CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Thursday, November 18th, 2010

I only got to play in a few of John Hillery's events starting this year... as it would turn out I would not get any further opportunities to see him at any future events. He would pass away on September 20th, 2010 - only a short time after I had last seen him at the final tournament that he would direct - The SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OPEN held on September 6th.

Here now is a game I decided to annotate for your enjoyment in honor of John Hillery. A big win against a super strong opponent. A well played game with some imaginative play by John.

It is only because of the hard work of people like John that there are any events - at all - for the rest of us to go enjoy our selves at. A real lover of chess - like John was - can do it all. Play, run events and so on. He even waded into the muck of United States Chess Federation (USCF) politics and try to clean things up - that takes a particularly brave person! His hard work on behalf of all of us on various committees also influenced the very way that you can play chess at any USCF event that you attend. Rules are rules! Thank you for all you did in life John Hillery, RIP.

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

Some nice events going on - right now in Israel the 2010 Israeli Championship is taking place which is producing some nice games. Enjoy today's post - whenever you read it!

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Hello everyone!

Here is my most recent TUESDAY NIGHT MONTHLY STANDARD OPEN game - as played every TUESDAY at the CHESS EMPORIUM in PHOENIX ARIZONA. I lost this one - my opponent is the provisionally rated 2700 rated Nam Nguyen. This is obviously a mistake but it will be very high once the USCF - United States Chess Federation - corrects this anomaly - maybe higher than 2400? Who knows! Nam did beat IM Dionisio Aldama in a G30 Friday Night action game down at the Chess Emporium and it is true has has won all of his games but for a single one - a draw with coach Kevin.

Today's game with me could have very well been his first loss - but for my mistakes! Both of us had wins in this game at various times throughout the game - he just had the final "won" is all! I enjoyed my game with Nam - except for all of his muttering under his breath during our game! : ) Enjoy this game - for what it is worth!

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Monday, November 15th, 2010.

One of the biggest factors that can decide the outcome of a chess game is just how willing - and of course by extension for just how long you are willing - to sit opposite your opponent with the determination to play the game out for a win. No matter how little material remains on the board. You have true fighting spirit when you try to out maneuver your opponent for the entire game - trying to wear them down by the force of your efforts. This was how Bobby Fischer used to play and I believe this is the very reason why Super Grandmaster Michael Adams won the following game.

For the majority of his game - as Black - versus the Grandmaster Alexandre Dgebuadze Michael Adams seemed to not show any hint of aggression. By Alexandre's selection of opening and by the way he conducted the white pieces it would seem to be a safe bet that all he hoped for was a draw against the World famous English GM. He set his sites far too low as to achieve a draw against a GM you must fight them every step of the way. In the opening, in the middlegame and finally in the Endgame. No where is it easier to make a mistake than in the endgame as then the true level of control or mastery over the pieces will come to the fore. And if your game is a serious chess game you will be tired from having grappled with your opponent for the hours leading up to the grand finale. Enjoy this patient and consistent performance by English Grandmaster Michael Adams*.

* This game can be considered a good guide on the reasoning behind the basic opening moves for my students - or any student of the game that should care to follow along with my commentary while playing the moves over in the Chess Flash player. The big three hold true for players of all skill levers - Control the center, develop your pieces and Keep your King safe!

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Sunday, November 14th, 2010.

Will the real Boris Gelfand step up please!

Boris has been a top ten or twenty club member for quite a while now... and in today's game against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov from round 9 of the Tal Memorial you are going to find out why! One of the things that makes the difference between the very top players and the rest of us is just how well they can defend against an opponent's attack. Today Boris had to defend but knew well in advance that his opponent's attack lacked fangs!

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Saturday, November 13th, 2010.

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Friday, November 12th, 2010.

The 2010 TAL MEMORIAL is producing some wonderful chess - despite the high draw percentage. With the end of the event looming close first place is still up for grabs. Fortune favors the bold and attacking chess wins fans - despite the official result!

Make it a great weekend everyone! Of course if you have five minutes on Saturday and then again on Sunday you will find that I am going to continue these postings over the weekend as well - so stay tuned! - Chess Coach Sean Tobin.