Having never watched a USCL match on site before, my father and I bravely trekked to the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics to see... Boston lose?!!!!!
The first game to finish during the regular match was Larry Christiansen's game against Marko Zivanic in the Taimanov variation. Larry goaded Zivanic to capture a poisoned f-pawn and quickly lost to the attacking legend. Nice job, Larry!
Here Larry played 18. Rxf6! effectively liquidating into an equal endgame.The next one to finish was Marc Esserman's game. As always, the should-be-IM quickly defeated IM Schneider in a queen’s pawn opening.
Next, AS I PREDICTED, Ilya Krasik soon lost to might-as-well-be-FM Bayaraa Zorigt in a KID. As the Blitz was already up 2-0, this is the second time she forced the Championship into a tie breaker (Kuljasevic on board 2 was winning at this point).
The last game was a man-slaughter where GM Davorin Kuljasevic beat might-as-well-be-GM Jorge Sammour-Hasbun. Jorge seemed out of it as a horrible opening, followed up by being down two pawns, clearly did not help him. The championship again will be decided by tiebreaker.
I should first explain the tiebreaker system in case you don’t know. The time control is 5 5, with winner moving on to play the higher boards. For example: 4 vs 4, 4 vs 3, 3 vs 3.... A draw will eliminate both players.
The first game of the blitz tiebreaker was a Classic Krasik. You can tell how tense Ilya was by his body language - hunched over, squinting, covering his forehead with his hands. Everyone was silent, except (according to sister) occasional snoring from Charlie Mays in the back. Being under ten seconds doesn't help a person to win an endgame up a pawn. Indeed, Krasik blundered and got forked by Zorigt.
Marc was up next…. Everyone in the room was cheering him on “Let’s go Marc!” The game was a Esserman against Zorigt, the Sicillian Najdorf which she used to beat Krasik at Week 3. During the game, Esserman was winning but missed tactical shots in order to "play it safe". However, he still won even with both players being under ten seconds (did anyone notice Marc was banging his mouse very loudly)?
Here, Esserman played 30... Qe7???? Instead, Rd8 trapped the queen.The third game was Esserman against Schneider. Again, a queen’s pawn opening, which quickly liquidated into an endgame and Marc wins again some tactical tricks. However, after the two victories Marc couldn’t keep his winning streak going against Dallas's blitz ace, Kuljasevic and after defeat claimed that he would never, ever, play that variation of the Dutch again.
The fifth game was 2-time Dos Hermanas winner Jorge Sammour-Hasbun playing Kuljasevic. Apparently, trying to play for a draw is not a good strategy for Jorge, as Kuljasevic rolled him over in an Exchange Slav with the black pieces.
The sixth and seventh games were played by Kuljasevic and Larry Christiansen. The first game was a hard fought draw where Christiansen had the black pieces. The last game was a positionally crushing but tactically lost game for Christiansen, missing a mate in 3. Being so upset about the lost, I left the site without my coat and my chess set.
Well, Dallas wins again, congrats to them. It was a disappointing yet, motivational result. Next year, hopefully the Blitz will win *cough* with my help *cough*.
P.S. Here are the links for the games.
Larry Christiansen 1-0 Marko Zivanic
Davorin Kuljasevic 1-0 Jorge Sammour-Hasbun
Marc Esserman 1-0 Igor Schneider
Bayaraa Zorigt 1-0 Ilya Krasik
Few comments: White won all of the regular games in the match, and no milkshake for you Krasik.
Tiebreak Games:
Ilya Krasik 0-1 Bayaraa Zorigt
Bayaraa Zorigt 0-1 Marc Esserman
Marc Esserman 1-0 Igor Schneider
Davorin Kuljasevic 1-0 Marc Esserman
Jorge Sammour-Hasbun 0-1 Davorin Kuljasevic
Davorin Kuljasevic 1/2-1/2 Larry Christiansen
Larry Christiansen 0-1 Davorin Kuljasevic
Some photos I took:
3 comments:
No offense, but I dont think the Blitz needs a spoiled little brat like yourself who hasnt basically improved in years. I think there has to be some sort of a prerequisite like being able to sit still at a board for more than 2 minutes.
I think Andrew should take over on Board 4. Hasn't improved in years? What are you smoking? The Blitz need new blood.
What has this sacmaster done, whoever he is, to be "taking over" anything??
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