Well done, Patrick! Nice comeback from a difficult game which keeps our record spotless. Texas played well and it really came down to the wire ...

But I don't think my opponent's played accurately!

We should be able to pick up the point on my game as Black, as I've forced back the win of my sacrificed rook while the attack rages on with the White king sitting on... f5.    I think there's only one move where I haven't calculated a forced mate from this point.  I think playing Kxf4 on his part was a huge blunder.

And the White game is now very even.  I didn't think I was going to be able to hold that extra pawn, but I've got to think the knight's better than the bishop in this position.

Just these two games going, but since we're already at 15 - 13, we should get the win in this match.

That's odd; I wasn't expecting Kg3. 

I spent some time this morning analyzing off-board with the position in my game as Black.  Lot of different possibilities.  It looks like if both sides play accurately, I should be able to equalize in that game, but nothing more.

I am not sure whether this is going to help you but I predict Kg3 next ...

Indeed, very open position with plenty of possible downfalls. Beowulframa ensured us at least a split so we are sitting pretty. Luke should always be able to pull out a draw from his game so you no longer have to carry the whole weight.

Looks like we're guaranteed the Texas split.  Still playing in both my games.  With White, I'm up a pawn, but it feels very temporary, and my pieces are oddly placed.  With Black, I'm still down the exchange, but the kings are very, very opened up on both sides, and chaos will ensue momentarily.  Not the usual "TheMathProf gets crushed by a 2100" type games.  :)

If you can secure a half point from your two games that should do the trick. There should be at least another half point coming out of one of the other games which will get us a tie assuring us for all practical purposes one of the top two spots.

By the way, you guys should have a look at the game between Bill Schill & ChessHodina on Board 1 of the Iowa match. That is as crazy as it gets and probably won't be included as a sample game for piece development for beginners ..

Here is the game link: http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=49348563

In the Texas match, both my games are going against my much-higher rated opponent.  With White, I'm up a pawn and appear to be doing fine.  With Black, I'm down the exchange and have a little bit of play for it (I think), but I don't have super high hopes for that one.