Third Game Finished - RoW Semi-Finals
A Draw Against International Master James R. Ellis
Photo by Artyom Kabajev on Unsplash
Introduction
Here we are, this is blog post number 40! Thank you all for your comments on LinkedIn regarding my last post, especially to Daniel Furfaro. Daniel, one of my keen observers, shared his thoughts on the match I shared in my last blog versus Paolo Satali:
Daniel wrote the following thoughtful comment on LinkedIn:
"You both played a level of chess that puts me to shame. It looked close and then all of a sudden there were no pawns in front of your king. Re: nuances. There’s something there. Something about that principle that applies beyond chess. Small mistakes … or rather the small decisions we make every day — they add up to significant consequences beyond what we may foresee. I love the dual respect for each other as chess players as well as the fierce competition that still takes place in-play. All the best to Paolo and wishing you the best on your next tournament as well."
His words resonated deeply with me. Daniel also reminded me of the first player who really recognized the power of pawns, 18th-century master Philidor, who called pawns “the soul of chess”. The pawn structure is the cornerstone of chess strategy, and a strong or weak pawn structure can sometimes be the deciding factor in a game. Reflecting on the game, I responded to him on LinkedIn, appreciating his insights and sharing my own thoughts on the match:
"Daniel, well said! I like your thoughts! When I moved off the beaten path, I thought I could at least draw, and at some point, I even thought I could win. The way you play typically in correspondence is to create a complex situation (which we did). Engines don't help you much here ;-) I should have been warned, his pawn structure was very active, and as you rightfully said, out of a sudden my king was looking around 'Where have my pawns gone?' Lol. Thanks a lot for reading and your comment here!"
The essence of chess, much like life, lies in the nuances and small decisions we make. Daniel’s observation about small mistakes leading to significant consequences extends beyond the chessboard, reminding us of the impact of our everyday choices. His appreciation for the respect and fierce competition between players adds a layer of depth to the game, highlighting the beauty of sportsmanship and strategic thinking.
Secondly, I believe if you stay on the beaten path, you need to know we all read probably the same tactics books. The players know how to defend themselves against each other’s tactics. So, what you need to win and to improve is simple: understand chess and build your own strategy. Sometimes it pays off, and sometimes not - nuances matter!
How can this be a better start for blog number 40?
Shortly after publishing blog 39, I finished my last game in the Semi-Finals of Veterans Worldcup 13. It was against Correspondence Chess Master Detlef Zoll. Detlef is a very experienced player from Germany, and it has always been a highlight for me to meet a fellow German player over the virtual board.
Detlef, 69, lives near Berlin and has had a rich career as a veterinarian and later in medical technology. His warm introduction set a friendly tone for our match, and we exchanged well wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
We had a pleasant conversation during our game, wishing each other the best for the holidays. At move 29, Detlef offered a draw, but I declined because I felt I had the advantage and was on the path to victory.
Highlight Game Against Detlef Zoll - Last Game in VWC 13 Semi-Finals
I didn’t take many notes during the game. It was a busy tournament phase (if this counts as an excuse).
It’s not my most spectacular game, but this relates to earlier quotes and findings - nuances matter! Three inaccurate moves have been enough for Black to lose the game.
Find the full crosstable here with all PGN. My annotated games versus Ilyasov, Anatoly Fedorovich (2317) and my fantastic game versus Hans Rolle Learning from Defeat: A Lesson against CCM Hannes Rolle in the Semi-Finals can be found in a previous blog Navigating the Giants: My Journey in the 13th ICCF Veterans’ World Cup.
What’s Next?
The VWC 14 preliminary is finished, and I didn’t make it to the semi-finals this time. As mentioned in another blog, I’m still determining if I will sign up for VWC 15. However, in 2022, I finished second place in the World Zone (WZ) tournament preliminary round. Due to funding issues for WZ tournaments, ICCF has accepted the World Zone proposal to transfer its main events. There will be two tournaments: the Rest of the World (ROW) individual championship and the ROW team championship.
I got a free ticket for one of them and just signed up for the RoW Championship 2024 Semi-Final, which will start in September. The following players have the right to participate in the RoW Championship Semi-Finals: (a) a player rated 2300 to 2499 at the time of application. (b) a player who finished 1st or 2nd in a RoW Championship Preliminary is entitled to one start in a RoW Championship Semi-Final, regardless of rating. (c) a player with a qualification from the former World Zone.
Why am I signing up for another one? At the beginning of 2024, I was exhausted because I reached the finals or semi-finals unexpectedly. Due to stiff competition, I didn’t sign up for other tournaments and questioned VWC. The main events I thought of as my go-to were Electronic Knights and Champions League (a team tournament). I will check out ROW because I feel that lack of practice influences my strength.
Amici Sumus
I will see you in the next few weeks when I will share some more tournament results. If you enjoy my insights, consider supporting me with a virtual coffee! ☕️ Or a beer? Either way 😎 - Your support fuels me to continue sharing valuable content.
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