Here's the topic for Tonc1 - found 6.

Standings so far, after 5 rounds are:
*=1 game less played

The last number you find is the total score of opposition. This is the best way to have a decider when players don't have an official rating.

1 Obi1 (Obi1)......... 5.0 39.0
2 Gambit (sean1)...... 4.5 45.0
3 FirebrandX.......... 4.0 44.0
4 Rimfaxe (rimfaxe)... 4.0 42.0
5 Eddie (eduardo_wagha 3.0 56.0
6 Rondino (rondino)... 3.0 43.0
7 Aabear (aabear)..... 3.0 40.0
8 WillSurfForFood..... 3.0 40.0
9 Palaveev............ 3.0 40.0
10 Rezonator........... 3.0 34.0
11 Neo Fight........... 2.5 55.0
12 Sirky............... 2.5 27.5
13 Rust In Peace....... 2.5 23.5
14 Jsweet (jsweet)..... 2.0 46.5
15 SuperGrobi.......... 1.0 37.5 *
16 Move?? (move??)..... 2.0 35.0
17 Just4Fun............ 1.0 32.0 *
18 Tooler (tooler)..... 2.0 27.5
19 D'Artagnan(schermato 1.0 44.0
20 Unhinged............ 1.0 28.5
21 Octal (base8)....... 1.0 24.5
22 Inky1 (inky1)....... 0.0 25.5


The games for round 6 are:

Gambit - Obi1
FirebrandX - Rimfaxe
Rondino - Eddie
Aabear - Palaveev
Rezonator - WillSurfForFood
Sirky - Neo Fight
Move?? - Rust In Peace
Jsweet - SuperGrobi
Tooler - Just4Fun
D'Artagnan - Unhinged
Octal - Inky1

Again 2 weekends to complete your games.

Have fun....

he he he he he I'm very very excited
this is probably the most exciting round for me :p

I'm really interested to see how thingz turn out

Looking forward to it too. I'll put on my mean face , roll up my sleeves and rent a couple of cheerleaders .

How exactly is this calculated?

he he he he Obi1 and I should play tomorow
at about 1500hrs ninja time

he he he I'm coming full steam ahead :p

The "last number" is the Buchholz number. It's just the sum of the points your opponents made so far. If two people have the same score, the one with the higher Buchholz number wins usually. If even that number is equal there often comes the Sonneborn-Berger number next. (For the Sonneborn-Berger number you get the sum of the score of the opponents you beat and half the sum of the score of the opponents you played a draw.) Argh, horrible sentence -- but maybe you get the idea...

In one tournament I had the same score, the same Buchholz and the same Sonneborn-Berger number like someone else. As I lost vs. that person I got second in that group...

Actually that sentence made more sense than the other stuff. What sum are you talking about? The sum of the points of those I've played is less than my 23.5, and the sum of everyone is higher... What confuses me even more is that there seems to be no system.. Obi1's score is lower than Jsweet's or Gambit's, but higher Rezonator's or Inky's, just to take from different ends of the bracket.

I'm missing something here. I assume by score you mean the number of points thus far.

So the maximum points a person could have would be 25, right - you played 5 people and those five people are all undefeated. But everyone is at or over 25 (when you round up).

Is the number of rounds^2 the base score, and then you add the points of the people you've played to that? That would seem to get me close to my number...

I should think first before writing any posts. I am used to the Buchholz and the Sonneborn-Berger numbers. I don't know which number obi1 has given above. After 5 rounds the maximum Buchholz number could be 25 -- the Sonneborn-Berger number even less...

Rondino x Eddie

Tomorrow (tuesday) morning, 08:00am Ninja Time

And please, Obi1, explain this crazy numbers after the number of points, will you?

P.S.: Lovely profile picture, by the way.

To be honest Eddie, I'm not really sure how the program calculates those numbers exactly.

What I do know, is that it is based on "Opposition Cumulative Scores".
So, there are not rating-points involved, which made me comment that this was the choice to make if there are no valid rating known.

The help-file of the program states that, for more info on these different methods, the USCF-handbook should be consulted.

I've just lost my third game in a row, this time to rondino:

rondino (1527) - Ninja Eddie [D05]
Friendly Game, 30m + 0s Play And Watch, 08.07.2003

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Bd3 c5 5.c3 cxd4 6.exd4 Nc6 7.Bf4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Nbd2 Qb6 10.Nb3 Bd7 11.Qc2 Rac8 12.Ng5 h6 13.Nf3 Nb4 14.Qd2 Nxd3 15.Qxd3 Bb5 16.Qd2 Bxf1 17.Rxf1 Ne4 18.Qc1 Qd8 19.Ne5 Bg5 20.Bxg5 hxg5 21.f3 Nd6 22.Nc5 b6 23.Ncd3 Nb5 24.Qe3 Nd6 25.Ng4 Nc4 26.Qc1 a6 27.f4 gxf4 28.Qxf4 Qd6 29.Nf6+ gxf6 30.Qg4+ Kh8 31.Rf3 Ninja Eddie resigns (Lag: Av=0.49s, max=0.8s) 1-0

Again, a single blunder cost me the game. After 28...Nd6 (aiming e4), black is much better. My move (28...Qd6) allowed mate in 5, starting with the nice move rondino found, 29.Nf6+. Notice that 29.Nh6+ loses because of 31.e5!, which saves the day also had he missed 30.Qg4+ and played 30.Qxf6?

I'll officialy stop playing in my mornings. My brain only starts working after 14:00pm, so you european guys, will have to play very early in the morning. I'm not asking! I think I have some rights after a long-castle.

Thanks rondino, for the nice game. He played very well, indeed, after blundering the exchange in the 15th move, and never stop fighting. It paid off, as you can see.

Seems like Rondino's sabatical (however short) bore fruit.

Congratulations to our Canadian friend.

Just a theory about the tiebreaker... If you add all your opponents cumulative score, the tiebreaker would be 37.5 at average after 5 rounds, which seems about correct when comparing with the numbers in the result table. Would love to have joined the tournament, but can't get the chess ninja software to work Good luck to the rest of you

That seems right. I just made an aproximation of what would be the Sum of Opposition's Progressive Scores and got 54,5 which is pretty close to my 56.

But then, I never saw such strange method before. And strangely enough, it's not even listed in Swiss Perfect\'s Tiebreak web page (assuming this program is what Obi1 is using for the pairings)

Thanks to you as well, Eddie. And thank you obi1 for the kind words. I was very lucky to win that game, however; Eddie outplayed me from the start.

I can't believe I fell for the same elementary tactic that stole my initiative in the rondino-supergrobi game (if memory serves, the positions are, from a practical standpoint, almost identical)! And this time it cost me the exchange as well. Aren't we supposed to learn from our mistakes?!

Incidentally, I'm convinced that the only reason I found the winning N sac was that I had spent the previous 13 moves desperately trying to engineer a drawing swindle along similar lines.

My apologies, Eddie, for not sticking around after the game, but I felt horrible. No sleep, upset stomach...<yuck>. If you were wondering about the long wait during the opening around move 5...well...let me use my favorite euphemism as way of explanation: I was riding the porcelain bus! Felt much better afterwards, mind you, albeit a little light-headed and woozy. Might account for my inability to think straight for a while, however.

Best of luck in the rest of the tournament.

rondino

Yeah, and I was thinking: "Who felt for that same tactic before on TONC?"

I really thought you were sleeping...

Now you just made my day even worse: I losed to a guy who was throwing up between the moves.

Maybe I'm suffering from chess burnout...

[Event "Friendly Game, 30m + 0s"]
[Site "Play And Watch"]
[Date "2003.07.08"]
[Round "?"]
[White "seanx"]
[Black "obi1"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[Annotator ",Sean2"]
[PlyCount "100"]

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bg5 Bg7 5.f3 O-O 6.Qd2 Re8 7. O-O-O c6
8.d5 Nbd7 9.Kb1 c5 10.Bb5 a6 11.Bxd7 Bxd7 12.Rc1 b5 13.Nd1 b4
14.c4 a5 15.Ne2 Rb8 16.Ng3 Bc8 17.h4 h5 18.Nf1 Kh7 19.Nfe3 Ng8
20.g4 Nf6 21.gxh5 Nxh5 22.Nf1 Qd7 23.Qg2 Be5 24.Nf2 Nf4
25.Bxf4 Bxf4 26.Rc2 b3 27.Rc3 bxa2+ 28.Kxa2 Qb7 29.Nd3 Bh6
30. Nd2 Rh8 31 Rb3 Qc7 32.Rxb8 Qxb8 33.f4 Kg7 34.h5 Bd7
35.Rg1 Qe8 36.Nf3 Rg8 37.f5 Be3 38.Rh1 Rh8 39.hxg6 fxg6 40.Rxh8 Kxh8
41.fxg6 Kg7 42.Nh4 Qf8 43.Qg3 Bd4 44.e5 dxe5 45.Nxe5 Qb8
46.b3 Qxe5 47.Qf3 Qf6 48.Qe4 Ba1 49.Qb1 Bc3
50.Qe4 Qf2+ seanx resigns 0-1


and that was our game ....
I loved every minute and second of it

chess played very true to my style of chess



I really look forward to our next meeting
and really wotever the score the game was very
fair and the best player won....good nervez
obi1 :p

FBX-Rimfaxe is very important now.. (more so than before). In the event of a draw, Obi1 wins by default. (hopefully he doesnt pull a 9-move draw like Short did in that one tournament! ). If the game is decisive, Obi1 might have to share the crown if he's not careful.

I really had so much fun with my game RIP ...

I think my best effort so far

btw love ur avatar :p

That's not fair we didn't get to watch this game like we did when Obi1 and Eddie played. I call a do over.


NOT.

Well guys, I must say that Gambit almost had me.
I had misread my situation on the queenside, thinking I could push my pawns, but suddenly I saw that whatever I did, Gambit (I keep typing "Gambot" ) could simply close everything down, and I would have been left with an attack against my king, and no way for some initiative on the queenside.
I'll put up some analysis tomorrow, but to keep it short, I had to count on Gambit making a mistake in order to give me some chances. He did this by playing Rc2, after which I could push my b-pawn. I missed a winning attack, but that's fritz talking. And now, I had to take the clock into account. I had used up a lot of time in the opening, trying to decide on the best plan.
But still, I was in a dire position. Gambit started a dangerous king-side attack, which had me lose a pawn without any compensation, unless you think of my king being under tremendous pressure as being something good.
I might have been able to regain the pawn, but luckily for me, Gambit fell for a little trap, which left him with tree choices: go mate, lose the queen or lose the knight. This game is maybe an example of how, by making it as difficult as possible for your opponent, you can often get a second chance in a losing position.
By the way: Fritz shows that, in his eyes, this was maybe a bit of a crappy game. Both sides left several winning chances on the board. But, from the player's point of view (and for the one or two spectators), this was really a very entertaining game. Active play, the game changing sides, attacks on the king. Really fun.
Congratulations to Gambit. I look forward to our next game.

And don't be afraid everyone, whatever the circumstances, I don't intend to hold back for round 7. But I will have to raise my game if I don't want to have to count on a bit of luck.

Well watch out Obi1, if I win my game with Rimfaxe when he gets back, you and I will square off for the final round. If I beat you, then we each tie for 1st place.

I'm gunning for a victory!

Edit: just went over the game Obi1. Using my defensive system are we? (yes, it belongs to me)

So is there a betting pool going on for FBX-Rimfaxe yet?

Not yet, but I suggest you check your pms, mister. :p

Checked.

Heh, I suppose I should worry about getting past Rimfaxe before thinking about how I would take down Obi1.

Perhaps if I beat Rimfaxe, I could offer an early GM-draw to Obi and share 1st place... NOT!!

A GM-draw will earn you a shiny 2nd that you may have to share. :p

Oops! You're right. I have to win out because I lost a game. My bad.

Well, I doubt I can win against Obi, so it pretty much is decided already.

Here is RIP vs Move??

Although I played fairly well in the opening, I really earned those "??" tonight . Rust took advantage of every one of them, too. I think the most educational thing for me was how fast a position can fall apart with one bad move - when that move is followed by an even worse move!

move?? - Rust In Peace [C48]
Friendly Game, 30m + 0s Play And Watch, 10.07.2003


1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6 4.Bf1-b5 a7-a6 5.Bb5xc6 d7xc6 6.Nf3xe5 Thus far, the opening has gone more or less according to plan.

6...Qd8-d4 I didn't expect this, but after thinking about it, it does not appear to be that threatening.

7.Ne5-f3 Qd4-c4 8.d2-d3 Qc4-e6 9.Bc1-e3 I really should have castled here, I think.

9...Bf8-d6 10.d3-d4 This is not good. Qd2 would have been better

10...Nf6xe4 11.d4-d5 Here my plan is to get the queens off the board. This may not have been the best plan, but at least I had one - for now.

11...c6xd5 12.Qd1xd5 Qe6xd5 13.Nc3xd5 0-0 14.0-0 I considered castling on the queen side, but changed my mind. In retrospect I think that would have been better. I would have a slight advantage in development and could start launching the pawns at his position.

14...Bc8-e6 15.Nd5-f4 Rf8-e8

16.Ra1-d1 Capturing the bishop would have been better than moving the rook to d1. It may have been less painful, however, if I moved the f1 rook instead of the a1 rook! [16.Nf4xe6 Re8xe6 17.Nf3-d4]

16...Be6xa2 17.Nf3-g5 I now have no plan at all. Moving b3 would have been something, Moving the f4 knight would have been something. I intended Nf4 - h5. While that is not a great move, at least it wasn't giving RIP a free knight!

17...Ne4xg5 18.h2-h4 Ng5-e4

19.Be3-d4 This is horrible. I have no excuse.

19...Bd6xf4 20.b2-b3 Ne4-d2 21.Rf1-e1 Re8xe1+ 22.Rd1xe1 Ba2xb3 23.c2xb3 Nd2xb3

24.Re1-e7 Does anyone else here the Fritz "chatter" voice saying "Not paying attention tonight, are we?"

24...Nb3xd4 25.g2-g3 Bf4-d6 26.Re7-e4 c7-c5 27.Kg1-g2 f7-f5 28.Re4-e3 Kg8-f7 At this point, I decide not to waste his time any further. 0-1


Again, I wish I could have presented RIP a bit more of a challenge . Good game, Rust in Peace.

Nice game to both move?? and RIP.

move - I feel your pain. You were better after the opening. Then you made moves(blunders) like I do. For a second I thought I made the moves for you. Like you said Rust took full advantage of the blunders.

Sorry I couldn't discuss the game when it was over. I lost cable connection.

This was a big boo-boo. Qe7 would've been so much better and easier. My punishment for it was loss of a few tempi and a pawn. I guess move?? felt bad and decided to give me my pawn back later, and then some. Good game.

It was definitely NOT one of my better efforts.

Like I mentioned to RIP after the game - I've been on a nasty losing streak recently. I have a few games on the CC sites that are looking to turn the tide (and I have some others that are looking to continue it).

I may just resign the games that are going down the tubes just to get out of this funk - thus creating a "winning streak" when the other games are won.

Man, is that fake or what?

I just lost.....again. Good game, Octal. I think SG is going to post it for us. Thanks, SG.

I'm visiting my daughter now - she plays chess, but doesn't really like it much. I think she was too overwhelmed with it as a kid.

Mig, I recognized a few things in my game from your analyses. I think I played them all the wrong way. I'm going to have to compare my game with some of yours to what it was. Thanks for doing such a nice job with my pictures in the newletters.

Neo Fight seems to have fallen off the face of the world again... He has not been on gameknot in ages, and I pm'ed him early (mon or Tues) this week with no response. Oh well, just have to wait some more I suppose.

It was a double header for me today.

Great games to both SuperG and Tooler!! I enjoyed them both very much. Fantastic opponents and games.

Awesome analysis by Tooler.

I'll post more later, but just wanted to say great game to both of you.

Don't feel bad Inky, I lost 2 games in a row.

Here is my game with Just4Fun. We stuck around for about an hour and a half afterwards to analyze. As usual, it was very helpful. I think Just4Fun learned a lot of things, especially not to fear the Bxh7 sacrifice.

There were two major tactics that were missed:

20...Ne4 followed by 21.Bc1! and white wins a piece. It's difficult for us to see stuff like that with pieces clustered together. Fritz has no problem seeing it.

Also, there was a mate-in-one on the backrank that neither of us noticed the first time. Unfortunately for Just4Fun, the second time I saw it right away and he continued to miss it. Even if he saw it, we analyzed that he would lose his bishop. His rook shouldn't have gone on an adventure to the other side of the board with his king and pawn cover in their original position.

Good game.

[Event "Friendly Game, 30m + 0s"]
[Site "Play And Watch"]
[Date "2003.07.12"]
[Round "?"]
[White "tooler"]
[Black "Just4Fun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "1532"]
[Annotator "James,Tim"]
[PlyCount "71"]

1. e4 {2} 1... c6 {11} 2. d4 {7} 2... d5 {6} 3. exd5 {
Just4Fun usually sees Nf3 here 1} 3... cxd5 {40} 4. Nf3 {4} 4... Nf6 {31} 5.
Nc3 {7} 5... e6 {Blocks off light-square bishop, but opens dark-square bishop
and supports pawn. Just4Fun plans on Bb7 anyway. 2} 6. Bd2 {13} 6... Be7 {58}
7. Bd3 {Tooler is usually happy to have his bishops behind the pawn like this.
It leaves open files for heavy pieces. With more open files, however, it makes
defending the d4 pawn difficult. 4} 7... Nbd7 {
Reinforcing f6 -- Just4Fun sees ghosts. h7 sacrifice is not dangerous. 8} (7...
O-O 8. Bxh7+ 8... Nxh7 {h-file is open, but black has an extra piece! Just4Fun
should not fear the h7 sac unless his knight moves away from f6.}) 8. O-O {17}
8... Qb6 {Threatening b2, but making the light-square bishop look foolish. 71}
9. Na4 $5 {Moving the knight out of the way for c4, but the knight looks weak.
Fortunately, there is enough time to execute white's plan. 63} 9... Qd8 {37} (
9... Qc7 {Slowing down white's plans for c4. He'll need to take time to do b3.}
10. b3 (10. Qe1 {Threatening Ba5.} 10... b6 {
Black defends with a move he wanted to do anyway!}) 10... b6 11. c4 dxc4 12.
Bxc4 Bb7 13. Nc3) (9... Qd6 {Not much here.}) 10. c4 {
Tooler begins to contest the c-file. 19} (10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Ne4 12. Bxe4
dxe4 13. Nc3 {
The black pawn is in bad shape, white only has one piece developed.}) 10... b6
{27} 11. cxd5 {26} 11... Nxd5 {8} 12. Bb5 $2 {This was a waste of time.
Leaving the bishop on d3 would have given the threat of Bxh7+ some real meat.
The plan was Ne5, but who cares? 94} 12... O-O {17} 13. Rc1 {39} 13... N7f6 $11
{The d5 knight has a nice outpost, soon to be contested by Nc3. The f6 knight
is on a good square. 49} 14. Bd3 {30} 14... Bb7 {60} 15. Nc3 {52} 15... a6 $5 {
Followed by b5 for more space, but is it a waste of time? Tooler plans Nxd5 so
the b-pawn will not be able to threaten his knight.75} 16. Nxd5 {50} 16... Qxd5
{58} (16... Nxd5 {Black has a decent outpost for his knight.} 17. Bxh7+ Kxh7
18. Ng5+ Bxg5 19. Qh5+ 19... Bh6 {Safe!} 20. Bxh6 20... gxh6 {
Black has an extra piece.}) (16... Bxd5 {
This wins black a pawn or produced a complicated position.} 17. Ne5 {
White did not see how he could hold the game after Bxa2.} (17. b3 Bxf3 18. Qxf3
18... Qxd4 {Black has an extra pawn. White has the two bishops, but it will be
difficult for a White Belt to use them to his advantage.} 19. Bc3 {Black's quee
n has to move, but it's not gaining a tempo because black is "forced" to move
to an equal or better square. See Novice Nook.} 19... Qg4 20. Qxg4 20... Nxg4 {
Black reduces nicely.}) 17... Bxa2 18. Nc6 Qd7 19. Nxe7+ Qxe7 20. Qa4 Rfd8 21.
b3 Qd7 22. Qxa2 Qxd4 23. Rc3 Nd5 24. Qc2 Nb4 25. Bxh7+ {
White has to bail out and give up the extra piece.} 25... Kh8 26. Qe4 Qxd2) 17.
b3 {89} 17... b5 {Just4Fun: limits white's bishop and gains space for black's
light-square bishop. Tooler: there are better things to do. 30} 18. Re1 {46}
18... Ba3 $1 {We both liked this move. The c-file is going to be important,
and this covers c1, making it difficult for white to bring over the e-rook for
reinforcement. Tooler thinks this was a turning point. 86} 19. Rc2 {163} (19.
Rb1 $5 19... Rac8 {Black controls the c-file.} 20. b4 Qxa2 21. Qb3 Qxb3 22.
Rxb3 Bxf3 23. gxf3 Bxb4 24. Rxb4 {Fritz calls this even with 2 passed pawns
for a bishop, but it's going to be tough.}) 19... Rac8 {23} 20. Be3 {
Reinforcing the d pawn so I can move my knight to the e5 outpost. 25} 20... Ne4
$4 {17} 21. Bxe4 {86} (21. Bc1 $1 21... Rxc2 (21... Bxc1 22. Bxe4 22... Qd6 {
etc.}) 22. Bxc2 {Two of blacks pieces are hanging.} 22... Nxf2 23. Kxf2 Bxc1
24. Qxc1) 21... Qxe4 {22} 22. Ree2 {6} 22... Qg4 $1 {Tooler did not see this
at all. I'm not pleased with my options here and with my rooks. Just4Fun is
pleased. 147} 23. Red2 {102} 23... Bxf3 {38} (23... Bb4 {Fritz} 24. Rxc8 Rxc8
25. Rb2 {The white rook looks really dumb.}) 24. Qxf3 {4} 24... Qxf3 {2} 25.
gxf3 {1} 25... Rxc2 {39} 26. Rxc2 {White controls the c-file, but his bishop
is going to be stuck defending the d pawn. 1} 26... Be7 {19} (26... Bd6 27. Rc6
Rd8 28. Rxa6 {Still not easy for white with the isolated d-pawn and backwards
a-pawn after ..b4.}) 27. Rc7 {39} 27... Bf6 {31} (27... Bd8 28. Ra7 a5) 28. Ra7
{11} 28... e5 $2 {This eliminates my biggest weakness. 15} (28... Rd8 29. Rxa6
Bxd4 (29... g6 30. Rb6 Bxd4 (30... Ra8 31. Rxb5 Rxa2 32. Bh6 {
This makes black's king useless until black can move the f-pawn.} 32... Ra8 {
Gives white time to trade the d-pawn.}) 31. Bxd4 Rxd4 32. Rxb5 {
Big advantange for white.}) (29... h6 {Probably the safest.}) 30. Bxd4 Rxd4 31.
Ra8+ Rd8 32. Rxd8#) 29. dxe5 {2} 29... Bxe5 {4} 30. Rxa6 {1} 30... Rb8 {67} 31.
a4 {This surprised Just4Fun. 133} 31... bxa4 {8} 32. bxa4 {1} 32... Rb1+ {3}
33. Kg2 {8} 33... Ra1 {1} (33... Kf8 {
Moving the king was critical if the rook was going to go on an adventure.}) 34.
f4 $4 {13} (34. Ra8+ Bb8 35. Rxb8#) 34... Bf6 {100} (34... h6 35. fxe5) (34...
Bb8 35. Ra8 Rb1 36. Ba7 Kf8 37. Rxb8+ Rxb8 38. Bxb8 38... Ke7 {The king moves
into the square of the pawn (from a4-e4-e8) but it will reach a7 and be safe.}
39. a5 Kd7 40. a6 Kc6 41. a7 41... Kb7 {Despite the doubled white pawns, the
uncontested white king will roll over the black kingside.}) 35. Ra8+ {14} 35...
Bd8 {15} 36. Rxd8# {(Lag: Av=0.64s, max=3.1s) 2} 1-0

Here's the game octal vs inky1:

[Event "30m + 0s, unrated"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2003.07.12"]
[Round "?"]
[White "base8"]
[Black "inky1"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "Prewarski,Marcus"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2003.07.12"]
[TimeControl "1800"]


1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O a6 5. Ba4 Be7 6. d4 d5 7. dxe5 O-O
8. exf6 Bxf6 9. exd5 Ne7 10. Bb3 b6 11. c3 Bb7 12. Qd3 Nxd5 13. Bc2 Re8
14. Qxh7+ Kf8 15. c4 Nb4 16. Qh8+ Ke7 17. Re1+ Kd7 18. Qh3+ Re6 19. Rd1+ Nd5
20. cxd5 Bxd5 21. Rxd5+ { inky1 resigns (Lag: Av=1.93s, max=2.4s) } 1-0

Just a few quick comments:

After 6.d4 you could have played exd4 7.Nxd5 and been fine, and even after 6...d5 7.dxe5 there was probably no reason to sac the knight, although you still would have some problems.

Also, 13...g6 would have been better than Re8 as I then cannot play Qxh7 and flush out your king. Your pieces are well placed and the center is wide open, so there are plenty of chances for both sides.

Thanks for the great game!

Just reading my post again, and I mean exd4 Nxd4 not Nxd5 in my notes. duh.

Thanks for that correction Octal. When I get a minute to go over our game (well, I'll spend more than a minute) I want to understand you correctly.

I realize if I would study more and take less pictures, I might play better :rolleyes:

The pictures are slowly coming out, and I will post more when I get the Mig-beautified version back. I hope you saw your newsletters - White and Black belt. Those were my pictures. I love the one of Joel Benjamin. I think it's one of the best I've seen of him.

Woo hoo! I just managed to notch up my fourth consecutive loss!

This was a fun game, actually. Prior to move 34, SG was up a pawn but it turns out that both of us were thinking the same thing at that point: Yes, Black has the better position and a material advantage, but how is he going to convert it to a win in the eight or so minutes left on the clock? At this point I had very high hopes that I could drag the game out and get an agreed draw once the clock started to tick tick tick.

Then SG saw the wonderful move 33...Qc4! This is a really terrific move. White has a few options, but they are all very unappealing. Sacrifice a pawn to stop the advance, but leave Black with not one but two passed pawns waiting on the flank? Allow Black to get only a single passed pawn, but on the third rank?? Turns out I blundered and went with the least appealing option, which was "hang a minor piece". hehehehe :rolleyes:

One more comment if anybody happens to read through the game... ignore the anomoly on moves 25 and 26. I meant to play 25. Rxc8 (which was a bad move anyway) but my mouse slipped. SG was nice enough to give me a takeback. So just ignore moves 25 and 26, that is just a technical difficulty

[Event "Friendly Game, 30m + 0s"]
[Site "Play And Watch"]
[Date "2003.07.13"]
[Round "?"]
[White "jsweet"]
[Black "supergrobi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C02"]
[WhiteElo "1637"]
[BlackElo "1850"]
[PlyCount "74"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Qb6 5. Nf3 Bd7 6. Bd3 Bb5 7. O-O Bxd3 8. Qxd3
Nc6 9. Be3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Rc8 11. b3 Nb4 12. Qd2 Ne7 13. Nc3 Nf5 14. a3 Nc6 15.
Rab1 Bxa3 16. Na4 Qa5 17. Qc2 Bb4 18. Rfc1 O-O 19. Qd3 a6 20. Nc5 Bxc5 21. Rxc5
Qd8 22. Qc3 Na7 23. b4 Nb5 24. Qd3 Qd7 25. Rc6 Rb8 26. Rc5 Rbc8 27. Rxc8 Rxc8
28. Rc1 Rxc1+ 29. Bxc1 Qc6 30. Bb2 h6 31. Nd2 Ne7 32. Nb3 b6 33. f4 Qc4! 34.
Qxc4 dxc4 35. Nd2 c3 36. Bxc3 Nxc3 37. Nc4 Ned5 0-1

Hi, pals!!


GGs along the weekend, I've going over a couple of them and my hat off to the ones who wrote the analysises, they were superb.

I was to San Fermines (Pamplona) and played some chess games (chess is becoming an obsession for me ) not in my best state of mind (too much booze and just 9 hours sleep along the weekend. I only won 1 out 4 and I even was matted in 7 moves with the Scottish opening !!!! Right now I feel I don't deserve to be a ninja any longer. Will somebody discharge myself from the group for not being up the standard?

Hey now, there is no standard you have to live up to here. We're all seeking to learn and grow in our chess experience, which means plenty of bad losses.

For me lately even worse than losing is winning when I should have lost. I'll make a move on the board and realize it was a blunder, but when my opponent doesn't see it, I start to feel cheap inside for getting away with it.

aabear.....I've lost all my TONC games....and I'm still here. I'm learning, you're learning...That's what this site is about.

You will always be a Ninja as long as you keep learning and loving to play chess. Stay aboard....you're one of us.

PS. Read my signature.

Hey you and I are scheduled to play in TONC this round. That should bring your confidence back quickly. We've all had such moments, don't let them demoralize you.

cheer up aabear. Just to let you know I've played 14 games (outside of TONC) and I am a perfect 14 and 0. Yes you are reading that correctly 14 losses and 0 wins. So based on that, your 1 out of 4 is not bad.

Not to top ya' Dart... but I'll lay claim to a worse record. In the 1.5 years I have been playing chess at my local chess club, I have participated in a tournament that has 1 game per week for 8 weeks with quite dismal results. (sound of caculator tape running....)

The glorious results: 1 win, 3 draws and somewhere around 32 losses (excluding bye rounds). I never really added them up until now... holy snikes!!

See aabear, things could be worse.

We won't even talk about my blitz rating, no one needs that much encouragement. :p

Well, guys, I didn't expect this, I'm gonna cry . I was just joking but thanks anyway.

I'm not too worried about the score. What angers me is that I am better than the other guy (he knew a few tricks, I admit it, but positionally speaking, I was much better) and I couldn't finish him off. I was all the return way analysing the games on my pda and I should have won them. Have you ever had that feeling? That you should have won because you were better but that nothing went as expected?

Anyway, I have a squash rematch today with him, hope I win this one, .

There's nothing as difficult as winning a won position. Take it from someone who has seen hundreds of won games go down the drain.

I'm back!

I hope we can scedule my game against FBX sometime in the weekend. I've just sent a private message to FBX about this.

It looks like the winner of our game will challenge Obi1 for 1st place in the last round. Very exciting!

Yeah, there has been some discussion here about how the winner of Rimfaxe - FBX has a shot at the title.

But if the betting pool is going yet, no one has told me!

Oh I think we need a public announcement as to WHEN the match takes place...preferably with enough notice so people who do want to watch can watch.

And wager, as the case may be....

Just a question: if it is a tie after 7 rounds, what do we do then?

My suggestion is that there is a small 2-games match to determine the winner. If after 2 games it is still tied, we could play sudden death in 15 min-games.

Well, first, I think it needs to be determined what the personal record is between the people who tied. Then we could have an old fashioned FIDE tie-breaker of fewer draws. Then, if no winner still, you can have two 15/G games.

I was thinking more like a kickboxing match, but I suppose the usually tie-breaking methods will work too...

The problem with a tie-breaker in this tournament is, that we don't have a rating of the different players. Ok, we could use the result between the two players. That is a possibility, but it seems fairer (and probably more exciting too) to just play for it.

I'd rather just have co-champions should that rare thing happen. I doubt anyone has to really worry about this. Obi has almost got it locked out as it is.

I just love your optimism FBX (or should I say pessimism ).
But the fact is, that in the case your game with Rimfaxe is decisive (as it probably will be, I can't imagine any one of you two going for a draw), the title will be decided the very last game. And not being allowed to lose is often worse than having to win.
Who will I have to play? FEARLESS FBX, or HEADTHRASHING RIMFAXE,

Actually, I've done some opening work I'm preparing for the Rimfaxe game. I'm hoping to pull a few surprises on him early ;-)

The FBX - Rimfaxe game is played Saturday 10 am Ninja time!

Cool! Hey I just realized Rimfaxe and I both have higher "opposition" numbers than Obi does. So if either one of us beats him, we actually would win on tie-breaks over that!

Okay, so I'm trying to wimp out of more than one game against Obi.

I'd just like to point out that I have easily the highest opposition number of anybody in the bottom 50% of the rankings.

Rusty, why couldn't you have played the draw in our TONC game?? By forcing me to win, you totally messed me up for the rest of the tournament! :p

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jsweet:
[qb] [QUOTE]I'd just like to point out that I have easily the highest opposition number of anybody in the bottom 50% of the rankings.

And I'd like to point out that my opposition rating is right behind yours and that I have one less win than you. :p

heh, we both got the shaft I guess.

Serves you right!

I'm already in the Ninja playchess room waiting for Rimfaxe. Our match is scheduled to start in 20 minutes.

I am playing against palaveev at 18.00 GMT on Saturday, everyone is invited (to help me to beat him, of course )

Rimfaxe is here and we are waiting another 10 mins in case anyone wants to watch.

I'd like to FBX, but I'm at work..

Well I lost. Rimfaxe put up an amazing defense and my pawns simply just fell apart from the pressure. If he plays this well against Obi, it will be the best game of the tournament I predict.

Congrats again to Rimfaxe!

I maneged to win aginst FBX. I think it is a very good game from both of us. My best game for a long time. Thanks for an exciting game FBX.

Now I am waiting for obi1!

I will comment it later perhaps to night or tomorrow.

[Event "Friendly Game, 30m + 0s"]
[Site "Play And Watch"]
[Date "2003.07.19"]
[Round "?"]
[White "FirebrandX"]
[Black "Rimfaxe"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A00"]
[PlyCount "142"]

1. g3 Nf6 2. Bg2 g6 3. b3 Bg7 4. Bb2 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6. O-O c5 7. e3 Nc6 8. d4
cxd4 9. exd4 Bg4 10. Nbd2 Rc8 11. Re1 e6 12. c4 Nb4 13. Ba3 Qa5 14. Bxb4 Qxb4
15. a3 Qd6 16. c5 Qc7 17. b4 b6 18. Qe2 bxc5 19. bxc5 Rb8 20. Rab1 Qa5 21. Qe3
Bxf3 22. Bxf3 Rfc8 23. g4 Nd7 24. Rxb8 Nxb8 25. Nb3 Qa4 26. Rd1 Nc6 27. Rd2 Rb8
28. Rd3 Qxa3 29. Bd1 Qb4 30. g5 a5 31. Qf4 a4 32. Nd2 Bxd4 33. Qd6 Qxc5 34.
Qxc5 Bxc5 35. Bxa4 Ne5 36. Rc3 Bd6 37. Kg2 Ra8 38. Bb3 Bb4 39. Re3 Bxd2 40.
Rxe5 Bf4 41. Re1 Bxg5 42. Rd1 Rb8 43. Rd3 Kf8 44. Kg3 Ke7 45. Kg4 Bf6 46. Bd1
Kd6 47. Rb3 Rxb3 48. Bxb3 d4 49. Kf3 Be5 50. Ke4 f5+ 51. Kd3 Bxh2 52. Kxd4 e5+
53. Kd3 h6 54. Bf7 g5 55. Bg6 Ke6 56. Bh7 e4+ 57. Ke2 g4 58. Kf1 Ke5 59. Kg2
Bf4 60. Bg6 e3 61. fxe3 Bxe3 62. Bh5 Kf6 63. Kf1 Kg5 64. Be8 h5 65. Ke2 f4 66.
Kd3 g3 67. Bc6 h4 68. Bg2 Kg4 69. Ke2 h3 70. Bf3+ Kh4 71. Kd3 g2 0-1

Neo is still dissapeared

Is the chess server down? I'm trying to connect but I don't get an answer.

Palavev, any idea?

Listen, first being 1 hour late for the game is not OK. The server is not down I have been on it for the last hour waiting. If you want to still play the game let's play on Yahoo then in the Weasel Way Room. My handle is Palaveev. I will only wait 10 minutes there.

Ok. It's my fault. In fact I was 40 minutes late, but you're right. I sent a message to you this afternoon saying that I was gonna be late, but anyway, I concur it's not an acceptable behaviour.

If you agree, the game is yours in order to keep the tournament going.

OK. So forget this thing above (we were posting together) and let's play tomorrow at 12:00 Ninja time. See you there.

I am using my office laptop and my work internet connection. There must be a firewall because I cannot logged into either the yahoo server or the chessbase server. My apologies to Palaveev and to you, ninja guys, but I cannot play. The game is your Palaveev, I ask you to forgive me for my behaviour. I'm terribly sorry, sincerely, I didn't mean it. I've always been on time for the games with one exception, due to a misunderstanding.

aabear;palaveev 0-1

Hey! I have no interest in a result like that. I got a little upset at you being late but you appologized and I can't ask for more. Just let me know when we can play.

Just got home from the first day of a 5-day tournament I'm playing in Ghent.
Won one (against a 1331) and lost one (against a 2176), so not too bad a day.
Congratulations to Rimfaxe. I just went over the game. He played very well.
Round 7 will be a very exciting one.
Hope Palaveev and Aabear can get things sorted out.

And how did I play? Like a monkey...

Still, at least I didn't have a blunder, which is the most depressing way to lose. I'd like to take on Rimfaxe again sometime. It's good experience.

Obi1 just to let you know. My game with unhinged is on hold for now. He is on holiday. We will play our game when he is back.

Ok, DÁrt,
I'll put it in as an adjourned game.

Rezonator - WillSurfForFood just finished... 0-1. I have to get to work, so I'll post the game tomorrow if no-one else does as I don't have time right now.

Well played, WSFF!

R.

Obi:

If you're doing pairings tomorrow, could you please put our game with aabear as an adjourned one too - we'll probably play it next week. Thanks

Rezonator and I played our round 6 game today. I feel too tired to provide any anlysis at the moment, I don't know how people have the energy to analyze after the game but here are my very condensed thoughts about the game. I thought I came out of the opening slightly better, but wasn't good enough to hold any advantage and Rezonator equalized or maybe even held an advantage. Toward the end time was getting short but I had a little more time on my clock like 3 minutes to 2 minutes or 4 to 3 or something like that. I was about to offer a draw because I didn't want to let the game be decided by blitz when Rezonator blundered a piece. I'm really sorry it happened that way because at that point the game was very even. The one really nice thing about winning that game is that it pulled me to 4-2 in the tournament so I probably won't have to play Eddie or Supergrobi next round who I think are both 3-3. You shouldn't have to face either of them at 3-3 in my opinion. Thanks for the game Rezonator and good luck next round.

Rezonator (1769) - WillSurfForFood [A57]
Friendly Game, 30m + 0s Play And Watch, 20.07.2003

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 g6 5.a3 Bg7 6.cxb5 a6 7.Nc3 axb5 8.Bf4 b4 9.axb4 Rxa1 10.Qxa1 cxb4 11.Nb5 d6 12.Qd1 Qb6 13.e3 Nh5 14.Qc2 0-0 15.Bg5 Nf6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Be2 Bd7 18.Nbd4 Rc8 19.Qd2 Na6 20.0-0 Nc5 21.Rc1 Ra8 22.Bc4 Bg4 23.Nc6 b3 24.Be2 Bd7 25.Nfd4 e6 26.Bf3 exd5 27.Bxd5 Rc8 28.Nb4 Qa5 29.Nxb3 Nxb3 30.Rxc8+ Bxc8 31.Bxb3 Qa1+ 32.Bd1 Bxb2 33.h3 Be6 34.Nd5 Kg7 35.Kh2 Qa2 36.Qb4 Bxd5 37.Qxd6 Be6 38.Bf3 Qa5 39.Qc6 Be5+ 40.g3 Qc3 41.Qxc3 Bxc3 42.Kg2 f6 43.Bc6 g5 44.f3 Bd2 45.e4 h6 46.g4 Bc4 47.Bd7 Bf4 48.Bf5 Kf8 49.Bd7 Ke7 50.Bf5 Kd6 51.Bc8 Kc5 52.Bb7 Kd4 53.Bc6 Ke3 54.Ba4 Ke2 55.Bc2 Ke1 56.Bb1 Bf1+ 57.Kh1 Kf2 58.e5 Bg2# (Lag: Av=0.38s, max=0.8s) 0-1

I've added a few comments to my game against FBX.


[Event "Friendly Game, 30m + 0s"]
[Site "Play And Watch"]
[Date "2003.07.19"]
[Round "?"]
[White "FirebrandX"]
[Black "Rimfaxe"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A00"]
[Annotator "Fyhn,Karsten"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2003.??.??"]

1. g3 {surprice!} Nf6 2. Bg2 g6 3. b3 {more surprice! I wonder if this opening
has a name. I desided simply to develop my pieces} Bg7 4. Bb2 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6.
O-O c5 {now I also have some nice central space} 7. e3 Nc6 8. d4 cxd4 9. exd4 {
I didn't like this move very much because the pawn is blocking his bishop} Bg4
{pinning the knight. My plan was to put my pawns on the white squares and
exchange my white squared bishop for his knight} 10. Nbd2 Rc8 11. Re1 e6 12. c4
Nb4 13. Ba3 Qa5 14. Bxb4 Qxb4 15. a3 {
now his pawns are coming fast. I was worried about this.} Qd6 16. c5 Qc7 17. b4
b6 {I have to break up his pawns or I would have nothing} 18. Qe2 bxc5 19. bxc5
(19. dxc5 {is better leaving White with a huge pawn majority on the Q-side.
While black have the centrel pawns. I think this position is fairly equal})
19... Rb8 20. Rab1 (20. Qa6 Rb2 21. Rab1 Rfb8 22. Rxb2 Rxb2 23. Rb1 Rxb1+ 24.
Nxb1 Ne4) 20... Qa5 {attacking the lose pawn on a3. Importent that I attack
first! Other wise White could play Qa6 and attack my a-pawn!} 21. Qe3 Bxf3 22.
Bxf3 {now we have opposite colored bishops so I was worried this would only be
a draw, a result none of us could use} Rfc8 23. g4 {? this can not be right,
but perhaps FBX also was afraid it would be a draw. Instead he should play
more careful and play for taking advantage of his passed c-pawn. The action is
on the queen-site so he should transfer his pieces over there starting with
Be2} Nd7 24. Rxb8 {
? this was a mistake but perhaps White expected Black to take with the rook}
Nxb8 (24... Rxb8 25. c6 Nf8 26. Rc1 Rc8) 25. Nb3 Qa4 {I did not dare to take
the a pawn becaues I was afraid of Ra1 and white gets my a-pawn, but actually
I would also win the d pawn} (25... Qxa3 26. Ra1 Qb4 27. Rxa7 Nc6) 26. Rd1 Nc6
{putting pressure on d4} 27. Rd2 Rb8 28. Rd3 Qxa3 {
now I can safely take the a-pawn.} 29. Bd1 Qb4 30. g5 a5 {
now advancing the a-pawn should be a winner} 31. Qf4 a4 32. Nd2 Bxd4 33. Qd6
Qxc5 34. Qxc5 Bxc5 35. Bxa4 Ne5 36. Rc3 Bd6 37. Kg2 Ra8 38. Bb3 Bb4 39. Re3 {
obviously FBX wants to keep the bishops on the board since the opposite
colored bishops is his onlydrawingchance} Bxd2 40. Rxe5 Bf4 41. Re1 Bxg5 {
now the rest should be easy. 3 pawns is enough to win despite opposite colored
bishops} 42. Rd1 Rb8 43. Rd3 Kf8 44. Kg3 Ke7 45. Kg4 Bf6 46. Bd1 Kd6 47. Rb3
Rxb3 48. Bxb3 d4 49. Kf3 Be5 50. Ke4 f5+ 51. Kd3 Bxh2 52. Kxd4 e5+ 53. Kd3 h6
54. Bf7 g5 55. Bg6 Ke6 56. Bh7 e4+ 57. Ke2 g4 58. Kf1 Ke5 59. Kg2 Bf4 60. Bg6
e3 61. fxe3 Bxe3 62. Bh5 Kf6 63. Kf1 Kg5 64. Be8 h5 65. Ke2 f4 66. Kd3 g3 67.
Bc6 h4 68. Bg2 Kg4 69. Ke2 h3 70. Bf3+ Kh4 71. Kd3 g2 0-1

My mistake was 24. Rxb8. I was okay if I held my ground, but I confess to trying for a swindle to push my c-pawn after the rook takes.

Ok, everyone.
I'll adjourn the games that have not yet been played. Also the Neo-Fight game. He might still turn up (as he did with FBX's game and mine).
Please try to play the adjourned games in the first week.

Just got home from the second day of the international tournament in Ghent, and I want to get to bed.
So, I'll do the pairings tomorrow-morning.

I've got 2.5/4 so far, but got very lucky today (my opponent offered a draw in a position where a deaf bat with a hangover could have found the way to win). But I did play my first decent game today, so there is still hope.

I guess your opponent was a hearing human, so s/he couldn't find the way to win. (sort of like Inky).

Glad you are enjoying the tournament. Sleep well (don't learn tournament sleeping habits from Mig).

I can't wait to see who gets to cream me next.

For anybody who might be interested: standings and games (pgn, not live) can be found on www.kgsrl.be

I've got a 2146 for lunch tomorrow .

By the way, you find my exploits under Debrauwere Steven.

Here they are:
the games for round 7 (final round).

Obi1 - Rimfaxe (surprise :p )
FirebrandX - Gambit
WillSurfForFood - Rondino
Rust In Peace - Aabear
Palaveev - Sirky
Eddie - Tooler
Just4Fun - Rezonator
SuperGrobi - Move??
Unhinged - Jsweet
DÁrtagnan - Octal
Neo Fight - Inky1

The standings follow in a moment.

Just for the record, here's my game with WSFF along with my commentary. I find games like this with (what are to me) complex dynamic imbalances quite hard to get to grips with. I really ought to play a few gambits like the one in this game to work on that...

R.

-------------------

[Event "Rapid: 30'"]
[Site "Playchess.com"]
[Date "2003.07.20"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Rezonator"]
[Black "WillSurfForFood"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A57"]
[Annotator "Rezonator"]
[PlyCount "116"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 {Not a gambit I was familiar with... I now know
it's the Benko, and vaguely remember seeing it before, though I've never
really looked at it properly, so I was groping in the dark a little.} 4. Nf3 {
I decided against taking the pawn straight away, as this would straight into
whatever WSFF knew about it.} g6 5. a3 {This looks quite passive to me now,
and there are probably better moves around. I was concerned about ...b4 and
thought this way I would prevent it, as it would just open a file for my Rook.}
Bg7 6. cxb5 {At this point I felt like I was having trouble developing
properly, so I decided to clear up the issue on the queen-side.} a6 7. Nc3 {
7.bxa6 Bxa6 didn't seem like a great idea.} axb5 8. Bf4 ({Again,} 8. Nxb5 Qa5+
9. Nc3 Ba6 {seemed to allow a lot of activity for Black's pieces while I was
going to have trouble developing my Bishop on f1 and castling. Fritz thinks
White is OK, but that Black has some compensation for the pawn.}) 8... b4 9.
axb4 Rxa1 10. Qxa1 cxb4 11. Nb5 {
Trying to generate some threats of my own to make things easier (12.Bc7)} d6
12. Qd1 {Defending the d5 pawn, but Fritz thinks there are better moves, and
that Black now has a clear advantage. To me, it seemed at the time, and seems
now, that that's probably right; White has to worry about the b2 and d5 pawns,
and b5 Knight is far from home without much support and doesn't have many
destination squares. Black can continue to develop with threats.} Qb6 {
12...Qa5 might be better, threatening the d5 pawn indirectly, and a discovered
check after ...b3.} 13. e3 Nh5 {It might have been better to complete
development with something like ...Ba6, to which it's harder for White to find
a comfortable answer.} 14. Qc2 O-O 15. Bg5 Nf6 16. Bxf6 {I decided it would be
easier to defend d5 with this Knight off the board, missing that I could now
play e4 safely, after which White's game seems decent.} Bxf6 17. Be2 Bd7 18.
Nbd4 Rc8 19. Qd2 Na6 20. O-O {I figured I could either let the Knight go to c5
and finally get my King castled, or battle the c5 move with 20.Nb3, giving up
my Knight's nice central post and risk having my King stuck in the centre. I
still think castling was a good choice.} Nc5 21. Rc1 Ra8 {I was a little
surprised that WSFF gave up battling for the c-file, but I guess with the
Knight firmly posted on c5, he figured he could claim the a-file as another
advantage. He may have been right, but it doesn't seem that there's much to
do on the a-file, and I started to feel a little more comfortable with the
position.} 22. Bc4 Bg4 23. Nc6 {The idea of a 6th rank outpost appealed to me,
and allowing Black to double my pawns on the f-file didn't seem too high a
price.} b3 24. Be2 {24.Nfd4 seems a strong move here, but I didn't see it. I
think I was so relieved WSFF decided against the capture on f3 that supporting
that Knight was all I had in my head, instead of looking properly at the
position.} Bd7 25. Nfd4 {
With the threat to f3 gone, I seems I could see a little better.} e6 26. Bf3 {
A major blunder that we both missed during the game. 26.Bc4 was required, as
now the Knight or the Bishop should go, as they are running out of squares.}
exd5 ({After} 26... e5 {The Knight has only one square to retreat to, but after
} 27. Ne2 e4 {wins the Bishop.}) 27. Bxd5 Rc8 28. Nb4 {At the time, the White
position seemed precariously balanced, but the problems out of the opening
appeared to have been resolved.} Qa5 29. Nxb3 {This forces a general
simplification which I was more than happy to see. Fritz 'Iceman' 7 thinks
it's a little better to play something like 29.Qe1.} Nxb3 30. Rxc8+ Bxc8 31.
Bxb3 Qa1+ (31... Be6 {is Fritz's suggestion, and looks to leave Black with an
advantage in the activity of the two Bishops.} 32. Bd1 (32. Bxe6 $4 Qa1+ {
game over})) 32. Bd1 Bxb2 33. h3 {A scaredy-cat move, fearing back-rank mate
threats. I was too relieved to worry too much about the pawn, though 33.Qxd6
does look perfect possible now.} Be6 34. Nd5 Kg7 35. Kh2 Qa2 36. Qb4 {
Unfortunately blundering the game away. All I managed to see was the threat
of 36...Be5+ winning the Queen, and under time pressure, completely ignored
the Knight.} (36. Nc3 {and the game is basically even.}) 36... Bxd5 37. Qxd6
Be6 38. Bf3 Qa5 39. Qc6 Be5+ 40. g3 Qc3 41. Qxc3 Bxc3 42. Kg2 f6 43. Bc6 g5 44.
f3 Bd2 45. e4 h6 46. g4 Bc4 47. Bd7 Bf4 48. Bf5 Kf8 49. Bd7 Ke7 50. Bf5 Kd6 51.
Bc8 Kc5 52. Bb7 Kd4 53. Bc6 Ke3 54. Ba4 Ke2 55. Bc2 Ke1 56. Bb1 Bf1+ 57. Kh1
Kf2 58. e5 Bg2# 0-1

I haven't had time to go through the game in detail yet and I can't do it now since I'm at work but I will just add a few comments.

I didn't think playing the Benko gambit would be a suprise since I also played it against Rimfaxe and I think it is fairly common especially in online play. I don't think it is a very trappy opening, at least I don't remember scoring any quick wins with it. I think typically what can happen by accepting it is white can have some problems developing. I don't like the slower developing 1. d4 games so I'm willing to give up a pawn to change it. 4. Nf3 is a fine response. I don't really spend much time looking at openings so even if you would have accepted it I would not have been able to go by memory for much longer. When I get more time I will have a look at the game with Rezonators comments and respond. I'm going to see a movie after work tonight so I might not have time until tomorrow.

Aabear and I (kind of) scheduled our game for 1:30 am Ninja time Tusday morning.

My apologies to everyone, I'm going to have to pull out of the tournament . Due to unforseen circumstances I no longer have regular access to the internet. Hopefully, I should be back sometime in the autumn (fall ).

1/2-1/2 for SirKy-Neo seems reasonable then. I don't really care about my score (as I am not in the running for anything), and it is not his fault he doesn't have internet access =(.

Anyways, I hope you hurry back Neo, I need to avenge the vicious (sp?) beating you gave me on gameknot :p .

Well... No Aabear again. I'm not sure what/how/when went wrong but I really can't spend another evening waiting for him. At this point I'll ask the TD to make a decision and you guys feel free to suggest anything.

From http://www.worldtimeserver.com/

UTC/GMT is 05:47 on Tuesday, July 22, 2003

Our correspondance

From aabear
"Bearing all this in mind, I think that the best thing we can do is to play
this week beginning our game from 5.30 GMT to 6.30 GMT. Does it fit your
schedule? I will adapt to whatever you say."

My response sent on Sunday 4:54 pm
"5:30 GMT on
Tuesday seems like a good time. That would be 22:30 my time on Monday (I
beleive - I'll check). It sounds awfully early for you so if you want to -
just drop me a message and we can make it from 6:30 to 7:30 GMT. So see you
on playchess. Just let me know if you want to push it an hour later."

Given that he didn't show up the first time, said he will adapt to my schedule, and sent me no message asking for an hour delay I assumed we had a game. Apperantly not.

I mean no hard feelings for aabear but this has been a complete waste of my time and I don't have much of that.

Not that it's my ruling, but I feel if a no-show happens twice without advance notice (the key part), then you forfeit the point to the person left waiting.

I'll have a look into it, and try to reach Aabear.
Just give me a couple of days, one to get in touch with Aabear to hear his story, and second to finish the tournament in Ghent. I want to take the time for this.

I agree with what palaveev suggested. The point should be for him.

I made a ruling on the Aabear - Palaveev game.
Since Palaveev made ample effort to scedule the game at both player's convenience, but Aabear made a no-show twice, I give Palaveev the point for the game.

About the game Sirky - Neo Fight:
I know that Sirky posted that a draw seemed ok for him, but I will award him the full point, since the rules apply to everyone. I want to avoid that people who claim a draw with reason feel the bad guys. Also Inky will get a point for the forfait.
Hope that Neo gets hold of a computer again and can join back in.

Inky gets a whole point?!!!!!

Wow. I only got a half point when I played in the Malta Olympiad - but that was a hard fought game.

Hopefully Gambit will come around soon so we can play our last game. I'm still disappointed I could not make it to the game against Obi1, but perhaps RImfaxe has a better shot at winning.

sorry I been quite lately :p
but recently I left my old job and now work for
myself ...... so been very very busy....
I'm sure saturday is cool with me
just let me know whenz fine by u dude

Saturday is also fine with me. I'm currently awake most of the night here, which would be pretty much day time in Africa.

Say midnight Ninja time on Saturday? This would be Friday night for me, but would be during the day time of Saturday for you.

Say, did you two know this board has a private message function? You might find it useful for stuff like this - pretty much everyone else has for the last 6 rounds of the tournament.

R.

Thank you, Rezonator. You can also benefit from that feature yourself.

But then I wouldn't get a good 5 minutes of cackling out of his response..