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.
