Wednesday, November 25, 2015
2015 IL Open, Round 4
I managed a huge tie for the second place score group, half a point behind the leaders, at 4.5/6 at the 2015 IL Open. Below is my round 4 game with Gregory Bungo.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
61st Iowa Open - In Pictures!
Last weekend I played in the 61st Iowa Open in Iowa City, Iowa. The 61st edition was likely the strongest event on record in Iowa, with 1 GM, 3 IMs, a WGM, and 5 NMs plus a host of experts. The tournament was held at the new, upscale Coralville Marriott, part of a developmental district that has changed significantly since my first visit to Iowa City back in 2001.
After a grueling 93-move stressful round 4, I accepted a draw offer from IM Michael Brooks, of Missouri to split first with Brooks, IM Angelo Young, and my travel companion and friend, NM Gopal Menon.
Below, I posted my round 1 game with notes, but I was able to borrow some pictures from the event from Bethany Carson. All of the photos are credited to Bethany.
The 61st Iowa Open in pictures!
The spacious playing hall was organized with boards 1-5 roped off. Interestingly, I played on board 5 in round 1, board 4 in round 2, board 3 in round 3, board 2 in round 4, and board 1 in round 5. Quite the coincidence.
My round 4 encounter with James Neal- our second match this year- ultimately went a long way in determining the final standings. The game was a tense open Sicilian and I plan to include it in a future article.
61st Iowa Open organizer and TD Mark Capron
Co-organizer Peer Saleem [right] (whose effort made the event truly enjoyable for me) stands in front of the playing hall entrance.
After a grueling 93-move stressful round 4, I accepted a draw offer from IM Michael Brooks, of Missouri to split first with Brooks, IM Angelo Young, and my travel companion and friend, NM Gopal Menon.
Below, I posted my round 1 game with notes, but I was able to borrow some pictures from the event from Bethany Carson. All of the photos are credited to Bethany.
The 61st Iowa Open in pictures!
The spacious playing hall was organized with boards 1-5 roped off. Interestingly, I played on board 5 in round 1, board 4 in round 2, board 3 in round 3, board 2 in round 4, and board 1 in round 5. Quite the coincidence.
My round 4 encounter with James Neal- our second match this year- ultimately went a long way in determining the final standings. The game was a tense open Sicilian and I plan to include it in a future article.
NM Gopal Menon - Claudia Munoz (2095), round 4. An interesting French where Munoz did not accept an offered pawn and was soon in a difficult position.
Action from the top boards in round 4: IM Young - Saleem and NM Kosokin - GM Yermolinsky
Co-organizer Peer Saleem [right] (whose effort made the event truly enjoyable for me) stands in front of the playing hall entrance.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Kamsky - Karagianis, Denver Open 2015
Denver - June.
I missed the Friday night (June 12) lecture marathon with Brian and Gata and the following simul while hiking in the North Cheyenne Canyon near Colorado Springs with Emily. Our original intent was to check out Jeff Baffo's recommendation of Seven Falls but it was unfortunately closed for renovations. Maybe they're installing a Starbucks inside one of the mountains?
In fact, the trail we chose was rather poorly thought out. It resulted in 8 miles of up-and-down grueling trail work. Nonetheless, it was beautiful, and I highly recommend a visit and a hike along the Columbine trail (Both lower, mid, and upper if you want to take the real Pepsi challenge).
All day Saturday it was a struggle to get up from the board. Something between my middle back and right hip (maybe a flexor? idk) was seriously sore and it probably confused an opponent or two to see me elevate myself from the chair like an octogenarian and limp my way out of the playing hall. It turns out that eight miles of near-tree-line hiking was about six and a half miles too many.
But ok, the tournament began and sooner rather than later I found myself behind the roped-off boards battling Super-GM Gata Kamsky in the third round. I asked Brian to hold off e-mailing the moves to the list until I could get a .pgn of the game formulated with a few notes, and he kindly agreed. Here it is.
In fact, the trail we chose was rather poorly thought out. It resulted in 8 miles of up-and-down grueling trail work. Nonetheless, it was beautiful, and I highly recommend a visit and a hike along the Columbine trail (Both lower, mid, and upper if you want to take the real Pepsi challenge).
All day Saturday it was a struggle to get up from the board. Something between my middle back and right hip (maybe a flexor? idk) was seriously sore and it probably confused an opponent or two to see me elevate myself from the chair like an octogenarian and limp my way out of the playing hall. It turns out that eight miles of near-tree-line hiking was about six and a half miles too many.
But ok, the tournament began and sooner rather than later I found myself behind the roped-off boards battling Super-GM Gata Kamsky in the third round. I asked Brian to hold off e-mailing the moves to the list until I could get a .pgn of the game formulated with a few notes, and he kindly agreed. Here it is.
Friday, June 19, 2015
A Farewell to the Riviera
The storied Riviera was recently purchased by the Nevada Convention Authority and is set to be demolished.
I always enjoyed playing at the Riv, it had an old world charm and a perfect setup for a large convention. The rooms were always spacious and quiet, secluded away from the main casino. I'll never forget playing WBCA rated games against Emory Tate and Aleks Wojtkiewicz in the large conference hall, then sharing a beer or two with the top GMs at one of the Riviera's several bars.
Once, in 2007 or 2008, after the Riviera added a small poker room just off the convention concourse, I sat down after the 6th round of the National Open to find myself the lowest rated chess player at the poker table. GMs Jan Ehlvest, Dmitriy Gurevich, Varuzhan Akobian, and IM Andranik Matikozian filled out the game.
I bluffed Ehlvest with a 3 8 offsuit (was playing the board) and showed it to him.
Ahh, the memories!
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Action from the US G/10 Championship
The US Game/10 Championship is underway in Las Vegas at the Westgate Resort and Casino. Below is a recreation of a key position from an interesting game in the 4th round between FM Cameron Wheeler and GM Rauf Mamedov.
Arrived at National Open
As of the morning of June 18th, I am currently the 36th(t) seed out of 88 players in the Championship section.
There are currently 18 GMs participating, including former FIDE 2700+ players Gata Kamsky, Alexey Dreev, and (I think) Rauf Mamedov.
Full link to pre-entries here:
http://www.vegaschessfestival.com/registration/advance-entries/
There are currently 18 GMs participating, including former FIDE 2700+ players Gata Kamsky, Alexey Dreev, and (I think) Rauf Mamedov.
Full link to pre-entries here:
http://www.vegaschessfestival.com/registration/advance-entries/
Monday, April 20, 2015
The 2300 Game Click and Move
Replay Abud-Karagianis here, courtesy of NM Brian Wall:
https://denverchess.com/games/view/8221
https://denverchess.com/games/view/8221
Sunday, April 19, 2015
The 2300 Game
I crossed the 2300 barrier this weekend at the 2015 Bill Wright St. Louis Open. It was a very enjoyable trip thanks to my travel companions, GM Vladimir Georgiev and NM Gopal Menon. Apart from the fun we had, the tournament was also a success. Georgiev tied for first, Gopal came in a half point behind, and I broke through to 2303 a half point behind the Gopalinja.
It was a strange tournament. First, I blundered an exchange against GM Corrales Jiminez only to have him blunder one back at a much worse moment. So, I won when I should have lost. Then I sacrificed a rook and bishop against GM Ramirez for a very fancy almost-mate that there happened to be a way out of. Then I had a very nice, probably winning position against IM Kannappan which I spoiled miserably at a key moment with a simple time-pressure mistake.
But I finished the final round with a very nice win. The game with NM Claudio Abud was interesting and very original. I am particularly proud of the move 15. ...Ng4! as this was really the only way to keep an edge, and not an easy move to see at first.
Here is the "money game" with light notes. The match which pushed me over the 2300 barrier at long last!
[Event: Bill Wright St. Louis Open]
[Date 2015.04.19]
[Round 5]
[White Abud, Claudio (2224)]
[Black Karagianis, Petros (2303)]
[Result 0-1]
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 a5 4. Bb2 axb4
I felt black had a slight edge already.
5. Nxd4 e5 6. Nf3 e4 7. Nd4 Nf6
7. ...Be7! was strongest, intending an immediate re-positioning to f6. I didn't even consider Be7, in fact perhaps playing 7. ...Nf6 a bit too quickly.
8.a3 bxa3
At first I thought 8. a3 was a blunder, isn't the knight on d4 hanging at some point? But actually 8. a3(!?) is Houdini's number one move! Sort of a shock. But I was enjoying the game greatly at this point - very original, unique play. Exactly what you are looking for in the final round.
9. Qb3! Be7
I also considered 9. ...Na6 but thought my theme should be to castle quickly and try to play in the center.
10. Nxa3 O-O 11. Nac2?!
The a3 knight is bad, but shouldn't white try to castle?
11. ...Na6 12. Ne3 Nc5 13. Qc2 Rxa1+ 14. Bxa1 Re8 15. g3
Now, at long last, white tries to castle. But perhaps I can be just in time to start some mischief...
15. ...Ng4!!
The only move to keep the advantage, in my opinion. The idea here is I will answer almost every move white plays with 16. ...Bf6. Things can get really bad in some cases, for example: 16. Nxg4? Bxg4 17. Bg2 Bf6 or 16. Ndf5 Bf6!
16. Bg2 Bf6 17. Qc3
White is magically holding the position. Here, I missed the strongest idea. 17. ...Ne6! is in fact quite good. The point is that after the forced 18. Nxg4 Bxd4 19. Qc1 Bxa1 20. Qxa1 Nd4! is surprisingly annoying.
17. ...Nd3+?!
But, no guts no glory. I want that "3".
18. exd3 c5
Apparently white can actualy defend nicely here with the cold-blooded 19. Qc1. A very hard move to find at the board.
19. Nxg4 Bxd4 20. Qc1 Bxg4 21. O-O Be2 22. Bxe4
A very reasonable practical decision. White will try to hold with an anchored bishop against a rook.
22. ...Bxf1 23. Qxf1 Bxa1 24. Qxa1 b6 25. Qa7 Re7 26. Qa6 g6 27. Kf1 Kg7 28. h4 h5 29. Qb5 Qd6 30. Qa6 Qe6 31. Kg2 Qf6 32. Qb5 Ra7
Now the black rook can penetrate with serious effect.
33. Bd5 Ra2 34. Qe8 Rxd2 35. Qe3 Rb2 36. Be4 Rb3 37. Qc1 Qe5 38. Qc2 Rb2
I fiddled around for awhile trying to find the best setup. I think the queen should go to d4, but I was worried about pressure on f7.
39. Qc1 Ra2 40. Qb1 Qb2
But now it is a technical win.
41. Qe1 Qd2 42. Qf1 Qe2 43. Qg1 Kg8
So that I can move the rook without Qa1+.
44. Bd5 Rd2 45. Bf3 Qxd3 46. Qe1 Qd7 47. Bd5 Rxd5 48. cxd5 Qxd5+ 49. Kg1 Qe6
White resigned, and I had to contain myself. Instead of confetti falling from the rafters, I had to be contented with a handshake from Georgiev and his curt reminder: "You see, chocolate."
Vlad Georgiev says the secret to chess success is having a Coca-Cola in a can and chocolate during the game. We spent 40 minutes looking for coke in the can but all the local grocer - Straub's - had was bottles. Georgiev walked back to the St. Louis Chess Club dejected in his failed attemp only to find a mini fridge in the playing hall stocked full of canned coke products.
It was a strange tournament. First, I blundered an exchange against GM Corrales Jiminez only to have him blunder one back at a much worse moment. So, I won when I should have lost. Then I sacrificed a rook and bishop against GM Ramirez for a very fancy almost-mate that there happened to be a way out of. Then I had a very nice, probably winning position against IM Kannappan which I spoiled miserably at a key moment with a simple time-pressure mistake.
But I finished the final round with a very nice win. The game with NM Claudio Abud was interesting and very original. I am particularly proud of the move 15. ...Ng4! as this was really the only way to keep an edge, and not an easy move to see at first.
Here is the "money game" with light notes. The match which pushed me over the 2300 barrier at long last!
[Event: Bill Wright St. Louis Open]
[Date 2015.04.19]
[Round 5]
[White Abud, Claudio (2224)]
[Black Karagianis, Petros (2303)]
[Result 0-1]
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 a5 4. Bb2 axb4
I felt black had a slight edge already.
5. Nxd4 e5 6. Nf3 e4 7. Nd4 Nf6
7. ...Be7! was strongest, intending an immediate re-positioning to f6. I didn't even consider Be7, in fact perhaps playing 7. ...Nf6 a bit too quickly.
8.a3 bxa3
At first I thought 8. a3 was a blunder, isn't the knight on d4 hanging at some point? But actually 8. a3(!?) is Houdini's number one move! Sort of a shock. But I was enjoying the game greatly at this point - very original, unique play. Exactly what you are looking for in the final round.
9. Qb3! Be7
I also considered 9. ...Na6 but thought my theme should be to castle quickly and try to play in the center.
10. Nxa3 O-O 11. Nac2?!
The a3 knight is bad, but shouldn't white try to castle?
11. ...Na6 12. Ne3 Nc5 13. Qc2 Rxa1+ 14. Bxa1 Re8 15. g3
Now, at long last, white tries to castle. But perhaps I can be just in time to start some mischief...
15. ...Ng4!!
The only move to keep the advantage, in my opinion. The idea here is I will answer almost every move white plays with 16. ...Bf6. Things can get really bad in some cases, for example: 16. Nxg4? Bxg4 17. Bg2 Bf6 or 16. Ndf5 Bf6!
16. Bg2 Bf6 17. Qc3
White is magically holding the position. Here, I missed the strongest idea. 17. ...Ne6! is in fact quite good. The point is that after the forced 18. Nxg4 Bxd4 19. Qc1 Bxa1 20. Qxa1 Nd4! is surprisingly annoying.
17. ...Nd3+?!
But, no guts no glory. I want that "3".
18. exd3 c5
Apparently white can actualy defend nicely here with the cold-blooded 19. Qc1. A very hard move to find at the board.
19. Nxg4 Bxd4 20. Qc1 Bxg4 21. O-O Be2 22. Bxe4
A very reasonable practical decision. White will try to hold with an anchored bishop against a rook.
22. ...Bxf1 23. Qxf1 Bxa1 24. Qxa1 b6 25. Qa7 Re7 26. Qa6 g6 27. Kf1 Kg7 28. h4 h5 29. Qb5 Qd6 30. Qa6 Qe6 31. Kg2 Qf6 32. Qb5 Ra7
Now the black rook can penetrate with serious effect.
33. Bd5 Ra2 34. Qe8 Rxd2 35. Qe3 Rb2 36. Be4 Rb3 37. Qc1 Qe5 38. Qc2 Rb2
I fiddled around for awhile trying to find the best setup. I think the queen should go to d4, but I was worried about pressure on f7.
39. Qc1 Ra2 40. Qb1 Qb2
But now it is a technical win.
41. Qe1 Qd2 42. Qf1 Qe2 43. Qg1 Kg8
So that I can move the rook without Qa1+.
44. Bd5 Rd2 45. Bf3 Qxd3 46. Qe1 Qd7 47. Bd5 Rxd5 48. cxd5 Qxd5+ 49. Kg1 Qe6
White resigned, and I had to contain myself. Instead of confetti falling from the rafters, I had to be contented with a handshake from Georgiev and his curt reminder: "You see, chocolate."
Vlad Georgiev says the secret to chess success is having a Coca-Cola in a can and chocolate during the game. We spent 40 minutes looking for coke in the can but all the local grocer - Straub's - had was bottles. Georgiev walked back to the St. Louis Chess Club dejected in his failed attemp only to find a mini fridge in the playing hall stocked full of canned coke products.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
The Chess Book Cometh
I've been working on my first chess book for a little over a year now. I am nearing the finish line!
I hope to have it completed and ready for publication this summer. Over the summer, I am also working on a lecture and book signing tour. In the meantime, stay tuned for details!
I hope to have it completed and ready for publication this summer. Over the summer, I am also working on a lecture and book signing tour. In the meantime, stay tuned for details!
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