Showing posts with label ICC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ICC. Show all posts

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Chess: My Events Update

It has been a while since I updated my correspondence chess events status.
-I may be closing in on my first ICCF event title in four tries.
-I'm currently at the top in what is probably my last ICC correspondence event, but that could change.
-I haven't started another USCF event as certain political events must be resolved within the Federation... Or I'll cease to be a member.
-I've joined the CCLA and CJA.

ICCF

109In the first event I participated in at ICCF, WS/O/109, I long ago finished my games. However, there is still one game going; Deren, Marcin vs. Kýhos, Alois. If Deren wins, he and I are tied with Kýhos for 2nd-4th. If they draw or Kýhos wins, I have a clear 3rd after Pötz and Kýhos. In any case, I can do no worse than 3rd. Pötz is the clear winner after his recent result over Deren. I blogged about several games in this event; Barzaghi - Owens, Owens - Thomas, Kýhos - Owens, and Pötz - Owens. The Pötz loss made me swear off the Kalashnikov, at least for Correspondence play.

120In event WS/O/120, Jan Gantar has won 1st place. I am in a fight for 2nd place with Gerardo Sánchez Carmona. As the chart shows we are tied with four points, he having attained four wins and I having three wins and two draws. Ours is the last game in the event to be resolved and I can only capture 2nd with a win. We are almost sixty moves into a Caro-Kann Gurgenidze in which as Black I am up the Exchange. Sánchez Carmona allowed the exchange for a passed d pawn, but I was able to remove that pawn. We are in the early stages of the end game and I anticipate a full point and 2nd place in this event. I have not yet posted analysis of any of these games.

138In event WS/O/138, I have finished all my games with two wins and four draws. I was disappointed with my performance in this event as in at least three of my draws I had a clear advantage but was unable to press home the win. Once again, I can finish as high as my current 2nd place standing. The first five positions are still to be determined depending on the results of the last two remaining games. I have not yet posted analysis of any of the games in this event. I tried 1...e5 in my game versus Dumitrescu which became a Ruy Lopez Berlin. I entered the end game with a strong advantage but was outplayed in the end game and accepted a draw. Against Sarak I played the Black side of a 1.Nf3 game that turned into an English Symmetrical without g3. I chose a "Dragon" style set up and White responded with the Maroczy Bind. White sacced the Exchange for two connected passed pawns (d and c) that I was later obligated to return the exchange to remove. In the end game, White ended up two pawns, doubled on the g file, and I accepted a draw offer on the 78th move. Against Van henteryck, I played the White side of a Reti English and had a significant initiative late into the game. My pieces were well placed and had scope, but Black was well positioned for defense and had a passed c pawn. This game was tortuously drawn out with Black often moving only once every three or four weeks and several times coming within hours of a time forfeit. I couldn't see a definitive win and accepted a draw on the 35th move. Against Pareschi I played the Black side if an uninspired closed Sicilian (3.Bc4) that ended in a 40 move draw.

172In event WS/O/172, I am cautiously optimistic about my chances. I am currently in the lead with 3.5 points (three wins and a draw). In the one draw (Owens - Lehnen) I played a Reti English as White and allowed the game to get drawish much too quickly. Richardson - Owens saw White sac a piece for three pawns early in the middle game. I sacced the Exchange to double his f pawn and open up his King side around move 25. The Black Queen and Knight moved quickly on the weakened King side and White resigned after move 31. In Laine - Owens I returned to my favorite Caro-Kann. Bucking the trend, Laine chose the Classical variation. After White castled long, Black found a very strong attack on the c file and White resigned after move 26. Owens - Pooley is still on going in a Caro Kann Advance variation that is in the middle game. I think I have a strong advantage in this one. Owens - White is in the end game of a Reti English where I am up three clear pawns, two being connected passed pawns. The Queens are still on the board so the outcome is in doubt, but I retain a very strong advantage.

ICC

I have one game in one event still going at ICC. I think this will be the last ICC correspondence event for me. Twice my opponent has over stepped the time limits and has been allowed to continue. One game, as White in the London System, where I had to fight back from a tactical blunder very early ended in a draw. The other, where I am Black in a Reti English that transposed to a conventional KID, is on going. We're just entering the end game and I think I have a decent initiative. In the event, I have scored four out of five points with one point to be determined. As the event page has not been updated I'm not sure where I stand; win, place, show, or last. Blogged games from my last two ICC correspondence events are here, here, here, here, and here.

USCF

Both of the events (USCF/WS/07WM27 and USCF/WS/07WM41) I participated in at USCF Correspondence have finished. The only game I blogged is here.

ORGANIZATIONS

I've joined both the Correspondence Chess League of America and Chess Journalists of America. I joined CCLA as one must be a member of USCF or CCLA to play in ICCF events. There are certain circumstances that may prompt me to leave the USCF when my annual membership is due this summer. CCLA is also inexpensive. I joined CJA since this and ChessUSA place me in a "journalist" type capacity. I encourage ALL bloggers to join CJA. The fee is insignificant ($10 per year) and if a sizable contingent of bloggers join and agree to abide by the CJA code of ethics I believe bloggers will gain better acceptance both from the size of the affiliated blogging community and the ethical quality of the resulting blogs that adhere to the code.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Chess: Breaking 2000, Another London System Win

ratingI've broken the "2000 barrier" at ICC correspondence. WooHoo!

Earlier, I stated that I had tried the London System and had found it wanting for correspondence chess. Despite that, it seems that I am getting the better position in some games using the London. In others the opponent is simply misplaying the position. Regardless of the success I've had with the London, I still think I will not use it in correspondence from here out. It seems to me that I have had to grind out each game in this system and it hasn't been fun. Enjoyment is in itself perhaps the best factor in choosing an opening system.

[Event "ICC correspondence 2007Seven.02.05"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2007.08.25"]
[Round "-"]
[White "sdo1"]
[Black "az2112"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "1956"]
[BlackElo "1592"]
[Opening "Queen's pawn game: London System"]
[NIC "QP.08"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6 4. e3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. Bg3 O-O 8. Bd3 Qe7 9. Ne5 Nd7 10. f4 f6 11. Nxd7 Bxd7 12. O-O Rac8 13. Qe2

chessThis is another good London System setup. Black, when playing against the London, must always be on guard for tactics against his King side pawns, particularly the h7 pawn. Here, the protective g6 Knight is gone and the light Bishop has sighted in on h7. The Queen has free access to the light King side squares and can easily join an attack on h7 if Black ignores the weakness. Otherwise, Black has a good position and can defend, as long as he defends accurately. Black is well on his way to equalization and has possibilities of an attack after his King is secured. Some would say that Black even stands a bit better in this position. Black's pawns have more flexibility, his pieces are more central, and he has the promise of a center break at his time of choosing. Unfortunately, for Black, he chooses to try the break too soon.

13. ...e5? 14. fxe5 fxe5 15. Qh5

chessThis is the result of the early ...e5. The Queen invades and there is no good way to prevent the Bishop's attack resulting in either a won pawn with a fractured King side, or a Bishop sac for a complete removal of the two protective King pawns.

15. ...g6 16. Bxg6 hxg6

Other tries were ...Bb8 and ...Qg7.

17. Qxg6+ Kh8 18. Qh6+ Kg8 19. Bh4 Qe6

This was simply a flier for Black. He will certainly lose material anyway, this desperado was worth trying.

20. Bf6 Kf7? 21. Qh5+ Kg8 22. Qg6#

20...Kf7 leads directly to mate.

The lesson in this game is glaring, Black must always guard against an attack on his h7 when White exchanges off the g6 Knight in the London. Against this system, it is probably best not to post the Queen Knight aggressively to c6, but instead to d7 where it supports the defense of the King side and a c5 push. The London player, much like the Colle player, is looking to attack the g and h pawns in front of the King. The light Bishop, while having as his first duty the support of the e4 push, is optimally poised to take advantage of the absence of a g6 Knight, and with the Queen makes a happy battery to hammer at h7.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Chess: My Events Update

My last events update was in September...

Starting with ICC. Both of the events I am in there are drawing to a close.

In 2007Seven.02 I have four wins (as White against John3v16 and AntonioMendonca and as Black against jonesey and OnGoldenPawn) with no draws or losses. Two games are yet to be decided. As Black against Stahlberg I am a Bishop to the better and have a King side attack brewing in the middle game of a Caro-Kann: Panov-Botvinnik attack. As White versus az2112 I played the London and we are just entering the middle game. Again, I have a strong King side attack brewing and am a pawn to the better. I came into the event as the highest rated player but I have had to fight for each point.

In 2007Quad.08 I have two wins, two draws, and no losses (yet). I have finished my games with The7thGuest and Molton having won once and drawn once with each. Both games versus my last opponent (Boromir) are ongoing. As White, I played a suspect line in the London System but I think I have equalized out of a bad spot. I grabbed a pawn in the opening and have been paying for it... Grabbing pawns in correspondence chess when there are other things to be done is a no-no! In my game with Black we have entered the middle game of a Reti/KID and I think I have at least equalized and may have a small plus.

az2112 and Boromir have both over stepped the time limits and have been warned by the TD. Hopefully we can get those games going in good fashion again.

I would post cross tables but it seems they have not been updated since the events began. With my latest result (the win over Molton), I have achieved my highest ICC Correspondence rating so far (1999).

Chess

Woah... Maybe I should play 3's and 9's on the lottery. I have a 1999 rating as of 19 November with 33 wins, 3 losses, and 3 draws for a total of 39 games. Cue the spooky music!




Over at ICCF I have finished all my games in WS/O/109. Several of the leaders have yet to finish games. Right now I am in Third, but I anticipate no better than a Fourth place finish. As I wrote in September, for my first ICCF event I think I had satisfactory results. My loss to Pötz hampered my goal to finish near the top.


WS/O/109TD Millstone, Michael
Rated1234567ScoreSBRPlace
1AUT10588 Pötz, Florian1800P½1.111

4.5

9.5

1

1

2CZE130711 Kýhos, Alois1701½½.111D

4

7.75

1

2

3USA514360 Owens, Steve1800P0½½111D

4

7

0

3

4POL421419 Deren, Marcin2019F..½½11D

3

4.25

2

4

5USA514348 Thomas, Gerald K1800P000½11

2.5

2.5

0

5

6GER85582 Kaspschak, Mrs. Karola1800P000001D

1

0

0

6

7ITA241236 Barzaghi, Andy1800P00D0D0D00D

0

0

0

7

XD = result by default
XF = FIDE Elo
XP = provisional
Sorted by place. Click to sort by start list order.


In event WS/O/120 I am in clear second with one game to go. The three of us at top each have only to finish our games with Sanchez Carmona. Of course, I don't know how the other games are going, but in my game with Sanchez Carmona I am the Exchange up as Black in a Caro-Kann: Gurgenidze System. We are entering the end game (R,B,B vs. R,R,B and four pawns each) and I just need to put this puppy away. I could finish anywhere from first to third. I think second is most likely. I had too many draws in this event. Jan Gantar has four wins already to my three.


WS/O/120TD Marconi, Ralph P.
Rated1234567ScoreSBRPlace
1SLO480238 Gantar, Jan1800P½1.111

4.5

7.5

1

1

2USA514360 Owens, Steve1800P½½.111

4

6

1

2

3AUS30119 Ramsden, Jim E.18520½.111

3.5

4

1

3

4ESP160980 Sánchez Carmona, Gerardo1800P...111

3

2

3

4

5USA514396 Lynn, Bret1800P0000.1

1

0

1

5

6TUR490209 Ciklabakkal, Metin1800P0000.1

1

0

1

5

7NOR360548 Stenseth, Bjørn Gunnar1800P000000

0

0

0

7

XP = provisional
Sorted by place. Click to sort by start list order.


In my latest ICCF event, WS/O/138, again I have too many draws to be a favorite, but I'll finish near the top. I missed my chance to stand out from the pack with Black against Dumitrescu in a Spanish Berlin game. I had a clear advantage but missed the win in the end game with two passed pawns. Pareschi and Sarak are still playing thier game and so have a chance to pass Dumitrescu and me in the standings. I'll at least finish second or third assuming I can take care of my last game with Van hentenryck.


WS/O/138TD Millstone, Michael
Rated1234567ScoreSBRPlace
1ROM440627 Dumitrescu, Florian1800P½½½.11

3.5

5.75

1

1

2USA514360 Owens, Steve1800P½½½.11

3.5

5.75

1

1

3ITA241242 Pareschi, Remo1800P½½..11

3

4.5

2

3

4GER84051 Sarak, Michael1800P½½..11

3

4.5

2

3

5BEL40214 Van hentenryck, Alain1689.....1

1

0

5

5

6USA511398 Peterson, Miss Janet16760000.1

1

0

1

6

7SUI100390 Galanti, Sergio1628000000

0

0

0

7

XP = provisional
Sorted by place. Click to sort by start list order.





I am in the midst of my second USCF Walter E. Muir event (USCF/WS/07WM41). Back in August I finished first in USCF/WS/07WM27. This one is going to be much, much tougher. I have wins in both games against Bill Evans again. No knock on Bill, sometimes another person just seems to have your number. My opening repertoire seems to be set up perfectly for his. The other players in this event all have multiple first place Muir finishes.

As an example of how tough this event is, here are the tournaments won by participants in the last several months:

OCTOBER WINNERS
Walter Muir Webserver
William Evans 07W28 5-1
William Evans 06W22 3 ½-2 ½
Thomas Haggard 06W22 3 ½-2 ½
William Evans 07W08 5-1
Joe Hoffmann 07W25 6-0

SEPTEMBER TOURNAMENT WINNERS
John Collins
Thomas Haggard 05C39 4-2

Walter Muir
Joe Hoffmann 07W16 4 ½-1 ½
William Evans 07W01 6-0
William Evans 07W21 6-0

Yikes!

Also of note: friend of the blog Anthony Ragan has a Muir win, too!

SEPTEMBER TOURNAMENT
WINNERS
Walter Muir
Anthony Ragan 07W16 4 ½-1 ½

In my games with Bill Evans, as Black we played a Semi-Slav: Meran. In the early middle game I was able to disturb his King side pawns with an exchange of his f3 Knight for my light Bishop. The open g file left by the recapture of the light Bishop was immediately exploitable by my Queen and King side Rook. In the other game Evans responded to 1.d4 with a Dutch Defense. I used a Catalan/Reti style setup with which I was familiar, and advanced my Queen side pawns aggressively. At about move 16 Bill dropped the f pawn in an exchange of Knights. A few moves later I was able to win the Exchange and then invade the seventh and eighth ranks with my rooks.

The other games are ongoing.

Against Thomas Haggard, in my game with Black Tom opened with what he called the "Haggard Gambit" in the Caro Kann Exchange. I'm not sure he has received compensation, but play continues... In my game as White, we are in a Bogo-Indian and things are very much in flux. Both games are in the opening stages.

Against Joe Hoffman, as Black I have the Bishop pair in the late middle game of a Caro Kann Exchange game. What is it with all these Exchange and Panov games? Has everyone abandoned the Advance against the CK? In our game that I have White, we are in the late middle game stages of another Bogo-Indian. It has been very tight but I am a pawn up. As compensation Black has a protected passed central pawn while my passed pawn is outside and isolated.


USCF/WS/07WM41TD Dunne, Alex
Unrated11223344ScoreSBRPlace
1USA514322 Hoffmann, Joe ..11..

2

2

4

1

2USA514360 Owens, Steve ..11..

2

2

4

1

3USA514306 Evans, William162000001.

1

0

1

3

4USA514316 Haggard, Thomas .....0

0

0

5

4

Sorted by place. Click to sort by start list order.


My USCF rating is up to 1621 as of yesterday. If my current games are any indication I may be leveling off at between 1600 and 1700 for USCF Correspondence.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Chess: The Caro Kann as a Weapon

My opponent in this game writes:

Here is another one of my correspondence chess games played at ICC. I just resigned today because the only way to avoid checkmate was to sacrifice my Queen for a Rook. I am now 0-2 in this section. My new correspondence chess rating is 1551 and my opponent's is 1959. I ended up in an opening that I don't know against a much higher rated player. I used MCO 14 as my guide to the opening but my opponent got me out of book early when he prevented my Knight from going to b5. My opponent's first name is Steve. I don't know his last name. He lives in TN. I am not posting this game to my chess site because I don't normally play either side of the Caro-Kann.


Mike's comments are illuminating on several fronts.

First, the viability of the Caro Kann is enhanced by the fact that club level players (and that is most of us) don't see it very often. King pawn players typically concentrate on their e4 opening of choice and the variations of 1...c5 and 1...e6 they are sure to see. 1...c6 is usually an afterthought in their opening repertoire. In OTB play this will lead to uncertain play from many White opponents and in correspondence play the undeserved reputation of the Caro Kann will lead to a bit of carelessness from players less than Class A.

Second, when White uses a lesser known variation (in this case 2.c4) they are often at a loss as to the subtleties of the opening while the Black player is completely at ease with his position, having seen, studied, and played it before. Mike states that he was out of book (using MCO-14) early on. When, as White, your opponent plays a lesser used opening, you may be certain that he has various sources to choose from for opening theory. We are in the computer age and players should avail themselves of the databases that are on the net, at the very least. Chessgames.com and Chesslab are excellent sources for quick access to master level games on almost every opening.

In our game, I have to wonder if Mike knew that this variation involved having an Isolated Queen Pawn.

The Caro Kann has a reputation of being a dull, uninspired opening. It is not. It is a tough defense that turns into a dangerous attacking weapon if White plays carelessly at any point. It attracts players that have based their play in sound positional theory and that are willing to be patient and accumulate advantages as they come along.

[Event "ICC correspondence 2007Seven.02.06"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2007.08.25"]
[Round "-"]
[White "OnGoldenPawn"]
[Black "sdo1"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "1549"]
[BlackElo "1969"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann: anti-anti-Caro-Kann defense"]
[NIC "CK.01"]

1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. cxd5 Qxd5 5. Nc3 Qd6 6. d4 Nf6 7. Bc4 e6 8. Nf3 a6

chess

I have no intention of allowing White to get at b5 and c7.

9. O-O Be7 10. d5

chess

White here wishes to sac his ISO to open lines for his better developed forces. My conclusion is that this forcing is too early, he isn't that better situated despite being castled. 10...b5 allows me to disrupt the pieces he has developed. 12. dxe6 was a better try than retreating the Knight and at that point we are completely out of theory.

10. ...b5 11. Bb3 b4 12. Ne2 Nxd5 13. Bg5 Bb7 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Ned4 O-O 16. Re1 Rd8 17. Qc1 Nd7 18. Qd2 Rac8 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. Bxd5 Nc5 21. Bxe6+ Nxe6?

chess

I understand why saccing a piece here is attractive, and it might work in blitz play. However, in correspondence is simply loses a piece for a pawn. From here out it is simply a matter of translating the material advantage to a win. This was aided by White falling for the trap of 25. Qxa6.

22. Qe3 Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Qf7 24. Qe2 Nf4 25. Qxa6 Nxg2 26. Kxg2 Qd5+ 27.
Kg1 Rc6 {White Resigns} 0-1

Chess: London System vs. the KID

[Event "ICC correspondence 2007Seven.02.03"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2007.08.25"]
[Round "-"]
[White "sdo1"]
[Black "AntonioMendonca"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "1959"]
[BlackElo "1656"]
[Opening "King's Indian: London system"]
[NIC "QP.03"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e3 O-O 5. Nbd2 d6 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. h3 Re8 8. c3 e5 9. Bg3 Nh5 10. Bh4 Nhf6 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. O-O

chess

Again, a classic position for the London player.

12. ...Bd7 13. Nxe5 Rxe5 14. Bf3 Rb8 15. Ne4 h6 16. Qd4 b6 17. Rfd1 g5 18. Bg3 Re6 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. Qd3 Qe8 21. Qc4 c5?

chess

21...c5 ruins Black's game. White had sallied 21. Qc4 to see if the light squares could be exploited. 21...Qc8 gives Black plenty of recourse and the game is about even. With 21...c5, Black has left the d6 pawn en prise, permanently weakens light squares across the board (exacerbated by 17...g5), and leaves f7 and g8 open to pressure from a Queen-Bishop battery via a pin on the Rook. Instead of grabbing the pawn, I decided to take the exchange on the e Rook. Even without the support of the light Bishop, the Queen will invade the Queen side via the light squares and force Black to give up material after attrition of forces.

22. Bd5 Rd8 23. Bxe6 Bxe6 24. Qe2 d5 25. a4 Bg7 26. Qa6 Qe7 27. a5 Bc8 28. Qb5 Bd7 29. Qe2 Bc6 30. axb6 axb6 31. Qa6 Qb7 32. Qxb7 Bxb7 33. Bc7
{Black Resigns} 1-0

With no possibility of preventing White from accumulating further material, Black resigned.


Saturday, October 27, 2007

Chess: My First Result Using the London System

[Event "ICC correspondence 2007Seven.02.01"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2007.08.25"]
[Round "-"]
[White "sdo1"]
[Black "John3v16"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A40"]
[WhiteElo "1969"]
[BlackElo "1807"]
[Opening "Queen's pawn"]
[NIC "QO.17"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Be7 5. c3 b6 6. h3 Bb7 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. Bd3 d6 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Re1

chess

This is the setup the London player wants as White against almost any defense.


10 ...h6 11. e4 cxd4 12. cxd4 a6 13. Qe2 b5 14. a4 b4 15. Rac1 Nb6
16. a5 Na4

chess

I thought Black's 16th was a positional mistake. I would have favored Nbd7 instead. His Knight is on the rim away from the action and will not be able to escape to re-enter the game. The attacks on the Knight will draw Black's pieces away from the action, and I don't see how Black could avoid losing material in the Knight's defense, anyway.

17. Bc2 Bc6 18. Qc4 Qd7 19. Qb3 g5 20. Bxd6

chess

Black's 19 ...g5 allows White to win the d pawn and possibly remove a defender (Bishop) of b4. Black's choice to keep the Knight instead of the Bishop (on 21. e5 Nd5) is also a poorer choice. The Bishop had more range and is needed in defense more than the Knight.

20 ...Bxd6 21. e5 Nd5 22. exd6 Qxd6 23. Ra1 Nf6 24. Ne5

chess

The Knight at a4 is en prise. Ne5 attacks the defenders, but more importantly, clears the way for the Queen to enter the King side to attack the King's open position and unsecured f6-Knight.

24 ...Bb5 25. Qf3 Qxd4 26. Qxf6 1-0

chess

Black falls for the trap with 25 ...Qxd4. After 26. Qxf6 Black resigned, as he pointed out 26 ...Qxd2 27. Ng6! wins for White. Black must either sacrifice his Queen at f2, or be mated.


Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Chess: Correspondence Chess Events Update

Over at ICC I've entered two new events (one mentioned in the last update). In addition to 2007Quad08 I've also started 2007Seven02.

"Sevens" are seven player round robins. I'm rated highest in this group but so far have not found the competition lacking.

2007Seven.02 Rating
sdo1 1956
John3v16 1777
jonesey 1734
AntonioMendonca 1725
Stahlberg 1626
az2112 1592
OnGoldenPawn 1515

2007Quad.08 Rating 1 2 3 4
The7thGuest 2065 X X
sdo1 1956 X X
Boromir 1812 X X
Molton 1800 X X

In both the events I have used The London as my White opening. I'm not pleased. It has been fairly tough sledding, not helped by the fact that I muffed a move or so early in several games. I've been trying the London since I've done well with the Colle over the board (OTB) and am able to use the Caro Kann with good results as Black. I thought the London would give me comparable positions, and that is true in OTB, but this has not translated to correspondence. The simplicity of the London for White OTB may be a deficit in correspondence where Black has time to look for opportunities to seize the initiative. I will probably go back to my favored Catalan/Reti repertoire for future events.

As Black I have stayed faithful to my tried and true Caro Kann (no more experiments with the Sicilian or with ...e5). New in these events is the number of opponents using forms of the Panov/Botvinnik variation. It has been interesting.

Over at ICCF, WS/O/109 is finished for me. Mrs. Karola Kaspschak resigned our game on September 4th and I have finished with four points out of six (+3-1=2). Kýhos will no doubt finish ahead of me as we are tied for points and he has a win in our game. I drew with both Pötz and Deren. Pötz will pass me with two draws or a win and Deren can tie me with two wins. I think this is a respectable result for my first ICCF event.


WS/O/109TD Millstone, Michael
Rated1234567ScoreSBRPlace
1CZE130711 Kýhos, Alois1701½½.111D

4

6.25

1

1

2USA514360 Owens, Steve1800P½0½111D

4

5.5

0

2

3AUT10588 Pötz, Florian1800P½1.1.1

3.5

7.5

2

3

4POL421419 Deren, Marcin2019F.½.½.1D

2

2.75

3

4

5USA514348 Thomas, Gerald K1800P000½.1

1.5

1

1

5

6GER85582 Kaspschak, Mrs. Karola1800P00...1D

1

0

3

6

7ITA241236 Barzaghi, Andy1800P0D0D00D00D

0

0

0

7





In event WS/120/O results are starting to come in. I have a slim lead with three points with two games to go. My closest competition is right behind with two and a half points. I have promising positions against my two remaining opponents, Sanchez Carmona (I'm Black in a Caro Kann Gugenidze) and Stenseth (White in a QGD Charousek). I hope to score five points in this event with a chance to win.


WS/O/120TD Marconi, Ralph P.
Rated1234567ScoreSBRPlace
1USA514360 Owens, Steve1800P½½..11

3

2.5

2

1

2SLO480238 Gantar, Jan1800P½1...1

2.5

4

3

2

3AUS30119 Ramsden, Jim E.1852½0..11

2.5

1.5

2

3

4ESP160980 Sánchez Carmona, Gerardo1800P.....1

1

0

5

4

5NOR360548 Stenseth, Bjørn Gunnar1800P......

0

0

6

5

6USA514396 Lynn, Bret1800P0.0...

0

0

4

6

7TUR490209 Ciklabakkal, Metin1800P0000..

0

0

2

7





In WS/138/O I am tied atop the leader board with Sarak. Pareschi is half a point behind us. It is still very early in the event. Against Sarak I played the Black side of an English Reti that transformed into a Classical Sicilian Dragon position. This was another game where I allowed White to have connected passed pawns. I was up the exchange but that did not compensate for the pressure of those pawns. At some point I have to learn that lesson... I was able to forge a draw in the end game after giving back the exchange.
Against Pareschi I responded to 1.e4 with a Sicilian Dragon setup and he chose a closed game with d3. I let an adavntage slip away with an ill advised attack and we drew on the 40th move.
I was able to garner a point against Miss Peterson as White in a Catalan/Slav by pinning a piece to her Queen in the center, pressuring the Queen side pawns, and going up a piece early (move 22). Mate was inevitable by 36th move.


WS/O/138TD Millstone, Michael
Rated1234567ScoreSBRPlace
1USA514360 Owens, Steve1800P½½...1

2

1.75

3

1

2GER84051 Sarak, Michael1800P½.½..1

2

1.25

3

2

3ITA241242 Pareschi, Remo1800P½....1

1.5

1

4

3

4ROM440627 Dumitrescu, Florian1800P.½....

0.5

1

5

4

5BEL40214 Van hentenryck, Alain1689......

0

0

6

5

6SUI100390 Galanti, Sergio1628......

0

0

6

5

7USA511398 Peterson, Miss Janet1676000...

0

0

3

7



I haven't entered any more ICCF or USCF events as the ICCF office has been closed for a couple weeks (scheduled to re-open last week) and I want to purge my recent opening experience as White. I will probably enter an event in each by the end of the month.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Events Update

I've won the first USCF Walter E. Muir E-Quad I have entered with a score of 6-0. This is my first event win outside of ICC in correspondence chess. FM Alex Dunne emailed me this certificate:

Certificate

There are still other games to go. Once they are finished the participants will be able to publish them. FM Dunne sent the following message along with the certificate:

Hi, Steven !
Congratulations on winning first place in the 2007 Walter Muir section 07W27. Your score of 6-0 was an excellent one. To commemorate your win of this webserver tournament, a certificate is attached. We hope you have enjoyed your games. If there were any games you think of exceptional quality, please send them for possible publication to “The Check Is in the Mail” at chesskinetics@stny.rr.com
Pax, Alex Dunne
USCF CC Director



USCF/WS/07WM27TD Dunne, Alex
Unrated11223344ScoreSBRPlace
1USA514360 Owens, Steve 111111

6

4

0

1

2USA514306 Evans, William 00..11

2

0

2

2

3USA514319 Kohler, Dennis 00....

0

0

4

3

4USA514440 Beeman, Brett 0000..

0

0

2

4

Latest results from 8/21/2007 are displayed in red.




Over at ICCF, I have one game still going in WS/O/109. Mrs. Karola Kaspschak has nine reflection days left in this time control and has not moved since 28 July 2007. I am White in a Slav and am a complete Rook up after White's twenty-second move. I anticipate four points in this event which assures a top four finish and retains faint hopes for an event win, though Pötz has an advantage of a win in our game and I drew with Kýhos.


WS/O/109TD Millstone, Michael
Rated1234567ScoreSBRPlace
1AUT10588 Pötz, Florian1800P½1.1.1

3.5

6

2

1

2CZE130711 Kýhos, Alois1701½½.1.1D

3

4.75

2

2

3USA514360 Owens, Steve1800P0½½1.1D

3

4

1

3

4POL421419 Deren, Marcin2019F..½½.1D

2

2.25

3

4

5USA514348 Thomas, Gerald K1800P000½.1

1.5

1

1

5

6GER85582 Kaspschak, Mrs. Karola1800P.....1D

1

0

5

6

7ITA241236 Barzaghi, Andy1800P00D0D0D00D

0

0

0

7

XD = result by default
XF = FIDE Elo
XP = provisional
Latest results from 8/19/2007 are displayed in red.




WS/O/120 and WS/O/138 have had no notable changes since the last update.




I've started a new event on ICC, 2007Quad08.

2007Quad.08 Rating 1 2 3 4
The7thGuest 2065 X X
sdo1 1956 X X
Boromir 1812 X X
Molton 1800 X X


Friday, July 27, 2007

My Events Update

I Won!

FortyShorty 1941 X X 1 1 1 1 1 1 6
QwikE 1892 0 0 X X 0 0.5 1 0.5 2
shijith 1763 0 0 0.5 1 X X 1 0 2.5
Brian-E 1723 0 0 0.5 0 1 0 X X 1.5


That is my first event win since I returned to correspondence play.

I have let the FortyShorty account go and have re-joined ICC under sdo1. People kept getting me confused with GM Nigel Short, and in fact, several years ago GM Short asked me via message if I was his brother...

I'll be joining several events under the new user name. My rating and CC history followed me to my new name.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket






Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket



Over at the ICCF server in the USCF Walter E. Muir Quad I am in I have a lead in the standings and feel good about my chances.


USCF/WS/07WM27TD Dunne, Alex
Unrated11223344ScoreSBRPlace
1USA514360 Owens, Steve 1...11

3

2

3

1

2USA514306 Evans, William .0..11

2

0

3

2

3USA514319 Kohler, Dennis ......

0

0

6

3

4USA514440 Beeman, Brett 0000..

0

0

2

4

Latest results from 7/19/2007 are displayed in red.




Beeman - Owens was a Classical Caro-Kann that ended 0-1 in 19 moves while Owens - Beeman was a 24 move Catalan/Reti resulting in a 1-0. Owens - Evans was another 1-0 25 move Catalan.

The games may not be published until the event is over.

There are no significant changes in events WS/O/109, WS/O/120 or WS/O/138.

Friday, June 29, 2007

Update on CC Events I'm Playing

Starting with ICCF, in WS/O/109 things have not changed much. I'm still in third place with 2.5 points, one point behind the leader Florian Pötz who has 3.5 points, one of them taken from me. My games with Mrs. Kaspschak and Marcin Deren have not changed appreciably, although there was a brief flurry of moves as Deren narrowly beat the second time control.


WS/O/109TD Millstone, Michael
Rated1234567ScoreSBRPlace
1AUT10588 Pötz, Florian1800P½1..11

3.5

5

2

1

2CZE130711 Kýhos, Alois1701½½..11D

3

4

2

2

3USA514360 Owens, Steve1800P0½..11D

2.5

2.5

2

3

4GER85582 Kaspschak, Mrs. Karola1800P.....1D

1

0

5

4

5POL421419 Deren, Marcin2019F.....1D

1

0

5

4

6USA514348 Thomas, Gerald K1800P000..1

1

0

2

6

7ITA241236 Barzaghi, Andy1800P00D0D0D0D0

0

0

0

7

XD = result by default
XF = FIDE Elo
XP = provisional


In WS/O/120, there are four results to report. I have wins against Bret Lynn and Metin Ciklabakkal and draws against Jan Gantar and Jim E. Ramsden. Currently I am atop the points with three points, however, that is a function of my having more games completed than the others. Four more games must be completed before the finished games may be published.


WS/O/120TD Marconi, Ralph P.
Rated1234567ScoreSBRPlace
1USA514360 Owens, Steve1800P½½..11

3

1.5

2

1

2SLO480238 Gantar, Jan1800P½....1

1.5

1.5

4

2

3AUS30119 Ramsden, Jim E.1852½...1.

1.5

1.5

4

2

4NOR360548 Stenseth, Bjørn Gunnar1800P......

0

0

6

4

5ESP160980 Sánchez Carmona, Gerardo1800P......

0

0

6

4

6USA514396 Lynn, Bret1800P0.0...

0

0

4

6

7TUR490209 Ciklabakkal, Metin1800P00....

0

0

4

6

XP = provisional


Over at ICC I have another win to report in 2007Quad03 as Brian-E resigned FortyShorty - Brian-E just after my last update. I'm in the process of looking the game over and may post it when I am done. It opened as a Reti and I was able to win a pawn at about move 25. We moved into a Rook+Bishop Rook+Knight endgame with White still a pawn up which eventually proved Black unable to stop the Pawn from Queening.

2007Quad.03
FortyShorty 1941 X X 1 1 1 1 4
QwikE 1892 0 X X 0 0.5 1 0.5 2
shijith 1763 0 0 0.5 1 X X 1 0 2.5
Brian-E 1723 0 0.5 0 1 0 X X 1.5


I began a new event, USCF/WS/07WM27, Thursday in the Walter E. Muir E-Quads at the USCF, which as has been discussed here before, and is played on the ICCF server.


USCF/WS/07WM27TD Dunne, Alex
Unrated11223344ScoreSBRPlace
1USA514360 Owens, Steve ......

0

0

6

1

2USA514440 Beeman, Brett ......

0

0

6

1

3USA514306 Evans, William ......

0

0

6

1

4USA514319 Kohler, Dennis ......

0

0

6

1