2012 Winter Solstice Round Robin

On Saturday, Dec. 29, the Idaho Chess Union and eleven chess players survived the doomsday predictions of 2012, the end of the Mayan Calendar, and the 2012 Winter Solstice Chess Tournament.  The Winter Solstice is a time to celebrate the shortest and darkest day of the year, measure mid-winter supplies, fatten-up for deep winter, and reflect upon the past year.  It is also a great time to play chess!  The ICU sponsored the G/15 RR at Barnes & Noble in Twin Falls (TD Barry Eacker).  Play started at 10 am and finished after 6 solid hours.  Since it was a G/15 event, that meant that each game could last up to 30 minutes and many lasted that long - and there were 10 rounds.

Fred Bartell and Steve Hinton seemed to thrive on the fast time controls.  Some (like me) suffered.  Fortunately, Barnes & Noble has an in-store coffee shop and I kept myself latted up to counteract my cold medicine.  Fred is a fun to play and loves to talk smack all the while he plays (it was a social tournament) but he was quiet during my opening moves.  When he was able to snag my rook with a fianchettoed bishop, the chatter began. As he pointed out mistakes and my self-esteem diminished, his confidence began to swell.  Fred was on his game this day.  His only losses were against fellow Magic Valley Chess Club members, Barry Eacker and Gary Dugger.

Barry Eacker and Lacy Dean

Steve Hinton plays very fast and doesn't say much until after the game.  I was on the way to victory after my solid opening captured a piece and screwed up his pawn structure.  But a game-losing blunder forced me to resign after I gave away my queen.  Steve admitted that he really appreciated my "gift."  He won second place.

Alexandr Vereschagin and Gary Dugger

My openings were strong today but my end-games and time management were horrible. I feel that three of my games were legit losses, but the other losses could have been prevented  by being a bit more careful and attentive.  I did not succumb to any tactical forks, pins, or skewers as in other tournaments, though.  G/15 is a rapid time control and wins can go to either black or white as all players struggle with time issues.

Quay Marshall and Tom Booth

Against Tom Booth, I lost by a severe mistake when I was clearly winning positionally and by time.  Tom had less than 2 minutes left to my 7 minutes.  Patience is what was demanded here.  All I needed to do was make safe moves.  After Rc7, I moved aRf8??  Consequently, a game loser!  Afterwards, Rg7+ Kh8, Rh7+ Kg8, bRg7#.  I played a strong game up to that point.

Tom Booth was granted a Christmas gift with my next move, aRg8??

Against Dan Looney, I erred early in the game and learned about Caro Kann do's and don'ts (see below).  I played the opening by the book, however, I have never observed an opponent play 5. g4, followed by 6. h4.  After I trapped my bishop without thinking it through (5. g4 Bg6 6. h4 Be4 7. f3)  my game fell apart as my king-side pawns were then destroyed.

Dan Looney crushes me in round 10 with g4 followed by h4 and my mistake, Be4??.

Fred Bartell and Steve Hinton each won a book from the Buckendorf Library, "Alekhine for the Americas" and signed by IM John Donaldson.

Fred Bartell (1st place) and Steve Hinton (2nd place)

Place	Name/Team	Rate	Score	SBx2	Solk	CumOp	Cum
1	BARTELL, FRED (11)	1675	8.0	77.0	52.0	278.0	52.0
2	HINTON, STEVE (3)	1555	7.5	68.0	52.5	275.0	55.0
3	EACKER, BARRY D (4)	1610	6.5	72.5	53.5	292.5	37.5
4	LOONEY, DANIEL S (6)	1624	6.5	54.5	53.5	298.5	31.5
5	DUGGER, GARY (2)	1259	6.0	60.0	54.0	298.0	32.0
6	WRAY, JAMES (10)	1437	6.0	54.0	54.0	292.0	38.0
7	BOOTH, TOM (9)	1572	5.0	37.0	55.0	308.0	22.0
8	PORTH, ADAM (7)	1262	4.0	27.0	56.0	304.0	26.0
9	MARSHALL, QUAY (1)	1362	2.5	15.0	57.5	315.0	15.0
10	VERESHCHAGIN, ALEKSANDR (8)	1284	2.0	27.0	58.0	310.0	20.0
11	DEAN, LACY (5)	1000	1.0	5.0	59.0	329.0	1.0

  

Name	Rnd1	Rnd2	Rnd3	Rnd4	Rnd5	Rnd6	Rnd7	Rnd8	Rnd9	Rnd10	Rnd11
BARTELL, FRED	W9	-N-	W6	W7	W10	W8	W4	W11	L3	W2	L5
HINTON, STEVE	W7	W10	W8	W4	W11	D3	-N-	W5	W9	L1	L6
EACKER, BARRY D	L10	W8	W4	W11	-N-	D2	L5	D9	W1	W6	D7
LOONEY, DANIEL S	-N-	W11	L3	L2	W5	W9	L1	W6	D7	W10	W8
DUGGER, GARY	L6	W7	L10	W8	L4	W11	W3	L2	-N-	W9	W1
WRAY, JAMES	W5	W9	L1	-N-	W7	W10	L8	L4	W11	L3	W2
BOOTH, TOM	L2	L5	W9	L1	L6	-N-	W10	W8	D4	W11	D3
PORTH, ADAM	W11	L3	L2	L5	W9	L1	W6	L7	W10	-N-	L4
MARSHALL, QUAY	L1	L6	L7	W10	L8	L4	W11	D3	L2	L5	-N-
VERESHCHAGIN, ALEKSANDR	W3	L2	W5	L9	L1	L6	L7	-N-	L8	L4	L11
DEAN, LACY	L8	L4	-N-	L3	L2	L5	L9	L1	L6	L7	W10

The Magic Valley Chess Club meets every second Tuesday at Barnes & Noble in Twin Falls beginning at 6 pm.