Centercounter's Blog

US Amateur Team South – 2010 – The Team of Destiny?

centercounter — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 08:29:39 +0000

The Piecemongers 2 (my team) seem to be the team of destiny based on the bloopers on 3rd and 4th board. In the first game, I had already written Goran Markovich’s game off my tax return when his opponent made an illegal move and had to cede a piece. Even more amazing, in a R+N vs. R+2P ending, Goran’s opponent resigned a clear drawn position. For my part, I had to take a draw.

2nd round, Greg Zelner, Goran’s opponent, missed a clear and easy drawing line and walked into a piece and king fork with plenty of time. I won only with my opponent’s cooperation in time pressure in what should have been an easy draw.

3rd round – Adrenaline… Javad was able to penetrate a perceptably blocked position. Dyson lost on time, despite being winning on the board after a Knight sacrifice, exposing Keller’s King. Mandelkern won a position against Phillip Bauer which was highlighlighted at 6 seconds vs. 3 seconds. I failed to find the best continuations in the Budapest and was stuck in a dead drawn ending, but my opponent failed to rush his Rook to b1 and instead sacrificed on b3 having failed to move his own pawn any further, allowing a standard win.

Piecemongers 2 stand alone with 3, after watching our two competitors draw their match. Sunday will be a challenging day!

Central FL Class Championship – Early Results

centercounter — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:04:27 +0000

As of now, I only have brief information about the final standings. Eric Rodriguez scored the full point against Corey Acor, taking clear first with 4.5/5, a full point ahead of the pack. Corey Acor takes 2nd with 3.5 and Larry Storch and Dalton Perrine share third with Dario Cruz after Larry and Dalton drew their last round game in a hard-fought battle where Perrine had the exchange, but Larry had the attack. With both at the point where a misstep would be fatal, and time pressure looming, they agreed to a draw.

Corey Acor and Eric Rodriguez ham it up before their last round matchup. Eric won, claiming the Central FL Championship by a full point.

Dalton Perrine, before a hard-fought last round draw.

Larry Storch strikes a confident pose prior to his last round battle with Dalton.

Central FL Class Championship – Going into Round 5

centercounter — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:24:03 +0000

Corey Acor survived a 3rd round scare and posted victories in that and the 4th round to keep even with Eric Rodriguez at 3.5/4. Lagging 1/2 point behind the leaders is Expert Dalton Perrine, who stands well to collect class money, and Larry Storch, both of whom are rooting for a draw on first board to allow them to catch up.

End of Round 3 – Rodriguez, Storch, and Woodard Lead with 2.5

centercounter — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 04:39:03 +0000

Eric Rodriguez from South Florida was unable to put away Timothy Woodard despite what looked to be an overwhelming advantage. Local Life Master Larry Storch ground down Dario Cruz. Luciano Aguilar and Corey Acor were still playing at last report, although Corey has his work cut out. Toby Boas continues to be off form, although I’m certain Adam Miller isn’t complaining, as he used an opening trap and fine technique to score the full point against the strong Master who attends the University of Central Florida. Unfortunately, the pictures I took did not come out well, so I will try to take some more tomorrow.

Central FL Class Championshiop – Round 3

centercounter — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:25:02 +0000

In the top division, after two rounds, NMs Eric Rodriguez and Dario Cruz have held their ground, but the rest of the top seeds have either been nicked for 1/2 or 1 point or have taken a first round bye. Brevard native Timothy Woodard (2095) joined the leaders at 2.0 after posting a fine win against NM Toby Boas. Closely following, 1/2 points back, NMs Corey Acor and Larry Storch, as well as Expert Luciano Aguilar from south Florida.

Welcome to CenterCounter

centercounter — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:40:15 +0000

As if I already don’t have enough to do… This blog will concern life, chess, good food, karaoke, and some of the flotsam and jetsam that crosses my mind as we journey through this world. It is now just about the end of a 2-week break from school and work and I’ve done practically nothing that I promised I was going to do to begin the new year ahead of schedule. But sleep is good and I have had the opportunity to make some excellent fresh pasta.

This blog will probably be more interesting as I learn how to actually use the tools and organize my thoughts. It will also become a place that I expect to learn and, perhaps share my wisdom of the years along this God-granted odyssey.

Happy New Year to Everyone!