Snow in Hades? Bos - NY draw.
Did'ja ever have one of those days when you just knew that whatever you did... nothing... just nothing... was going to go right? You know what I'm talking about... your team is about to clinch the match... and your up +7 in the last game... then +10... then even +14... and you are still worried. Of course you have... your a chess player for the Blitz... and things always go wrong against NNN... New... NY.
All I can say is... why? I mean there must be a greater purpose... something cosmic... else... why? We could'a... should'a... almost had this one and we let it slip through our grimy little fingers. But, I'm not bitter... and snowballs don't melt in Hades.
Things seemed on track... as my pick to win... Denys on Board 1 against GM Charbonneau... only drew. Well, chalk that up to me being a homer... and let's say there was no evil intervention here... just your standard nothing goes right against NY. Check out this mini-masterpiece and tell me you don't need to be booked to the teeth to survive in our modern Chess age.
Ok.... Ok... a draw with a strong GM... congrats to Denys. Fine.
Boston (0.5 - 0.5)
But, our next game was a real strain on my nerves... as almost from the beginning... nothing much was going on. I mean I could'a managed a draw here... really... well, maybe not really... but, Vadim?... for sure... no problem... even playing Black against2500+ FM Bodek on Board 2. Then... just as I was settling in to... Oh well, another easy Vadim draw... I saw it... 9...d5... yes, Vadim was breaking out... going for the win?... you be the judge.
An unexpected loss by Boston's rock-solid master of the innocuous, but deadly... seems we just can't catch a break against these guys.
Boston (0.5 - 1.5)
Speaking of innocuous and deadly... manager Krasik effected a minor coup in recruiting NM Chris Williams back into the Blitz fold... and we needed his flash of brilliance this night, as he left no pawn unturned in this rock'em-sock'em, take-that game. You won't regret playing through this beauty... Truly deserving of GOTW consideration... What do you think?... give us your opinion... and Chris his due... with a note from all you chess rabble out there.
Thank you, Chris... and Ilya for being lucky enough to play him. What a game...eh?
Boston (1..5 - 1.5)
And now, on to the real heart-breaker... our controversial leader... Love him, or hate him... you are never bored by him... or unfortunately, by his games... be they sure losses, that he wins... or +14 wins that he draws. Now, tell me we aren't jinxed by this team after you play through this great... well, almost great... game by Blitz manager Mr. Ilya Krasik (black) vs. NM Huang.
All I can say is... Oh Ilya... No, I'm not blaming anyone... anyone can have a bad day... and it could snow in Hades... really.
Boston (2 - 2)
Now, on to more serious matters. I must apologize to any fans that showed up at our Harvard playing site. There was a last minute change of venue... my fault for not reading the email. The team played its match in Somerville, at the armory. If anyone wants to throw snowballs at me... just let me know when and where to show up. I think we are back at Harvard this week. I'll let you all know for sure tomorrow. I am so... so... sorry for the confusion. But, not as sorry as Ilya after blowing his game. See you all at the next match.
The USCL matches are hosted by the Internet Chess Club (www.chessclub.com)
