My role this season will be The Openings Guide.
I will round up interesting openings from each week. Since the games are played at such a fast time control, it’s often the case that dubious openings (bluffs or semi-bluffs) work out. Those are particularly interesting to me. I am checking things with Rybka 4 and Fritz 12 reference database 2010.
Hello Everyone !
Back to the US Chess League but this time as a spectator! The only two seasons the Scorpions have played in the league I have been both manager and player but due to graduate school I have been forced to hand my title over. (EJ: I get your NM title too! Sweet!) Now I am confined to watching the games from my 200 square foot apartment in New Orleans! Despite my move I can’t miss any games in the league so I will be predicting the results of the Arizona matches for hopefully the whole season.
The addition of the LA Vibe and the St. Louis Archbishops and the farewell of Tennessee really shakes things up in our division and makes things a lot more challenging. LA seems like a solid team for sure and St. Louis will be really top heavy so I don’t know if both teams will make it to the playoffs but I would guess at least one of them does. I’ve always thought the Western division was stronger than the Eastern but now I think it’s true even more than before. We’ll see. It should be a fun season!
Anyways, on to the match. Arizona has a really solid team this year and although we have lost GM Alejandro we should be able to fight it out in every match. Miami has been a tough team for us to beat and is never really weak on any board. And nothing changes for this season.
All the Arizona players are on the right hand side and all the Miami players are on the left.
Board 1
| GM Julio Becerra: 2628 | vs. | IM Rogelio Barcenilla: 2583 |
These two players played against each other with opposite colors two years ago and this should be a tough match-up. Both players play pretty predictably and will probably play a Ruy Lopez. Both players are experienced in the league and obviously Becerra has a long record of good seasons. However, Rogelio is known for being very solid and can easily turn the tables if Becerra decides he needs to push hard. I’m going to predict a draw here.
Board 2
| IM Blas Lugo: 2384 | vs. | IM Dionisio Aldama: 2399 |
This should be a very interesting match-up! Both players are very wild and not only are not afraid of complications but really go after them. These two players also know each other pretty well. This is only the third game Dionisio has played, having a fairly good but short year last season with 1.5/2 games beating IM Felecan of Chicago and drawing IM Donaldson of San Francisco with Black. Dionisio will have White this game and I’m going to predict that he pulls this one out. If there is one game I would not miss it would be this game. Bring your popcorn and look for fireworks!
Board 3
| NM Eric Rodriguez: 2382 | vs. | IM Daniel Rensch: 2471 |
Two more interesting and dynamic players on board 3. Danny rebounded from his horrible first season to have a solid year last season. However, from talking to him he is ready to show his true colors. Having a near 2500 IM on board 3 is always a nice feeling to have. I’m not sure but I think this is a rematch of a US Open game in Phoenix a while back. I think Danny won that one in 6 hours. That was a different time though for both players.
Eric has had a lot of experience in the league and overall has a great record. That, with the addition of being White, should make this an interesting match-up. I’m going to go with the rating advantage here and pick Danny.
Board 4
| FM Charles Galofre: 2316 | vs. | John Gurczak: 2139 |
Man when you look at FM Charles Galofre on board 4 you got to be a little impressed. He is a very strong board 4 and actually played pretty well for Miami on Board 3 (!) two seasons ago. He is playing against one of our newcomers to the team in John Gurczak. John has wanted to be on the team since we started the league two years ago and now he gets a chance. One thing going for him in this game is that he is White. Hopefully he can use some of this excitement and win this one out but I am going to predict a Galofre win here.
So overall a very tight match-up. I am predicting a 2.5-1.5 victory for my Scorpions! Stay tune on Wednesday at 9:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM Arizona time. It should be a good one!
The 2010 USCL season is about to begin! Week 1 lineups have been announced for both Monday and Wednesday matches.
The Arizona Scorpions will face off against the Miami Sharks on Wednesday night. The team will play at Abstrax in Mesa. All games will be played on the Internet Chess Club (ICC) starting at 6:00 local time (9:00 Eastern Time).
|
|
vs. |
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GM Julio Becerra (2628)IM Blas Lugo (2384)NM Eric Rodriguez (2382)FM Charles Galofre (2316) |
Board 1Board 2Board 3Board 4 |
GM-e Rogelio Barcenilla (2583)IM Dionisio Aldama (2399)IM Danny Rensch (2471)John Gurczak (2139) |
Arizona will have the black pieces on boards 1 and 3. We will have the white pieces on boards 2 and 4. All games will be Game in 60 minutes with a 30 second increment per move.
Fans across the country have started weighing in on their predictions for the new season.
Ron Young
Ryan Polsky
Arun Sharma
Wear your red and come out to support your Arizona Scorpions!!
Hello Everyone!
The 2010 United States Chess League is almost upon us. The teams (including 3 new ones) are gathering for another great season of Internet chess. Just as the league is making some changes, so are the Arizona Scorpions.
The 2010 Scorpions were announced today. Here is the official roster. The ratings in parenthesis are the official league ratings based on the September 2009 USCF supplement. Current USCF ratings are different.
IM Rogelio Barcenilla (2583)
IM Levon Altounian (2536)
IM Dionisio Aldama (2489)
IM Danny Rensch (2432)
FM Warren Harper (2357)
FM Robby Adamson (2346)
NM David Adelberg (2196)
NM Nick Thompson (2098)
Expert John Gurczak (2098)
Expert Amanda Mateer (1993)
One other change to announce. Leo Martinez has stepped down as manager of the Scorpions. Sources close to the organization, who wish to remain anonymous, say that “wanting to spend more time with his family, to work on his studies, and to focus on his health” were major factors in his decision. There were some rumors last season that Leo’s wild, partying nightlife and many female fans were a distraction to the team during their playoff run. When asked if “Leo’s Legion of Ladies” was the cause for the early playoff exit, Scorpion veteran Robby Adamson replied, “Everyone loves Leo. Women want to be with him, men want to be him. But that doesn’t matter now. The 2010 team is only focused on the 2010 season.” EJ will take over as manager of the team.
The first match of the year will be on Wednesday, August 25 at 6:00 PM (local time) against the Miami Sharks. A line-up and location will be announced prior to the match. Once again, the Scorpions will play matches in either Mesa (Abstrax) or Tucson (University of Arizona). All matches are viewable on the Internet Chess Club (ICC).
We look forward to another great season!
This week I was able to sit down with soon to be crowned, IM Danny Rensch (DR). Danny held nothing back when it came to his plans for his chess future, his past performances in the USCL, and even his vision of the future of the league.
EJ: Good evening!
DR: Hey there.
EJ: Let’s start off with congratulations!
DR: For what?
EJ: Congratulations on your IM title.
DR: Oh yeah… Cool!
EJ: We haven’t forgotten.
DR: Well… it isn’t on FIDE yet. (I’m still) waiting for that “big moment”! But anyway… yeah it was cool.
EJ: So what is the process. You have your 3 norms. What’s next?
DR: Well… I have cleared the rating but it still takes sometime to become official. 6 weeks is standard I guess. That is what Walter Brown said. Actually funny story… I have four norms apparently. (At) a tournament I played in in 2002 in Moscow I earned a Norm but the organizer never told me. If you check my FIDE History…. My 2002 tournament from when I went to Russia I scored a Norm.
EJ: Was it the SPICE Cup that gave you the rating?
DR: Yeah, it was.
EJ: So all this time you had your 3 norms?
DR: Anyway, Walter found out that the SPICE Cup was actually my fourth IM Norm. Since December of last year I have had the norms. But it doesn’t really matter. I’m going for GM. I kind of wanted to skip IM but it didn’t work out that way.
EJ: Argh! That would be so frustrating! Do you feel jipped?
DR: No, I don’t feel jipped at all just kind of the story of my life. I struggle for a long time and then I overkill it.
EJ: So you’re not done? Going to go for GM?
DR: Yes, I am flying to Edmonton Canada for a GM Norm Invite in December.
EJ: So now that you have your title (soon) how have things changed for you?
DR: Well, I got a raise on Chess.com which is cool. Gotta feed the kids.
EJ: Every bit helps! More relaxed? More stress?
DR: A lot of people said congrats in a way that suggested “I was not going to get any further”, which is always motivating. I am more inspired than I was before. So that has changed.
EJ: A boost of energy?
DR: Yeah. To me, getting my GM title is like getting my degree and every title helps. My goal is to become a GM So that my business would have more “worldy respect”. Even though I know I am offering the same product that I could offer now, people think differently when you have the “GM”.
EJ: True. Well there’s no hiding that fact that you’re doing better in your USCL games. Is everything “just clicking”?
DR: Yeah but I don’t know. I mean I am still not really playing well on USCL but I haven’t lost since I made my title which is cool. Let’s hope we can keep that going! 
EJ: I hope so too.
DR: I have definitely learned that you don’t always have to play like a GM to become a GM. Just got to get better and be practical. Time management. Things like that.
EJ: So obviously your performance OTB is different than in the USCL. How are they different to you?
DR: Well it has been. Thank GOD! I am still not comfortable under time pressure online. In fact, I love time pressure OTB because it is a rush but online…
EJ: Don’t trust the computers?
DR: I kind of get dizzy. No joke. It is confusing.
EJ: 2D vs. 3D?
DR: Maybe. Definitely different for me. I also don’t play as much on ICC as many others.
EJ: Do you use a relayer when you play?
DR: No. I like to have control. I would get nervous with a relayer, I think.
EJ: Aside from your family, you’re basically chess full time, right?
DR: Yes… I am a Chess Pro in every sense… I make my money teaching, playing, laughing, loving… etc.
EJ: As a “chess professional”, how does playing in the USCL affect your life?
DR: Well. It is kind of inconvenient to be honest. I am the type who likes to travel and “get in the mood”.
EJ: Is it taking away from your “day job” or does your “day job” hinder your USCL job?
DR: Yeah. That is the thing. I feel the biggest reason for me not playing well is that I am not in “Game Mode”. You know what I mean? The “drop you daily life and go play a serious game” is not me. I like to really, really devote myself and if I can’t I struggle… or at least I have. But I am maturing.
DR: I listen to some good country tunes before the game. The Landon Shill band, then I throw on some Dre, and then a little Eric Hutchinson! I like to mix it up. I love music…
EJ: It comes through in your blog posts. (=
DR: Thanks… glad someone noticed. I am a pop culture geek. I like to stay current and quote the past. You know, keep the kids on their toes.
EJ: Perhaps your prep work for the SPICE cup is leading to your recent USCL performance.
DR: It could be… I do have a few more lines that I didn’t get to try at the SPICE Cup. But Yermo told me to stop screwing around, just play solid and that I would get the Norm. So I did. Hell! I played too solid and drew some games I should have won. But that’s life! You also hold some games you should lose. So it works out. I tried to get something crazy against Antal in round 2 and then I stopped messing around.
EJ: Do you “experiment” more in your USCL games?
DR: Yes, absolutely! But people forget that I played 1.d4 and the Trompowsky until I was 2250. So it isn’t like I am throwing total “caution to the wind”. I know enough.
EJ: To be different? Because “the games aren’t rated”? Or because everyone studies up on opponents in the league?
DR: To be different and to setup future games…
EJ: Always keep them guessing.
DR: I am going to be one of those GMs who people study and they are like “damn, this guy could play anything! So I might as well watch some Leno”. When they are preparing I mean.
EJ: Any current players you model yourself after?
DR: Anand because I like his repertoire and Ivanchuk because he is crazy… I like that! But I appreciate all of them. They are all better than me.
EJ: I wouldn’t expect you to model yourself after anyone but the best. Have you ever played Hikaru?
DR: Yes, only one rated OTB and I lost in a Kan. I played him in blitz a while ago and I beat him 2 0 but then I lost in Blitz at the National Open 2 0 a couple years ago. He is a beast… no doubt!
EJ: I know you’ve faced off against against his brother a couple of times.
DR: Yes. I had a good record against Asuka.
EJ: Your thoughts on the Scorpions first 2 seasons. What’s the secret to this year?
DR: I think we were all a little gun shy the first year… accept for a couple players. But I believe this year we are just better. I mean, I think that the key to this year’s team, to be honest, is Alejandro. I think everyone is better around him, because he takes on the big guns. I feel more confident playing next to a GM and I really mean that! I believe that Rogelio and I have just gotten better as players to be honest. Also, who can forget David? I mean the fact is he is underrated at 2026 and he has allowed us to be a lot more flexible. Robby was the best last year, and his ICC experience is always useful, but this year I believe all the credit should go to Alejandro and Adelberg. The “AA team”.
EJ: Well, looking at the numbers everyone has elevated their game.
DR: Yes, but Jandi and David have allowed that to happen. Rogo and Robby are still as good as they were but now we have better players around them. Pretty much the team has suffered with me in there but now that I have turned the corner I invite Scorpion Nation to hop on my back to victory baby! *lol* *knock on wood*
EJ: A team is a team! There’s no “A” in… oh wait… Do you listen to music when you play?
DR: I don’t listen to music during games. It distracts me. I don’t like it… but I love music otherwise.
EJ: Do you have a routine or ritual when you play?
DR: Uuumm… OTB I do but on USCL I just say, “here we go!”
EJ: It’s just too different?
DR: Yeah, I try to say a little prayer, gather my thoughts, forget about my daily life, and like I said “buckle up”…
EJ: I think many may not know that you’re the assistant (north) manager to the team. What is that like?
DR: Ahh. I just try to calm Leo down, remind him that he is the boss, and that I will help with whatever he needs. He is doing a good job and if we win this year, he better watch out for some Gatorade on his back… oh yeah!
EJ: The Scorpions really believe in that “team” concept.
DR: Yes, I think so. I don’t but they do…
EJ: You do.
DR: Yes, of course… we are trying to come together… do what it takes to win.
EJ: You’ve been a “team player” since I first meet you and the rest of the Shelby team.
DR: Yes, I have. I love team environments… I miss them actually. Half the time I wish we still had that which is why the Scorpions are so cool. When we (the Shelby team) were winning national titles, there was nothing like it! So yes, this is very cool, and I think that it has the potential to become something great for the world of chess. I don’t kid around about what I think will help the chess world. Unlike many others, I am in this with no turning back. So anything that can help the chess world improve socially, financially, etc. I am all for! I believe that Greg Shahade is on the right path, and I think there is still much, much more to do.
EJ: Any suggestions for the future of the USCL?
DR: Yes actually, but I will keep those private… I don’t want them taken. Greg doesn’t listen to me anymore though. He is “big time” now… and you can print that!
DR: Ok! I won’t keep them private. But Greg is “big time”… I think that more sponsorship is available.
EJ: How so?
DR: It is more of a confidence thing. Chess players have to stop acting like “the starving artists who just want to be recognized” and they won’t be treated that way.
EJ: Ahh…
DR: I believe, and quote me, that there is 7 figure sponsorship out there! Really, I do. It just takes the right angle, right people, some kindness, charm, and hard work.
EJ: For chess in general or specifically the USCL?
DR: Both. But let’s make it specific. The USCL will have a lot more sponsorship down the road if we do this thing right. I believe.
EJ: Hopefully. Personally, I love following the various blogs and discussions within the league.
DR: Can’t you just picture watching a USCL game, and flashing ads of Dell, Microsoft, Apple, Insurance Companies, etc. flashing for 30 seconds on the left side for spectators… Tell me there isn’t money there. We just have to go after it! But I have said too much.
EJ: No problem.
DR: Greg has done great, no questions…
EJ: I agree.
DR: And that is all that needs to be said. Do I think there is growth potential? Absolutely! And it will. You know what I mean though?
EJ: Yes.
DR: How many spectators watch Nakamura
EJ: 50+
DR: No, no! At least 200 at times. Just type “all Nakamura”! I mean, if there are that many people watching anything it doesn’t matter if it is chess. Sponsors can pay for ad space to flash during the games. That is where the money is!
EJ: That might require some ICC connections.
DR: Yes but it is possible! It is there!
EJ: We’re just about ready to wrap up. Anything else you’d like to say?
DR: Alright, just remember, that if I said anything offensive… print it! Just joking.
EJ: No worries.
DR: Thanks for your work with the team! Really…
EJ: I’m the guy that works in the back rooms… in the shadows.
DR: Yes. Always… we should get you a mask, or a cape or something. Then you would feel really cool… and you could just come out of the darkness, like Batman! Always vigilant.
EJ: It’s my contribution. That’s what I already wear when I watch the games during the week.
DR: Ok. Good talk!
Danny Rensch is runs the American Chess Events affiliate which also hosts the Copper State International. He will be playing in the a GM Invitational this December in Edmonton, Canada and in the SPICE Cup again next year.
IM-Elect Danny Rensch makes a new video on chess.com about Isolated Queen Pawns. You can check out the video on chess.com as well as clicking this link. You can check out more videos by Danny concerning Isolated Queen Pawns and other subjects in the future. You can also check out our own Arizona Scorpion blog at chess.com.
You can also check out more videos from USCL players such as GM Vinay Bhat, GM Josh Friedel, IM Sam Shankland, IM David Pruess, FM Todd Andrews, as well as our very own blog contributer FM Elliott Liu.
Well, the Scorpions did it again! They squeaked by the Chicago Blaze 2.5 – 1.5
Let’s see a very important ending on board 3 where Mehmed Pasalic (CHI) was battling Danny Rensch. A very dramatic battle with several key, instructive moments.
Pasalic (CHI) – Rensch (ARZ) Sicilian Najdorf
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 e5 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.Bd3 b5 9.0-0 Bb7 10.Qe2 Be7 11.Kh1 g6?! I don’t understand this move. I would just cackle. I can do …g6 later, usually as a reaction to white’s probe Nf3-h4 move.
12.fxe5 dxe5 13.Bh6 Ng4 14.Bd2 Nc5 15.Rad1?! After something like 15. h3 h5 16. a3, black’s knight is just hanging in limbo on g4 and white is better.
15…Nxd3 16.cxd3 b4 17.Nb1 h5 18.Be1 Qb6 19.Bf2 Nxf2+ 20.Rxf2 Qe6 21.Nbd2 0-0 22.Nc4 f6 Black’s kingside pawns look funny but white doesn’t have the right pieces on the board to exploit it.
23.Qe3 Kg7 24.Rc2 Rfc8 25.h3 a5 26.b3 a4 27.Qe1 Rd8 28.Re2 Ba6 29.Rc2 Bxc4 More foxy is 29…axb3 30. axb3 Rac8 and black can decide when or if to play Bxc4.
30.dxc4 axb3 31.axb3 Rxd1 32.Qxd1 f5 33.Re2 Rd8 34.Qe1 Bf6? 34…f4 kept the balance.
35.Qxb4 Rd3 36.Qb8! This is strong and black might have underestimated it.
36…fxe4 37.Qb7+ Kh6 38.Qxe4
White has controlAfter an up and down game, white is starting to assert himself. It is starting to get really interesting, and this is when I started watching. It didn’t look good.
This is a good moment to pause due to a tactical nuance.
Here ICC kibitzers initially were calling for black to take on b3: 38…Rxb3. Another kibitzer pointed out that this was not playable due to “38…Rxb3 39. Nd4!” so we thought it was unplayable. But go a little deeper! 39. Nd4 Rxh3+!! (a fantastic resource!) 40. Kg1 (40. gxh3? Qxh3+ and black is not worse at all) 40…Qb6! and black is only a little worse!
38…Qd6?
Both sides were running low on time. Here white missed two clean wins.
The easiest, as pointed out by IM D. Fernandez, was 39. Rd2!! Rxd2 40. Qe3+ Kg7 41. Nxd2 and white is completely winning, maintaining the e4 blockade.
The second choice, and very popular in ICC kibitzing (but inferior to Fernandez’s move but it’s harder to work out), was the more complicated 39. b4. After 39…Rd1+ 40. Re1 Rxe1+ 41. Qxe1 e4 it’s time for another interesting quiz. What’s best here? Answer to be posted later.
White to Play. Quiz Time (analysis)Position after 41….e4; White to play and win (analysis). Can you solve it?
39.Nxe5?! White bypasses both of those wins, but as we shall see, this should have been winning too.
39…Bxe5 40.Qxe5 Qxe5 41.Rxe5 Rxb3
Most ICC kibitzers felt this was totally drawn. Only GM Yermolinsky was wise enough to enlighten us – see comment to white’s 43rd move.
42.h4! The correct first step to fix the g6 pawn.
42…Rc3
Moment of Truth43.Rc5??
Only GM Yermolinsky recognized this as a blunder. He laid out a winning plan that is foolproof and brilliant in its simplicity. In hindsight obvious, but he is the only one that saw it among the gawking multitudes. Put pawn on c5, he said, and prepare then put pawn on g3, and Rook on g5 holding everything, and move king to queenside. Indeed, that pins black’s king to g6, and black is helpless against the white king shepherding the c-pawn. A fantastic, simple in hindsight, and very aesthetic plan! Black is completely powerless to stop its realization.
Clearly Pasalic missed it, but so did most of the ICC kibitzers.
43…Rc2 44.Rc7 Rd2 45.Kh2 Rd4! By bothering white’s kingside pawns, the black rook “latches on” and prevents any further progress. The Scorpions win the match by the narrow 2.5 – 1.5 margin!
46.g3 Rd3 47.c5 Rd2+ 48.Kg1 Rc2 49.Rc8 Kg7 50.Rc6 Kf7 51.Kf1 Kg7 52.Rc8 Kf6 53.c6 Kf5 54.c7 Kg4 55.Rg8 Rxc7 56.Rxg6+ Kf3 57.Kg1 Rc2 58.Rb6 Kxg3 59.Rb3+ Kxh4 60.Rb4+ Kg3 61.Rb3+ Kg4 62.Rb4+ Kg3 63.Rb3+ Kg4 64.Rb4+ Kg3 Game drawn by repetition 1/2-1/2
Wow! A great fighting, titantic battle in the best USCL tradition!
Last year, I, too, held a draw in a bad game vs Pasalic to win a CHI-ARZ match. Chicago must be getting tired of us!
GM Robert Hess, a fan of the Arizona Scorpions, once again chimes in with his thoughts about the Arizona Scorpions victory over the Chicago Blaze. The AZ Scorpions thank Robert for his contribution.
ARIZONA WINS!! What a weekend it has been for Arizona teams. The Wildcats of Arizona and the Sun Devils of Arizona State each provided wins on Saturday to begin the ‘Zona rampage. The Cardinals, defending NFC champions, humiliated the Seahawks 27-3 (Thank you Warner and Fitzgerald for being on my fantasy team – no thank you Cardinal stingy defense, I also have Hasselbeck!) on Sunday to move to a tie atop the division. Best for last, your Arizona Scorpions, barring a complete meltdown, may have assured themselves a playoff berth with their third straight match win. This week it was a 2.5-1.5 victory over the Chicago Blaze. To the games we go!
Board 1: Angelo Young (IM, 2325) vs. Rogelio Barcenilla (GM-Elect,2583)
Angelo Young has yet to lose a game in the USCL. His record is phenomenal, especially considering he is often considerably out-rated. Daniel Rensch, Arizona’s third board, has a significant rating advantage over Young. However, Young maintained steady dominance over his GM-elect opponent. Barcenilla seemed to be playing from a worse position for most of the game. Instead of playing an early cxd4, he allowed Angelo to obtain a large space advantage. After sacrificing an exchange, the game should have been easily over. However, black missed an opportunity with 37… Qc5+, which does give black some good fighting chances. Additionally, the only way for black to keep on breathing after 38. Qb7 was Qxb7 39. axb7 Rb8 with chances to make a draw. However, after Rogelio missed these two finds, Young made quick work of his opponent. 1-0
Board 2: Dionisio Aldama (IM, 2473) vs. Florin Felecan (2430, IM-Elect)
Aldama played for the second straight week and again proved productive. Felecan, the ever dangerous player (he did have a great victory over Yury Shulman earlier this year), seemed to obtain a strong Sicilian position. Aldama played smooth, forward chess, not succumbing to passivity. Even after Felecan stole a pawn, Dionisio still pressed on for the win. Unlike typical Felecan games, there were not all too many tactics involved. Rather, white achieved the initiative and kept on rolling.
18. f5 was also a possibility for white, as g5 is responded to by 19. Bf2 (targeting a nice cushion on b6).
Black could have played 35… Rd6 36. Qb3 (36. Bb4?? Rdxc6!) a2! 37. Qb7 Qxb7 38. cxb7 Rb8!! 39. Rc8+ Kh7 40. Rxb8 Rxd5 41. Rd8 Rxa5 42. B8=Q A1= Q 43. Qb3 Qa2 about = to my eyes.
However, this is tough to find over the board, and I found this based on 15 minutes pure calculation. Maybe a computer engine will prove me wrong, but to my human eye, seems like black’s best try. 1-0
Board 3: Mehmed Pasalic (IM, 2346) vs. Daniel Rensch (IM-Elect, 2434)
This was arguably the most crucial board of the match. On paper, at least, this was the best match-up, pitting two recently minted IMs against one another. Rensch is known to have a rough time in the league, with his performance rating just two above his birth year (1987 performance, 1985 birth). That being said, he is undoubtedly much better than that, proven with his last IM norm at the Spice Cup B section. Pasalic, on the other hand, has proven his strength in the league, performing 2492 last year with 4/6. Now moving to the game…
Rensch came out like a man with something to prove. He chose a very active opening, and certainly achieved a rather nice position. After 15 moves, black was already better. Rensch had the two bishop advantage and probably should have put his dark-squared bishop on the g1-a7 diagonal. However, after trading on c4, the position remained equal until f5 was played. White immediately had a better position, as it weakened the dark squares. After everything was traded on e5, Pasalic attempted to consolidate his pawn advantage. His best try was to go 47. Kg2 but regardless it looks rather drawish. Interesting game here. ½-½
Board 4: David Adelberg (2160) vs. Eric Rosen (2164)
This was a matchup between two players on the rise. Both have become much stronger as of late. But nobody should be surprised to see Adelberg win this match for his team. The kid has been on fire for the Scorpions, playing quite well in most of his games (disregarding the hiccup vs. Gregory Young). After 19. Bd2, perhaps just retreating Qc7 was best. After Qh5, though, it seems that black is just losing. Yes, perhaps the queen can escape with a move like g5!? After Nh4, but this just looks too weakening. Ng4 was immediately losing, and Adelberg played a very solid game and easily took home the point. 1-0
Match Recap
Overall, a rather strong showing by the Scorpions. All boards were hard fought, and with the exception of the upset on board 1, proved to play in Arizona’s favor. Angelo Young did a fantastic job taking down Barcenilla on board 1, ‘Zona took control with the white pieces, and Rensch held down Pasalic. 3 wins a row, steamrollin’ their way into the playoffs: yourrrrrrrr 2009 Arizonaaaaaaaa Scorpionssssss (dramatic effect like at an NBA game)
Hello everyone!
The next match-up pits the Arizona Scorpions against the Chicago Blaze in Week 8. As the Arizona Manager I will try to give you a recap of how things have gone this year and telling you about this tough match-up as well.
The Scorpions are in a great spot in the playoff race in the West being in 2nd place on tiebreaks over San Francisco and Miami. With a record of 4.0-3.0 the Scorpions are a point and half ahead of Chicago who need to win this game in order to have chances to get in the playoffs. The Scorpions need this win if they want to secure their first playoff berth and to put themselves in a good seeding if they do get to the playoffs.
| WESTERN DIVISION | W | L | Game Points |
Opps Avg Rating | Opps Record |
| @ – Seattle | 6.0 | 1.0 | 17.0/28 (61%) | 2410 | 21.0-21.0 (50%) |
| Arizona | 4.0 | 3.0 | 16.0/28 (57%) | 2403 | 23.0-19.0 (53%) |
| San Francisco | 4.0 | 3.0 | 15.0/28 (54%) | 2416 | 23.0-17.0 (58%) |
| Miami | 4.0 | 3.0 | 15.0/28 (54%) | 2404 | 17.5-22.5 (44%) |
| Dallas | 2.5 | 4.5 | 12.5/28 (45%) | 2419 | 22.5-19.5 (54%) |
| Chicago | 2.5 | 4.5 | 11.5/28 (41%) | 2414 | 20.0-20.0 (50%) |
| Tennessee | 2.0 | 5.0 | 12.5/28 (45%) | 2402 | 17.0-23.0 (43%) |
We have played the Blaze once before this year in Week 1 beating them 3.5-0.5 with wins by Alejandro Ramirez, Robby Adamson, and David Adelberg. However this week is completely different as only one player playing this week was playing for the Scorpions in Week 1. Although much has been said on the Chicago blog about how the Scorpions have dominated the Blaze in the past this gives no indication of how close this match is. Although Arizona has a rating advantage Chicago has always been a very solid team that contests every board from 1-4. Much like us Chicago doesn’t usually stack their lineups up top or on the bottom boards. On top of this Chicago has just come off a big win against the Tennessee Tempo, fighting against not one but two GM’s (Ehlvest and Shabalov) with wins by Van de Mortel and Angelo Young.
On to the match!
Board 1
IM Jaan Van de Mortel 2456 vs GM Rogelio Barcenilla 2583
Both of these players are coming off big wins in their last matches, both against Grandmasters. Also both of these wins allowed their teams to win their matches by 2.5-1.5. Jaan beat one of the top Grandmasters in the country and former top ten player in the world in Jaan Ehlvest in a very nice game. GM Rogelio Barcenilla just came off an extremely wild game beating GM Vinay Bhat. I remember thinking around move 15 how Rogelio could have gotten into such a horrible position so early with White. However, one of the most important characteristics of a chess player is resiliency and Rogelio definitely has some of that. He ended this game by barely winning Queen against Rook ending giving me and everyone else at the site a near heart attack! After coming off a rough start this season with losses to Nakamura and Bercys, Rogelio has more than made up for this with very strong wins against IM Ippolito and GM Bhat, in both cases leading to Scorpion wins.
In the past Jaan has had trouble against the Scorpions losing to IM Levon Altounian and IM Mark Ginsburg last season, both times with Black. He no doubt will be ready to rumble to change that with White on Monday night.
Board 2
IM Dionisio Aldama 2506 vs IM Florin Felecan 2430
This will be the second game that Dionisio will play in his USCL career with a draw against IM John Donaldson last week. His uncompromising style should make for an interesting game as Felecan plays similarly. If there is one game to watch in this match I would focus on this game as two wild players equal a wild game I’m predicting! Dionisio is one of those players that I cannot guess any of his moves but somehow he ends up making it work in the end which is all that matters.
Board 3
IM Mehmed Pasalic 2346 vs IM Danny Rensch 2434
IM(!) Danny Rensch comes back to play after his first win in the USCL last week against Daniel Naroditsky. Danny seems to be breaking barriers everywhere lately having just broken through to the IM title as well. Danny’s solid record this year in the league, although not absolutely groundbreaking, is definitely one of the reasons we have done so well this year. Danny has the ability to beat anyone on board 2 or 3 when playing well and I hope he can continue his winning streak this week against Pasalic. Pasalic lost to FM Robby Adamson in Week 1 and is no doubt looking for some vengeance in this game against a fellow Scorpion.
Board 4
NM David Adelberg 2202 vs NM Eric Rosen. 2237
After David’s loss last week all I saw was him very disappointed. However, after this he was hopeful and then happy again when our team pulled the win out anyways. He played very well against Greg Young playing into a winning position before losing in the endgame. Of course this kind of stuff happens to everyone and is typical in such important games. However, David has no doubt been one of the bright spots to our team this year. I knew David was good and had all the potential in the world when I put him on the team but I had no idea how much he had improved. I played David once when he was around 1900 a couple of years ago. I had heard his name floating around the Arizona chess community a couple times but I didn’t really know him and to be honest I didn’t take him super seriously. I just thought he was like all 1900s. After barely winning a 6 hour game that ended around 12:00 am I was pretty shocked. I kept thinking after the game while analyzing the game with him that “this kid is gonna be good.” Well I don’t think David is done improving but he has already proven me right. With wins against Magness and Zorigt and a solid +1 record he has done very well in his USCL season debut. He also has just last weekend broken to become over 2200 USCF and a “Master” at only 12 years old. He is no doubt a player to watch in the future….starting with tomorrow at 6:00pm! You can check out all the games at 6:00 PM AZ time on ICC or at Abstrax in Mesa, Arizona. Come check us out!
Levon Altounian is a stong IM based in Tucson, Arizona. He is the head of the Arizona Chess for Schools which you can find out more by clicking here.
ARIZONA SCORPIONS VS Seattle Sluggers ( Week 7 )
OPENING REVIEW:
Great match and a very tough victory by the Arizona team that propelled us to a 2nd place tie in the division! I feel relieved.
San Francisco is always a tough match for us having usually employed at least 1 GM (even though some of the line ups may include even 3 GMs). Here is what I approximately thought may happen. It was a pure guess based on only either knowing our players, their preferences, in some cases their opponents.
Board 1. I was not sure what Rogelio will play this time. Last time against Bhat he played an Exhange Rui Lopez. Got a weird game, lost a piece, instead of resigning played on and …. Drew!
Board 2. I had a feeling John will play the solid type of some nf3-c4 system and it was up to Aldama to decide which way to react. I was 99% sure it will be either Kings Indian, symmetrical or some Bogo_Indian version.
Board 3. With Danny I really had no real feeling. It could be his 1d4 2 Bg5, could be Torre attack or could be main line Sicilians.
Board 4. I had no time to check what Dallas player plays as White but I was sure whatever it will be, David will play his usual stuff he knows best.
This match was a bit of a tribute to tactical creativity of all players and the slight edge Arizonans have playing ICC type chess ( SF people might disagree though)
Board 1: BARCENILLA-BHAT
General Styles: Barcenilla- More active chess, Bhat- more “normal” chess
Theoretical Importance: 8
Novelty: 6
Precision: 7
Opening: Scotch
The Scotch Opening choice took me by complete surprise! I had looked at playing it myself and somehow was sure Bhat would play exactly what he played again Rogelio. I watched games of Kasparov in similar lines and I was astounded how I would always guess maybe only 10% of all his moves.I knew I would not like those positions as White so didn’t even try. Now, watching the game unfold exactly how I assumed it would unfold had it been my game, I had the pleasure of watching it all from a safe distance. If Barcenilla finds something (or had prepared something ) against the lesser known 8…Nb6 (favorite of many Russian 2700 players), then he knew something I didn’t know. If he got into trouble, then it would prove my feeling that the line of Scotch in the game is too weird for normal chess players to comprehend in a complete way. I didn’t like the 11 a4 and it seemed black got more than a good game. However, complications started, time pressure slowly crept in and I think Black somewhere missed a win. Having not found a win, Black chose to trade all off into a draw, but instead found himself in a slightly worse endgame. I was still sure it will end in a draw until White pawn got to the 7th rank. Then Bhat panicked. White had a much easier win (58 Bd7!) but chose a safe way out and by force got an Queen vs Rook ending. At that point Mark Ginsburg was touting how easy it is to win it for white but forgot a “tiny”detail: few months back, he himself didn’t win it against an IM at the Copper State 09.We were sure however, Rogelio will win easily as the rook was separated from the King. To my surprise the game kept going. All ended well though, as he found a way to win the rook without reaching the dreaded 50 move rule. Very good Blitz save and win by Barcenilla but his opening choices as White sometimes scare me!
Board 2: IM Donaldson-IM Aldama
General Styles: Donaldson- Super solid openings as White, Aldama- much less theory while compensating it by sharp tactics.
Theoretical Importance: 8
Novelty: 9
Precision: 9
Opening: Kings Indian
As I mentioned, I was expecting Kings Indian in this game. However, John played a very interesting new move ( at least for me )-9 b3!!. It seems Black should have some Nf6 forced removal and Ra1 capture ( like N:d5 or Ne4 ) but the simple fact White played it and Black did nothing about it, convinced me in about 2 seconds there has to be nothing for Black. Aldama never misses such chances and John never blunders those. If that is the case, then the small advantage White obtained by switching to English structure from that line of KID should make all future attempts by Black to play this line a very unpleasant experience. However, White didn’t seem to be inclined to really push for a win, being happy to keep the slight edge.He probably had a win at the end but chickened out and repeated the position. Good Defense in a very unpleasant position by Aldama.
Board 3: FM Rensch-FM Naroditsky
General Styles: Rensch- very aggressive. Naroditsky- also very aggressive.
Theoretical Importance: 9
Novelty: 8
Precision:7
Opening: Bg5 Veresov.
From where I stood, the opening choice was hilarious. Danny plays as White a line that a 2100 Geary used against himself to obtain a winning game…. 5 moves or so later, using the most illogical looking move:6 a3!!??. Naroditsky played the in most logical way and I thought obtained a slight edge if had squeezed in some a7-a5 break. But the game became much more normal after both sides developed. What happens when 2 tactical guys get a boring position? Hint: no draw. As a result – White gets a totally losing position and then wins in a magical way! Mark was right again- Statistical Rensch proved milestones do happen. It was statistically impossible for him not to win a game. His first win for the Scorpion team and definitely not last!
Board 4: Young-Adelberg
General Styles: Young-active, Adelberg- more normal but still aggressive.
Theoretical Importance: 8
Novelty: 5
Precision: 9
Opening: Sicilian Kan.
I was amazed as to why would David play Kan! The only reason could be to transpose to the English System lines ( Be3-0-0-0-g4 push ) ideas but keep the Bf8 open to jump to b4. I had seen many games of that sort from the Taimanov system ( Nc6 for Black- helping Master Vaishnav Aradhyula prepare for matches) and Najdorf ( d6 for Black) but I knew in Kan that system doesn’t work for White. But he has plenty of options ( just ask Leo to share his worn out Kan book!) So the only reason to play a whole new line was to get White to play the English attack and prove it wrong against Kan? Far fetched, impossible, White is not crazy. Turned out that is exactly what White did! I am not sure if the choice of the system was prepared at home by David (or his coach) completely or just by some guessing method or not, but it ended up EXACTLY how he planned, which was great to see. White was down a piece few moves later. I love when people can prepare for opponents and get exactly what they want. Controlling the uncontrollable ( the opponent’s mind) is a great feeling. Unfortunately, from a complete winning game the game drifted to more unclear and finally in some magical way White won from being down a whole piece from move 12 to 58!. I can imagine how bad it felt for black but that is the chess life. Things can turn bad sometimes. Part of growing up in chess is getting stuff like this- we all go through it.
Overall, somewhere 1 hour into a game:,Board one was in trouble, Board 2 also definitely in some trouble, Board 3- definitely in trouble and Board 4- definitely winning. The word “ definite” apparently doesn’t apply to these guys because none of it turned the way it was supposed to- much to the pleasure of all of the Arizona players and observers as we won the match. I still need to check how many gray and white hair though this match brought to the members such as Robby and Leo collectively!
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