Chess Game Diamond in the Rough! 11_09_2010

Today's game is from the "SPICE CUP" chess tournament that GM Susan Polgar runs every year. The Grandmaster "A" group featured a number of talented young GMs... one of whom is America's youngest Grandmaster - Ray Robson.

In today's game - played on the 6th of November - Ray dusted off the venerable "EVANS GAMBIT" and surprised fellow GM Eugene Perelshteyn. A GM half surprised is sometimes half beaten!

Tartakower was a very wise fountain of chess wisdom - two of his quotes that came to my mind while playing over this game were:

"Psychologically, the choice of an appropriate opening is of the utmost importance for a player's success in a tournament."

"The blunders are all there on the board, waiting to be made."

Enjoy the game! - Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

Chess Game Diamond in the Rough! 11_08_2010

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
November 8th, 2010.

Draws can be of the boring - "Wish I hadn't seen that game." variety - you know the last round fear factor Grandmaster draw. Short and of the none game variety. Or they can be the logical result of a hard fought game - full of complexity and a full blown struggle. The game I picked for presentation today is one such game - full of fight and unheard melodies that litter the various possible variations that were not played out but remained untested or avoided. Or perhaps even dodged!

In the fourth round of the Tal Memorial I found the following game to be a very interesting struggle - one that I am still trying to figure out! It would seem - on the surface and based upon the way the game was played - that Karjakin had the advantage in the middle game and this does seem to be born out by the way the game was played between these two top notch mind warriors. Boy-o-boy were there ever some fireworks right out of the starting gate in this one folks! When you hear the name Shirov could you possibly expect anything else though?

Best game played today! 11_07_2010 - Coach Sean.

My pick for "GAME OF THE DAY" from the TAL MEMORIAL

I went online today in search of a game that I personally found interesting. Then I wanted to annotate this game for my students and friends. Now I have decided to share this game with all of you! Enjoy!!

The time control for this event is 40 moves in 120 minutes, 20 moves in 60 minutes and then the rest of the game in 15 minutes with an increment per move of 30 seconds. Or as listed in TWIC Chess speak!: 120m:60m:15m+30spm(61)

TUESDAY NIGHT STANDARD OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT - Chess Emporium in PHX AZ!

MAIN PLAYING AREA

This monthly USCF rated event features the standard time control of 45 moves in 2 hours and Sudden Death in 1 hour. This time control is a little "quicker" than the usual 40 moves in 2 hours and Sudden Death in 1 hour but is still the longest time control event that you will find in Phoenix Arizona - anywhere. And this is precisely what improving players need to play - a good long time control event that can allow them to perfect their game. Preregistration is from 6:30 till 7 PM and one round is played on every Tuesday of the Month - these events being month long tournaments.

This tournament is a Swiss style Open with class prizes. It can and will feature players rated from Unrated all the way up to Master grade. This month's event has 16 players and features players rated from 1001 to 2007 - with several Unrated players in the mix as well. Even more players will register come round two this upcoming Tuesday - the 9th of November. One of the young Scholastic players in this event is provisionally rated a master already - Nam Nguyen! He beat IM Deniosio Aldama in a G30 event at the Chess Emporium last Friday so this high school Scholastic player can really play a mean game of chess. His provisional rating is going to be over 2300.

This month there are two experts playing with established ratings as well as quite a few talented Scholastic players as well. Bennett Katz, Alex Ochkur, Racheal Eng and, of course, Nam Nguyen are all improving because of being able to play in this "REAL" chess event - featuring a good long time control. One round is played every Tuesday night and with 5 Tuesdays this month we have a bonus round! Exactly what the improving player needs!

I have won two editions of this event this year and I am hoping to make this my third. However there are a lot of tough players in this event and no guarantees! No matter what happens I will get in more practice and improve as a player - which is what experienced players need to do too!

Make it a great day - today and every day! - Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

PRATEEK RATED CHESS PUZZLE!

BLACK = COACH SEAN

BLACK TO PLAY AND GAIN AN ADVANTAGE

My opponent's last move was 20. Rb2?? - why is this a mistake? Black to play!

Enjoy this tough puzzle - Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

CHESS PUZZLE FOR COACH SEAN'S SCHOLASTIC PLAYERS

BLACK: Coach Sean

WHITE: Gordon

BLACK TO PLAY AND CHECKMATE IN THREE MOVES!

This comes to us care of my round one opponent from the Tuesday Night Standard Monthly Open being played every Tuesday evening down at the Chess Emporium. My opponent resigned after the first move of this combination was played. - Coach Sean.