FIGHT WITH A FIDE MASTER

The 2021 edition of the Japan Open took place November 20th through 23rd in Tokyo, Japan. The tournament drew an incredibly diverse group of 70 competitors from all over Japan, all ages, genders and races were well represented.  For many it was the first chance to play at a FIDE rated tournament, since the UNNAMED VIRUS, OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN disrupted the entire World. 

I currently live in Osaka, Japan and this was only my forth time visiting Tokyo, so I took the opportunity to do a little sightseeing.

When I first saw the pairings and realized I would be playing a FM, I just laughed...sure maybe I can win...but it's not bloody likely; yet instead of showing one of the games I won, I thought it would be more instructive to show this game. The FM will show you how to target weaknesses in your opponents camp, how to activate pieces, when to exchange...and I will show you how NOT to play chess...

In Chess sometimes you win and sometimes you learn...I did a lot of learning this tournament! Yet, it was an overall positive experience; and can't wait for the next FIDE rated event. I finished with 3 wins and 4 losses. The main take away I got from this tournament was to take your time calculating, the really strong players will take 20 or even 40 minutes on a single move.

And that was it, my fight with a FIDE Master...what did we learn? It is not a good idea to pick fights with FIDE Masters...

Anyways, thanks for reading, feel free to share this game with your friends down at the Bar or Library.

Cheers, SheldonOfOsaka.