Williams - Shen, USCL 2007 (8)Black to play
In last night's US Chess League action, The New Jersey Knockouts answered their critics and kept their playoff hopes alive by drawing the most highly ranked team in the league, the Boston Blitz. I have annotated the games and posted them online.
The best games of the night were the decisive ones. On Board 2, Jorge Sammour-Hasbun played an attractive tactical game using an underestimated line of the Scotch Gambit (beginning 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Nf3 Bb4+) against Dean Ippolito. Though Ippolito held onto the gambit pawn and made no obvious errors, Sammour was able to use his initiative to create a decisive attack that left him up the Exchange, which he was able to turn into a win despite evident time pressure. This game will certainly be a contender for game of the week. The loss for New Jersey on Board 2 was fortunately balanced by a win on Board 4 by the young Victor Shen in a wild game where both sides created second Queens. Shen has struggled against his usually more mature opponents, but this game showed him at his best.
The common criticism of the New Jersey Knockouts has been that their even record was achieved against the lowest ranked opponents in the League. They continued their even record, but they raised their level of respect considerably last night. Let's hope that the draw also raises their spirits so that they can make it to the playoffs.
Other coverage:
15 comments:
Where are the games played? Are they played via the internet or are people bouncing around the nation?
I live ~20 minutes from UMBC so if the matches are open to the public, I'd love to stop by and see them in person.
I think the games are held on the UMBC campus, but I don't know where and could not locate information easily. Generally, the games are open to the public. But you can also watch them live online at the Internet Chess Club (or ICC).
I saw a pic on another teams blog that made it look like they play online (at ICC, I guess). A couple players had boards set up for the side they were playing.
I'll have to try the UMBC chess club's email contact.
Thanks.
Howcome its not pointed out that Chris had an easy draw, with perpetual check instead of playing Qxd6??, checking on e8-d7-f5 =.
i like how this dude didnt even write how qd6 was n obvious blunder and how white is never going to lose if just like qc8, and also ill answer his question about how white wins, qg4 instead of qf5 so i suggest he get off his frtiz which im geussing like with all exch sacs gave black like .9-1.5 or somin, hed beable to realize this if he were at all interested in real chess, im geussing this guy is like 1900.
take my info off or ill take legal action.
Your information is public record and appears in my online statcounter records which anyone can access. It also appears in the statcounter records at the BCC Weblog, which is where I was able to confirm your identity. It is also very easy to confirm that a "C. Williams" lives in Brighton.
This is going to be fun
You are a frightening and foolish character when angry! I've decided to take down your IP address, but I have retained pictures of it in case anyone would like any evidence confirming your identity.
My original comment, without the address, ran:
"Thank you, Mr. Chris Williams ... for that extremely literate comment.
Hope we play you again in the finals, ya sore loser!
:-)"
I think this goeller dude looks very foolish and hung up on aggresively trying to prove Chris' identitity, it hardly seems neccessary. As far the game is concerned I have to agree that Chris made an obvious blunder, the absolute worst move in that position, where he had an easy draw which Goeller's computer surely pointed out. Good Luck to your team the rest of way, cause it sure is gonna need it to get into the playoffs.
I agree that I overlooked a couple of lines in White's favor when analyzing the game, including the drawing line you both point out. I noted, of course, that his 48th move was a blunder. But working under numerous time constraints to analyze all four games (even if with the aid of a computer)--and perhaps, I'll admit, a bit more interested in Shen's chances in the position--I overlooked the drawing idea. He obviously overlooked it himself during the game, so he shouldn't be so personally critical.
As for White's winning possibilities that CW alludes to: I and my readers would have been interested in a more detailed and civil commentary on that--and we would have admired him for posting it.
I think that my analysis of the NJ Knockouts games is appreciated by some. I am trying to make a useful contribution to chess in my state, in a way that I enjoy doing, and trying to support the USCL. It really sours my mood when that generosity of spirit is not matched by others.
Even if he's just a kid, I think he should take responsibility for his words and care in presenting himself in public. I would have welcomed a more civil contribution to our understanding of his game. Instead, I was justifiably angry at his comments--and it proved a trivial matter to confirm his identity to make him own them. Since the information I posted initially in my comments was all public information, readily available to anyone who wanted to look, it didn't occur to me that tying his IP to his name might trouble CW. With reflection, I thought better and took it down. But his remark "this is going to be fun" sounded to me like a veiled threat of more than hypothetical legal action.
I don't think you should defend him.
Any patzer armed with fritz nowdays thinks he can produce GM level analysis but what I think Chris is alluding to is that Fritz loves material so much that he often misunderstands the nature of compensation. I could be wrong but when i was watching the game, even though Chris was down an exchange with a strong bishop on g6, i thought he had no losing chances as Black simply cannot make progress unless he sacs the exchange back which should lead to relatively equal game. Furthermore, while I understand that you arent required to find any chances for White, i think most people appreciate quality analysis over analysis filled with personal bias, regardless what team they might be rooting for.
I read the blog today and I thought your vigorous attemps to try to prove it was Chris were simply out out line, i dont know exactly what was said because one comment had been deleted but you clearly went too far and I am glad you understand that.
Michael, You are doing a great job with the N.J. Knockout coverage.
Great job Michael. The effort you put in for the benefit of chess fans is laudable and appreciated. Its shameful that your critics put their effort into threatening law suits and being belligerant.
Cest La Vie.
Post a Comment