[chessmind] Dennis Monokroussos: National Open 2008: Recap and Roundup

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Posted by Dennis Monokroussos:
National Open 2008: Recap and Roundup
http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/posts/1213040555.shtml


   Let's start with the big winners of the [1]2008 National Open. Going
   into the last round, Gata Kamsky and Josh Friedel shared the lead with
   4.5/5 and were paired. They played a long, tough game that was
   eventually drawn, and they were caught by four other players: Laurent
   Fressinet, Tigran Petrosian, Atanas Kolev and Ben Finegold. (The
   latter's achievement was especially impressive, as he was completely
   lost in round 1 to Jerry Hanken and seemed to be in trouble in round
   3, too, if I remember right. Despite all this, he righted the ship in
   time for a big finish.) Three players were another half a point back
   (Erenburg, Khachiyan and Robson), and then there was a group of 14
   more money winners with 4/6.
   That's where I would have been if I had won my last round game, but
   despite having a very comfortable edge, I allowed my opponent to
   utilize a nice tactical resource to solve all his problems. Rounds 3,
   4 and 6 were all a little disappointing, as in each case I had real
   pressure but was unable to convert it into something substantial. I'm
   not sure how "guilty" I am for the draw in round 3, but in rounds 4
   and 6 the errors were clear and unfortunately irrevocable. On the
   other hand, my win in round 5 was a decent achievement: good opening
   play, a middlegame characterized by the successful implementation of
   my own strategic plans while thwarting my opponent's attacking
   ambitions, followed at last by some nice if relatively simple tactics
   at the end. (At least that's how it seemed to me at the time; perhaps
   a closer look will suggest that it wasn't quite as clean as I
   thought!)
   Overall my openings were quite successful (except against Akobian),
   but my technique wasn't up to snuff. So, there's my main project until
   the next tournament!

References

   1. http://www.vegaschessfestival.com/