Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Bog Addiction

Polly and DG did it, so I figured I'd give it a shot...

52%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Find Sonography schools near you



I think my score is bumped up because I READ a lot of blogs... And because I technically have two blogs. I'm trying to get ChessUSA transitioned into a community type blog format and will eventually let it go to others to control.

By the way, if you blog about chess in the USA and want to contribute to ChessUSA, shoot me an email!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Chess: TakChess' Book Club


(Hat tip to DG at Boylston Chess Club Weblog)

TakChess is trying a novel approach to studying Vokovic's classic The Art of Attack in Chess.

"I recently read SamuraiPawn's blog and about his fascination with the Art of Attack in Chess by Vladmir Vukovic . He convinced me to spend some time on it. I am have sampled it various times during the past year but have not read it with any consistency. I now intend to read it straight through, take notes on this blog and slowly study the games. I invite anyone who wants to join me to follow along and add any notes you care to in the Comment Section. (feel free to do this even if it is weeks, months or years after this initial blog was posted)"


I'll be following along with my copy, an ancient edition with Descriptive notation from Pergamon. TakChess is using a newer edition from Everyman that, "translated the games to Algebraic Notation, added more diagrams, checked the analysis, added footnotes and polished the language." TakChess' copy has a publication date of 1998, mine is a reprint from 1988. My even older edition from, as I recall, sometime in the 70's fell apart long ago and has been lost.

December Chess Carnival (Edition IV) at ChessUSA


The December Chess Blog Carnival and Reaction to the Carnival are online at ChessUSA.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Infamy

But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. . .



7 December 1941

President Franklin D. Roosevelt:
Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of American was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our secretary of state a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese government also launched as attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Wake Island.

And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. . .


Source: Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York.

Graphic from http://www.homeofheroes.com/.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Chess: Breaking 2000, Another London System Win

ratingI've broken the "2000 barrier" at ICC correspondence. WooHoo!

Earlier, I stated that I had tried the London System and had found it wanting for correspondence chess. Despite that, it seems that I am getting the better position in some games using the London. In others the opponent is simply misplaying the position. Regardless of the success I've had with the London, I still think I will not use it in correspondence from here out. It seems to me that I have had to grind out each game in this system and it hasn't been fun. Enjoyment is in itself perhaps the best factor in choosing an opening system.

[Event "ICC correspondence 2007Seven.02.05"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2007.08.25"]
[Round "-"]
[White "sdo1"]
[Black "az2112"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "1956"]
[BlackElo "1592"]
[Opening "Queen's pawn game: London System"]
[NIC "QP.08"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6 4. e3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. Bg3 O-O 8. Bd3 Qe7 9. Ne5 Nd7 10. f4 f6 11. Nxd7 Bxd7 12. O-O Rac8 13. Qe2

chessThis is another good London System setup. Black, when playing against the London, must always be on guard for tactics against his King side pawns, particularly the h7 pawn. Here, the protective g6 Knight is gone and the light Bishop has sighted in on h7. The Queen has free access to the light King side squares and can easily join an attack on h7 if Black ignores the weakness. Otherwise, Black has a good position and can defend, as long as he defends accurately. Black is well on his way to equalization and has possibilities of an attack after his King is secured. Some would say that Black even stands a bit better in this position. Black's pawns have more flexibility, his pieces are more central, and he has the promise of a center break at his time of choosing. Unfortunately, for Black, he chooses to try the break too soon.

13. ...e5? 14. fxe5 fxe5 15. Qh5

chessThis is the result of the early ...e5. The Queen invades and there is no good way to prevent the Bishop's attack resulting in either a won pawn with a fractured King side, or a Bishop sac for a complete removal of the two protective King pawns.

15. ...g6 16. Bxg6 hxg6

Other tries were ...Bb8 and ...Qg7.

17. Qxg6+ Kh8 18. Qh6+ Kg8 19. Bh4 Qe6

This was simply a flier for Black. He will certainly lose material anyway, this desperado was worth trying.

20. Bf6 Kf7? 21. Qh5+ Kg8 22. Qg6#

20...Kf7 leads directly to mate.

The lesson in this game is glaring, Black must always guard against an attack on his h7 when White exchanges off the g6 Knight in the London. Against this system, it is probably best not to post the Queen Knight aggressively to c6, but instead to d7 where it supports the defense of the King side and a c5 push. The London player, much like the Colle player, is looking to attack the g and h pawns in front of the King. The light Bishop, while having as his first duty the support of the e4 push, is optimally poised to take advantage of the absence of a g6 Knight, and with the Queen makes a happy battery to hammer at h7.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Evel Knievel Dead at 69

Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel, Jr. October 17, 1938 – November 30, 2007

"They started out watching me bust my ass, and I became part of their lives." "People wanted to associate with a winner, not a loser. They wanted to associate with someone who kept trying to be a winner."

*Photo from IronHarley.com

Chess: December Chess Carnival - Send Entries Now!


My name is Steve Owens and my blog is at sdo1.blogspot.com. Jack and I also blog at chessusa.blogspot.com where I have volunteered to host December's Chess Carnival. I would be honored if the chess blogosphere would accept this invitation to submit blog articles for inclusion in this version of the Chess Carnival.

Please follow this link to submit an item from your blog http://blogcarnival.com/bc/submit_2250.html or send me an email at p944dc@gmail.com with the following information:

Permalink URL
Title
Article Blog
Blog URL
Blog Name

Submitter name
Submitter e-mail
Category
Remarks

As an example I have cut and pasted Mark Week's submission below (Thanks Mark)

Permalink URL ¤
http://chessforallages.blogspot.com/2007/10/mongols-russia-and-strobeck.html
Title ¤ Mongols, Russia, and Strobeck

Blog URL ¤ http://chessforallages.blogspot.com/
Name ¤ Chess for All Ages
Additional information
Submitter name ¤ Mark Weeks
Submitter e-mail ¤ carnival@mark-weeks.com
Category ¤ Chess Events
Remarks ¤ Hi Jack - Please feel free to contact me if you ever
become desperate for a carnival host. - Mark

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Redskins: Sean Taylor - April 1, 1983 to November 27, 2007


We'll never know the heights that you could have reached as a young man, a father, a husband, or as a Redskin. The promise you displayed in all these areas pointed to so much more than what we had yet seen. We watched you grow as a Redskin and begin to assume a mantle of leadership after a period of youthful indiscretions. We rejoiced in the way your young daughter changed the direction of your life. We will miss you. Rest in peace, Sean.

Updated: Blogosphere Reaction

Bram Weinstein, HailRedskins, Hog Heaven, HogsHaven, PostGameHeroes, WashTimes, RedskinsGab, WaPost:LaCanfora, Rich Tandler, TheRedskinReport, DCSportsBog

Thursday, November 22, 2007

John Fitzgerald Kennedy 1917-1963

JFK"A man does what he must — in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures — and that is the basis of all human morality." — John F. Kennedy, American president (1917-1963)

Redskins: Did you know Wednesday was Troy's Birthday?

Well, it was.

(Hat Tip to Postgameheroes.)

Let's let Lavar light Troy's candle, shall we?



How 'bout THAT, Cowboy?

Have a Great Thanksgiving!


Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Chess: My Events Update

My last events update was in September...

Starting with ICC. Both of the events I am in there are drawing to a close.

In 2007Seven.02 I have four wins (as White against John3v16 and AntonioMendonca and as Black against jonesey and OnGoldenPawn) with no draws or losses. Two games are yet to be decided. As Black against Stahlberg I am a Bishop to the better and have a King side attack brewing in the middle game of a Caro-Kann: Panov-Botvinnik attack. As White versus az2112 I played the London and we are just entering the middle game. Again, I have a strong King side attack brewing and am a pawn to the better. I came into the event as the highest rated player but I have had to fight for each point.

In 2007Quad.08 I have two wins, two draws, and no losses (yet). I have finished my games with The7thGuest and Molton having won once and drawn once with each. Both games versus my last opponent (Boromir) are ongoing. As White, I played a suspect line in the London System but I think I have equalized out of a bad spot. I grabbed a pawn in the opening and have been paying for it... Grabbing pawns in correspondence chess when there are other things to be done is a no-no! In my game with Black we have entered the middle game of a Reti/KID and I think I have at least equalized and may have a small plus.

az2112 and Boromir have both over stepped the time limits and have been warned by the TD. Hopefully we can get those games going in good fashion again.

I would post cross tables but it seems they have not been updated since the events began. With my latest result (the win over Molton), I have achieved my highest ICC Correspondence rating so far (1999).

Chess

Woah... Maybe I should play 3's and 9's on the lottery. I have a 1999 rating as of 19 November with 33 wins, 3 losses, and 3 draws for a total of 39 games. Cue the spooky music!




Over at ICCF I have finished all my games in WS/O/109. Several of the leaders have yet to finish games. Right now I am in Third, but I anticipate no better than a Fourth place finish. As I wrote in September, for my first ICCF event I think I had satisfactory results. My loss to Pötz hampered my goal to finish near the top.


WS/O/109TD Millstone, Michael
Rated1234567ScoreSBRPlace
1AUT10588 Pötz, Florian1800P½1.111

4.5

9.5

1

1

2CZE130711 Kýhos, Alois1701½½.111D

4

7.75

1

2

3USA514360 Owens, Steve1800P0½½111D

4

7

0

3

4POL421419 Deren, Marcin2019F..½½11D

3

4.25

2

4

5USA514348 Thomas, Gerald K1800P000½11

2.5

2.5

0

5

6GER85582 Kaspschak, Mrs. Karola1800P000001D

1

0

0

6

7ITA241236 Barzaghi, Andy1800P00D0D0D00D

0

0

0

7

XD = result by default
XF = FIDE Elo
XP = provisional
Sorted by place. Click to sort by start list order.


In event WS/O/120 I am in clear second with one game to go. The three of us at top each have only to finish our games with Sanchez Carmona. Of course, I don't know how the other games are going, but in my game with Sanchez Carmona I am the Exchange up as Black in a Caro-Kann: Gurgenidze System. We are entering the end game (R,B,B vs. R,R,B and four pawns each) and I just need to put this puppy away. I could finish anywhere from first to third. I think second is most likely. I had too many draws in this event. Jan Gantar has four wins already to my three.


WS/O/120TD Marconi, Ralph P.
Rated1234567ScoreSBRPlace
1SLO480238 Gantar, Jan1800P½1.111

4.5

7.5

1

1

2USA514360 Owens, Steve1800P½½.111

4

6

1

2

3AUS30119 Ramsden, Jim E.18520½.111

3.5

4

1

3

4ESP160980 Sánchez Carmona, Gerardo1800P...111

3

2

3

4

5USA514396 Lynn, Bret1800P0000.1

1

0

1

5

6TUR490209 Ciklabakkal, Metin1800P0000.1

1

0

1

5

7NOR360548 Stenseth, Bjørn Gunnar1800P000000

0

0

0

7

XP = provisional
Sorted by place. Click to sort by start list order.


In my latest ICCF event, WS/O/138, again I have too many draws to be a favorite, but I'll finish near the top. I missed my chance to stand out from the pack with Black against Dumitrescu in a Spanish Berlin game. I had a clear advantage but missed the win in the end game with two passed pawns. Pareschi and Sarak are still playing thier game and so have a chance to pass Dumitrescu and me in the standings. I'll at least finish second or third assuming I can take care of my last game with Van hentenryck.


WS/O/138TD Millstone, Michael
Rated1234567ScoreSBRPlace
1ROM440627 Dumitrescu, Florian1800P½½½.11

3.5

5.75

1

1

2USA514360 Owens, Steve1800P½½½.11

3.5

5.75

1

1

3ITA241242 Pareschi, Remo1800P½½..11

3

4.5

2

3

4GER84051 Sarak, Michael1800P½½..11

3

4.5

2

3

5BEL40214 Van hentenryck, Alain1689.....1

1

0

5

5

6USA511398 Peterson, Miss Janet16760000.1

1

0

1

6

7SUI100390 Galanti, Sergio1628000000

0

0

0

7

XP = provisional
Sorted by place. Click to sort by start list order.





I am in the midst of my second USCF Walter E. Muir event (USCF/WS/07WM41). Back in August I finished first in USCF/WS/07WM27. This one is going to be much, much tougher. I have wins in both games against Bill Evans again. No knock on Bill, sometimes another person just seems to have your number. My opening repertoire seems to be set up perfectly for his. The other players in this event all have multiple first place Muir finishes.

As an example of how tough this event is, here are the tournaments won by participants in the last several months:

OCTOBER WINNERS
Walter Muir Webserver
William Evans 07W28 5-1
William Evans 06W22 3 ½-2 ½
Thomas Haggard 06W22 3 ½-2 ½
William Evans 07W08 5-1
Joe Hoffmann 07W25 6-0

SEPTEMBER TOURNAMENT WINNERS
John Collins
Thomas Haggard 05C39 4-2

Walter Muir
Joe Hoffmann 07W16 4 ½-1 ½
William Evans 07W01 6-0
William Evans 07W21 6-0

Yikes!

Also of note: friend of the blog Anthony Ragan has a Muir win, too!

SEPTEMBER TOURNAMENT
WINNERS
Walter Muir
Anthony Ragan 07W16 4 ½-1 ½

In my games with Bill Evans, as Black we played a Semi-Slav: Meran. In the early middle game I was able to disturb his King side pawns with an exchange of his f3 Knight for my light Bishop. The open g file left by the recapture of the light Bishop was immediately exploitable by my Queen and King side Rook. In the other game Evans responded to 1.d4 with a Dutch Defense. I used a Catalan/Reti style setup with which I was familiar, and advanced my Queen side pawns aggressively. At about move 16 Bill dropped the f pawn in an exchange of Knights. A few moves later I was able to win the Exchange and then invade the seventh and eighth ranks with my rooks.

The other games are ongoing.

Against Thomas Haggard, in my game with Black Tom opened with what he called the "Haggard Gambit" in the Caro Kann Exchange. I'm not sure he has received compensation, but play continues... In my game as White, we are in a Bogo-Indian and things are very much in flux. Both games are in the opening stages.

Against Joe Hoffman, as Black I have the Bishop pair in the late middle game of a Caro Kann Exchange game. What is it with all these Exchange and Panov games? Has everyone abandoned the Advance against the CK? In our game that I have White, we are in the late middle game stages of another Bogo-Indian. It has been very tight but I am a pawn up. As compensation Black has a protected passed central pawn while my passed pawn is outside and isolated.


USCF/WS/07WM41TD Dunne, Alex
Unrated11223344ScoreSBRPlace
1USA514322 Hoffmann, Joe ..11..

2

2

4

1

2USA514360 Owens, Steve ..11..

2

2

4

1

3USA514306 Evans, William162000001.

1

0

1

3

4USA514316 Haggard, Thomas .....0

0

0

5

4

Sorted by place. Click to sort by start list order.


My USCF rating is up to 1621 as of yesterday. If my current games are any indication I may be leveling off at between 1600 and 1700 for USCF Correspondence.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Redskins: Add Anthony to the Mix

MixAwesome addition. The Skins FINALLY went out and got a true possession/red zone WR. I saw this guy at Auburn and in high school at Baldwin County. Mix knows how to shield the defender away from the ball when covered, and corner backs have almost zero chance of jamming him at the line. Mix makes very good adjustments to the ball and anything thrown within reach has a great chance to be caught. At Auburn Mix ran very good routes with crisp breaks and good posture. Mix doesn't catch the ball with his body, he knows how to catch and squeeze it in with his hands. Mix also has a mean streak and will look to pound on defenders, especially when they try to knock him off routes or get physical. He is also an accomplished blocker at WR both in run support and down filed for other WRs. Mix is the type of player that intimidates defenders, and that is rare. Sort of like having a linebacker be productive on the offensive unit.

(Disclaimer: I tend to have a blind spot for faults in players that line up with the intent to destroy the opponent physically, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Keep your JoeyT. I'm a Riggo, Jacoby, Grimm type of fan.)

Some draft sites had Mix listed at 6'5" but when I saw him at Auburn I thought he was stretching to make 6'4". Still, Mix is very strong and at 235 has the tools to play TE or H-back if Gibbs goes back to that.

Mix has some negatives. He didn't work well during the week in college and that translated to reduced playing time under Tuberville. I don't know if this continued with the Giants.

If Gibbs and crew can motivate him, this guy can put up BIG numbers. Obviously, Campbell knows him and chemistry shouldn't be hard to achieve. Oh, yeah. At Auburn Mix was clocked at 4.49 in the 40. He can run. 6'4" and 230 lbs and he runs a sub 4.5 40.

And he likes to pound on DBs.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Redskins: Just One Yard, Skins Lose to the Pukes 28-23

4-1-DAL 32 (8:59) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 49 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.

That was the play. Fourth and one at the Dallas 32 yard line. That was the moment, the time for the ultimate question in this game, and perhaps the pivotal point not only in this season, but in the second tenure of Joe Gibbs. The Redskins were up 7-0 and driving for another score. The Cowboys had been stymied so far by the Skins' defense on their first three possessions. This was the third time with the ball for the Redskins offense, the first had been a wonderful drive for a TD and the second a three and out. The Skins were again moving the ball, making plays...

One yard. Just one yard.

GibbsSure, Suisham had hit from beyond fifty yards which this kick called for, but not without question. Sure, during the first part of the season the defense had seemed unbreakable against the top offenses in the league, but in recent games they had lost their top two secondary defenders, and the best players on both the line backing and defensive line units were playing injured. Add to this a young offense just starting to pick up their stride after absorbing an unheard of amount of injuries to the line and receivers, but regaining their stride nonetheless especially behind the running of Clinton Portis and the revamped line...

Just One Yard.

Back in the year that the Skins last captured their Super Bowl, a young Cowboys team invaded RFK and won a game, meaningless to the Skins on their way to the Lombardi, but meaning everything to the upstart Cowboys and their fans who had endured a decade of mediocre play, and everything to Jimmy Johnson who was building a dynasty out of the dregs of 3-13 and 1-15 teams. Johnson threw everything in the playbook, and some things not in the playbook, at the more talented and experienced Redskins. Johnson not only won that game, he set the tone for a team that would win three out of four NFL Championships.

This was the moment, needing just one yard, that Joe Gibbs could have turned this organization around for much better things. This was the moment that this young quarterback, this rebuilt on the fly line, and this running back in the midst of recapturing the aura a greatness that two injury plagued years had sapped needed to set the stage for possible greatness. Get the first down, drive for the score, put the Dallas offense in a hole and let the defense tee off on Tony Romo... Knock off the team being crowned as this year's NFC Super Bowl representative in their house. That yard, just that one yard, could have done that.

Instead, Coach sent out Suisham and gave the Cowboys excellent field position and they proceeded to tie up the game. The Skins gamely battled, especially on offense, but the battle was uphill and the grade too steep from there. Instead of dominating Dallas, putting the "foot on the neck" as the expression goes, that one yard, just one yard, got the Cowboys back in the game and stole the momentum from the Skins' offense. That one yard could be the last chance for the second Gibbs regime to be the one to bring championship football back to Washington.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Chess: Another London Win, a Caro Kann Draw

[Event "ICC correspondence 2007Quad.08.02"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2007.08.18"]
[White "sdo1"]
[Black "The7thGuest"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "1971"]
[BlackElo "2035"]
[ICCResult "Black resigns"]
[Opening "King's Indian: London system"]
[ECO "A48"]
[NIC "QP.03"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e3 O-O 5. Nc3

chess

This is a thematic and positional mistake. White should play the Knight to d2 instead of c3 if developing before moving the c pawn in any case, and especially in the London where c3 is a support for d4 and the Knight at d2 helps support the thematic e4 push coming later.

5. ...d6 6. h3 Nbd7 7. Bd3 c5 8. O-O a6 9. a4 b6

chess

I was not happy with my position. The fifth move still irked me. In OTB play that would probably have been enough to lose the game for me, and as improving real time play is a reason I play correspondence, perhaps I can translate the experience into a beneficial mindset OTB. The position, while not what I wanted, is still a good one and 9. a4 took steam out of any expansion Black had wanted Queen side.

10. d5 h6 11. e4 g5 12. Bh2 g4 13. hxg4 Nxg4 14. Bg3 Nde5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Re1

chess

Black lashed out with his King side pawns and his Knights, but I think he only damaged his position. The dark Bishop is still a nuisance to him, his Knight's post is temporary, and his King has a lot of open attacking ground to the front. My goal from here was to exchange off his King side pieces while getting my pieces to the King side. If he didn't exchange off his Knight for the light Bishop, I had several candidate plans with the f and e pawns and the e file to get my pieces into the action. One enticing target is the isolated h pawn.

16. ...Bd7 17. Qh5 Bg4 18. Qh2 Nxd3 19. cxd3 Ra7 20. Re3 Kh7 21. Bf4 Rh8 22. Rg3 Bd7 23. Re1 b5

chess

I thought 23...b5 was a mistake. I was expecting something to get the Queen involved in the center or King side defense. Perhaps Qf8, e5, or f6 were better defensive tries.


24. Qh5 Qf8 25. e5 dxe5 26. Bxe5 Rg8 27. Ne4

chess

Now my pieces are all on the King side and in great attacking position. Black doesn't have time to do anything on the Queen side with his pawns and Rook and still defend the King.

27. ...Bxe5 28. Qxe5 Rxg3 29. Nxg3 Bc8

chess

After the exchanges and the retreat of the Bishop, White's pieces are still in attacking position, the Black King is still exposed to those pieces, the Black Queen is the only Black piece directly defending the King but is very over worked. The ISO doubled d pawns can't be exploited and the d5 pawn will soon advance into the Black position. The Black Queen side is ready to give up material.

The White Queen rules all, attacking in every direction and in command of the board.

30. axb5 axb5 31. Rc1 Bd7 32. Rxc5 f6 33. Qe3 Ra2 34. Rc7 {Black resigns} 1-0

chess

33...Qf7 or Qe8 probably gave the most resistance. Ra2 loses material very quickly. After 34...Qd8 35. d6 the e pawn will fall and Black will be compelled to lose more material.

In the other game of our match (2007Quad.08.01) I relied on my trusted Caro Kann against the higher rated player. The Caro Kann player must not fear the exchange of his light Bishop, and in fact he must be able to embrace it in several lines of the Classical variation. The tempi invested by White in the exchange should allow Black more than enough compensation.

In this game the CK lives up to its dull reputation as both players could find no chinks in the opposition's defense.

[Event "ICC correspondence 2007Quad.08.01"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2007.08.18"]
[Round "-"]
[White "The7thGuest"]
[Black "sdo1"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2055"]
[BlackElo "1969"]
[ICCResult "Game drawn by mutual agreement"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann: classical variation"]
[ECO "B18"]
[NIC "CK.10"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. Nh4 e6 8. Nxg6 hxg6 9. c3 Nbd7 10. Bd3 Bd6 11. Qf3 e5 12. Be3 exd4 13. Bxd4 Qe7+ 14. Qe2 Be5 15. Bxe5 Nxe5 16. O-O-O O-O-O 17. Bc2 Qc7 18. Rxd8+ Rxd8 19. h3 Re8 20. Rd1 Ned7 21. Qd2 Nb6 22. Kb1 Kb8 23. Qg5 a6 24. Bb3 Nbd5 25. Qh4 Qe5 26. Qc4 Qc7 {Draw (Black Offered)} 1/2-1/2

chess

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Redskins: A Win is a Win, But... Landry a Bright Spot

Despite the victory, despite Shaun Suisham's return to form, despite Clinton Portis finding room to run against what may be the weakest run defense in the NFL... SuishamRedskin Fans have plenty to worry about after the Skins' 23-20 win against the stumbling Jets in New Jersey.

The defense demonstrated that blitzing is not something to be set aside and later picked up when desired. While it is nice that Gregg Williams put the blitz back in the arsenal, it will likely take a game or two to get back in synch. The CBs are again playing too far off the receivers. Kellen Clemens had a decent day taking what the Skins' D gave him, and despite being sacked a few times, was very efficient on third down. A top defense should not have allowed a QB making his second start that kind of production, especially as Leavingus Coles couldn't play. Clemens made more of an impact with his depleted line and skill players than Campbell did with his depleted line and skill players, and Campbell wasn't facing a top defense. Has anyone else noticed that two of the three worst teams in the NFL, with a combined record of 1-16, have taken the Skins to over time?

One of the bright spots so far this year has been the play of our first round draft pick, LaRon Landry. Landry and the 49ers' Patrick Willis are hands down the best rookie defenders this year. LandryI initially wanted Willis after seeing him play against Auburn, but I was VERY pleased with Landry when the Skins grabbed him. Of the other "can't miss" defensive draft prospects, Adams got his first start for the Bucs last week, Anderson has been starting all year for the Falcons but has disappointed, and Okoye started strong but has fallen behind Willis and Landry of late.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Redskins: Rev. Wilbon's Sermon

What he said:

It wasn't particularly shocking that the Redskins were blown out; the stunner was that they just sat there and took it, that the Redskins were content to be bullied and humiliated. Those of us who've been waiting through the Gibbs II era for the Redskins to develop an identity didn't see them moving in any definitive direction Sunday in Foxborough.


Preach It!

With all due respect to professional hockey, pro football is the most violent team sport in this culture. It's based on mayhem and retribution, an eye for an eye, on sheer pride, even if that pride is occasionally misplaced. WilbonIf Belichick is so bold as to have Brady in the game, sneaking on fourth down and throwing from spread formations when leading 38-0, he also runs the risk of getting his golden boy quarterback mangled. If Belichick has so little regard for the opponent, why should the Redskins have any regard for him and his?

If the Golden Boy stays in the game when the competition is long over, fair enough. But at that point he forfeits any professional benefit of the doubt, and is fair game for whatever comes. This is one place where the NHL gets it right. Half the players in the league would like to hit Belichick right now, but can't.


Amen!

And maybe it's not the way the Redskins want to play. Maybe they're above that sort of brawling. Perhaps Gibbs wants no part of that philosophy and it's his bust, not mine, that sits in Canton in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But what was highlighted in Foxborough on Sunday is that the Redskins, still a pretty good team with a chance to make the playoffs, don't seem to have the charismatic leaders who can push the team beyond this pedestrian 4-3 start with narrow home field victories over the Dolphins and Cardinals.


Brother Wilbon, attitude in the NFL starts at the TOP. This goes beyond not having leaders on the field. At some point the Head Coach and his Assistant Head Coach for Defense must call plays to go after the model mongering Golden Boy to get the point across to Hoody Bill. The game was out of hand, the Pats were assured of victory. Hoody and the model moocher kept drilling it in...

Gibbs and Williams are the ones who held off the dogs. For the first time in my life, I am of the opinion that Joe Jackson Gibbs is not the right choice to lead the Redskins. The Redskins need a leader at the top willing to lay it on the line with his players. The Redskins did not have that Sunday.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Redskins: Black Sunday: Classless Hoody, No Balls Double G

Yeah, Andre, I agree. redskinsThis was bad. The score, 52-7, doesn't reflect just how bad it was. The four turnovers don't touch the gritty truth of what happened. That the offensive players on the field did not perform as they should have doesn't matter. There will be blowouts. There will be times that the other team has an unbelievable day no matter how good you play on defense. These things happen.

Yeah, the Pats leg whipped Rogers and may have ended a pro-bowl career. Left lying on the Foxborough turf along with Carlos were the chances to shut down Brady and the Pats' offense since Smoot was inactive. rogersBehind the trio of Smoot, Rogers, and Springs there are no CBs to handle receivers like Moss, Welker, and Stallworth. Before the Pats scored a single point, Rogers career was put in jeopardy with abuse to his ACL and MCL requiring season ending surgery. Yeah, once again, hinky things were going on early in the game with the visiting team's communications in New England.

Put all the classless Belichick crap aside, all the dirty tricks and score inflation... All that doesn't matter to the Redskins and their fans. Gibbs showed Belichick the proper disdain for Belichick's lack of character and respect for the game and the opponent by leaving Hoody* groping at mid-field looking for a handshake and then dismissing the whole thing in the pressers. hoody
*I mean, really, wearing sweatshirts that look like someone rolled a homeless Boston drunk as a main participant to events involving multiple millions of dollars... For the love of Pete, you can at least have enough respect for yourself to wear something decent.

Leave all that behind. The thing that Redskins and their fans feel at the bottom of their guts, the thing that I find galling and disgusting is the way Gregg DoubleG(the extra G is for Genius) Williams refused to respond to the play on the field, the fluid nature of his personnel, the outright insults by the Pats to the Redskins manhood... Please! At what point does a team rise up and decide to go after their nemesis, namely Hoody Bill, vicariously through their antagonist on the gridiron, one #12?

Gregg "Double G for Genius" Williams completely failed his defensive players, the other players on the team, the coaching staff, Head Coach Joe Gibbs, Danny Snyder, all Redskin fans everywhere, and anyone connected with the NFL not part of the Patriots* by not going after the QB for the entire second half on Sunday. Hoody Bill has been giving the entire NFL the Martian Salute (known in some circles as "The Birdie") by running up the score for weeks. Assistant Head Coach for Defense G for Genius knew this coming in, knew it in the game, and sat on his thumbs (or that Martian Salute) the entire game.

*The Krafts, sitting in their booth, looked fairly embarrassed by what Hoody was doing.

Any self respecting defensive coordinator would have begun sending the blitzers after #12 (Models are for Procreation) Brady. Hey, Hoody, want to run up the score? Here's a vicarious concussion just for you... And it isn't as if GG didn't have the type of player capable of not only blitzing, but of sending that model monger's mental faculties into the next century. Taylor and Landry have credentials in that regard that are unsurpassed. Ask that Alabama QB that is still looking for his facemask about LaRon (That truck now wears #30, John Parker). Ask Terrell Owens about what the Meast will do to you in his domain. Gregg Williams betrayed Redskin fans and NFL fans everywhere by enabling Hoody Bill his upthrust finger without retribution.

Hey, Double G, how about growing Double Balls, ok?

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Chess: The Caro Kann as a Weapon

My opponent in this game writes:

Here is another one of my correspondence chess games played at ICC. I just resigned today because the only way to avoid checkmate was to sacrifice my Queen for a Rook. I am now 0-2 in this section. My new correspondence chess rating is 1551 and my opponent's is 1959. I ended up in an opening that I don't know against a much higher rated player. I used MCO 14 as my guide to the opening but my opponent got me out of book early when he prevented my Knight from going to b5. My opponent's first name is Steve. I don't know his last name. He lives in TN. I am not posting this game to my chess site because I don't normally play either side of the Caro-Kann.


Mike's comments are illuminating on several fronts.

First, the viability of the Caro Kann is enhanced by the fact that club level players (and that is most of us) don't see it very often. King pawn players typically concentrate on their e4 opening of choice and the variations of 1...c5 and 1...e6 they are sure to see. 1...c6 is usually an afterthought in their opening repertoire. In OTB play this will lead to uncertain play from many White opponents and in correspondence play the undeserved reputation of the Caro Kann will lead to a bit of carelessness from players less than Class A.

Second, when White uses a lesser known variation (in this case 2.c4) they are often at a loss as to the subtleties of the opening while the Black player is completely at ease with his position, having seen, studied, and played it before. Mike states that he was out of book (using MCO-14) early on. When, as White, your opponent plays a lesser used opening, you may be certain that he has various sources to choose from for opening theory. We are in the computer age and players should avail themselves of the databases that are on the net, at the very least. Chessgames.com and Chesslab are excellent sources for quick access to master level games on almost every opening.

In our game, I have to wonder if Mike knew that this variation involved having an Isolated Queen Pawn.

The Caro Kann has a reputation of being a dull, uninspired opening. It is not. It is a tough defense that turns into a dangerous attacking weapon if White plays carelessly at any point. It attracts players that have based their play in sound positional theory and that are willing to be patient and accumulate advantages as they come along.

[Event "ICC correspondence 2007Seven.02.06"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2007.08.25"]
[Round "-"]
[White "OnGoldenPawn"]
[Black "sdo1"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "1549"]
[BlackElo "1969"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann: anti-anti-Caro-Kann defense"]
[NIC "CK.01"]

1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. cxd5 Qxd5 5. Nc3 Qd6 6. d4 Nf6 7. Bc4 e6 8. Nf3 a6

chess

I have no intention of allowing White to get at b5 and c7.

9. O-O Be7 10. d5

chess

White here wishes to sac his ISO to open lines for his better developed forces. My conclusion is that this forcing is too early, he isn't that better situated despite being castled. 10...b5 allows me to disrupt the pieces he has developed. 12. dxe6 was a better try than retreating the Knight and at that point we are completely out of theory.

10. ...b5 11. Bb3 b4 12. Ne2 Nxd5 13. Bg5 Bb7 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Ned4 O-O 16. Re1 Rd8 17. Qc1 Nd7 18. Qd2 Rac8 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. Bxd5 Nc5 21. Bxe6+ Nxe6?

chess

I understand why saccing a piece here is attractive, and it might work in blitz play. However, in correspondence is simply loses a piece for a pawn. From here out it is simply a matter of translating the material advantage to a win. This was aided by White falling for the trap of 25. Qxa6.

22. Qe3 Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Qf7 24. Qe2 Nf4 25. Qxa6 Nxg2 26. Kxg2 Qd5+ 27.
Kg1 Rc6 {White Resigns} 0-1

Chess: London System vs. the KID

[Event "ICC correspondence 2007Seven.02.03"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2007.08.25"]
[Round "-"]
[White "sdo1"]
[Black "AntonioMendonca"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "1959"]
[BlackElo "1656"]
[Opening "King's Indian: London system"]
[NIC "QP.03"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e3 O-O 5. Nbd2 d6 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. h3 Re8 8. c3 e5 9. Bg3 Nh5 10. Bh4 Nhf6 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. O-O

chess

Again, a classic position for the London player.

12. ...Bd7 13. Nxe5 Rxe5 14. Bf3 Rb8 15. Ne4 h6 16. Qd4 b6 17. Rfd1 g5 18. Bg3 Re6 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. Qd3 Qe8 21. Qc4 c5?

chess

21...c5 ruins Black's game. White had sallied 21. Qc4 to see if the light squares could be exploited. 21...Qc8 gives Black plenty of recourse and the game is about even. With 21...c5, Black has left the d6 pawn en prise, permanently weakens light squares across the board (exacerbated by 17...g5), and leaves f7 and g8 open to pressure from a Queen-Bishop battery via a pin on the Rook. Instead of grabbing the pawn, I decided to take the exchange on the e Rook. Even without the support of the light Bishop, the Queen will invade the Queen side via the light squares and force Black to give up material after attrition of forces.

22. Bd5 Rd8 23. Bxe6 Bxe6 24. Qe2 d5 25. a4 Bg7 26. Qa6 Qe7 27. a5 Bc8 28. Qb5 Bd7 29. Qe2 Bc6 30. axb6 axb6 31. Qa6 Qb7 32. Qxb7 Bxb7 33. Bc7
{Black Resigns} 1-0

With no possibility of preventing White from accumulating further material, Black resigned.


Saturday, October 27, 2007

Chess: My First Result Using the London System

[Event "ICC correspondence 2007Seven.02.01"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2007.08.25"]
[Round "-"]
[White "sdo1"]
[Black "John3v16"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A40"]
[WhiteElo "1969"]
[BlackElo "1807"]
[Opening "Queen's pawn"]
[NIC "QO.17"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Be7 5. c3 b6 6. h3 Bb7 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. Bd3 d6 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Re1

chess

This is the setup the London player wants as White against almost any defense.


10 ...h6 11. e4 cxd4 12. cxd4 a6 13. Qe2 b5 14. a4 b4 15. Rac1 Nb6
16. a5 Na4

chess

I thought Black's 16th was a positional mistake. I would have favored Nbd7 instead. His Knight is on the rim away from the action and will not be able to escape to re-enter the game. The attacks on the Knight will draw Black's pieces away from the action, and I don't see how Black could avoid losing material in the Knight's defense, anyway.

17. Bc2 Bc6 18. Qc4 Qd7 19. Qb3 g5 20. Bxd6

chess

Black's 19 ...g5 allows White to win the d pawn and possibly remove a defender (Bishop) of b4. Black's choice to keep the Knight instead of the Bishop (on 21. e5 Nd5) is also a poorer choice. The Bishop had more range and is needed in defense more than the Knight.

20 ...Bxd6 21. e5 Nd5 22. exd6 Qxd6 23. Ra1 Nf6 24. Ne5

chess

The Knight at a4 is en prise. Ne5 attacks the defenders, but more importantly, clears the way for the Queen to enter the King side to attack the King's open position and unsecured f6-Knight.

24 ...Bb5 25. Qf3 Qxd4 26. Qxf6 1-0

chess

Black falls for the trap with 25 ...Qxd4. After 26. Qxf6 Black resigned, as he pointed out 26 ...Qxd2 27. Ng6! wins for White. Black must either sacrifice his Queen at f2, or be mated.


Wednesday, October 24, 2007

McCain on Hillary

I'm not a McCain fan as I tend to run a bit more conservative, but this is too good to pass up...

Monday, October 15, 2007

Redskins: Packers Accept Gift From Santa Moss, Win 17-14

Santana Santa "Claus" Moss was wearing the wrong uniform again Sunday. The Skins were up 14-10 and the defense, other than one big play, had completely stifled the NFL's leading passer for the second straight week. Santa Moss had also continued to afflict the Skins with his dropsies, so the Skins thought they would let him try to run the ball without the nuisance of actually having to catch it. Imagine that, a wide receiver not having to receive the ball...

moss
There he goes, blockers in front and on the way!
moss
Oops, Santa Moss decides that protecting the ball is not in his job description, just like that arcane idea of wide receivers catching the ball.
moss
And that is Charles Woodson strolling untouched in to the end zone with the ball you so graciously placed on the grass for him.
moss
Great Teamwork, Santa! You are the Packers' MVP this week.

You deserve it! You took a 14-10 victory away from the Skins and were the key player in the 17-10 Packer win!

Monday, October 8, 2007

Redskins: Skins Silence Lions 34-3

pic
pic

Anyone get the number of that truck?

Kenoy Kennedy, you have been DE-CLEATED!



Watch it while it lasts...

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Chess: The Caro Kann Lives

The ICCF WS/O/120 correspondence event is entering the final stages. Currently I stand at three wins, two draws, and no losses in the event. One of my first games finished was as Black against Metin Ciklabakkal.

[Event "WS/O/120"]
[Site "ICCF"]
[Date "2007.4.21"]
[White "Ciklabakkal, Metin"]
[Black "Owens, Steve"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann defense"]
[ECO "B10"]
[NIC "CK.01"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bd3 Bg4 6. Bf4 Nc6 7. c3 e6

picThis position is like candy for a Caro Kann player. The aim of the opening when playing the CK as Black is to develop the light square Bishop outside the pawn chain and grab a stake of the center. White has allowed Black to achieve his basic goals and equalize very early with this variation of the CK Two Knights.

8. Qb3 Qc8 9. Ne5 Nxe5 10. Bxe5 Nd7 11. Na3

picWhite's 11th is ill considered. He wants to invade with the Knight via b5. A better plan would be developing the Knight to d2 or short castling. After 11...a6 the Knight is badly misplaced.

11...a6 12. Bg3 Be7 13. O-O Qc6 14. Nc2 Bh5 15. f4 Bd6 16. Ne3 O-O

picI'll take this as Black every time. White has allowed me a comfortable, equal position. Here come the fireworks...

17. Qc2 f5 18. c4 Qb6 19. Bf2 Bxf4 20. cxd5 Bxe3 21. Bxe3 Rac8 22. Qb1 Nf6 23. dxe6 Ng4 24. Qe1 Qxe6 25. Bf4

picWhite has his passed pawn, but it is isolated and his King is in a tough spot. 25...Qb6 will pin and win it.

25...Qb6 26. Kh1 Qxd4 27. Qe6+??

pic27 Bxf5 would have held with a slight edge for Black. White's move loses material and the game in short order.

27...Kh8 28. Bxf5 Nf2+ 29. Rxf2 Qxf2 30. Qe5 Rce8 {White Resigns} 0-1

White would have been down a pawn after 28. Qe2. Taking the f5 pawn loses the exchange. White could have fought longer with 30. Qxc8 trading the Queen for Rook+Bishop+Pawn.