (G/90), and in both cases I won pretty handily. (against a 1600 and 1700). I am almost beginning to believe my dream. But I am sure that I will be brought down to earth in short order.

In the first game I got my pieces well developed and the attack netted me a pawn. Although I was pretty sure that I could have gotten more, (move 12) I decided to go into the end game a solid pawn up. Later I managed to weaken black's pawn structure and then get a knight on to the great f4 square. I have been reading Irving Chernev's "Capablanca's Best Chess Endings", and was reminded of some of them in this game, especially when black finds him self in zugzwang after he runs out of pawn moves around move 36. Even patzers like us can have a good day once in a while!

In the next game my opponent makes a not so good move against the center counter. 2. e5, and got himself in trouble with my bishops causing havoc on the queen side.

Game Link

Both these games are part of a 5 round double round robin. I only have a 4-4=0 score so far. The story of the event is 8 year old Alexander Velikanov. He is 9-0. With only one game remaining against me. All the other adults in the club are rooting for me. I can't let an 8 year old go 10-0! After this tournament gets rated he should be the highest ranked 8-year old in the nation!

Here is Alxander's last game. (He is playing white)

If you have any pointers for me please let me know. I usually play the Qd6 Scandinavian, I played it against Alexander a few weeks ago and got a great game out of the opening, but lost in the end. I don't think he will play the same way again. He is very good tactically and has a lot off opening knowledge. He is thought to have an expert level knowlede of rook endings and to be almost as good in pawn endings. I thought of playing the Caro Kann (Which I used to play) But by me switching openings just for him, I might find myself in more trouble. He has a coach and they prepare for specific opponent's by going through their openings. When I played white against him a few weeks ago, he knew more about the opening that I did!

Can you think of a caption for this picture?

Michigan Open

The playing site. The very nice Radisson Plaza Hotel
Top seed Torman, Eric (2454) (right) who re-entered the 2 day schedule after losing in round 3. He has 3.5/4. All schedules merge for the next round (5)

I took a first round by.

Round 2 : Loss
I was paired agianst near master Seth Homa. He was upset by a 1900 player in the first round. I thought I had an even game but could not hold.

Seth Homa in his trademark outfit

Homa,S (2197) - Me(1800) [B01]MI Open (2), 02.09.2006
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 a6 6.g3 b5 7.Bg2 Bb7 8.0-0 e6 9.Bf4 Qb6 10.a4 b4 11.a5 Qa7 12.Na4 Nd5 13.Bd2 Nd7 14.c4 bxc3 15.bxc3 Be7 16.c4 N5f6 17.Qe2 Ne4 [ 17...0-0 18.d5 Rae8 19.dxe6 fxe6 20.Qxe6+ Kh8 21.Be3 Qa8 22.Nh4] 18.Bf4 Bd6 19.Ne5 Bxe5 20.dxe5 Nec5 21.Bxb7 Qxb7 22.Nxc5 Nxc5 23.Rad1 0-0 24.Bg5 Ne4 25.Qf3 Nc5 26.Qg4 Qe4 27.Qxe4 Nxe4 28.Be7 Rfe8 29.Rd7 Rac8 30.Rfd1 Rxe7 [ 30...f6 31.f3 Ng5 32.Kf2] 31.Rxe7 Nc5 32.Rxc7 1-0

Round 3: Draw against a 1500 (a kid who is having a great tourament)

Round 4 : Win
Finaly a win against a higher rated player. It's amazing the tactics we missed. I could have won right out of the opening with 12...Be4 or 13 ...Qd5, but instead went into an equal middle game. Then I was completely lost, but managed to win in the end.

Skidmore,M (1927) - Me (1800) [B01]MI Open (4), 03.09.2006
1.e4 d5 2.e5 c5 3.Bb5+ Nc6 4.Bxc6+ bxc6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.0-0 e6 7.c3 d4 8.h3 Bh5 9.g4 Bg6 10.cxd4 h5 11.dxc5 hxg4 12.hxg4 Bd3 [ 12...Be4 13.d4 Rh3 14.Nbd2 Qh4 15.Nxe4 Rh1+] 13.Qa4 Bb5 [ 13...Qd5 14.Qf4 Be2] 14.Qe4 Bxc5 15.d4 Bb6 [ 15...Bxf1 16.Qxc6+ Kf8 17.Qxc5+ Ne7 18.Kxf1 Rc8] 16.Re1 Ne7 17.Bg5 Qd7 18.Bxe7 Kxe7 19.a4 Bc4 20.Nc3 Ba5 21.Qe3 Rab8 22.Qg5+ Kf8 23.Qd2 Ke7 [ 23...Bd5] 24.Qg5+ Kf8 25.Kg2 Rxb2 26.Rh1 Rg8 27.Ne4 Bd8 28.Qc1 Rb4 29.Qc3 a5 30.Rab1 Qb7 31.Nd6 [ 31.Nc5] 31...Qa6 32.Rxb4 axb4 33.Qxb4 Bd5 34.Qb8 Ke7 35.Rb1 c5 36.dxc5 Rf8 37.Qb5 [ 37.Nc8+ Ke8] 37...Qa8 38.Qd3 Qxa4 39.Kg3 Bc7 40.Rh1 Qc6 41.Rh7 Qxc5 42.Rxg7 Bxf3 [ 42...Bxd6 43.exd6+ Qxd6+ 44.Kg2 Rh8 45.Rg5 Qf4 46.Rxd5 Qxg4+] 43.Nxf7 Rxf7 44.Rxf7+ Kxf7 45.Qh7+ Ke8 46.Qg8+ Ke7 47.Qg7+ Ke8 48.Qg8+ Ke7 49.Qg7+ Kd8 50.Qg8+ Kd7 51.Qf7+ Qe7 52.Qxf3 Bxe5+ 53.Kg2 Qd6 54.Qf7+ Kc6 55.Qe8+ Kc5 56.Qc8+ Qc6+ 57.Qxc6+ Kxc6 58.Kf3 Kd5 59.g5 Bd4 60.g6 Bf6 61.Kf4 Kd6 62.Kg4 Ke7 63.Kh5 Kf8 64.Kh6 Be5 65.Kh7 Bg7 66.f3 e5 67.f4 e4 0-1

Round 5 : Loss to 1885

Round 6: Draw 1849

Round 7: Loss 1820

I had a chance to gain rating points right upto the last round, but since I lost the game I did not. But I had a great time and made many new friends. The playing conditions were excellent.

Even with 40/2 G/1 I found myself getting into time trouble. In four of the games it was mutual. Reminds me of "The slowness of genius is hard to bear, but the slowness of mediocrity is intolerable. – Henry Thomas Buckle"

Losses and Draws

Roman Lewit - Aug 26,27

Pete suggested that I play openings that I have never played before. So I tried all kinds of openings like 1.b3 as white.

Tournament Result

Looking at losses. Link to losses

I was thinking about the 4 games I lost in this tournament. I think the opening experiment was a good one. I got to experience many new kinds of positions, although it was unnerving at times, for instance having to face the kings gambit. I think I got out of the opening in fairly decent shape, except in the kings gambit game.

Loss 1 / Parker,A (1938) vs Me
Misplayed the black side of a Kings Gambit.

Loss 2 / Me vs Her,S (1665)
After having just won a piece, I made one of the worst moves possible, and even after dropping the queen I could have still gone into a slightly worse ending with a rook+minor piece vs queen, but I made a second bad move.

Loss 3 / Me vs Grochowski,R (1678)
Got my self into really bad time trouble after arriving about 20 min. late for the G/60 game, and dropped my queen.

Loss 4 / Me vs Schmakel,S (1708)
Got a great attacking positon with all my pieces bearing down on the king. Didn't have the tactical insight to see the killer blow on more than one occation, and ended up dropping a piece.


What I have observed in looking at these and other recent losses is that in the early part of the game I do okay and calculate fairly accurately, but as the game goes on I make very elementary tactical mistakes. Time trouble has something to do with it, but maybe I just get bored/tired. Maybe I should take a break in the middle of the game and go for a short walk/ drink some coffee etc.

Link to wins

---

I was planning on taking the coming w-end off, but I decided to play in the Michigan Open. I plan to play in the 4-day option and take a bye for the first round. The 40/120 G/60 time control is great.

Progress(No Progress) Report

Well, I am almost at the point where I start playing a lot less and instead study/get lessons. As far as gaining rating points I have a net gain of zero! But since I mainly spent my time playing this is hardly surprising. I have played every w-end for the last 13 w-ends in addition to the Wednesday and Thursday games at the local chess clubs.

What I have noticed in many of my losses is that I play well up to a point and then make one or two move tactical errors(sometimes very basic) which cost me the game. I have to learn to concentrate until the game is over.

Schedule:
September:
2-4 Michigan Open

16-17 Iowa Open

October:
13-15 or 14-15 15th Annual Midwest Class Championships

November:

December:

Getting to 1801?

A couple of my friends have suggested that I change the name of this blog to "Getting to 1801". The way I am playing right now, that might not be a bad idea.

I am trying to get off my floor before the October supplement comes out. Which means I still have the 7 round G/60 tournament coming up this w-end.

Today I lost a game to a 1764 player. There are many ways of losing, this way is pretty painful.

I am playing white. After an equal game where black may have been better, black finds himself 2 pawns down. He then thinks for a while and sacrifices a rook. I did not expect this sac and started to panic. Then I realized that the rook sac was a bluff, since I had the "always" relaible defensive knight move 33.Nf3. But just before I played it I saw another defensive move (33.Ra2), which I thought was eqally good, and only realized after I payed it that it loses quickly.

Escanaba observes Eastern Time! Final Update

David Cardenas and I am here to play in the UP Open. We planned to get there about an hour early and hoped to be paired down the first 2 rounds. But we didn't think about the time difference and ended up getting there just when the round was about to start. We had 2 options, play each other or take 1/2 point byes. We decided to play. I ended up losing the game, due to my lack of tactical intuition. I had to play 32.g3 It was masked because I induced the defensive move Rg6, which also happens to be a potent offensive move.

(12) Me(1800) - Cardenas,D (1906) [D03]UP Open G/120 (1), 19.08.2006
1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bg5 Nf6 4.e3 h6 5.Bh4 b6 6.Bd3 Bb7 7.Nbd2 Be7 8.c3 Nbd7 9.Qe2 Ne4 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Nxd2 14.Qxd2 f6 15.exf6 Rxf6 16.Rae1 Rd8 17.Qc2 e5 18.c4 [ 18.e4 d4 19.Rc1] 18...e4 19.Be2 d4 20.exd4 Rxd4 21.Qb3 Rd2 22.c5+ Qe6 23.Bc4 Bd5 24.Bxd5 Rxd5 25.cxb6 axb6 26.Qc4 Rc5 27.Qxe4 Qxa2 28.Ra1 Qe6 29.Ra8+ Kf7 30.Qh7 Re5 31.Rg8 Rg6 32.Rd8 [ 32.g3 Re1 33.Qh8 Rxf1+ 34.Kxf1 Qc4+ 35.Kg2 Qe4+ 36.Kg1 Qb1+ 37.Kg2 Qe4+ 38.Kg1] 32...Rxg2+ 33.Kxg2 Qg4+ 34.Kh1 Qf3+ 35.Kg1 Rg5# 0-1

Cardenas is the UP Champion. He finished 3-0=2 to finish clear first. He continues to improve and will be very close to 2000 in the next supplement.

I finished 3-2 with a win against Douglas Younkle (1911) in the last round. But this loss to David Sundeen (1600) ensured that I don't gain any rating points. David has been making the 7 hour drive to this tournament for the last 24 years!

(15) Sundeen,D (1600) - Me (1800) [B01]UP Open G/120 (2), 19.08.2006
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Be2 a6 6.d3 e6 [ 6...e5 7.d4 Nc6 8.dxe5] 7.0-0 Be7 8.Bd2 b5 [ 8...Nc6 9.Bg5] 9.a3 Bb7 10.Qc1 0-0 11.Ng5 c5 12.Nge4 Qd7 [ 12...Nxe4 13.Nxe4] 13.Bf3 Nc6 14.Re1 Rfd8 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.Bg5 Bxg5 17.Qxg5 Nd4 18.Bxb7 Qxb7 19.Rac1 Rac8 20.Ne4 c4 21.dxc4 bxc4 22.Nf6+ Kh8 23.Nh5 f6 24.Qg4 Rc5 25.Rcd1 Rg5 26.Qh3 Rdd5 [ 26...Rgd5 27.Kf1 ( 27.Qg4 f5) 27...Nxc2 ( 27...Qxb2 28.Nf4) 28.Rxd5 exd5 29.Nxf6 gxf6 30.Qc3 Rb8 ( 30...d4 31.Qxc2 Qc7 ( 31...Qc6 32.Qf5 Rg8 33.f3) 32.Qf5) 31.Qxc2 Qxb2 32.Qf5 Qd4; 26...Nf3+ 27.Qxf3; 26...Ne2+ 27.Kf1; 26...h6 27.Kh1 Rgd5 28.c3 Nc2 29.Rxd5 Qxd5 30.Rg1] 27.Nf4 Rde5 28.Rxe5 fxe5 29.Nh5 g6 [ 29...Qxb2 30.c3 Qb3 31.Re1; 29...Qd5 30.Kf1 Qe4; 29...Qd5 30.c3 Ne2+] 30.Nf6 Rf5 31.Ng4 Ne2+ [ 31...Qxb2 32.Qh4 ( 32.c3 Qc2) 32...Rf7 33.Qd8+ Kg7 34.Qd6 Nxc2 35.Qd2] 32.Kf1 Nf4 [ 32...Rh5 33.Qe3 Nf4 34.f3 Nd5 35.Qc5] 33.Rd8+ Kg7 34.Qh6+ Kf7 35.Qf8# 1-0

A couple of wins

This(the Hetzel vs. Me game) is the 6th game of a 5 round double round robin tournament. I started off 1-3. Based on the ratings of the players I had to score 5/6 to avoid a rating loss. (Now 4/5). The rating loss I am talking about is hypothetical since I am at my floor. But since this tournament won't be rated till sometime in October, any good results I may have up to then will be wiped out when this tournament is rated, unless I can turn things around.

Two games is a row where I develop the Queens rook via a7! But this time in a winning cause. I am not sure if 7...c5 was a good move by me, but since white did not play d4 when he got the chance, it worked out in my favor. The variation 20...Bg5 after 20.Nxd4 is very interesting. I stopped looking after I saw that White can play 24.Nc6 after 23...Bxe1. But the variation is not over as I can play Rc7 then Rfc8 (If White plays 25.Rxe1, but his best is 25.d4), force the knight to move and then either fork the Knight and Bishop or trap the Bishop. (Courtesy of Fritz)

So far the main story is the performance of 8 year old Alexander Velikanov who is in my section and has a score of 6-0!. I was supposed to play him next Wednesday with the black pieces, but the game has been postponed for late September. This is my loss as white gainst him played a few weeks ago.

Won a game in the Hales Corner Club Championahip. I think it was a mistake for me to play 8.c4 and give the black bishop scope. Other than that I don't think I made any bad moves.

Annotated Game etc.

I am playing the in-form David Cardenas, who has gained a lot of rating points in a the last few tournaments. He should be close to 1950 after this tournament gets rated.

Game Link (G/100)

I had dinner at a George Webb last night. There was this old waitress working hard and I decided that I was going to give her a really nice tip, but then I saw her go outside for a smoke. I figured she would just waste it on cigarettes, so I just went with 15%. I wasn't sure if I did the right thing. What do you think?

My work out program is coming along fine. I joined the WAC . My program consists of several (4-6) weeks of moderate training followed by a couple of weeks of more intense training. (Both weights and cardio) I just started the intense period.

My goals are:

1. to get to about 155 lb with a good muscle to fat ratio. I am at about 146 lb right now.
2. get in good cardiovascular shape

Improving/Training Etc.

This is my plan:

Phase I:

Play tournament games with time control of at least G/60.

Phase II:

Use the games from above to figure out an improvement strategy with the help of a coach. Study more and not play as much.

---

I am in the transition from Phase I to II, but since I enjoy playing so much its going to be hard to study instead of play. But if I want to improve that is what I have to do. I have started taking lessons from NM Pete Karagianis

I was planning on taking the coming w-end off, but that was before I saw the following tournament:

Aug. 19-20 34th Upper Peninsula Open
5SS, G/120. Bay College Cafeteria Center, 2001 N. Lincoln Rd, Escanaba MI. EF: $30 (19 and under $20), $5 more if after 8/12. $200 first pl. guar; other prizes based on entries. Trophy to top UP player and UP Jr. Reg: 9-9:30. Rds: 10-2:30-7, 10-2:30. Byes avail. Checks payable to LSCA c/o Robert John, 315 E Prospect St, Marquette MI 49855, 906-228-8126, rjjjr@chartermi.net.

I have never played in MI and Escanaba seems like a really nice place.

More Chess Blindness US G/45

I am black and played Bd6?? When Qxe5 just wins. I lost this game. I really can't explain gross blunders like this. The only explanations is that I have been playing a lot. In the next few months I will be playing a lot less and studying more.

US Open 2006 - 3

Susan Polgar won the Blitz tournament

US Open 2006 - 2

Today is Friday round 7 is winding down The Anzis family from Iowa

Aigner, Michael (Left) Had a remarkable 7/9 taking home $2000

Voje, Daniel(Mr. Chess Castle, Minneapolis) who won close to $300 in the A-Class

Mc Entee, Tim R vs Edelstein, Sam

US Open 2006 - 1

Lots of action today with 3 different schedules playing at the same time! I am in the 5-day with a .5 bye for round 1.

Traditional Schedule Round 5

Jose Gatica (Right)

Tim Mc Entee

6 Day Round 4

William Aramil

Emory Tate

5 Day Round 2

Alexander Stamnov(left) vs Gopal Menon (Stamnov won)

My Results

1. Bye
2. Loss Me (1800) vs Sean Vibbert (1480)Note to self - when Bishop attacks your undefended rook, do something about !
   1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 d6 3.Nf3 g6 4.Nbd2 Bg7 5.e3 0-0 6.Bd3 Bg4 7.c3 c5 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Nc6 10.0-0 Qd7 11.Rad1 cxd4 12.exd4 d5 13.Rde1 Ne8 14.Bb5 e6 15.Qg3 Nd6 16.Ba4 Nf5 17.Qd3 e5 18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.dxe5 h6 20.Bf4 g5 21.Bh2 Ne7 22.Nf3 Qf5 23.Qe3 g4 24.Nd4 Qg6 25.hxg4 Qxg4 26.f4 Nf5 27.Nxf5 Qxf5 28.Qc5 Rfc8 29.Qd6 Bf8 30.Qf6 Qxf6 31.exf6 Bc5+ 32.Kh1 Kh7 33.f5 Re8 34.b4 Bf8 35.Kg1 h5 36.Kf2 Bh6 37.Re7 Rxe7 38.fxe7 Bg7 39.Kf3 Re8 40.Re1 Bxc3 41.Bd6??
3. Win Benjamin Corcoran(1512) vs Me
4. Win Paul Garner(1620) vs Me
5. Loss Me vs Waldemar Shultz (2064)
   1.d4 d5 2.Bg5 Nf6 3.Nd2 Bf5 4.e3 Nbd7 5.Ngf3 h6 6.Bh4 e6 7.Bd3 Bd6 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe2 [ 9.Bxf5 exf5 10.c4] 9...c6 10.c4 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 Re8 12.Qb3 [ 12.e4 dxe4 13.Nxe4 Be7 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.Ne5] 12...Qb6 13.c5 Qxb3 14.axb3 Bc7 15.b4 a6 16.Nb3 Ne4 17.Nfd2 Nxd2 18.Nxd2 e5 19.Bg3 f5 20.dxe5 Bxe5 21.Ra2 Bxg3 22.hxg3 Ne5 23.Ra3 Rad8 24.Nf3 Nxf3+ 25.gxf3 d4 26.Re1 dxe3 27.fxe3 Rd2 28.Rb3 Red8 29.Kf1 R8d3 30.Rxd3 Rxd3 0-1
6. Win Seth Diekman(1370) vs Me
7. Bye
8. Loss Me vs BROOKSHEAR, TIMOTHY (2000) 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 d5 3.Nd2 Nbd7 4.e3 c5 5.c3 Qb6 6.Qb1 e6 7.Ngf3 Bd6 8.Bd3 h6 9.Bh4 0-0 10.0-0 Qc7 11.Qd1 b6 12.Rc1 Bb7 13.c4 Rac8 14.cxd5 exd5 15.Bf5 [ 15.dxc5 Nxc5 ( 15...bxc5 16.Qc2) 16.Bxf6 gxf6] 15...g5 16.Bg3 Bxg3 17.hxg3 Qd6 18.Ne5 Rc7 19.Ndf3 [ 19.Nxd7 Nxd7 20.Qh5 Kg7 21.dxc5 bxc5 22.Bxd7 Qxd7 23.Nb3] 19...Qe7 20.g4 [ 20.Nxd7 Nxd7 21.dxc5 bxc5 22.Qc2 Ne5] 20...Nxe5 21.Nxe5 Bc8 22.Qf3 Bxf5 23.gxf5 Rfc8 24.Qh3 Kg7 25.f4 cxd4 26.Rxc7 Rxc7 27.fxg5 Qxe5 28.Qxh6+ [ 28.gxf6+ Kh7 29.Qg4 Qxe3+ 30.Kh1 Qg5 31.Qxg5 hxg5 32.Rd1 Rc2 33.Rxd4 Rxb2 34.Rxd5 Rxa2 35.Rd7] 28...Kg8 29.exd4 Qe3+ 30.Kh1 Rc1 0-1
9. 
   Loss Placek, Philip C (1451)

I think its a case of too much tournament chess. I plan to hit the books, get a coach, and play a lot less.

US Open 2006 - Chicago

5 Round G/90 - Side Event (Aug 5-6)
There are 42 players, only 5 A players.

The top 2 seeds:

2454 Rohde, Michael(front-right) 2447 Tate, Emory (back-left)

My Results

1. Win HAYES, ROBERT W (1310) vs Me
2. Loss Me vs Tate, Emory (2447) I lasted 43 moves and and was the 2nd to last game to finish. He said that he took too many chaces in the opening.
   
   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
3. Win WELT, STEPHEN (1527) ws me
4. Loss Me vs SOTO-ARRIVI, JUAN MANUEL (1538)
   1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4 3.Bf4 d5 4.Nd2 Nf6 5.e3 Bf5 6.Ngf3 e6 7.c3 Bd6 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 Nbd7 10.Qb3 Qc8 11.Rc1 c5 12.c4 b6 13.Be2 Qb7 14.0-0 0-0 15.Qa4 Rac8 16.cxd5 exd5 17.Ba6 Qb8 18.Bxc8 Rxc8 19.Bg3 Bxg3 20.hxg3 b5 21.Qa5 c4 22.a3 Qb7 23.Nb1 Ne4 24.Qb4 Nf8 25.a4 a6 26.Nc3 Nxc3 27.Rxc3 Ng6 28.Nh4 Nxh4 29.gxh4 Qd7 30.axb5 axb5 31.Ra1 Be4 32.f3 Bf5 33.Ra5 Qe6 34.Rxb5 Qg6 35.Kf2 Qf6 36.Rc1 Qxh4+ 37.Kg1 Qg5 38.Qe1 Bd3 39.Rc5 Rb8 40.Qf2 (white lost on time)
5. Loss 1359 NASZODI, LASZLO (1359)1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.c4 Qd6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.Qb3 Bxf3 7.gxf3 Nc6 8.Nb5 Qe5+? [ 8...Qd7] 9.Qe3 Rc8 10.d4 Qxe3+ 11.fxe3 a6 12.Nc3 e5 13.d5 Nb4 14.Kd1 a5 15.a3 Na6 16.Bh3 Rd8 17.Ke2 Nc5 18.e4 Nb3 19.Rb1 Nd4+ [ 19...Nxc1+ 20.Rhxc1 Nh5 21.Bg2 Nf4+ 22.Kf1 Bc5] 20.Kf2 Nc2 21.Rf1 Bc5+ 22.Ke2 h6 23.b3 g5 24.Bb2 Nh5 [ 24...Nd4+ 25.Kd1 Nxb3 26.Nb5] 25.Na4 Bd4 26.Bc1 f6 [ 26...Nf4+ 27.Kd2 ( 27.Bxf4 gxf4) ] 27.Bf5 Nf4+ 28.Kd1 Ne3+ 29.Bxe3 Bxe3 30.Nc3 c6 31.b4 Bd4 32.Ne2 Nxe2 [ 32...Ng2 33.Nxd4 exd4] 33.Kxe2 Rb8 34.Kd3 axb4 35.axb4 Ra8 36.Rb3 Ra2 37.h3 Ke7 38.c5 Rha8 39.Rc1 Rf2 40.Bg4 Raa2 [ 40...cxd5 41.exd5 f5 42.Bh5 Rh2 43.Rbb1 Rxh3 44.Rh1 Rg3] 41.b5 Rfd2+ [ 41...cxd5 42.exd5 f5 43.d6+ Kd8 44.Bh5 Rfd2+ 45.Kc4 Bb2 46.Rxb2 Raxb2] 42.Kc4 Rac2+ [ 42...Ra4+ 43.Rb4 Rxb4+ ( 43...cxb5+ 44.Kxb5 Rxb4+ 45.Kxb4 Rb2+ 46.Kc4 b5+) 44.Kxb4 Rb2+ 45.Ka4 Rxb5 46.dxc6 ( 46.Bc8 Bxc5 47.Bxb7 Rb4+ 48.Ka5 Rxb7 49.Rxc5 cxd5 50.exd5 Rb3 51.Rc7+ Ke8 52.Rh7 Rxf3 53.Rxh6 Ke7) 46...bxc6; 42...cxd5+ 43.exd5 Rdc2+ 44.Rxc2 Rxc2+ 45.Kd3 Rxc5] 43.Rxc2 Rxc2+ 44.Kd3 Rb2 [ 44...Rxc5 45.bxc6 b5 46.Ra3 Rc1] 45.Rxb2 Bxb2 46.dxc6 bxc6 47.bxc6 Kd8 48.Kc4 Kc7 49.Kd5 Ba3 50.Bd7 Bb4 51.Ke6 Bxc5 52.Kxf6 Bd6 [ 52...Kd6 53.Kg6 Be3] 53.Kg7 Be7 54.Kxh6 *

Just couldn't shake off the round 4 loss. Back to square 1!
Score: 2-3=0
Rating:1816-1800

Other News

Alexander Stamnov is back, just in time for the big event. He is playing in the G/90 event as well.