Cunningham Prop bet to get to 2100

[Allen C]

I'm six games into the Las Vegas tournament and after losing the first two I've won 4 in a row in the U1900 section. Since my last game was another miniature http://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game...r.php?id=39002 I have time for a quick post before the final game this evening.

Under 1900 players are just horrible, myself included in those two losses, although I did just jump straight in after an eight hour drive and no sleep so that's my excuse. Anyway, here's probably my most interesting game where I often wasn't sure what to do. http://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game...r.php?id=39004

- After 10. Kf1 I thought I might do better than just get a positional edge but I couldn't find anything crushing. He needed to play 9.h3 or an earlier Bb3 or a2 or something.

-I was suspicious of 15...f5 changing horses midstream as I had planned on Rd8, Kh7, maybe g5 first. I couldn't resist either shutting out his bishop or doubling on the f-file if he took but he gets some activity with Qd5+, exf5, and Qe4 I think. Then I should have played 16...f4 since he could still do that. So, oops.

-I guess 26...Qc8 made more sense than moving that rook back and forth but it didn't seem like he could do much anyway. I'm trying to come up with Queen trapping threats, threats of making g4 work especially while there's a fork on f3, or preparing h5 and g4.

-On 28...Rdf1 I didn't really check to see if the immediate Nd4 traps the Queen as I was worried about time. It didn't really look like it would with the check and it doesn't.

-29.Kf1? If he played 29.Qd3 I would lose on time trying to calculate g4.

-Then I still had some trouble. I played 34...Kh8 rather than Rg7 in time pressure intending to take over the d-file but whites next move made that impossible. Anyway I was doing fine till 43...Rh7? with the tunnel visioned idea of trading off his damn rooks completely forgetting I let the rest of his army out.

-50.Rxb7? I guess he felt lost and decided to swindle with a rook and knight attack but I think the two minor pieces and rushing pawns versus my Queen would require some accuracy on my part since I had nothing to sacrifice for a pawn+piece.

I need to pay closer attention and get less trade happy when I get a big material advantage. His rooks were neutralized and I could have just sent a rook and Queen over to mate him.

[Paymenoworlater]

Originally Posted by Allen C

Anyway, here's probably my most interesting game where I often wasn't sure what to do. http://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game...r.php?id=39004

10-Qc8 before taking with the bishop on f3 looks crushing.

[Allen C]

12.Kf1=10.Kf1 Where's the edit button?

[Paymenoworlater]

Its not possible to edit after a certain time, 30 min I think.

[cashgomer]

Lol has Lederer conceeded yet?? and can we get some of those guys from last year that said Cunningham had no chance back here for an update.

When is the event? and is it true that you just are learning chess to meet hot chess babes??

[Cadaz]

How much time are you spending on chess AC? You've improved considerably imo.

[En Passant]

Grunching, but if someone with no very limited chess experience wants to get to 2100+ in under a year he must be 1. incredibly smart, 2. practice for hours daily, and 3. not an old fart.

[Allen C]

I ended up 4.5 out of 7 at Bally's. Not bad I guess. Here's the score for my last game where I completely pulled up my skirt acquiescing to a draw with my opponent in severe time trouble.

http://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game...r.php?id=39033

The two clear mistakes of the game that I could see were 5...c5 which surprisingly seems to lose a pawn by force. Positionally though, I can't believe it wasn't obvious to try to hamper his g2 bishop with c6 at some point, and my opponent would likely obtain the two bishops later so why open the board, and c5 before Nbd2 is tactically dangerous. I'd say the best plan was 5...Nbd2 and meet c4 with c6 or if he blocks his c pawn I can consider c5 but still possibly not.

The other was 22.e4 completely allowing me back in the game by weakening the light squares for my knight. I actually delayed moving my knight as long as possible hoping he would make the mistake of moving his e pawn. I wasn't thrilled with his Kg2 either. I thought his plan should be after a trade of rooks to bring his king to e1.

In the final position I was unable to find anything fantastic over the board but at home I came up with 27...Kd2 with the same idea of trading rooks and running down his queen pawns ie: 27...Kd2 28.Ne3...Rc1 29.Rxc1...Kxc1 30.f4... Nc6 31.b4...b5 and I might flag him with what looks like the better side of a draw.

[KyleJRM82]

Really impressive to see the U1900 standings and see a solid line of 1700-1800 players broken up by a single 1649.

[Allen C]

Originally Posted by KyleJRM82

Really impressive to see the U1900 standings and see a solid line of 1700-1800 players broken up by a single 1649.

In my last tournament someone playing a class up was leading all the way to the final round.

[Allen C]

Originally Posted by Cadaz

How much time are you spending on chess AC? You've improved considerably imo.

Pretty much every day unless I'm really busy. I have to admit it hasn't always been 6 hours though.

[Ook]

Great job Allen. I don't know if you'd want to take the time but I bet the forum would love to hear your thoughts on how your training has gone, what it's like to be an adult beginner, etc, etc - once you're done, of course. Also, are you planning on continuing to play chess after your game with Howard?

[BigPoppa]

Would be shocked if he spent all that time working on his game then quit immediately after.

[BobJoeJim]

Originally Posted by BigPoppa

Would be shocked if he spent all that time working on his game then quit immediately after.

I would be shocked as well. Plus I consider it highly unlikely that he would have had the discipline to stick to his training regimen as thoroughly as he has, if he wasn't enjoying himself at least a little bit. Of course neither of us can speak for him though

[RoundTower]

I can't believe ...c5 is as bad as you make out in that game, 8...Nc6 and what does he have? I think only bxf6 qx cd ed Bxd5 and now Rd8 or Bc5 and you should be only a little worse.

It is good to know of the theme of pawns c6, d5 being good against the g2-bishop though. Especially if he can't easily play e4 and c4.

I agree you are better in the final position, he's practically in zugzwang! Maybe a computer can defend White's side, but I think you shouldn't risk losing against a player in time trouble.