World Open 2007 Final Post

Sorry it took me so long to post. I’ve been caught up with the whole tournament deal you guys know how it is. It ended for me a little worse than I expected scoring only 50% (4.5 out of 9) no norm achieved (IM only need one more, GM two more) and I barely won some rating USCF and FIDE. Anyhow was a great experience to notice the strong level on which chess is played in the United States nowadays. From the third round on this were my results: drawing GM Ftacnik from a won position after he played something bad out of the opening, then later I was lucky to draw the game. Losing to GM Shulman in a tough struggle for survival in an opening which I played for the first time in serious chess ( Queen’s Indian Def). Later (this is without order) I was able to beat FM’s Critelli and Banawa, losing to FM Coleman whom ended up achieving his first IM norm and winning over 60 USCF rating points, draw vs IM Lapshun, lost to GM Hansen from Denmark in the last round. I am pretty sure beating Hansen in his beloved French Def would have earned my third and final IM norm but played poorly and suffered a bad defeat. Anyways…. this is it for now… good luck to everyone and I will be back with vengeance.

World Open 2007 update!

The first day of the 5 day World Open section is done! In the first I played youngster Benjamin Coraretti (2027 USCF) who failed to hold the position under pressure. I did not get anything particularly good out of the opening but somehow I managed to outplay my opponent little by little. The second round I faced GM Varuzhan Akobian. “Var” played his usual 1.d4 and I played something which I played for the first time in my life ending up in a tough position of the black side of an isolated queen pawn. Somehow Akobian blundered a piece in a drawn position and I was then completly winning…. a piece for a pawn but since I am very rusty in time pressures I blew it. With 30 seconds left on the clock my opponent devised a nice drawing pattern which I had to accept because of the time pressure. Right now I am 1.5 out of 2. Will try to keep you informed later.

Marcel Martinez-Gata Kamsky

This game was played in the third round of US Championships 2004/2005 held in La Joya, San Diego,California. I was able to hold to a draw former world championship candidate GM Gata Kamsky. Kamsky is been the strongest player I have ever faced in my life. Needless to say I am very proud of this game. Hopefully this game could serve of some inspiration now before the World Open in which by the way would be lovely to see Kamsky play as he was the winner last year.

Almost gone!

Ok… Thursday it is and as I write this my wife and I are packing my stuff to go to the World Open 2007. I have never been to Philadelphia before so I am excited. Like GM Serper told me once: ” You are the only chess player I know in the US which has never been to Philadelphia or NY”… well at least I am taking Philadelphia off that list now NY will also go off that list this year since I plan to take my wife there sometime. Friday at 10:10am the American Airlines flight leaves Miami which should put us (Julio Becerra and I) in Philly in 3 hours just about. Looking forward to it…. If internet is around me overthere I will try to post ocasionally with tournament results. Wish us luck.

World Open 2007

Hey everyone and welcome to my new blog. Here I will try to talk about different chess issues, I guess in a way to release some stress by writing at the same type in which I share with whoever dares to come by here all my misfortunes when it comes to chess On Friday I leave for Philadelphia for the upcoming World Open. I will be playing the open section (of course!) in the 5-day variation. I will try to keep you informed of what’s going on, for those of you who care.