Round two of the North Carolina Open

My second round opponent was someone I've had little success in the past. I lost my previous two meetings against him. But this is a new day and today is chance for a new result. It was kind of important to me to put a good win up on the board since I kinda wanted to.... at least in my mind..... validate my new standing as an expert.

My opponent played a lot with his a- and h- pawns in this game. I got my development completed early, but had to hunker down a bit to defend the attack. He ended up making an unsound sac on my knight and I was able to use my knights to interfere with his queen to maintain the piece advantage.

I did make one inexcusably "lazy" move toward the end that caused some headaches, but his pressure evaporated when he decided to try and hold a pawn that was on his sixth rank. For what it's worth, I think I defended well, but need to keep up my intensity from start to mate.