Silly Computers

Ouch

This is a position from a recent game. I was white and it was white to move. I refused a draw ealier in the match even though my position was worse at the time. I thought I could fight back for a win. I was down to less than two minutes on my clock, so I was playing fast... maybe too fast. I realized that black threatens mate, but how to defend?

My thought process in this crucial moment was this... which is flawed... I was thinking I have two minutes, I shouldn't waste time on such an obvious move. If black is threating mate in 1, I need to defend the mate threat and concentrate on getting the king into action. I played Re1??

Can you see why this was bad? This really shows my biggest weakness... discipline.

After ...45 a1=Q is this a draw?

Chicago Open

Well, after a seemingly long time since my last OTB tournament, I am ready to start up again. My first target is the Chicago Open U1200 section. First place is $3,000. You would think I'd have a decent chance to finish in the top 10. We'll see.

Wild Game

This was against a computer, who made crazy moves, but my mate at the end was still pretty.

1600 by July

I hit a new rating high on ICC yesterday. I got up to 1499. So close to 1500.:) Although my goal was to perform at a 1600 level at the Curacao Chess Festival in July, I don't think I can go to that. However I can change my goal to reach 1600 on ICC by July. So I have a couple months to get there.

I think right now I need to work on my end game. I've drawn some games and even lost a few games recently when clearly ahead in the end game. Some of it is laziness and some of it is limited understanding.

ICC u1500 round 3 & 4

I played lazy and sloppy. I had no enthusiasm for the match last night. It's not worth posting at all. I have a 4th round bye, so that gives me 2 points out of 4 for the monthly tournament.