Another Saturday for the Hivechess tournament, only this time I came in at 6th place. It was a slow start for me at the beginning of the event. I lost to queen slayer, I had a mouse slip against stayoutoftherz. It was poor performance for me but I used to it. My chess isn't consistent at all. Today I am in good form playing like a grandmaster and the next minute I losing like a chess patzer.
Now what I do is I try not to beat myself up about it because, it is not about the performance rather just play the game and enjoy myself. It was a win rate of 50% and 50% for the losses, then a 80% on the berserk rate and a performance of 1963.
This is one of games I joined playing. I was down on time and in fear of losing the game to flagging. Fortunately for me I had a forceful mating position. You won't believe I missed the first time while I was busying trying to create a blockade on a passed pawn. The forceful mate changed the trajectory of the game for me as after the white queen checks the black king on e2, it was all over for black. There is only queen to b5 to block the check and then I take the queen on b5 with a checkmate. Time is of no relevance anymore once the mate becomes inevitable.
This was my first game in the tournament against queen slayer where I blundered the position by playing Bd3. I left my a1-h8 diagonal vulnerable to his attacks. The computer recommends I play Bh6 to deflect his fianchettoeed bishop on g7, the capture the knight on e4 only when he takes my bishop on h6. I didn't see this idea because I only just realized it when I analyzed the game to make this post. We learn everyday if you ask me.
This is the last game I played in the tournament against IM. I played well from the opening. I held my ground and I got a good position for that. But I had to offer a draw since the tournament had 30 seconds to its end and needed every point i could get to secure my place in the top 10. I wanted to try for top 5 at least but I will make do with this. Can you find the winning continuation in this position for white?
Until the next round guys.