Three Checks Triple Elimination Tournament

[Mel-o-rama]

Who’s up for some Three-Checks chess?

I am pleased to announce the beginning of the unofficial Three Checks Triple Elimination Tournament, with games beginning Monday, July 2. If interested, post your intent to play here, or send me a PM.

Final Tournament Standings:

WINNER - ZeroVektor!!!

# Player Score #GS Game Status
1 Charlie Brown 5.0-4.0 9 Eliminated
2 ZeroVektor 7.0-2.0 9 Done
3 Drewby 0.0-3.0 3 Eliminated
4 Cynical Realist 6.0-3.0 9 Eliminated
5 Mel-o-rama 4.0-3.0 7 Eliminated
6 Abstract Actuary 3.0-3.0 6 Eliminated
7 rekrap 0.0-3.0 3 Eliminated
8 ramanujan 4.0-3.0 7 Eliminated
9 Werewolf 1.0-3.0 4 Eliminated
10 Car'a'carn 4.0-3.0 7 Eliminated
11 Mick Fan 0.0-3.0 3 Eliminated
12 Ultimate Anyone? 2.0-3.0 5 Eliminated

Eliminated in Round 1: rekrap, Drewby, Mick Fan, Werewolf, Abstract Actuary, Ultimate Anyone?.
Advancing to Round 2: Mel-o-rama, Car'a'carn, ZeroVektor, Cynical Realist, ramanujan, Car'a'carn.

Round 1 White vs Black Result
1:01 Charlie Brown vs Werewolf win: white
1:02 ZeroVektor vs rekrap win: white
1:03 Drewby vs Charlie Brown win: black
1:04 Cynical Realist vs Drewby win: white
1:05 Mel-o-rama vs ramanujan win: black
1:06 Abstract Actuary vs ZeroVektor win: black
1:07 rekrap vs Mel-o-rama win: black
1:08 ramanujan vs Car'a'carn win: black
1:09 Werewolf vs Abstract Actuary win: black
1:10 Car'a'carn vs Cynical Realist win: white
1:11 ZeroVektor vs Charlie Brown win: white
1:12 Ultimate Anyone? vs Mick Fan win: white
1:13 Mick Fan vs ramanujan win: black
1:14 Mel-o-rama vs Ultimate Anyone? win: white
1:15 Car'a'carn vs ZeroVektor win: black
1:16 Abstract Actuary vs Ultimate Anyone? win: white
1:17 Mick Fan vs Car'a'carn win: black
1:18 Cynical Realist vs rekrap win: white
1:19 Drewby vs Mel-o-rama win: black
1:20 Werewolf vs ZeroVektor win: white
1:21 Car'a'carn vs Abstract Actuary win: white
1:22 Charlie Brown vs Cynical Realist win: black
1:23 ZeroVektor vs Cynical Realist win: black
1:24 Mel-o-rama vs Car'a'carn win: white
1:25 Cynical Realist vs ramanujan win: black
1:26 ramanujan vs Ultimate Anyone? win: black
1:27 ramanujan vs Werewolf win: white
1:28 Abstract Actuary vs Mel-o-rama win: white
1:29 Charlie Brown vs Abstract Actuary win: white
1:30 Ultimate Anyone? vs Charlie Brown win: black

Eliminated in Round 2: Mel-o-rama, Car'a'carn, ramanujan.
Advancing to Round 3 (Final Elimination): Cynical Realist, Charlie Brown, ZeroVektor.

Round 2 White vs Black Result
2:01 ZeroVektor vs ramanujan win: white
2:02 Mel-o-rama vs Cynical Realist win: black
2:03 Charlie Brown vs Car'a'carn win: white

Eliminated in Round 3: Charlie Brown, Cynical Realist.
Winner: ZeroVektor

Round 3 White vs Black Result
3:01 Charlie Brown vs ZeroVektor win: black
3:02 ZeroVektor vs Cynical Realist win: white
3:03 Cynical Realist vs Charlie Brown win: white

In each game, play is normal, except the winner is the one who checks his/her opponent 3 times. Also, to quote RedSoxFan in an earlier tournament: “Checkmate does count as a win even if three checks have not been delivered, and if on a move the king is in check by more than one piece, it only counts as one check.”

“Triple Elimination” means that you will be eliminated when you lose 3 games (2 draws count as 1 loss). Last person standing wins!!

This is how the tournament will run.

When you sign up, you commit to play up to 3 games at one time. You will also be required to play at least 7 moves a week in each game (exceptions: 4th of July week and any conflicts you alert us to beforehand). If you're playing too slow, your opponent has the option to claim a win.

In Round 1, you will play a maximum of 6 games total (3 as white and 3 as black), and you will not play the same person twice. For each game you lose, the max number of games you can play at one time decreases by 1.

If you win a game, you’ll be put on a waiting list to await reassignment (you’ll see how this works as the Tournament progresses) during the same round. If you lose a game, you won’t be reassigned. If you draw, you may or may not be reassigned based on how many games you’ve lost.

Games will begin on Monday, July 2. For those who sign up now, I’ll have 2 games randomly assigned for you to begin on Monday. Then late-comers will have 3 weeks to join, and I’ll assign new games along the way. On July 22, the Tournament will be closed to newcomers.

Round 1 ends when everyone has reached 6 games played, or has played all other available players.

Round 2 and subsequent rounds will have fewer games. Who you can play is reset, but you still won’t play the same person twice in any given round. Also, games assigned will be given with preference to those who have fewer games played.

Round 1 will likely eliminate most participants, and depending on the number who join, this probably won’t go past Round 3.

Good luck, and happy checking!!

[Klaymen]

Sign me up! Who do I make the three checks payable to?

[Darth Tater]

Sign me up! Who do I make the three checks payable to?

The person behind the 'to' -- me!

I'm in for this craziness!

Please use ZeroVektorTC for the games.

[Drewby]

I'll play - use DrewbyTC for this tournament please

[Cynical Realist]

I'm in - has to be less complicated than Blob Chess.

[Mel-o-rama]

Yes - these games should go faster than do Blob Chess games!!

Also a word of advice to any newcomers: You may find it useful to create a new alias on the chess server so that you don't mix these up with your regular games. Just let us know what your alternate ID is if you're using one.

I'll be: Mel-o-ramaTC

[Mel-o-rama]

I just started the template for the tournament standings. The columns are self explanatory, except the last 2.

#GS = # of games started (total for whole tournament). This can't exceed a certain number in each round. For Round 1, the max(#GS) = 6.

Game Status can be one of the following:

"Waiting" - E or W or B: You are waiting to be assigned a new game. "W" means you will play white in your next game. "B" means black. "E" means either.

"Busy": You are currently playing your maximum # of simultaneous games. You won't get any new games until you win (or sometimes draw) one of your current games.

"Done": You won't be assigned any more new games for that round. Either you've reached the max #GS or you have already played all the other available players.

"Eliminated" - Oops! You've lost 3 games (2 draws count as a loss). You're out of the game!

Good luck!!

[Abstract Actuary]

I'm in. Are we at a disadvantage signing up early?

[Mel-o-rama]

I'm in. Are we at a disadvantage signing up early?

I've thought about the problem of finishing games earlier than others - and I built in three safeguards to lessen any disadvantage. #1 is the maximum # of games started in each round (so you don't burn yourself out playing lots of games until you lose 3 times). #2 is not playing the same person twice in a round (in order to win, you pretty much have to beat everyone else). #3 is when assigning games - giving preference towards assigning games to the players with the fewer # of games started.

Here's an extreme example of how this might work. In Round 1, one person is a little slower playing his games. The round ends with 4 players remaining. The slow person played only 4 games in Round 1 and won all 4 games, while the other 3 players played 6 games.

In Round 2, we set the max # of games started to 7. The slow player will be assigned to play each of the other three players. So, the slow player will have to play 3 games to catch up; and each of the "quick" players will play only 1 game that round. In the end, everyone will have 7 games started.

So - go ahead and have fun. Sign up early. Play your games as quickly as you like. (But good luck surviving Round 1. Bwe-ha-ha-ha!)

[Abstract Actuary]

Wait, we're not letting any slow players in are we?

[Mel-o-rama]

Looking at who's signed up already, I believe I'm the slowest, so I'll go ahead and add this tournament rule:

You will also be required to play at least 7 moves a week in each game (exceptions: 4th of July week and any conflicts you alert us to beforehand). If you're playing too slow, your opponent has the option to claim a win.

[Abstract Actuary]

I was being somewhat sarcastic. While, I am a fast player, I understand that others don't have the time or desire to play correspondence chess at a fast pace.

[Mel-o-rama]

You sarcastic dude you! You're going down when I check you 3 times!!

[Abstract Actuary]

You won't even check me twice.

[rekrap]

I'm in, but starting on the 4th of July week, and after quarter-close, may make for a slow start.

Please use rekrap tc for any invites.

[ramanujan]

I am in. Please use ramanujanTC for the games.

[Werewolf]

Oh, what the heck, I'll play. I only have the one AO Chess ID, the same as my screen name.

[Car'a'carn]

I am in.

[Mel-o-rama]

Okay - here are the first game assigments:

Round 1 White vs Black Result
1:01 Charlie Brown vs Werewolf
1:02 ZeroVektor vs rekrap
1:03 Drewby vs Charlie Brown
1:04 Cynical Realist vs Drewby
1:05 Mel-o-rama vs ramanujan
1:06 Abstract Actuary vs ZeroVektor
1:07 rekrap vs Mel-o-rama
1:08 ramanujan vs Car'a'carn
1:09 Werewolf vs Abstract Actuary
1:10 Car'a'carn vs Cynical Realist

Everyone gets 2 games for now. I'm leaving some loose ends open for late comers. If a new person joins, I'll assign that new person 2 games (meaning 2 of the rest of you will be playing 3 games). Plus if any of you win one of your current games, I'll assign you a new game right away. On July 22, we'll close up the tournament and tie off all loose ends.

Good luck everyone!!

[Mel-o-rama]

Oh yeah: As you finish your games, could you post them here?

[Abstract Actuary]

Inviting my opponents to a new game reminded me of a couple of things. First, I'll be playing under Abstract Actuary. Second, who hosts our chess games? I think I remember reading that the program was donated or is hosted for free and such, but it would be so great if the invite list could be organized alphabetically.

[Darth Tater]

AA resigned a stunner as white in this one to me:

1 e2-e4 e7-e6
2 d2-d4(?!?) Bf8-b4+
3 Ke1-e2 b7-b6
4 c2-c4 Qd8-h4 !
White Resigns

I think White was in for at least one more check and if things went right, I could see another without too much more trouble.

Good luck to everyone in all your games except the ones with me.

Darth

[Mel-o-rama]

You're kidding me!! (I've just barely made my first move!)

WTG, DT. I'll assign you another game tonight.

[Abstract Actuary]

AA resigned a stunner as white in this one to me:

1 e2-e4 e7-e6
2 d2-d4(?!?) Bf8-b4+
3 Ke1-e2 b7-b6
4 c2-c4 Qd8-h4 !
White Resigns

I think White was in for at least one more check and if things went right, I could see another without too much more trouble.

Good luck to everyone in all your games except the ones with me.

Darth

:oops:
Only a ?!? for 2. d4? I would have given it at least 4 question marks, if not more. Ugh. It seemed like such a good move at the time. Anyway, at the end, I think you had mate in two, no matter what I did. I may have missed some counter, but it was surely hopeless, even if there was one.

Your main threat was
5 ... Qxf2+ 6 Kxf2 Be1+ 0-1 (if 6 Kd3 Qd2+ 0-1)
In order to defend that the only options I saw were 5 g3, 5 Nh3, 5 Be3 (all answered by 5 ... Qg4+ followed by Qe2+ 0-1 or Qxf3+ 0-1) or 5 Kd3 met by 5 ... Qxe4+ 6 Kxe4 d4+ 0-1.

I promise to put up a better fight from here on out.

[Darth Tater]

Your main threat was
5 ... Qxf2+ 6 Kxf2 Be1+ 0-1 (if 6 Kd3 Qd2+ 0-1)
In order to defend that the only options I saw were 5 g3, 5 Nh3, 5 Be3 (all answered by 5 ... Qg4+ followed by Qe2+ 0-1 or Qxf3+ 0-1) or 5 Kd3 met by 5 ... Qxe4+ 6 Kxe4 d4+ 0-1.


I had worked out a few of those but I had that "feel" that things weren't gonig well for ya -- that Qxf2 and Be1 threat were kinda nice, no?

[Abstract Actuary]

I had worked out a few of those but I had that "feel" that things weren't gonig well for ya -- that Qxf2 and Be1 threat were kinda nice, no?

It was devastating. At first I thought I could just play something like 5 f3 and have some play left, until I saw 5 ... Qxf2!! (or 5 ... Qf2).

Good game. I got taken to school.

[Mel-o-rama]

Okay here's the next game:

1:11 ZeroVektor vs Charlie Brown

[Mick Fan]

I'll play. All you have to do to win is check the opponent's king one more time than Santa checks his list! :D

[Ultimate Anyone?]

I'll give this a shot as well. Please use the UltimateTC login for invites. (And I'll do my best to get my moves on pace - I cannot move during work hours, however.)

[Mick Fan]

I'll play. All you have to do to win is check the opponent's king one more time than Santa checks his list! :D

Call me Mick FanTC. I'm in the same boat as Ultimate, though I can generally get to my computer at home once or more per day.

[Darth Tater]

I was able to pull another one off -- this time against rekrap:

1 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
2 Bf1-c4 e7-e6
3 Ng1-f3 d7-d5
4 Bc4-b5+ (1) c7-c6
5 Bb5xc6+ (2 quick ones!) Nb8xc6
6 c2-c3 Qd8-b6
7 Nf3-d4 Nf6-e4
(Now the chase is on!)
8 Qd1-h5 g7-g6
9 Qh5-h4 f7-f6
10 Qh4-g4 (I think there's no hope at this point.)Ke8-d8
11 Nd4xe6+ and that's three!

Have a good 4th all!

Darth

[Mel-o-rama]

Welcome to our two new contestants, and way to go DT on winning game #2. (We won't be seeing the zero vector on you! :lol:)

Here are the next four game assignments:

1:12 Ultimate Anyone? vs Mick Fan
1:13 Mick Fan vs ramanujan
1:14 Mel-o-rama vs Ultimate Anyone?
1:15 Car'a'carn vs ZeroVektor

[Darth Tater]

IS Charlie Brown MIA? are his other games progressing? I Invited him, PM'ed him and am still waiting.

Of course, Caracarn is trucking right along already!

[Abstract Actuary]

Werewolf resigned to me as White with the third check unavoidable. Good game Werewolf.

1 e2-e4 e7-e6
2 Ng1-f3 Bf8-c5
3 g2-g3 c7-c6
4 Qd1-e2 Bc5xf2+
5 Qe2xf2 Ng8-f6
6 Nb1-c3 Nf6-g4
7 Qf2-g2 Qd8-b6
8 d2-d4 c6-c5
9 Bc1-d2 c5xd4
10 Nf3xd4 Qb6xd4
11 O-O-O Ng4-f2
12 Qg2-f3 Qd4xd2+
0-1

[Mel-o-rama]

WTG Abstract! Here's another game for you:

1:16 Abstract Actuary vs Ultimate Anyone?

[Car'a'carn]

Cynical Realist resigned our game. I sac'd 2 checks for the development and it paid off. Good game CR. Darth played similarly and the result probably will be he same. Its amazing how people do not value their bishops :shake:

Move White Black
1 e2-e4 e7-e6
2 Ng1-f3 Bf8-c5
3 d2-d4 Bc5-b4+
4 c2-c3 Bb4xc3+
5 Nb1xc3 b7-b6
6 Bf1-b5 c7-c6
7 Bb5-c4 Nb8-a6
8 O-O Bc8-b7
9 d4-d5 Qd8-c7
10 d5-d6 Qc7-d8
11 e4-e5 Ng8-h6
12 Nc3-e4 Nh6-f5
13 Bc1-g5 f7-f6
14 e5xf6 g7xf6
15 Ne4xf6+ Qd8xf6
16 Bg5xf6 Rh8-g8
17 Nf3-g5 Rg8-g6
18 Bc4xe6 Rg6xf6
19 Qd1-h5+
1-0

[Mel-o-rama]

You da dragon, Car'a'carn! I'll have to look at that game closely.

New game for you:

1:17 Mick Fan vs Car'a'carn

[Mel-o-rama]

Weekend update:

It's been a fun first week. 4 games have been won (DT won 2 of those and he currently holds the highest score). No one has been eliminated and no one is Round-1-safe yet (win 4 games and you're sure to advance to Round 2). Who will survive Round 1?

For those who haven't joined yet: there are 6 "loose ends", so join now and you'll immediately get some games to play. (Well, I'm assigning games at night, so immediate = within 24 hours.)

# Player Score #GS Game Status
1 Charlie Brown 0.0-0.0 3 Busy
2 ZeroVektor 2.0-0.0 4 Waiting-E
3 Drewby 0.0-0.0 2 Waiting-E
4 Cynical Realist 0.0-1.0 2 Waiting-E
5 Mel-o-rama 0.0-0.0 3 Busy
6 Abstract Actuary 1.0-1.0 3 Waiting-B
7 rekrap 0.0-1.0 2 Waiting-E
8 ramanujan 0.0-0.0 3 Busy
9 Werewolf 0.0-1.0 2 Waiting-E
10 Car'a'carn 1.0-0.0 4 Busy
11 Mick Fan 0.0-0.0 3 Busy
12 Ultimate Anyone? 0.0-0.0 3 Busy

Round 1 White vs Black Result
1:01 Charlie Brown vs Werewolf
1:02 ZeroVektor vs rekrap win: white
1:03 Drewby vs Charlie Brown
1:04 Cynical Realist vs Drewby
1:05 Mel-o-rama vs ramanujan
1:06 Abstract Actuary vs ZeroVektor win: black
1:07 rekrap vs Mel-o-rama
1:08 ramanujan vs Car'a'carn
1:09 Werewolf vs Abstract Actuary win: black
1:10 Car'a'carn vs Cynical Realist win: white
1:11 ZeroVektor vs Charlie Brown
1:12 Ultimate Anyone? vs Mick Fan
1:13 Mick Fan vs ramanujan
1:14 Mel-o-rama vs Ultimate Anyone?
1:15 Car'a'carn vs ZeroVektor
1:16 Abstract Actuary vs Ultimate Anyone?
1:17 Mick Fan vs Car'a'carn

[Mick Fan]

Call me Mick FanTC. I'm in the same boat as Ultimate, though I can generally get to my computer at home once or more per day.

Is there another server for this? Or do we just use the usual Web Chess. Mick Fan TC on Web Chess doesn't have any invites to games.

[Car'a'carn]

Is there another server for this? Or do we just use the usual Web Chess. Mick Fan TC on Web Chess doesn't have any invites to games.

Perhaps people were on vacation. I sent you one.

[Car'a'carn]

[quote=Mel-o-rama;2186853]You da dragon, Car'a'carn!

:wink:

[Cynical Realist]

CR (White) defeats DrewbyTC in game 1.04

1 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
2 Ng1-f3 g7-g6
3 Bf1-c4 e7-e6
4 Nb1-c3 d7-d5
5 Bc4-b5+ Ke8-e7
6 Nf3-e5 Nf6-e4
7 Ne5xg6+ f7xg6
8 Nc3xd5+

[Cynical Realist]

Cynical Realist resigned our game. I sac'd 2 checks for the development and it paid off. Good game CR. Darth played similarly and the result probably will be he same. Its amazing how people do not value their bishops :shake:


You mean a Bishop isn't worth two early checks - what chess books have you been reading?

It was my first TC game, but it seemed like a good strategy - but if you smoke Darth with the Bishop-2 Check Gambit too - hats off to you. I thought some of my moves after the bishop sac were ineffective (Like Qc7 - ouch)!

Nice comeback on your part.

[Mel-o-rama]

Rekrap just resigned our game. Good effort, rekrap! (I love the queen sacrifices to get the last check in!)

Move White=rekrap Black=Mel-o
1 e2-e3 e7-e6
2 Bf1-b5 Nb8-c6
3 Qd1-f3 Ng8-f6
4 Nb1-c3 Qd8-e7
5 Nc3-e4 Nf6xe4
6 Qf3xe4 g7-g6
7 Ng1-f3 Bf8-g7
8 d2-d4 Qe7-b4+
9 Bc1-d2 Qb4xb5
10 Qe4xe6+ d7xe6
11 b2-b3 Qb5-e2+
12 Ke1xe2
white resigns

[Mel-o-rama]

Cynical and I get new games:

1:18 Cynical Realist vs rekrap
1:19 Drewby vs Mel-o-rama

[Car'a'carn]

You mean a Bishop isn't worth two early checks?

Not, unless you can see how to get the third one.

It was my first TC game, but it seemed like a good strategy - but if you smoke Darth with the Bishop-2 Check Gambit too - hats off to you.

I let him off the hook, but this does not change my opinion about Bishop-2 Checks Gambit.

I thought some of my moves after the bishop sac were ineffective (Like Qc7 - ouch)!

Nice comeback on your part.

I think 6... c6 was very bad. 6... Nc6 was much better.

[Abstract Actuary]

Car'a'carn, I'll play the bishop sacrafice for two checks every time if you'll let me.

[Car'a'carn]

Car'a'carn, I'll play the bishop sacrafice for two checks every time if you'll let me.

OK.

[Darth Tater]

Cynical Realist resigned our game. I sac'd 2 checks for the development and it paid off. Good game CR. Darth played similarly and the result probably will be he same. Its amazing how people do not value their bishops :shake:

Hang on, lemme get this quote up here before the game gets too far gone. :shake:

Let the smack talk cease!

Car'a'carn let me sneak in with a N move that really changed the flavor of the game and may have overplayed his hand a bit.

I still might dumpt this game, but it's looking better all the time (for me).

[Darth Tater]

See my quote above and this game where Caracarn was white and resigned.

1 Ng1-f3 e7-e6
2 e2-e4 Bf8-c5
3 d2-d4 Bc5-b4+
4 c2-c3 Bb4xc3+
5 Nb1xc3 Nb8-c6
6 Bf1-b5 Nc6-b4
7 O-O c7-c6
8 Bb5-c4 b7-b5
9 Bc4-b3 Qd8-c7
10 e4-e5 Ng8-e7
11 Nc3-e4 Ne7-f5
12 Nf3-g5 Nf5-h4
13 Kg1-h1 Nh4-f5 (I think the game may be a draw here with me shifting the N back and forth while he slides his K from g1-h1-g1-h1...)
14 Ne4-d6+ (but not after this) Qc7xd6
-- I can see the rest of the game playing out. I think the best hope to hold out is to get in the spite check @ d7, but I think I end up too far ahead to be stopped.
15 Kh1-g1 Nf5xd4
16 Kg1-h1 Qd6xe5
17 f2-f4 Nd4-f5
White resigns.

Notcie the constant threat against my queen in the last few moves (kinda funny on this end of the board to just leave my queen hanging to get a check in) and the constant threat of getting in the third check.

I think Caracarn was in the lead from move 6 until move 13. I may re-think the bishop sac to get the second check, but it has served me well to date.

Good game.

[Drewby]

I officially HATE this game...not really...

[Mel-o-rama]

DT has scored another game:

1:20 Werewolf vs ZeroVektor

[Car'a'carn]

See my quote above and this game where Caracarn was white and resigned.


Notcie the constant threat against my queen in the last few moves (kinda funny on this end of the board to just leave my queen hanging to get a check in) and the constant threat of getting in the third check.

I think Caracarn was in the lead from move 6 until move 13. I may re-think the bishop sac to get the second check, but it has served me well to date.

Good game.

Good game Darth. I think I was winning until I played Ng5, I kept playing for a win after that failing to see Qd6, after which I was lost.

[Darth Tater]

DT has scored another game:

1:20 Werewolf vs ZeroVektor

Rah! Rah! Sis-boom-bah! :-P

[Car'a'carn]

ramanujan resigned in our game.

Move White Black
1 e2-e3 e7-e6
2 Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3 a2-a3 Ng8-f6
4 Nb1-c3 d7-d5
5 Nc3-b5 Bc8-d7
6 Nb5xc7+ Qd8xc7
7 b2-b3 e6-e5
8 Bf1-b5 a7-a6
9 Bb5xc6 Bd7xc6
10 Bc1-b2 Bf8-d6
11 c2-c4 O-O
12 Nf3-h4 Qc7-d7
13 Qd1-c2 d5-d4
14 Nh4-f5 Bc6-e4
15 Nf5-h6+ g7xh6
16 d2-d3 d4xe3
17 f2xe3 Be4xd3
18 Qc2-f2 Qd7-g4
19 Bb2-c3 Qg4-e2+
20 Qf2xe2 Bd3xe2
21 Ke1xe2 Nf6-e4
22 Bc3-e1 Ne4-c3+
23 Be1xc3 Bd6-b4
24 Bc3xe5 Ra8-d8
0-1

Good game ramanujan.

Mel-o can I play white vs. Abstract Actuary?

[Mel-o-rama]

Mel-o can I play white vs. Abstract Actuary?
You got it. (Follows the rules of game assignment.)

It'll be game #1:21, and I'll put it in the stats tonight.

[Cynical Realist]

I didn't know we could pick our opponents...

[Mel-o-rama]

I didn't know we could pick our opponents...

It just so happened that Car'a'carn's wish would have been granted anyway. I think he saw this when he made his request. This is how the assignment would have gone tonight if Car'a'carn didn't make his request:

Car'a'carn won a game, so he gets a new game. First I look at who's available with preference to the lowest #GS. In this case it would be Cynical or Abstract. But Car'a'carn has already played Cynical. That leaves Abstract. The assignment is made. If Car'a'carn had not played either one, I would have randomly chosen between Cynical and Abstract.

Because Car'a'carn asked, I just went ahead and made the assignment.

[Klaymen]

11 moves vs Zero and no checks yet or in the foreseeable future.

[Drewby]

Well take heart my friend...I handed you our game on a silver-plated platter...

Did I mention that I hate this game? ;-)

[Klaymen]

You were only one move away from a win. Unfortunately I was one move closer.

[Drewby]

You were only one move away from a win. Unfortunately I was one move closer.

So close, but yet so far...

[Mel-o-rama]

Congrats, Charlie Brown! Sounds like an interesting game. Could one of you post that for us?

Here's the next game:

1:22 Charlie Brown vs Cynical Realist

[Car'a'carn]

Abstract Actuary resigned in our game. He challenged the 2-checks for a bishop gambit, but castled the wrong side, leaving his king all alone. Good game AA.

Move White Black
1 e2-e4 e7-e6
2 Ng1-f3 Bf8-c5
3 d2-d4 Bc5-b4+
4 c2-c3 Bb4xc3+
5 Nb1xc3 Ng8-e7
6 Bf1-d3 O-O
7 Bc1-g5 b7-b6
8 e4-e5 Bc8-b7
9 Bd3xh7+ Kg8-h8
10 Bg5-f6 g7xf6
11 Nf3-g5 Ne7-f5
12 Bh7xf5
1-0

[Abstract Actuary]

Abstract Actuary resigned in our game. He challenged the 2-checks for a bishop gambit, but castled the wrong side, leaving his king all alone. Good game AA.

Hopefully we get a chance to meet up again in the next round. I think I was fine until my move 8. Also, it seems as though I fell for what may have been a common tactic in three checks chess that I am just not familiar with because I haven't played many games.

Also, Car'a'carn, do you have to be white to play the gambit?

[Mel-o-rama]

Congrats, Car'a'carn. No new games for you yet, though. (Gives you more time to work out the nuances of that gambit!!)

[Mel-o-rama]

End of the week update: No one is Round-1-safe yet, and no one has been eliminated, though three of us are just one game away. Of the original 10 games assigned, 8 of them are finished - showing how fast these games are going. (I've been a little slow these last few days, but I should be picking up again.)

This is the last week for newcomers to join. This is also probably the first week of eliminations, and one or two of us will become Round-1-safe (3.5 points or more).

So far, DT still has the highest score.

[Car'a'carn]

Hopefully we get a chance to meet up again in the next round.

Probably we will. Do not forget though that I do not mind people giving away their pieces for a check or two. :wink:

I think I was fine until my move 8.

My opinion on this particular line is that black should avoid it. White's advantage is just too great to overcome, despite the two checks.

Also, it seems as though I fell for what may have been a common tactic in three checks chess that I am just not familiar with because I haven't played many games.

I have not played that many, three check games, either. Just this and the original (http://www.actuarialoutpost.com/actuarial_discussion_forum/showthread.php?t=32565) tournament. I personally play it as if it were a regular chess, so when an opponent gives up a piece I take it, assuming I will be able to survive and counter at the right moment. Also I never sacrifice my pieces until I have figured out where the thrird check is coming from.

Also, Car'a'carn, do you have to be white to play the gambit?

This particular line only white can play it, black loses at move 6. Otherwise see above.

[Mel-o-rama]

Quick announcement: I'm going to take a quick break from assigning more games until early Monday morning. This is to give anyone a last-minute chance to join the tournament (now that they've finished up some of their regular games).

Keep playing and I'll assign more games on Monday. (I'm about to lose one of my games!!)

[Cynical Realist]

CR (white) defeats Rekrap

1 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
2 Bf1-c4 e7-e6
3 Nb1-c3 c7-c6
4 Ng1-f3 Nf6-g4
5 Qd1-e2 Qd8-f6
6 h2-h3 Ng4-e5
7 Nf3xe5 Qf6xe5
8 d2-d4 Qe5-a5
9 Bc1-d2 Bf8-b4
10 a2-a3 Bb4xc3
11 Bd2xc3 Qa5xc3+
12 b2xc3 d7-d5
13 Bc4-d3 Nb8-d7
14 O-O Nd7-f6
15 Ra1-b1 b7-b6
16 c3-c4 Bc8-a6
17 c4xd5 Nf6xd5
18 Bd3xa6 Nd5-c3
19 Qe2-f3 O-O
20 Kg1-h1 Nc3xb1
21 Rf1xb1 f7-f5
22 Ba6-b7 Ra8-b8
23 Bb7xc6 Rb8-c8
24 d4-d5 Kg8-h8
25 d5xe6 Rc8xc6
26 Qf3xc6 Rf8-e8
27 Qc6xe8++

Didn't even get my first check in until move 26, and it was mate!

[rekrap]

CR (white) defeats Rekrap
Didn't even get my first check in until move 26, and it was mate!

****. I wouldn't have set up that obvious mate, if I had remembered that it counted as a win, and not a draw.

I'd be even madder if that was the stupidest ass mistake I've made today. :swear:

[Cynical Realist]

Oh, I wondered what that was all about at the end.

[rekrap]

Oh, I wondered what that was all about at the end.

Nonetheless, good game. The fact that I was even playing for a draw and not more checks meant I was overmatched.

[Cynical Realist]

Keep playing and I'll assign more games on Monday. (I'm about to lose one of my games!!)


CR defeats Charlie Brown in game 1.22, so you can give me another game.

Charlie Brown doesn't know he's lost yet, or at least he hasn't moved over the weekend, but it's an unstoppable Triple Check combo to end it.

Charlie Brown (White) vs CR
1 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
2 Nb1-c3 Nb8-c6
3 Bf1-c4 e7-e6
4 Ng1-f3 d7-d5
5 Bc4-b5 Bc8-d7
6 Nf3-d4 a7-a6
7 Nd4xc6 b7xc6
8 Bb5-a4 Bf8-d6
9 b2-b3 O-O
10 Bc1-b2 e6-e5
11 Qd1-c1 d5-d4
12 Nc3-e2 d4xe3
13 f2xe3 Nf6-g4
14 g2-g3 Qd8-f6
15 Rh1-f1 Qf6xf1+

Pretty sweet Triple Check combo to end it!

16 Kxf1 Nxh2+
17 any - and either a knight check or a bishop check to end it.

[Mel-o-rama]

CR defeats Charlie Brown in game 1.22, so you can give me another game.

Charlie Brown doesn't know he's lost yet, or at least he hasn't moved over the weekend, but it's an unstoppable Triple Check combo to end it.

Charlie Brown (White) vs CR
1 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
2 Nb1-c3 Nb8-c6
3 Bf1-c4 e7-e6
4 Ng1-f3 d7-d5
5 Bc4-b5 Bc8-d7
6 Nf3-d4 a7-a6
7 Nd4xc6 b7xc6
8 Bb5-a4 Bf8-d6
9 b2-b3 O-O
10 Bc1-b2 e6-e5
11 Qd1-c1 d5-d4
12 Nc3-e2 d4xe3
13 f2xe3 Nf6-g4
14 g2-g3 Qd8-f6
15 Rh1-f1 Qf6xf1+

Pretty sweet Triple Check combo to end it!

16 Kxf1 Nxh2+
17 any - and either a knight check or a bishop check to end it.

Agreed - this game is finished. Stay tuned for game assignments.

[Mel-o-rama]

Now we come to the end of the 3rd week. We have our first elimination: rekrap. Thanks for playing - and good effort!

No one is Round-1-safe yet.

The tournament is now closed - so check away!!

Only one new game to assign at this time:

1:23 ZeroVektor vs Cynical Realist

[rekrap]

Now we come to the end of the 3rd week. We have our first elimination: rekrap. Thanks for playing - and good effort!


:lol: Thanks.

[Mel-o-rama]

Drewby has resigned his game against me. No matter what he did next, I would get in the third check.

GG, Drewby. This will eliminate you from the tournament. Thanks for playing, and don't hate the game too much. I still haven't figured it out, and will consider myself lucky if I pass Round 1.

Move White=Drewby Black=Mel-o
1 Nb1-c3 c7-c6
2 Nc3-e4 e7-e6
3 b2-b3 Qd8-h4
4 Ne4-f6+ Ng8xf6
5 g2-g3 Qh4-d4
6 c2-c3 Qd4xf2+
7 Ke1xf2 Nf6-g4+
8 Kf2-e1 Bf8-d6
White resigns

[Klaymen]

I resigned as white vs CR. Good game - this game appears to have become a bit more sophisticated than the one a year ago, actually resembling real chess more than before. I shall have to rethink my strategy...

1 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
2 Nb1-c3 Nb8-c6
3 Bf1-c4 e7-e6
4 Ng1-f3 d7-d5
5 Bc4-b5 Bc8-d7
6 Nf3-d4 a7-a6
7 Nd4xc6 b7xc6
8 Bb5-a4 Bf8-d6
9 b2-b3 O-O
10 Bc1-b2 e6-e5
11 Qd1-c1 d5-d4
12 Nc3-e2 d4xe3
13 f2xe3 Nf6-g4
14 g2-g3 Qd8-f6
15 Rh1-f1 Qf6xf1+
16 Ke1xf1 Ng4xh2+

lol old news, I hadn't looked at page 5. Yes I was pretty sure I was doomed but I figured it would be easier to play it out a move than wrack my brain figgerin it out. My game with Zero still has no checks thru move 20 but somethings got to give way soon...

[Mel-o-rama]

I resigned as white vs CR. Good game - this game appears to have become a bit more sophisticated than the one a year ago, actually resembling real chess more than before. I shall have to rethink my strategy...

1 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
2 Nb1-c3 Nb8-c6
3 Bf1-c4 e7-e6
4 Ng1-f3 d7-d5
5 Bc4-b5 Bc8-d7
6 Nf3-d4 a7-a6
7 Nd4xc6 b7xc6
8 Bb5-a4 Bf8-d6
9 b2-b3 O-O
10 Bc1-b2 e6-e5
11 Qd1-c1 d5-d4
12 Nc3-e2 d4xe3
13 f2xe3 Nf6-g4
14 g2-g3 Qd8-f6
15 Rh1-f1 Qf6xf1+
16 Ke1xf1 Ng4xh2+

lol old news, I hadn't looked at page 5. Yes I was pretty sure I was doomed but I figured it would be easier to play it out a move than wrack my brain figgerin it out. My game with Zero still has no checks thru move 20 but somethings got to give way soon...

Well - congrats on losing again!! At least it'll only count once!!

Next game for me (randomly assigned between Car'a'carn and Cynical):

1:24 Mel-o-rama vs Car'a'carn

[Mel-o-rama]

Well - I guess I just lost to ramanujan. Good game!!

Move White=Mel-o Black=Ramanujan
1 e2-e3 e7-e6
2 Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6
3 Nc3-b5 Nb8-c6
4 Nb5xc7+ Qd8xc7
5 c2-c3 Bf8-e7
6 Bf1-b5 O-O
7 Qd1-c2 Nc6-b4
8 Qc2xh7+ Nf6xh7
9 c3xb4 Be7xb4
10 Bb5-d3 g7-g6
11 Ng1-f3 b7-b6
12 b2-b3 Bc8-b7
13 Nf3-h4 Ra8-c8
14 Ke1-e2 Qc7-d6
15 Bd3-c4 Bb7-d5
16 Bc4xd5 Qd6xd5
17 Rh1-d1 Qd5-b5+
18 Ke2-e1 Bb4xd2+
white resigns

New game for ramanujan:

1:25 Cynical Realist vs ramanujan

[Ultimate Anyone?]

Mick Fan resigned to UA in game 1.12 (UA = white)

Move White Black
1 Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
2 a2-a3 e7-e6
3 Nb1-c3 a7-a6
4 Nc3-e4 d7-d5
5 Ne4-d6+ Bf8xd6
6 b2-b4 Qd8-f6
7 c2-c3 Nc6-e5
8 Nf3xe5 Bd6xe5
9 Qd1-a4+

[Mel-o-rama]

Ultimate just resigned our game. It's hilarious that my queen's in danger - I move my bishop in harm's way on my last move, but no matter what black does, the white rook checks next move!! This game is so whack!!

Move White=Mel-o Black=Ultimate
1 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
2 Bf1-c4 e7-e6
3 b2-b3 Nb8-c6
4 Bc1-b2 Nc6-b4
5 Nb1-c3 Nb4xc2+
6 Qd1xc2 Nf6-g4
7 Nc3-e4 Bf8-b4
8 h2-h3 Bb4xd2+
9 Qc2xd2 O-O
10 h3xg4 d7-d5
11 Qd2-d4 f7-f6
12 Ne4xf6+ g7xf6
13 Bc4-d3 e6-e5
14 Bd3xh7+ Kg8-g7
15 Bh7-e4
black resigns

[Mel-o-rama]

Car'a'carn just resigned this game. It looks like you tried the bishop-two-check gambit as black, and I thought you were almost going to succeed until I found my last two moves. But I wonder - is the game entirely over for black? I have a feeling there's a way out, but I hadn't analyzed it enough.

Good game!!

Move White=Mel-o Black=Car'a'carn
1 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
2 Bf1-c4 d7-d5
3 Bc4-b5+ c7-c6
4 Bb5xc6+ Nb8xc6
5 Nb1-c3 a7-a6
6 Ng1-f3 Bc8-g4
7 b2-b3 e7-e5
8 h2-h3 Bg4-h5
9 Qd1-e2 Bf8-d6
10 Bc1-b2 e5-e4
11 Nc3xd5 Nf6xd5
12 Qe2-c4
black resigns

I still can't assign any new games until some of these other games wrap up (but I'll update the results tonight when I get home). It looks like Round 1 is beginning to wind down. Two contestants have been eliminated. Three others have had their six games assigned for Round 1. No one is as of yet Round-1-safe, well except for me - after I update the results.

Keep on checking!!

[Klaymen]

I'm up to move 24 with zero, still no 1st check in sight.

[Car'a'carn]

Car'a'carn just resigned this game. It looks like you tried the bishop-two-check gambit as black, and I thought you were almost going to succeed until I found my last two moves. But I wonder - is the game entirely over for black? I have a feeling there's a way out, but I hadn't analyzed it enough.

Good game!!



Good game Mel-o. I got spanked but learned a valuable lesson.


I checked Mick Fan for third time, so my last game of round one is over.

Mick Fan Car'a'carn
Move White Black
1 e2-e3 e7-e5
2 Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3 a2-a3 Ng8-f6
4 Nb1-c3 d7-d5
5 Bf1-b5 Bc8-d7
6 b2-b4 Bf8-d6
7 Bc1-b2 a7-a6
8 Bb5-a4 e5-e4
9 Nf3-d4 b7-b5
10 Ba4-b3 Nc6xd4
11 e3xd4 Bd7-g4
12 Qd1-c1 c7-c6
13 a3-a4 Bd6xb4
14 a4xb5 a6xb5
15 Bb2-a3 Ra8xa3
16 Ra1xa3 e4-e3
17 Ke1-f1 e3-e2+
18 Kf1-e1 O-O
19 h2-h3 Nf6-h5
20 g2-g3 Nh5xg3
21 Rh1-g1 Qd8-f6
22 Rg1xg3 Qf6xf2+
23 Ke1xf2 e2-e1=Q+
0-1

[Mick Fan]

Good game, Car. I stink at three-checks. That makes me 0-3.

[Mel-o-rama]

Good game, Car. I stink at three-checks. That makes me 0-3.

That sucks. Did ramanujan beat you too?

[Mick Fan]

That sucks. Did ramanujan beat you too?

Yes, I suck and the fact that I suck sucks. :)

Here are the moves between me (White) and Ram (Black)

Move White Black
1 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
2 Nb1-c3 a7-a6
3 Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
4 a2-a3 e7-e5
5 b2-b4 Bf8-e7
6 Bc1-b2 d7-d5
7 Bf1-d3 e5-e4
8 Bd3-e2 e4xf3
9 Be2xf3 O-O
10 e3-e4 Rf8-e8
11 O-O Be7-d6
12 g2-g3 Nc6-d4
13 Nc3xd5 Nd4xf3+
14 Qd1xf3 Nf6xe4
15 Nd5-e7+ Re8xe7
16 g3-g4 Bd6xh2+
0-1

[Mel-o-rama]

Yes, I suck and the fact that I suck sucks. :)
:lol: Thanks for playing anyways. That brings us up to 3 eliminations. 25% of us are now gone!

Now we have 2 of us with a sure spot in Round 2: Mel-o-rama and Car'a'carn (first to be totally done). The other 7 of us are still up in the air.

Here's the next game:

1:26 ramanujan vs Ultimate Anyone?

Could each of you check the stats and make sure all the game results are recorded correctly? Thanks.

[Mick Fan]

Could each of you check the stats and make sure all the game results are recorded correctly? Thanks.

Does this count as a check in the tournament?

[Mel-o-rama]

Does this count as a check in the tournament?

Groan!

[Cynical Realist]

Ramajuan (black) whoops CR (game 1.25).

I resigned in a check-less game as the onslaught was inevitable.

1 Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
2 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
3 Bf1-c4 e7-e6
4 Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4
5 a2-a3 Bb4xc3
6 b2xc3 d7-d5
7 Bc4-b5 O-O
8 d2-d4 Nf6-e4
9 Bc1-d2 Bc8-d7
10 Bb5-d3 f7-f5
11 O-O g7-g5
12 c3-c4 g5-g4
13 Nf3-e5 Nc6xe5
14 d4xe5 Qd8-h4
15 Bd3xe4 f5xe4
16 c4xd5 Rf8-f5
17 Resigns

[Werewolf]

I finally won one! ZeroVektor resigned to me. The pair of rooks were, as far as I could see, guaranteed of getting three checks in the next three turns.

I was white.


Move White Black
1 Ng1-f3 e7-e6
2 e2-e3 a7-a6
3 Bf1-c4 Nb8-c6
4 O-O Bf8-d6
5 g2-g3 Qd8-f6
6 Nb1-c3 Nc6-e5
7 Nf3xe5 Qf6xe5
8 Qd1-f3 Ng8-f6
9 d2-d3 Ra8-b8
10 e3-e4 b7-b5
11 Bc4-b3 Bc8-b7
12 a2-a3 g7-g5
13 Qf3-e3 Bd6-c5
14 Qe3xg5 Bc5xf2+
15 Rf1xf2 Qe5xg5
16 Bc1xg5 Nf6-h5
17 Ra1-f1 h7-h6
18 Bg5-e7 Rh8-h7
19 Be7-c5 d7-d6
20 Bb3xe6 Ke8-d8
21 Be6xf7 Nh5xg3
22 h2xg3 Rh7-g7
23 Bf7-g6 (1-0)

[Mel-o-rama]

Way to go, recent winners!! No new eliminations this week and no new Round-1-safe participants.

Here's the next game:

1:27 ramanujan vs Werewolf

[Darth Tater]

GG Werewolf!

I was able to get an advantage on Charlie Brown that would have been difficult to overcome in this one:

1 e2-e3 e7-e6
2 Nb1-c3 a7-a6
3 Bf1-d3 Nb8-c6
4 Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6
5 b2-b3 Nc6-b4
6 O-O Bf8-d6
7 g2-g3 Nb4xd3
8 c2xd3 b7-b5
9 Nc3-e4 Nf6xe4
10 d3xe4 Qd8-f6
11 Ra1-b1 Bc8-b7
12 Bc1-b2 e6-e5
13 d2-d3 h7-h5
14 Nf3-h4 g7-g6
15 Rb1-c1 Bb7-c6
16 Qd1-d2 Bd6-e7
17 f2-f4 Qf6-e6
18 Nh4-f3 f7-f6
19 Nf3-h4 Rh8-g8
20 Qd2-a5 Be7-d8
21 f4-f5 g6-g5
22 Nh4-g2 Qe6-f7
23 Bb2-a3 h5-h4
24 g3-g4 h4-h3
25 Ng2-e1 Rg8-h8
26 Ne1-f3 Bc6-b7
27 Qa5-b4 a6-a5
28 Qb4xb5 Bb7-c6 (??)
29 Rc1xc6 Black Resigns.

I think if he recaptures, I can get two checks in pretty easily and a third shouldn't be far behind.

I think I'm safe for the round now and only have Cynical to dispatch. :)

[Abstract Actuary]

Ultimate Anyone? (Black) resigned to me in a game that had gone 27 moves without any checks. We were down to a King, Queen, and all 8 pawns each (at move 25), but I had both my rooks left and the checks were inevitable. Great game Ultimate Anyone?.

Move White Black
1 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
2 Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3 Bf1-c4 e7-e6
4 O-O Bf8-d6
5 g2-g3 a7-a6
6 Bc4-d3 g7-g6
7 b2-b3 Nc6-e5
8 Nf3xe5 Bd6xe5
9 Nb1-c3 b7-b5
10 f2-f4 Be5-d6
11 Bc1-b2 Bd6-c5
12 Rf1-f2 Nf6-g4
13 Qd1xg4 Bc8-b7
14 Nc3-e4 Bb7xe4
15 Bd3xe4 Rh8-f8
16 Be4xa8 Qd8xa8
17 Qg4-g5 Bc5-e7
18 Qg5-h6 Qa8-c6
19 d2-d3 Be7-c5
20 Ra1-e1 Bc5-b4
21 Re1-e2 Qc6-c5
22 Bb2-g7 Bb4-c3
23 Bg7xf8 Qc5-c6
24 Bf8-g7 Bc3xg7
25 Qh6xg7 Ke8-e7
26 Qg7xh7 Ke7-d6
27 Qh7xf7

[Mel-o-rama]

WTG, recent winners. Finally - I get to play again!:

1:28 Abstract Actuary vs Mel-o-rama

[Cynical Realist]

Gane 1:23 CR defeats Zero Vektor (White), the end came quickly after a lot of dancing around.

Zero Vektor - Cynical Realist
1 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
2 Nb1-c3 Nb8-c6
3 Ng1-f3 e7-e6
4 a2-a3 d7-d5
5 Bf1-b5 Bc8-d7
6 Nf3-d4 a7-a6
7 Bb5xc6 b7xc6
8 Qd1-f3 Bf8-d6
9 b2-b4 c6-c5
10 b4xc5 Bd6xc5
11 Ra1-b1 Bc5-d6
12 g2-g3 c7-c5
13 Nd4-b3 O-O
14 d2-d4 c5xd4
15 Nb3xd4 e6-e5
16 Nd4-f5 Bd7xf5
17 Qf3xf5 d5-d4
18 Nc3-e4 Nf6xe4
19 Qf5xe4 Qd8-a5+
20 Ke1-f1 Qa5-e1+
White resigns (0-1)

[Mel-o-rama]

Congrats Cynical! You've joined the Round 2 crowd.

How are the remaining games going? Right now we have 4 active games, and it looks like I'll assign 1 or 2 more in Round 1 to bring everyone up to 6 games.

[Darth Tater]

Game [IFYT] 1:23 CR defeats Zero Vektor (White), the end came quickly after a lot of dancing around.


Those last two moves I had hoped to avoid by castling, but once i saw the first, I strongly suspected the second.

Good game.

[Mel-o-rama]

We seem to have hit a lull. I asked around, and the remaining games are still in progress. Please make sure and try to average a move a day.

So far it appears that those of us who are making it to Round 2 are doing so with many casualties. If I lose my current game, then those of us currently continuing on will all be 1-2! If this is the case, Round 2 could very possibly be the elimination round!

From here on out, I'll send out PMs to let you know of the next game assignments.

[Werewolf]

I resigned my last game against Ramanujan.

Move White Black
1 e2-e4 e7-e6
2 Ng1-f3 Bf8-c5
3 c2-c3 Bc5xf2+
4 Ke1xf2 c7-c6
5 d2-d4 Ng8-f6
6 Kf2-g1 Nf6xe4
7 Bf1-d3 Ne4-f6
8 Bc1-g5 Qd8-b6
9 Qd1-e2 c6-c5
10 Nb1-a3 Nb8-c6
11 Na3-c4 Qb6-c7
12 d4xc5 b7-b6
13 Nc4-d6+ Ke8-f8
14 Bg5xf6 g7xf6
15 Qe2-e3 Kf8-e7
16 Qe3xe6+ Ke7xe6

[Mel-o-rama]

Good job, Ramanujan - that win brings you into the Round 2 crowd! Werewolf is still alive though, with one game remaining.

We now have 3 games outstanding. My game with Abstract will be resolved this week. Depending on who wins these 3 games, we still have the following possible match-ups to finish out Round 1: Charlie Brown vs. Abstract; Charlie Brown vs. Ultimate; Werewolf vs. Ultimate.

[Mel-o-rama]

Okay - here's an update. On game #1, Charlie Brown won - eliminating Werewolf.

Werewolf is now the first player eliminated having won at least 1 game. Good effort Werewolf!

[Mel-o-rama]

I just resigned my game to Abstract. Really good game. The last few moves I did were in hopes AA made a mistake. He didn't...

Move White=Mel-o Black=AA
1 e2-e3 e7-e6
2 Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3 Nb1-c3 Ng8-e7
4 Nc3-e4 Ne7-g6
5 Ne4-d6+ Bf8xd6
6 c2-c3 a7-a6
7 d2-d4 b7-b5
8 g2-g3 h7-h5
9 Bf1-g2 Bc8-b7
10 Nf3-d2 Nc6-a5
11 Bg2xb7 Na5xb7
12 Nd2-e4 Ke8-e7
13 Qd1-f3 f7-f5
14 Ne4-g5 Ra8-b8
15 a2-a4 h5-h4
16 Ke1-d1 c7-c6
17 a4xb5 a6xb5
18 Kd1-c2 h4xg3
19 f2xg3 Rb8-a8
20 Ra1-b1 Ra8-a2
21 Kc2-d1 Nb7-a5
22 e3-e4 Na5-c4
23 e4xf5 Nc4xb2+
24 Bc1xb2 Ke7-e8
25 f5xg6 Qd8-f6
26 Qf3xf6 g7xf6
27 Ng5-f7 Ke8-f8
28 g6-g7+ Kf8xg7
29 Nf7xh8 Kg7xh8
30 g3-g4 Ra2-a4
31 h2-h4 b5-b4
32 Rh1-f1 b4xc3
33 Bb2xc3 Ra4xd4+
34 Bc3xd4
Mel-o resigns

[Mel-o-rama]

Okay Abstract & Charlie Brown - Here's a fight to the death. You both have two losses, so good luck:

1:29 Charlie Brown vs. Abstract Actuary

(I'll update results tonight.)

[Abstract Actuary]

I just resigned my game to Abstract. Really good game. The last few moves I did were in hopes AA made a mistake. He didn't...

Good game Mel.

[Klaymen]

I'm white here. Abstract can't avoid check #3 next move, either by queen or pawn. Good game!

Move White Black
1 Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
2 Nb1-c3 e7-e5
3 e2-e3 a7-a6
4 a2-a3 d7-d5
5 Bf1-e2 e5-e4
6 Nf3-d4 Bc8-d7
7 Nd4xc6 Bd7xc6
8 d2-d3 Bf8-d6
9 d3xe4 d5xe4
10 Be2-c4 Ng8-f6
11 Bc4xf7+ Ke8xf7
12 Qd1-e2 b7-b5
13 a3-a4 Bd6-b4
14 Bc1-d2 Rh8-f8
15 O-O Kf7-g8
16 a4xb5 a6xb5
17 Nc3xb5 Bc6xb5
18 Qe2xb5 Kg8-h8
19 Bd2xb4 Rf8-f7
20 Ra1xa8 Qd8xa8
21 Bb4-c3 c7-c6
22 Qb5-b6 Rf7-d7
23 b2-b3 h7-h6
24 h2-h3 Kh8-h7
25 Bc3xf6 g7xf6
26 Qb6-c5 Kh7-g6
27 g2-g4 Rd7-d5
28 Qc5-e7 Rd5-e5
29 Qe7xf6+ ....

1-0

[Abstract Actuary]

Good game Charlie Brown. Thanks for running the tournament Mel-o.

[Mel-o-rama]

Congrats CB, and good effort AA. We'll miss you, and thanks for playing.

As for you, Charlie Brown, if Ultimate Anyone wins his current game, you two must fight to the death in the last Round 1 game. If ramanujan wins, then we begin Round 2.

[Ultimate Anyone?]

1:26 ramanujan vs Ultimate Anyone?
This game dropped off the list - I take it that's a win for me then?

[Mel-o-rama]

This game dropped off the list - I take it that's a win for me then?

Yeah - if you moved last, then that's a win for you.

Here is the last game for Round 1 (another fight to the death):

1:30 Ultimate Anyone? vs Charlie Brown

Good luck!

[Ultimate Anyone?]

Charlie Brown, under what name are you playing the Three Checks games?

[Mel-o-rama]

:bump:

[ramanujan]

Sorry everybody. I was travelling and did not expect to be as busy as I was in the past few weeks . I had very little internet time and was not able to play my games. I am back now and will participate in new tournaments. I have obviously forfeited all my ongoing games.

[Mel-o-rama]

Sorry everybody. I was travelling and did not expect to be as busy as I was in the past few weeks . I had very little internet time and was not able to play my games. I am back now and will participate in new tournaments. I have obviously forfeited all my ongoing games.

Hey ramanujan - in this tournament, you've only forfeited the 1 game. I counted that as a loss, and now you are 4 - 2. Tonight I'm planning on starting Round 2. Everybody's that's left are down 2 games, so we're all on equal footing now. So, you still have a chance to win.

Stay tuned for more details tonight.

BTW - it's good to hear from you again. I was starting to worry if something else had happened!

[Mel-o-rama]

Okay everyone. I'm going to go ahead and start Round 2. This round will only contain 1 game for each of us, and will get us down to 3 players (assuming no draws) for Final Elimination in Round 3.

Charlie Brown and Ultimate Anyone? are still playing their Round 1 game. So one of you will have to wait till that game is done and play the winner.

Also, I found exactly one combination in which we all get to play someone we haven't played yet. Only one player has not played CB and UA and that's Car'a'carn. You get to wait and play the winner of that Round 1 game.

Here are the other two assignments:

2:01 ZeroVektor vs ramanujan
2:02 Mel-o-rama vs Cynical Realist

[Mel Gibson]

How you doin'?

I have some sad news. It appears that Mel-o-rama got into some trouble down in Atlanta, and has come into a rather nasty accident. In fact, he's dead.

But before he died, he PMed me and asked me to take over his 3-checks tournament. He says he'll continue to play his games, though I'm not sure how he's doing that. He must be a ghost in the machine!

Well, good luck.

[Klaymen]

Don't be silly, his Location says Dead in Outer Space. While Atlanta may be CLOSE to that description, I'm sure you've got your facts wrong.

[Mel-o-rama]

:boo: :boo: :boo:

[Darth Tater]

:boo: :boo: :boo:

For what it's worth, I think Ramanujan is the middle ghost. No resposne to the invite to the TC game.

Darth

[Ultimate Anyone?]

Here is the last game for Round 1 (another fight to the death):

1:30 Ultimate Anyone? vs Charlie Brown
... and Charlie Brown wins this one (I had a huge brain fart, and then resigned).

Go get 'em in Round 2, CB!

[ramanujan]

BTW - it's good to hear from you again. I was starting to worry if something else had happened!

Everything is OK. I appreciate the concern.

[ramanujan]

For what it's worth, I think Ramanujan is the middle ghost. No resposne to the invite to the TC game.

Darth

Not yet. But I will soon be the way you are killing me in our game.

[Klaymen]

... and Charlie Brown wins this one (I had a huge brain fart, and then resigned).

Go get 'em in Round 2, CB!

I'm surprised you resigned this game, I thought it was far from over. Sure, I could get check 2 by sacrificing my queen, and I have already tossed one piece. But it's not clear to me where check #3 is coming from. Nevertheless, thanks for playing.

[Mel Gibson]

Mel-o-rama sends his best wishes. He says, "Way to go, Charlie Brown" and "We'll miss you Ultimate Anyone".

Mel-o-rama also apologizes for his slow moving lately. What with going to Vegas and playing killer games, he's been slowing down, but things should speed up this next week.

Final game for Round 2:

Charlie Brown (white) plays Car'a'carn (black).

[Cynical Realist]

Game 2:02 CR (black) defeats Mel-o-rama

Played a little Rope-a-dope, but once Mel-o-rama castled Queenside the game blew apart.

1 Nb1-c3 e7-e6
2 Nc3-e4 Nb8-c6
3 e2-e3 a7-a6
4 Ng1-h3 d7-d5
5 Ne4-d6+ Bf8xd6
6 c2-c3 Ng8-f6
7 Bf1-d3 Bc8-d7
8 b2-b4 Nc6-e5
9 Bd3-c2 h7-h6
10 Bc1-b2 Nf6-g4
11 Qd1-e2 Qd8-e7
12 O-O-O a6-a5
13 f2-f3 a5xb4
14 Kc1-b1 Ng4-f6
15 f3-f4 Ne5-c4
16 Bb2-c1 b4xc3
17 d2xc3 Nc4-a3+
18 Bc1xa3 Bd6xa3
19 Bc2-b3 Nf6-e4
20 Kb1-c2 Qe7-f6
21 Rd1-d4 Ne4xc3
22 Qe2-d3 Ba3-c5
23 Bb3-a4 Bd7xa4+
24 Rd4xa4 Ra8xa4
25 Qd3-b5+ Nc3xb5
26 a2-a3 Qf6-c3+
(0-1)

[Mel-o-rama]

Hey Cynical,

That was a fun game. I hope you got a little scared at the end. If you had castled during those last few moves on either side, I would have gotten you! But you stuck with the right moves and won the game.

Congrats!

That removes me from the tournament. I'll update stats later on tonight.

[Cynical Realist]

Well, I did have to pause at the end, because I was going to take your Rook with my Knight which would have lost to the Q-checks.

[Mel-o-rama]

Well, I did have to pause at the end, because I was going to take your Rook with my Knight which would have lost to the Q-checks.

Yeah - I was hoping our quickened pace would lead to a mistake. I wanted you to take my rook with your knight! I think (if I remember correctly) another alternative to capturing my rook was to simply move your king to e7 - and I think would have been toast.

[Mel-o-rama]

Also: about the tournament, the final elimination round will have three people in it, unless a draw is involved. If it's down to three, then two will play each other, and the winner will play the third person.

But who gets to sit out? That'll be determined by looking at who each candidate played in the past. Whoever played the toughest players (based on how well they performed in this tourney) will be the one who gets to sit out. In case of a tie, we'll do a PM-Paper, Rocks, Scissors thing to determine the sit-out person.

Good luck!!

[Klaymen]

I defeated Caracarn as white:
1 e2-e4 e7-e6
2 Nb1-c3 Bf8-c5
3 d2-d4 Bc5-b4
4 Bc1-d2 Ng8-f6
5 Bf1-d3 Nb8-c6
6 Ng1-f3 d7-d5
7 e4xd5 Nf6xd5
8 O-O Nc6-e7
9 Nc3-e4 Bb4xd2
10 Ne4-f6+ g7xf6
11 Bd3-b5+

[Mel-o-rama]

Congrats, Charlie! I'll update the results tonight.

And goodbye, Car'a'carn. You were a very worthy adversary!

The remaining game is Darth Tater vs. rama, and according to DT - it's a doozy! See if you guys can finish before Thanksgiving break.

Now, who gets to sit out for the first game in Round 3? To answer this question, I looked at the players each candidate played. You all played 7 games - each with 7 different opponents. I figure a "good" opponent is one who got eliminated later and played more games. I took the sum-total of all the # of games the opponents played for each current candidate, and got these totals:

ZV (Darth Tater): 41
Cynical: 41
rama: 40
Charlie Brown: 39

The idea is that those with the lowest score had the easier path to the top (that is, he played more people that left the tournament early). With this in mind, if ramanujan wins game 2:01, Cynical gets to sit out. If Darth Tater wins game 2:01, it'll be a tie, and we'll have to use a tie breaker (like PM - Paper, Rock, Scissors).

Either way, Charlie Brown will get to play in game 3:01.

[Klaymen]

You've already discussed the format you expect to use, although I propose something more equitable would be to have each person play each other person and see if one person gets eliminated. If everybody wins, you repeat the process. Eventually you come down to 2 players for the championship.

This "round robin" format is common in certain bridge events, although there you have matches one and margin of victory and when everyone wins one the margin of victory is a convenient tiebreaker which you don't have in this situation.

[Mel-o-rama]

I'd prefer to go the "quicker" route to end the tournament (that is - just one round). Here's a compromise, and I'll let the three players vote.

Option A: Continue the tournament as described before. (One game followed by another game to determine the tournament. Total: 2 games, and 1 must be played AFTER the other one.)

Option B: All three players play each other. If one player wins both of his games, he's the winner of the tournament (as the other two players lost a game and got eliminated). If all players win one game, then it's a three way tie (as all players lost a game and got eliminated at the same time). Summary: 3 games played at the same time, and more equitable.

So what do you say? A or B?

[Mel-o-rama]

The more I think about it, the more I like my Option B above: play each other (total of 3 games played at the same time) and whoever's left standing wins - but if everyone wins 1 game, it's a three way tie. Any concerns over this continuation?

[Cynical Realist]

Nope, either's OK, Option B will work for me.

[Klaymen]

I like Option B. I realize now that in bridge, when 3 people play like that the objective is only to eliminate one party, so if one person wins two and one person wins one, the third party is eliminated. But as we're trying to eliminate BOTH players, this works out perfect.
Either
(1) Everyone wins 1 game and they all start over.
(2) Somebody wins 2 games and is chamipion, regardless of the other outcome.
There is the issue of draws. The score could come out 1.5 1.0 0.5 in which case I think 1.5 is a decisive win.

[Klaymen]

It just occured to me, draws are either nonexistent or rare in this format, duh.

[Mel-o-rama]

Okay - Option B it is. Draws can and do happen in three-checks, but none so far in this tournament (which already has 33 games). If everyone is eliminated at the same time, then it's a tie for 1st place.

Here are all the possible outcomes:

A:2.0 B:1.0 C:0.0 - B and C are eliminated, so A wins.

A:2.0 B:0.5 C:0.5 - B and C are eliminated, so A wins.

A:1.5 B:1.5 C:0.0 - C is eliminated. A&B have 0.5 points each left (that is they have total losing score of 2.5), so they play each other one last time (colors switched) to determine the winner. If they draw in that last game, both are eliminated - resulting in a two-way tie for 1st place.

A:1.5 B:1.0 C:0.5 - B and C are eliminated, so A wins.

A:1.0 B:1.0 C:1.0 - all players eliminated, so it's a three-way tie for 1st place.

So, if you lose a game (and get eliminated), it's still in your best interest to try to win your other game, as the three-way tie option could still happen.

If, however, you lose a game and that opponent beats the other player as well, then you're pretty much screwed, but you can still try to win that last game for 2nd place.

After all this analysis/setup, DT/rama just better not draw their current game. (DT assures me it won't be a draw.) They say they'll finish in a couple of weeks. Then I'll make the final assignments.

Good luck!

[Darth Tater]

I had white in this game against Ramanujan:

1 e2-e3 e7-e5
2 Bf1-c4 Qd8-f6
3 Qd1-f3 Qf6xf3
4 Ng1xf3 f7-f6
5 Nb1-c3 c7-c6
6 O-O d7-d5
7 Nc3xd5 c6xd5
8 Bc4-b5+ Ke8-d8
9 d2-d4 e5-e4
10 Nf3-d2 a7-a6
11 Bb5-e2 f6-f5
12 c2-c4 Bc8-e6
13 c4xd5 Be6xd5
14 Nd2-c4 Nb8-d7
15 Bc1-d2 b7-b6
16 Ra1-c1 Bd5xc4
17 Be2xc4 Bf8-d6
18 Bc4-d5 Ra8-b8
19 Rc1-c2 Kd8-e7
20 Rf1-c1 Ng8-f6
21 Rc2-c7 Rh8-d8
22 Bd5-c6 Rb8-c8
23 Bc6xd7 Rc8xc7
24 Rc1xc7 Bd6xc7
25 Bd7xf5 Bc7-d6
26 f2-f4 g7-g6
27 Bf5-h3 Nf6-d7
28 Bd2-e1 Rd8-c8

and black resigned in light of the impending two checks coming. I thought I had a wicked attack going early on, but it petered out and I was jsut waiting for him to get a few checks in and toss in the towel...but then that quite 28. Be1 snuck in and I'll be he was thinking something like: "Oh, if I don't take action, he'll skewer my K to my R and I'll move my R...oh crap, this is three checks...well, crap again" and then he saw what was happening.

Ram -- another hard fought one from ya. GG.

Darth.

[Darth Tater]

Okay - Option B it is. Draws can and do happen in three-checks, but none so far in this tournament (which already has 33 games). If everyone is eliminated at the same time, then it's a tie for 1st place.

Here are all the possible outcomes:

A:2.0 B:1.0 C:0.0 - B and C are eliminated, so A wins.

A:2.0 B:0.5 C:0.5 - B and C are eliminated, so A wins.

A:1.5 B:1.5 C:0.0 - C is eliminated. A&B have 0.5 points each left (that is they have total losing score of 2.5), so they play each other one last time (colors switched) to determine the winner. If they draw in that last game, both are eliminated - resulting in a two-way tie for 1st place.

A:1.5 B:1.0 C:0.5 - B and C are eliminated, so A wins.

A:1.0 B:1.0 C:1.0 - all players eliminated, so it's a three-way tie for 1st place.

So, if you lose a game (and get eliminated), it's still in your best interest to try to win your other game, as the three-way tie option could still happen.

If, however, you lose a game and that opponent beats the other player as well, then you're pretty much screwed, but you can still try to win that last game for 2nd place.

After all this analysis/setup, DT/rama just better not draw their current game. (DT assures me it won't be a draw.) They say they'll finish in a couple of weeks. Then I'll make the final assignments.

Good luck!

For the record, I initially thought I had much better of the game i jsut posted and then I ran into "The Neutralizer". SO I may have re-assured Mel-o that I was gonna lose...and then, for me, a turn in my fortune.

How long have I been gone....what with all this "draw-talk" -- bleck!

[Mel-o-rama]

Congrats, DT. Crazy game! And good effort to you too, Rama - and thanks for playing!

Now it's down to three. Stay tuned for Round 3 assignments.

[Mel-o-rama]

Here are the final assignments. Good luck! Just win both games to win the tournament!

3:01 Charlie Brown vs ZeroVektor
3:02 ZeroVektor vs Cynical Realist
3:03 Cynical Realist vs Charlie Brown

[Darth Tater]

Charlie Brown mis-stepped pretty badly here:

1 e2-e4 e7-e6
2 Ng1-f3 Bf8-c5
3 Bf1-b5 c7-c6
4 Bb5-c4 and white resigned.

I see (and I'm sure he saw) Bxf2+ and if he re-captures, it's curtains after Qb6+. if he doesn't recapture, I've got quite a lead in both space and his lack of king safety.

I hope to dispatch Cynical soon enough (but doubt it terribly).

That is all,

Darth

[Darth Tater]

AA resigned a stunner as white in this one to me:

1 e2-e4 e7-e6
2 d2-d4(?!?) Bf8-b4+
3 Ke1-e2 b7-b6
4 c2-c4 Qd8-h4 !
White Resigns

I think White was in for at least one more check and if things went right, I could see another without too much more trouble.

Good luck to everyone in all your games except the ones with me.

Darth

The last game and this one adds to the "shorties" for me.

[Cynical Realist]

Are we being setup? Was CB throwing the games?

CR - CB
Move White Black
1 e2-e3 e7-e5
2 Bf1-c4 Ng8-f6
3 Ng1-f3 Qd8-e7
4 Nf3-g5 Resigns



CB loses another one in 4 moves in somewhat similar fashion!

[Darth Tater]

Are we being setup? Was CB throwing the games?

CR - CB
Move White Black
1 e2-e3 e7-e5
2 Bf1-c4 Ng8-f6
3 Ng1-f3 Qd8-e7
4 Nf3-g5 Resigns



CB loses another one in 4 moves in somewhat similar fashion!

Let's hope this doesn't get me banned: W...T...F?

[Mel-o-rama]

Wow - this is crazy. Charlie Brown's having rotten luck! Well - it's now down to DT and CR. Whoever wins that game will win the tournament. (And don't even think of drawing - because if you do, it won't be enough to eliminate either one of you and you'll have to play another game.) Good luck!

[ramanujan]

and black resigned in light of the impending two checks coming. I thought I had a wicked attack going early on, but it petered out and I was jsut waiting for him to get a few checks in and toss in the towel...but then that quite 28. Be1 snuck in and I'll be he was thinking something like: "Oh, if I don't take action, he'll skewer my K to my R and I'll move my R...oh crap, this is three checks...well, crap again" and then he saw what was happening.

Ram -- another hard fought one from ya. GG.

Darth.

I made my move before even looking at your move. I just got impatient thinking about finishing the game. And I obviously succeeded, only losing instead. Good game, as usual.

[Darth Tater]

After much ado (And at least one job change), I have managed to get three checks in against the (rightly) feared Cynical Realist.

The game was very interesting especially with the strange exchange on move 30 that game Cynical his first check and me some interesting opportunities. As CR pointed out, the pawn on h7 looked scary (at least after move 22 and subesquently won me the game). I think at move 34, Cr could have fought a bit more with ...Rd5, but I'm happy this game is over and will be eager to collect my prize (and I'll be updating my resume accordingly).

Many Kudos to my esteemed opponent Cynical.

1 e2-e3 Ng8-f6
2 Bf1-c4 e7-e6
3 b2-b3 Nb8-c6
4 Bc1-a3 Bf8-e7
5 Ba3xe7 Qd8xe7
6 Nb1-c3 a7-a6
7 a2-a4 Nc6-e5
8 Qd1-e2 b7-b6
9 h2-h4 Bc8-b7
10 e3-e4 Nf6-g4
11 f2-f3 Ng4-f6
12 d2-d4 Ne5xc4
13 Qe2xc4 Ra8-c8
14 Ng1-e2 c7-c5
15 g2-g3 c5xd4
16 Qc4xd4 Rc8-c6
17 Ra1-d1 O-O
18 h4-h5 h7-h6
19 g3-g4 Rf8-c8
20 g4-g5 h6xg5
21 h5-h6 e6-e5
22 h6-h7+ (1W) Kg8-h8
23 Qd4-e3 Nf6-e8
24 Nc3-d5 Qe7-e6
25 c2-c4 f7-f6
26 Ne2-c3 Rc6-c5
27 Qe3-g1 b6-b5
28 Qg1-g4 Bb7xd5
29 Nc3xd5 Qe6-d6
30 Nd5-f4 Qd6xd1+ (1B)
31 Ke1xd1 e5xf4
32 Qg4-h5 Ne8-d6
33 Qh5-g6 Nd6-f5
34 Kd1-e2 b5xc4
35 Qg6-f7 Nf5-g3+ (2B, but he'll get no more)
36 Ke2-e1 Ng3xh1
37 Qf7-g8+ (2W) Rc8xg8 (White could have played Qxg7+ forcing the king to take and then a simple underpromotion to a B would have gotten the last check, but this way, the last move is a capture, underpromotion and a check -- kinda nice, at least for three-checks...)
38 h7xg8=R+ (3W) 1-0

That is all,

Darth

[Cynical Realist]

Congrats Darth - A tough game where I never could get my pieces untangled. There was some interesting opportunities at the end, but it seemed I fell a tempo short, or would run out of fire power, and I never quite had the time to open up the Q-side and take advantage of your unprotected King.

The sack of the Queen on move 30 was more a lack of choices, as falling back did not seem to offer much long term hope.

Unfortunately my rope-a-dope strategy of hiding my King behind your pawn did on h7 did not work, and made my King very vulnerable to a knight attack. One interesting thing about the pawn on h7 was you didn't need to protect it with your rook, because i couldn't take it anyway. But I couldn't break through to pressure your side as it was.

[Mel-o-rama]

Way to go, Darth. You two showed incredible restraint. I wonder what would have happened if Cynical sacrificed his knight early to get that check. I sure would have been tempted to get that check again!

Darth's move #30 was beautiful, and the execution after that was unstoppable. Great game, you two!

And congrats to Darth for taking the whole tournament!!

[Darth Tater]

Way to go, Darth. You two showed incredible restraint. I wonder what would have happened if Cynical sacrificed his knight early to get that check. I sure would have been tempted to get that check again!

Darth's move #30 was beautiful, and the execution after that was unstoppable. Great game, you two!

And congrats to Darth for taking the whole tournament!!

Thank you and I thought move 30 was pretty nice too. I was constantly worried about that N sac. Plus, towards the end, if I wasn't careful, CR could have played Rd5 (enprise by two pawns!) and any move I made gave him two more checks back to back and the N was soooo tempting to take, but again, Rd5+ was sure to be losing for me.

I tip-toed and it worked...I'd still rather be lucky than good.

Darth