This was the fifth and last spherical of the Washington Senior Open and I had 2 factors out of 5. I had already misplaced to my pal Fritz and nearly misplaced to somebody rated 1300. This was not event.
On this, the ultimate spherical, I used to be paired in opposition to FM William Schill. He had gained the Washington State Championship within the early 2000’s and was one of many prime seeds within the event. He drew FM John Readey earlier within the event and had 3 factors out of 6. A win right here may put him in rivalry for first place.
Submit-game evaluation
This sport is an efficient instance of not giving up. I used to be worse in lots of elements of the sport however I stored targeted and maneuvered via the complexities to reach at a draw.
The transfer 16. Na5?! was the place the sport took a flip for the more serious. Resist the temptation to seize the bishop pair until the place requires it. The knight on c4 is a superb piece – why commerce it?. After ef5 Bxg2 Kxg2, the sport is equal. The knight can’t be simply taken and each gamers have probabilities.
Making a backward pawn with 23. cd3 was one other poor determination. Rd3 is healthier because it permits trades and takes stress off of the d-file. It additionally permits the fascinating d4 which breaks up the middle and equalizes the sport.
Total, this was my greatest sport of the event but it surely had extra to do with my opponent lacking strikes than me outplaying him. Nonetheless, drawing a FIDE grasp isn’t any straightforward process so I’m grateful for the half level!
