Chess move by move

[I previously posted this at chess.com 5/27/08]
Over the Memorial Day weekend, I participated in the 17th Annual Chicago Open, that took place at Westin Hotel (Chicago North Shore), Wheeling, IL. It was amazing seeing all the people that play the game. It was bigger than the previous big tournaments that I played in, (Mid-America Open being one of them).
I started off on a bad note by losing my first game. I had registered for the 3-day schedule, which meant that I would play the first two games at G70 (---play all the moves in 70 minutes). Time was not an issue for me, as I rarely use up a whole hour during my games. However, I wondered if I would be too tired after those two games to focus on the third longer game game 40/2, SD 1... or whether I would be "forced" to play unusually fast, ... or if I lost the first game, would I be able to recover quickly, (playing back to back games)? Since I would spend about $1,000 to play in the tournament ($220 Entry Fee, $90/day hotel accomodation, $x meals, $z transportation, etc), I needed to give myself the great chances to play the best Chess I am capable of. So, despite being tired from the travel, and other things, I decided to play the 4-day schedule. Lucky enough, I didn't have to pay extra to switch (as was the case with people who were moving from one section to the next!) So, I ran back to my room, did some stretching exercises, showered, and tried to focus on Chess before the game. I played the first game, and lost! Now time became my ultimate foe! I could not wait for the next game. Instead of getting over the loss within minutes or a few hours, I had at least 12 hours to think and feel my loss, and mull over it. It was a long 12 hours. I also knew that to win or even get a prize, I would have to win almost all the remaining games. At a minimum, I should not drop a point! Lucky enough, I won all my remaining games and ended up sharing first place (with 6 points).
http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?200805263911.3
I will post my games, thoughts and reflections in the next couple of days.
Click here for the first round loss.
Click here for the second round win.

Here is my 5th and last game of the 2008 Mid-America Open tournament that was played last weekend. At the time, it appeared I was already assured of being in the top two or three. I needed a draw to be an outright winner. I do not know how to play for a draw. I only play to win and then during the game, a draw may arise. This gives me peace... knowing that I do not have to change much in order to obtain a particular result. My opponent, a very friendly guy, later told me that he needed to win in order to get a prize. He mentioned that it was a very nice game, and he enjoyed it even though he lost. It appears a fair result would have been a draw.

I played the Grunfeld Defense again. I had an inferior position coming out of the opening, and I had to dig myself out of the hole to equalize. The win was similar to my other games whereby the battle was on the Queenside, and then I shifted it to the King side to get an advantage.

I think this was my toughest game.

I have annotated the game, and your comments, suggestions, and ideas are welcome.

Here is another Grunfeld Defense which almost went wrong!

After winning three games in a row the day before, a friend told me that I was the only one with 3 points after 3 rounds in our section, U2000. It was exciting. Could I make it 4-0? This was a pretty tough game... I lost a pawn on the Queenside and I decided to shift the game to the Kingside and try to mate my opponent. The pressure on his King worked and with this win, I was closer to my dream of winning all my games in this tournament. I have annotated the game, and I welcome your ideas, suggestions, and comments.

After winning the first two games, I was under some pressure to win the third game so that I could finish my day with 3 wins. I knew it was going be tough as the people I was playing were getting stronger. I told myself to not worry about it, as at one time, I was rated higher than I am now, but I just got "weaker" due to lack of practice. I had studied and practiced well for this tournament...

My opponent played the Grunfeld Defense, the opening that I had studied quite a bit and I was using as my response to 1.d4 during this tournament. Unfortunately for him, he allowed me to play my favorite move, c5 - (refer to game 2) - and I tied him up real quick. It was nice going home knowing that I had 3 wins in my pocket.

Here is my second game of the 2008 Mid-America Open tournament. It was the Slav Defense of QGD. I was happy with how I had relentless pressure against the Black King. I later sacrificed a pawn for a winning attack... I have annotated the game and I welcome your comments, ideas, and suggestions.

(I previously posted this game at chess.com 3/5/08)
Over the weekend, I participated in a tournament in St Louis, MO. It was the 2008 Mid-America Open Tournament. I played quite okay and I won all my five games. Here is the first of those games. I have included my annotations. Your comments, ideas and suggestions are welcome.

In this second round game of the 34th Annual Easter Open, I gave up a Bishop for 3 pawns... and then, I think I misplayed the middlegame and ending. Well, how else would I lose? :-O