The 64 - "I Thought Hurricane Season Was Over" - August 21-22, 2021 Weekend Recap
It was quarter to 9 on Saturday evening; Eastern Daylight Time. Puerto Rico also functions on EDT, therefor the clock reads the same in the Metropolitan area as it does in San Juan. Puerto Rico were our opponents that night in the 10th and penultimate round of the LCPAL Bullet Tournament and with 15 minutes until game time, Puerto Rico was well short of the 15 man minimum to qualify for the event, therefor forfeiting the match. 15 minutes turned to 10, which evaporated to 5 and then...
My iPhone began shouting in my ear with this alarming...alarm.
"Emergency Alert - National Weather Service: A FLASH FLOOD WARNING is in effect for this area until 11:45 EDT. This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order".
Hurricane Henri had made landfall in the northeast but that wasn't the storm that worried me most. From the time it took for me to read that message and mute that incredibly LOUD sound, a torrent of Puerto Ricans flooded the Live Chess tab and decided to join in on the Live Match, just in time and ripe with dramatic effect.
It was a strong lineup and one worthy of a team that sees themselves toward the top of the standings. My first thought was "Oh, crap...I left the cat outside!" Don't worry, my cat is fine. Mr. Jinx heard your thoughts and prayers and they were much appreciated.
But my thought immediately after that was, "we've got a tough road ahead of us". Puerto Rico at that time sat in third place, with US Chess nipping at their heels. This match, and the whole weekend in whole, would really test the mettle of the US Chess Club. A match worthy for a Saturday Night Prime Time slot. So let's get to the show...
US Chess fell to Team Puerto Rico and Olivari Friends by a total of 25.5 to 14.5. After the first 5 boards, that was where the slight advantage in ratings became evident for the US Commonwealth, but that didn't hinder the performance of a one yoyoyoyoyo1234, formerly known as yoyoyoyoyo, but then chess.com makes you add numbers.
1-2-3-4?
Let's take a look at yo to the fifth's games against NukeManny, who's pushing a 2,000 rating in the Bullet time format.
yox5 played just good ole reliable chess and made solid moves in both games, a sound strategy given the fast time variant. He out-calculated when necessary but most of all just played two free-flowing games. On behalf of the US Chess Club, enjoy a taco on us.
But after the loss, it was time to rest up because in just 24 hours the Americans would have to do it again, this time against the #1 club atop the standings, Team Peru.
Unlike the Puerto Ricans, Peru's players were clicked and registered right when that window opened 60 minutes prior to game time. It's a daunting lineup to peruse through, let alone for an entire hour. I would imagine it's like a surfer eyeballing a 100-foot wave, it can be intimidating but the Americans put up an admirable fight with one of their better lineups, a lineup that maybe could have stole the point just the night before.
But it wasn't enough to best the best team in the league. To quote the late/great Brooklyn born lyricist, The Notorious B.I.G. -
"Peruvians tried to do me in"
and do us in they did indeed. Final score 40-22. But if there's any motivation needed heading into the playoffs, look nowhere else than boards #27 and #29, both sweeping their opponents, adversaries with nearly a 500 point rating differential. Was there connection issues at play or is it possible that their hubris was so damaged after being blown off the board in their first contest, that they refused to even acknowledge that on the schedule there was a second one? I believe it was the latter.
Regardless, this is online chess and those are the perils at play so let's not undermine RBKUHN and misa1chess's efforts, who Stockfish had winning by 4.6 at the time of resignation. But let's take a look at RBKUHN's impressive game with the white pieces.
The Peruvian rogerverdeallauca answered a blunder with a blunder, eventually getting his queen trapped after RBKUHN found the best move, g4. It was mate in 8 before the Peruvian flagged and we all have the utmost confidence that RBKUHN had the entire sequence calculated, locked and loaded. You two will be receiving a "Heart of a Lion" award for your efforts on Sunday.
But failing to secure either of the two points up for grabs this weekend has the Americans sitting on the bubble in 6th place after the final week of the regular season. Here are the standings...
https://livechessleagues.com/s4/bullet-open-tournament/
The US beat Brazil a few weeks back, securing the head to head tie break, meaning that an inevitable rematch with Puerto Rico as the 6-3 matchup in the first round of the LCPAL playoffs is on the horizon.
So next weekend looks to be a significant one. Along with the playoffs, LCWL will be resuming again so all hands on deck will be required. It should go without saying that a good showing will be imperative. So until then, take your lessons and do your puzzles.
And, if you too are interested in participating in US Chess Live Matches, here's a link to the US Chess Club main page -
https://www.chess.com/club/uschess
- where you can find all the information on how to link up as well as all upcoming events. The club and matches are FREE to join and open to ANYONE who wishes to participate. You do not need a USCF rating! Just join the club and registration for Match Play opens one hour before the scheduled time, just like all other tournaments in the Live Chess tab. It's as simple as that!
