The MCC Open ended last Monday, and I have followed the rounds live over the past 7 weeks. I haven't been able to upload all the games, so here is a selection of games that haven't been previously published. Thee are still some games from the top boards missing, and some on the lower boards that I would have liked to have published.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
MCC Open Round 9 7/4/2011
The final round of the MCC Open has just got underway. There are a number of interesting match-up's across the boards. Currently, young IM James Morris is half a point clear of top seed IM Mirko Rujevic, with Domagoj Dragicevic a further point back. Paul Cavezza and Anthony Hain are leading the underdog status in the small room tonight.
1 hour down
The game between Riley Lenard and Kevin Brown has been postponed, while Endre Simon has gone to Europe and couldn't find time to play Jim Papadinis before leaving. Roger Beattie did show up at the club and somewhat colourfully announced he was forfeiting his last game. This left 2 players, Jim Papadinis and Ben Gavine without opposition, so they have been repaired together.
Around the games being played, there has been some mention of the board 3 game between Malcolm Pyke and Eddy Levi. The game started 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 3.Nd5 Ba5 4.b4 c6 5.bxa5 cxd5 6.cxd5 d6 7.Qa4+ Nbd7 8.Ba3 leaving the following position
James Morris looks good, a pawn up and with an attack. Dowling can be a pretty tough nut to crack though. David Garner has accepted an IQP against Paul Cavezza, and it is a tricky situation for both players now.
Anthony Hain is showing no fear on board 5 against Justin Tan. The position looks tricky for the higher rated Tan as black.
2 hours gone
Ben Frayle is the first winner on the night. Ben has had another solid performance in this tournament, showing just how misleading ratings can be. His ACF of 1231 might make him appear an easy target to many, but he has shown he is better than this rating suggests, and looks as if he will post a FIDE rating of nearer to 1600 in the next list. Well done Ben! Felix Wyss wins
Stop Press *** James Morris wins and takes the tournament. Well played James, a deserving tournament victory.
On board 2 it is 2 minor pieces vs rook and pawn endgame. Mirko, as black, is deep in thought over this tricky situation.
On 3 Malcolm looks as if he's a piece ahead. Does Eddy as black have any tricks? It is white to move in the next diagram.
In the main room, the Beaumont-Dale game is very interesting with David having 3 pawns for a piece. Gary Lycett is a piece up while Richard Voon is an exchange down against Mario Palma. Stephen Jago is now an exchange for a pawn ahead and Jack Puccini has a dangerous looking attack, but is material down and only has 8 minutes left on his clock. On board 20 there is an interesting ending between Michael hain and Roger McCart.
James Morris final round victory:
Ok, we're getting close to the end now. Domagoj and Mirko have the K+R v K+N with no pawns. Mirko is shrugging, but I guess Domagoj will try to win it. Malcolom Pyke has won, as has Sarah Anton (the luckiest escape of the tournament). Paul Cavezza's great tournament finally fell against David Garner, though Paul should still be happy about his play in this event.
Last shout.
Anthony Hain looks to be winning an opposite coloured bishop ending against Justin Tan. Watch out for this game, as Malcolm Pyke pointed out a brilliant queen sacrifice earlier in the game which would have won for Anthony. Kerry Stead is winning against Karl Zelesco (actually, just won), Shane Lawson is continuing his great tournament, being a piece up against Peter Fry. Jack Puccini is fighting valiantly against Marcus Ogden, and Jack has been down to his last 30 seconds for a long time. I think he is going to find it tough to hold on much longer. Besides that, the tournament is virtually over. James has won, Mirko is second, and Malcolm and Domagoj shared third. The rating prizes are yet to be decided, but I'll post them by tomorrow on the MCC website.
Stop Press *** Anthony Hain hits the upset of the tournament, beating Justin Tan.
Thanks to all viewers, the next live games will be from the Victorian Juniors next week, and then the Malitis Memorial, the next Monday night tournament at the MCC.
Monday, June 27, 2011
MCC Open Round 8 live
The penultimate round of the MCC Open has just started, with much resting on the last 2 games. There are 3 games not starting tonight. Justin tan has called in sick against Ari Dale, and they have agreed to play on Thursday. Jim Papadinis couldn't get his car to start, and has forfeited against Abdullah Durani. Sarah Anton is interstate and her game with Riley Lenard has not been rearranged yet but will hopefully be played later in the weekend. As the arbiter, I thank the players for their understanding and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Most games are underway. Eddy Levi has just arrived, so it must be about 10 minutes into the round, and we are just waiting for Gary Bekker and Alex Kaplan to make up a full complement. On a point of law, I have had to remind a player that writing moves down before they are played is against the rules.
Already, we have a visitor from the Yarra Chess Club. Dan Zoraja is currently blitzing with Elie Beranjia until the games start to get interesting.
Beranjia (left) vs Zoraja (right)
1 Hour into the games
Early news from the top boards. Board 1 is a Sicilian Kan with Domagoj having double pawns on the a-file but some piece activity for this. David Garner has pushed forward int he centre against Rujevic's Closed Sicilian. Dowling and Beaumont have both castled long in a Reti, a game that looks set for the night. Shane Lawson doesn't find himself in the backroom often, and is making the most of it, taking on Malcolm Pyke's French with the Wing Gambit, b4. Eddy Levi is doing his utmost to liven up a typically stodgy Peter Fry Caro Kann.
First game of the night to finish is Rad Chmiel winning against Ben Frayle, a one move blunder by all accounts.
Paul Cavezza has Richard Voon tutting and shaking his head. Cavezza prepared a line against Voon's Najdorf, and Richard has played into it. Further down, Felix Wyss is a pawn to the good against Roger McCart, Endre Simon is a piece to the good against Damien Feaine, Michael Hain is 2 pawns to the good against James Brennan, and Ganesh Krishnan is a piece down against Stephen Jago, but Stephen has some defending to do.
Positions to follow soon:
This mad position is the board 13 game between Marcus Ogden and Richard McCart. I prefer white, but that d5 knight looks good.
On board 2 Mirko as white to play here is facing a Maroczy Bind against the white pieces. David garner seems pretty happy at the moment.
On board 1, James Morris does not seem happy. He has just gone a pawn down against Domagoj Dragicevic and is in deep thought trying to work out how to compensate for this deficit.
Wonderboy Karl Zelesco doesn't even give me a chance to have a decent look at his game before he has won! The opening to the Krishnan-Jago game was interesting
Into the second hour:
Puccini-Beattie is a difficult endgame. Opposite coloured bishops means a draw doesn't it? Both players look as if they are trying to win!
James Morris as white, is under immense pressure from Dragicevic here.
Kevin Brown must be happy with 2 bishops, and a pawn, but Alex Kaplan is fighting on.
Across the boards, Rujevic is under great pressure, and is fighting doggedly. Beaumont has a shot pawn structure so is trying to make something happen against Dowling. Malcolm Pyke has retained his pawn advantage, but is under some pressure from a frontal attack with his king in the centre. Paul Cavezza is a piece up against Richard Voon, but only has 15 minutes for the game, while the Kovacevic-Hain game is an interesting struggle of opposite side attacks with both having castled king side!
Stop Press!!
*** James Morris has made chances for himself exchanging his queen for 2 rooks and some pawns, but he has an advanced central passed pawn that is going to give Domagoj some headaches. Added to this, Domagoj has less than 10 minutes.
*** Paul Cavezza has an exchange and a pawn lead against Richard Voon and possibly has Richard in a maitng net. But he has only 5 minutes to finish Richard off!
*** Kaplan has fought well and has exchanged all but 2 pawns of Kevin Brown. The game is still probably winning for the bishop pair, but with every pawn exchange, the win looks harder.
Board 1 has simplified to this position. Domagoj as black played 1..Qf3 which forced Morris into a fit of tutting and head shaking. But the young master is not leading the tournament for nothing, gritted his teeth and fights on with, 2.Rhe8 Kf5 3.Ra2, leaving Domagoj with some issues and only 6 minutes left to sort the game out.
A big crowd is surrounding board 1 as Domagoj is down to the last minute. The tension is amazing! Right behind them, Mirko is also struggling....could it be a night where both our IM's lose? Eddy Levi finally breaks through against Peter Fry, and Alex Kaplan fought bravely to hold that difficult endgame to a draw! Paul Cavezza had a great result, with a win against Richard Voon. He still got into some time trouble but never dropped below 5 minutes, perhaps learning from the last few weeks.
The Final Dash:
Mirko Rujevic has won! In a difficult position he worked out the tactics better than his opponent, as David Garner's time started to run short. James Morris is putting up a terrific fight on the top board and has reduced the position to R+R+P v Q+2P, and Domagoj is still down to a minute. Malcolm Pyke has just won, though there were some scares along the way. And in the other room, the only 2 games left involve the father and son Hain team, and it looks as if they are both doing well!
Morris-Dragicevic draw! According to James, the game was "full of errors....by both sides". At the other end of the table, it's good to see Michael Hain score his first win on his return to chess after a 20+ years absence. Malcolm Pyke admits that he was a bit lucky in his game against Shane Lawson, but was very happy with the move 29..a5. Only 3 games remain. David Beaumont is fighting in a worse position against John Dowling, Gary Bekker has played above his weight again, and is holding Kerry Stead, whileAnthony hain looks to be taking another scalp in Paul Kovacevic.
Most games are underway. Eddy Levi has just arrived, so it must be about 10 minutes into the round, and we are just waiting for Gary Bekker and Alex Kaplan to make up a full complement. On a point of law, I have had to remind a player that writing moves down before they are played is against the rules.
Beranjia (left) vs Zoraja (right)
1 Hour into the games
Early news from the top boards. Board 1 is a Sicilian Kan with Domagoj having double pawns on the a-file but some piece activity for this. David Garner has pushed forward int he centre against Rujevic's Closed Sicilian. Dowling and Beaumont have both castled long in a Reti, a game that looks set for the night. Shane Lawson doesn't find himself in the backroom often, and is making the most of it, taking on Malcolm Pyke's French with the Wing Gambit, b4. Eddy Levi is doing his utmost to liven up a typically stodgy Peter Fry Caro Kann.
First game of the night to finish is Rad Chmiel winning against Ben Frayle, a one move blunder by all accounts.
Paul Cavezza has Richard Voon tutting and shaking his head. Cavezza prepared a line against Voon's Najdorf, and Richard has played into it. Further down, Felix Wyss is a pawn to the good against Roger McCart, Endre Simon is a piece to the good against Damien Feaine, Michael Hain is 2 pawns to the good against James Brennan, and Ganesh Krishnan is a piece down against Stephen Jago, but Stephen has some defending to do.
Positions to follow soon:
Wonderboy Karl Zelesco doesn't even give me a chance to have a decent look at his game before he has won! The opening to the Krishnan-Jago game was interesting
Into the second hour:
Across the boards, Rujevic is under great pressure, and is fighting doggedly. Beaumont has a shot pawn structure so is trying to make something happen against Dowling. Malcolm Pyke has retained his pawn advantage, but is under some pressure from a frontal attack with his king in the centre. Paul Cavezza is a piece up against Richard Voon, but only has 15 minutes for the game, while the Kovacevic-Hain game is an interesting struggle of opposite side attacks with both having castled king side!
Stop Press!!
*** James Morris has made chances for himself exchanging his queen for 2 rooks and some pawns, but he has an advanced central passed pawn that is going to give Domagoj some headaches. Added to this, Domagoj has less than 10 minutes.
*** Paul Cavezza has an exchange and a pawn lead against Richard Voon and possibly has Richard in a maitng net. But he has only 5 minutes to finish Richard off!
*** Kaplan has fought well and has exchanged all but 2 pawns of Kevin Brown. The game is still probably winning for the bishop pair, but with every pawn exchange, the win looks harder.
A big crowd is surrounding board 1 as Domagoj is down to the last minute. The tension is amazing! Right behind them, Mirko is also struggling....could it be a night where both our IM's lose? Eddy Levi finally breaks through against Peter Fry, and Alex Kaplan fought bravely to hold that difficult endgame to a draw! Paul Cavezza had a great result, with a win against Richard Voon. He still got into some time trouble but never dropped below 5 minutes, perhaps learning from the last few weeks.
The Final Dash:
Mirko Rujevic has won! In a difficult position he worked out the tactics better than his opponent, as David Garner's time started to run short. James Morris is putting up a terrific fight on the top board and has reduced the position to R+R+P v Q+2P, and Domagoj is still down to a minute. Malcolm Pyke has just won, though there were some scares along the way. And in the other room, the only 2 games left involve the father and son Hain team, and it looks as if they are both doing well!
Morris-Dragicevic draw! According to James, the game was "full of errors....by both sides". At the other end of the table, it's good to see Michael Hain score his first win on his return to chess after a 20+ years absence. Malcolm Pyke admits that he was a bit lucky in his game against Shane Lawson, but was very happy with the move 29..a5. Only 3 games remain. David Beaumont is fighting in a worse position against John Dowling, Gary Bekker has played above his weight again, and is holding Kerry Stead, whileAnthony hain looks to be taking another scalp in Paul Kovacevic.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
A Chess Free Day
I love chess, but coaching for 6 days a week, acting as arbiter for a tournament once a week, spending another night at my chess club, trying to organise a chess league, playing in a league online, volunteering as a helper for various chess related causes (eg. Australian Junior Championships 2012), and sometimes even just playing a bit of chess leaves me a bit sick of chess every once in a while. So it was great to be able to get away from it all with Caroline today. In just an hour you can be out of the city and into beautiful hills or along stunning coastlines. We managed to get away a few weeks ago (with Caroline working as a nurse, doing shift work, we don't get too much time together) and we headed off to Sassafras for a walk in the forests.
Tropical tree ferns dominate the forests in the Dandenongs
Today, Caroline and I headed to Phillip Island, famous for the Motocycling Grand Prix, and penguin tours. But there is plenty to see and do there. We headed to the amazing surf beach at Woolamai which was in great shape today, probably due to the windy conditions.
Strong surf at Woolamai
Walks around the Cape Woolamai offer some great views. There is the unusual wildlife, such as muttonbirds, though if I ever get to see one, then sheep will fly! Then there are spectacular geological sights such as the Pinnacles created about 360 million years ago! Who says Australia has limited historical interest?
The Pinnacles at Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island
On the drive back home, it is just too easy to jump on the South Gippsland Highway, look straight ahead and drive directly to Melbourne and home. But you'd be missing out on some other great sights along the way. For instance, Westernport Bay can be extremely beautiful and is full of interesting natural features such as mangroves and saltmarsh areas. Caroline was reminiscing of her trips to Coronet Bay, Tenby Point and suchlike, so we took a random turn off the South Gippsland Highway towards the coastal village of Jam Jerrup. The mangrove beach environment approaching dusk was magical, and can't really be done credit in a photo from my phone...
Mangroves at Jam Jerrup.
Caroline is a much better photographer than me.
Victoria has such beautiful surroundings....note to self: make more trips to our amazing countryside.
Today, Caroline and I headed to Phillip Island, famous for the Motocycling Grand Prix, and penguin tours. But there is plenty to see and do there. We headed to the amazing surf beach at Woolamai which was in great shape today, probably due to the windy conditions.
Walks around the Cape Woolamai offer some great views. There is the unusual wildlife, such as muttonbirds, though if I ever get to see one, then sheep will fly! Then there are spectacular geological sights such as the Pinnacles created about 360 million years ago! Who says Australia has limited historical interest?
On the drive back home, it is just too easy to jump on the South Gippsland Highway, look straight ahead and drive directly to Melbourne and home. But you'd be missing out on some other great sights along the way. For instance, Westernport Bay can be extremely beautiful and is full of interesting natural features such as mangroves and saltmarsh areas. Caroline was reminiscing of her trips to Coronet Bay, Tenby Point and suchlike, so we took a random turn off the South Gippsland Highway towards the coastal village of Jam Jerrup. The mangrove beach environment approaching dusk was magical, and can't really be done credit in a photo from my phone...
Caroline is a much better photographer than me.
Victoria has such beautiful surroundings....note to self: make more trips to our amazing countryside.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
MCC Openings Group 22/6/2011
The subject of the evening's discussions concerned whether it is better to play something that you understand, or a move which is considered better but is beyond your understanding. As an example, we took positions with a king side fianchetto for black and looked at some possibilities of an early h4. Certainly this kind of plan lacks the subtlety that Opening Theory books would recommend most of us to employ, but are most of us really good enough to exploit a minor queen side advantage, when deep down in our veins, we want to throw the h-pawn up the board and checkmate our opponent brilliantly? The point I am trying to make is that players need to know their own capabilities, and develop through stages of opening understanding. It is only by trying to hammer your opponent on the h-file when they fianchetto that you learn:
a) how and when it will work.
b) your opponent's defensive resources, and when it is unlikely to work.
So after this, you can try to employ more subtle methods of developing your game....or just remain a mad attacking player all your life!
All this was inspired by something I noticed last week. I went to one of my favourite websites, the chess cafe, and they have a list of anniversaries. I noticed last Wednesday was the birthday of Alexander Zaitsev and I wondered who this player was, so I looked him up. I noticed there was a gambit named after him, which started with the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.h4.
Now personally, I have had some trouble playing the white side of the Grunfeld so the move 4.h4 grabbed my attention. Then when I realised that Zaitsev was a GM and co-winner of the USSR Championship, I understood that this was not the move of a patzer. In fact, the first game in my database with this move has Zaitsev trying out against none other than ex-World Champion Smyslov! And Zaitsev won!
We had a lot of fun with this position, finding some great attacking ideas, and some interesting defensive and counterattacking ideas for black. The best thing was that I don't think anyone in the group felt out of their depth with the level of the concepts. Everything was tactically motivated and some thematic schemes of attack were developed. Have a look at some of our ideas:
a) how and when it will work.
b) your opponent's defensive resources, and when it is unlikely to work.
So after this, you can try to employ more subtle methods of developing your game....or just remain a mad attacking player all your life!
All this was inspired by something I noticed last week. I went to one of my favourite websites, the chess cafe, and they have a list of anniversaries. I noticed last Wednesday was the birthday of Alexander Zaitsev and I wondered who this player was, so I looked him up. I noticed there was a gambit named after him, which started with the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.h4.
Now personally, I have had some trouble playing the white side of the Grunfeld so the move 4.h4 grabbed my attention. Then when I realised that Zaitsev was a GM and co-winner of the USSR Championship, I understood that this was not the move of a patzer. In fact, the first game in my database with this move has Zaitsev trying out against none other than ex-World Champion Smyslov! And Zaitsev won!
So as a group we started to analyse some fairly crazy positions, though our examinations were based on black taking the c-pawn with 4..dxc4, whereas the main moves in the position are 4..c5 (as played by Smyslov), or 4..c6 leading into a Schlecter Slav type formation. After 4..dxc4 white would likely play 5.e4
Monday, June 20, 2011
MCC Open Round 7 live
Well at last I get online. I've been having trouble logging into this blog tonight, but finally we're here.
Ok, the early news is a no-show by Frank Lekkas and there has been a lot of talk about mutual blunders on board 2, though I haven't seen the game yet. We have seen quite a few visitors to the club tonight. Ben kersten of Geelong Chess Club was here to promote the 2012 Australian Championships, David Cordover and Thai Ly are also are also around the club, and even the President Grant Szuveges has shown up to support the long play game!
Right, off to get some interesting positions and updates of the action as it happens.
There's a lot of stodge across the boards, so we could be in for a long night. Saying that, there have been a few shockers so far. Stephen Jago, by his own admission, missed a one move threat. Jim Papadinis completely underestimated his young opponent, lost a piece, and soon found himself 2 exchanges down....except both exchanges were rook for queen! But perhaps the biggest shocker came on board 2 in the following position:
Here, Mirko Rujevic as black played 6..d6?? missing White's 7.Qa4+ winning a piece. Luckily for Mirko, David Beaumont missed this as well!!
So early winners tonight include Gary Bekker, Rad Chmiel and Anthony Hain. In the top room, perhaps the most interesting game is between the 2 talented juniors, Ari Dale and Karl Zelesco. They are showing their strategic class playing a Carlsbad type structure.
Meanwhile, Beaumont has spotted tactics against Rujevic and finds himself 2 pawns up but with Mirko as black to move:
The top board game has Justin a pawn down, but James under pressure.
James Morris as black is to move here and is taking a long think.
Beaumont is a clear 2 pawns up on board 2 and looks good for the point. The big Junior clash has taken a new twist with Ari Dale gaining 2 rooks for a queen and looking confident. Karl as ever, looks calm.
An interesting opposite coloured bishop ending is taking place between Roger McCart and Ben Frayle.
Black has a n avalanche of king side pawns, but must be a little worried about the white advanced b-pawn.
Games are beginning to wind up. Paul Kovacevic defended heroically from early on against Mario Palma and came away with a draw. Congratulations to Damien Feiane who finally wins his first game at this level. I doubt that there will be a happier person leaving the club tonight! The Kaplan-Cavezza game finished abruptly after the last diagram I showed. Alex's king side collapsed under the pressure of black's attack.
There are only 6 games left, 5 in the back room on the top boards, and the game between Durani and Anton. Sarah has an extra piece, but is down to a minute on the clock. Abdullah is making her find good moves. On the top boards, Justin has 2 rooks for James queen, but James has the initiative and some pawns. They both have less than 5 minutes, but I'd expect a win for the master. Beaumont is finding the final hurdle hard to pass against Rujevic. David gave back a pawn to activate his king, but seems to be having trouble getting to the finish line. David garner has 2 connected passed pawns over half way down the board against Kerry stead, and this should guarantee a win for the Englishman. Ari Dale has finally activated his rooks against Karl Zelesco, but the position remains unclear to me. Finally, the Dragicevic-Levi game is anybody's guess!
So time pressure tells. Sarah finally blunders in time pressure and loses from a winning position. James Morris wins! A picket fence looks on the cards for the young master. David beaumont is still finding the going heavy against Mirko on board 2. Domagoj has just won a same coloured bishop ending against Eddy Levi. And the game between Dale and Zelesco continues with Karl very short of time and defending a difficult position. Games to follow soon hopefully.
More games to follow later in the week. Thanks for watching....and unbelievably.....Mirko Rujevic wins!!!
Ok, the early news is a no-show by Frank Lekkas and there has been a lot of talk about mutual blunders on board 2, though I haven't seen the game yet. We have seen quite a few visitors to the club tonight. Ben kersten of Geelong Chess Club was here to promote the 2012 Australian Championships, David Cordover and Thai Ly are also are also around the club, and even the President Grant Szuveges has shown up to support the long play game!
Right, off to get some interesting positions and updates of the action as it happens.
There's a lot of stodge across the boards, so we could be in for a long night. Saying that, there have been a few shockers so far. Stephen Jago, by his own admission, missed a one move threat. Jim Papadinis completely underestimated his young opponent, lost a piece, and soon found himself 2 exchanges down....except both exchanges were rook for queen! But perhaps the biggest shocker came on board 2 in the following position:
So early winners tonight include Gary Bekker, Rad Chmiel and Anthony Hain. In the top room, perhaps the most interesting game is between the 2 talented juniors, Ari Dale and Karl Zelesco. They are showing their strategic class playing a Carlsbad type structure.
Meanwhile, Beaumont has spotted tactics against Rujevic and finds himself 2 pawns up but with Mirko as black to move:
2 hours gone and board 1 is a stodge. James has a sort of Stonewall formation against Justin and it is difficult at the moment to see where either will make progress. Beaumont looks good against Rujevic, though he may have to give a pawn back at some stage. The board 3 game between Dragicevic-Levi is an interesting struggle between 2 fairly unorthodox players. Domagoj has chosen to play with an IQP, while Eddy has given up the 2 bishops.
There are many more dour battles across the boards, but the following move caught my eye. In the following position, Paul Cavezza, as black saw a tactical try:
Black played 24..Nxd5 and Alex Kaplan went into a fairly long think before replying 25.Ne6
Finally, the quality of our juniors is well known. Justin Tan and James Morris are battling it out on board 1, while Dale and Zelesco fight out on board 6. But Jack Puccini is also very talented, and is showing his endgame talent against Endre Simon. Jack as white completely dominates here:
First game to finish on the top boards was a fairly quiet affair between Malcolm Pyke and John Dowling. Malcolm is not feeling too well, and John was busy with his chess poster collection. In fact, if anyone has any interesting chess posters, then please contact John Dowling as he is an avid collector.
The top board game has Justin a pawn down, but James under pressure.
Beaumont is a clear 2 pawns up on board 2 and looks good for the point. The big Junior clash has taken a new twist with Ari Dale gaining 2 rooks for a queen and looking confident. Karl as ever, looks calm.
An interesting opposite coloured bishop ending is taking place between Roger McCart and Ben Frayle.
Games are beginning to wind up. Paul Kovacevic defended heroically from early on against Mario Palma and came away with a draw. Congratulations to Damien Feiane who finally wins his first game at this level. I doubt that there will be a happier person leaving the club tonight! The Kaplan-Cavezza game finished abruptly after the last diagram I showed. Alex's king side collapsed under the pressure of black's attack.
There are only 6 games left, 5 in the back room on the top boards, and the game between Durani and Anton. Sarah has an extra piece, but is down to a minute on the clock. Abdullah is making her find good moves. On the top boards, Justin has 2 rooks for James queen, but James has the initiative and some pawns. They both have less than 5 minutes, but I'd expect a win for the master. Beaumont is finding the final hurdle hard to pass against Rujevic. David gave back a pawn to activate his king, but seems to be having trouble getting to the finish line. David garner has 2 connected passed pawns over half way down the board against Kerry stead, and this should guarantee a win for the Englishman. Ari Dale has finally activated his rooks against Karl Zelesco, but the position remains unclear to me. Finally, the Dragicevic-Levi game is anybody's guess!
So time pressure tells. Sarah finally blunders in time pressure and loses from a winning position. James Morris wins! A picket fence looks on the cards for the young master. David beaumont is still finding the going heavy against Mirko on board 2. Domagoj has just won a same coloured bishop ending against Eddy Levi. And the game between Dale and Zelesco continues with Karl very short of time and defending a difficult position. Games to follow soon hopefully.
More games to follow later in the week. Thanks for watching....and unbelievably.....Mirko Rujevic wins!!!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Who am I?
I suppose a question that arises in an expat's mind from time to time, is to what extent they consider themselves part of their new country compared to part of their old country. And of course, this will differ for each individual, and even change for individuals at different times of their lives.
I left England in March 2005 and almost immediately felt at home in my new country. I have loved getting to know Australia and, more locally, Melbourne and the more I see the more I like. I must admit that I wasn't initially drawn to Australia, but rather felt the need, along with my wife, to leave the country of my birth. It is hard to pinpoint exactly what the reasons were for deciding to emigrate, and a whole set of rationales could be imagined. But essentially, the fact was that I didn't feel comfortable in England. It just didn't feel right for me, it wasn't my home. And my wife felt pretty much the same way.
So after 6 years in my new country, what exactly do I consider myself? Well I can certainly admit that I feel more at home here than I did in the UK. I actually get homesick for Melbourne when I go on trips. I haven't lost my English accent, and I doubt I ever will, but I now identify with my new country and am losing my memories of the old country. Becoming a citizen of Australia was quite an emotional experience, and gave me a sense of pride in my new country. So all in all, I guess while I might sound English, I feel Australian.
Now the reason this issue has cropped up is because of my international chess affiliation. At the moment I am currently registered as an English player which has some benefits for myself and the local chess community. The main advantage is that I count as a foreign player for tournaments, which may require a certain amount of foreign players to reach a level where players can achieve international titles. As there are a lack of high rated foreign players resident in Australia, or willing to travel to Australia to play chess, I suppose my English affiliation has some importance.
But it doesn't feel right to me. I feel Australian and as such would like to play under the Australian flag. It is a quandary that I have not yet figured out, and if anyone has any advice I would gladly hear it. The question I'm asking is should I change affiliation to my new country, or should I remain affiliated with England?
I left England in March 2005 and almost immediately felt at home in my new country. I have loved getting to know Australia and, more locally, Melbourne and the more I see the more I like. I must admit that I wasn't initially drawn to Australia, but rather felt the need, along with my wife, to leave the country of my birth. It is hard to pinpoint exactly what the reasons were for deciding to emigrate, and a whole set of rationales could be imagined. But essentially, the fact was that I didn't feel comfortable in England. It just didn't feel right for me, it wasn't my home. And my wife felt pretty much the same way.
So after 6 years in my new country, what exactly do I consider myself? Well I can certainly admit that I feel more at home here than I did in the UK. I actually get homesick for Melbourne when I go on trips. I haven't lost my English accent, and I doubt I ever will, but I now identify with my new country and am losing my memories of the old country. Becoming a citizen of Australia was quite an emotional experience, and gave me a sense of pride in my new country. So all in all, I guess while I might sound English, I feel Australian.
Now the reason this issue has cropped up is because of my international chess affiliation. At the moment I am currently registered as an English player which has some benefits for myself and the local chess community. The main advantage is that I count as a foreign player for tournaments, which may require a certain amount of foreign players to reach a level where players can achieve international titles. As there are a lack of high rated foreign players resident in Australia, or willing to travel to Australia to play chess, I suppose my English affiliation has some importance.
But it doesn't feel right to me. I feel Australian and as such would like to play under the Australian flag. It is a quandary that I have not yet figured out, and if anyone has any advice I would gladly hear it. The question I'm asking is should I change affiliation to my new country, or should I remain affiliated with England?
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