Is this thumbnail better or worse than the last?

My Denker Experience

NiTheGuy

Updated: Jan 15, 2023, 10:16 AM | 35

Hi! Welcome back to my Road to Greatness! In this blog I will recap my performance at the 2022 Denker Tournament. The Denker Tournament is a tournament where the high school state champions of each state are invited to compete for the title of Champion of Champions. I was going into the event rated about 1700, which is 100 points above what I'm currently rated. Out of the 48 people competing I was one of the lowest rated players competing. My goal for the tournament was 1/6, I would be happy if I could get a couple draws against high rated players.

FIRST DAY

It was the morning of July 30th. You would expect me to already be in California, but I am instead driving from Las Vegas to Palm Springs. (Where the Tournament was Being Held) My family decided to drive down to Palm Springs from Idaho. I didn't mind because I was just happy to get this experience. Eventually we got to the townhouse we were going to stay at for the tournament. I got settled in, but I had to dress formal and go to a opening ceremony for the Denker. I hate dressing formal, but I had to.

Denker Participants: (Photo Credit - Mark Cieslikowski)

I took a ton of pictures and got ready to play in the first round of the Denker. I saw that it paired me against a national master from Wisconsin. I hoped to just give a good game.

I was so surprised when I won my first game and it gave me confidence to fight on during the tournament. I knew I would play someone higher rated in the second round. I went to sleep knowing that I had the potential to perform super well.

SECOND DAY

In the second round it paired me against Minnesota's state champion. I was rated over 500 points lower than my opponent. Let's see how well I played against the 2276.

I was a little disappointed that I lost the game, however I had to remember that these games were against opponents rated way higher than me. I tried to forget about the game and mentally prepare myself for the third round. I knew I would be paired against another 2000+ player.

It paired me this time against another 2100, I was ready to give him the best game I could. I was actually sitting right next to , so I gave him some Idaho cards shaped like potatoes. Anyways here is the game.

I am still amazed at myself for allowing him to win the game because of that awful move, hxg4. It took awhile, but I eventually convinced myself that I would make up for it later in the event. This game put me at 1/3. I had already met my goal, however I still felt like I could perform better.

THIRD DAY

It matched me against an 1890 from Maine. I thought If I played solidly I could get at least a draw out of this game. This would end up being my longest game of the tournament. Would it end my way or not?

It was sad that I was not able to hold a draw in that game. It now put me at 1/4 in the Denker. I thought to myself, "Am I really only going to win my first game and lose the rest?" I wanted to do better, so I decided to try and not lose my final two games.

My next game would be against Nevada's state Champion. He was rated 1880. I decided before the game started that I would try and play some attacking chess.

I was just happy I did not lose. I was now 1.5/5. I had beaten my goal with one round left to go. I had to wait until the next day to play the last round of the Denker. I had a good sleep and was ready to play in the final round.

FOURTH DAY

It paired me against a 1900 from Washington D.C. in the final round of the tournament. My goal for this game was to get at least half a point because I hate ending tournaments with losses.

After this game I ended the tournament with 2/6. I had beaten my goal by one point. I was happy with my performance overall and was ready to play in the US Open.

CLOSING REMARKS

I will always remember this tournament because I had so much fun. It still remains one of my best tournaments of all time. I got to bring @JoshPrice down for the US Open and I got to meet @Lightning in person. I even got this amazing photo.

Ni and Lightning

This tournament was a one and done tournament because I will be to old to qualify for the next one. Again this tournament was so fun and I hope to go to the US Open again this year. Thank you to everyone who read this far. See you guys later!

My Denker Experience

Ni's Road to Greatness