Finishing Strong: The Columbia Chess Club Championship: Round 5

The one goal I still have, is to reach 1800. I'm not so far now. It has been a long journey that won't end anytime soon. Let's get into it. Before that, however, I have an announcement.

I am going to recap every tournament I go to no matter what. I also may be going to the Reverse Angle in Charlotte in eight days. For now, let's get into it.

April 30th Blitz 3+2

Round 1: Jack Bontrager (984) (White) (1-0)

I play Jack almost every tournament. Every time it goes the same way. I won a piece but lost some pawns near the end. He suddenly resigned when I took one of his pawns. 

Jack is very nice as well, I love to play him in tournaments.

(Round 2: Thomas Kemp Sr. (1424) (Black) (0-1)

Let's get this done quickly. He essentially just blundered his queen and it was pretty much over from there. I was close to promoting and he resigned. 

I was nervous for the next game, competing in blitz is very risky now, cause I would lose more points than I gain. Chace also beat NM Mike Sailer this round! Great job my friend <3.

(Round 3: Aarush Panda) (1511) (White) (1-0)

I went for his lone c-pawn in this game but he defended well. Not too long after we traded down and I was up 2 pawns. He fought back though, nearly checkmating me, but I survived and went on to win by promotion.

Now it was time for the final battle against none other than 

(Round 4: Arnav Singh) (1721) (Black) "The Battle For Blitz"

I think that's a good name for it. I like that. It was a standard Caro-Kann that turned into him sacrificing a bishop and then getting up! The disrespect. I knew it wasn't over quite yet though, as long as I got my king to safety, I had a good chance. We traded down where we both had 2 rooks but I had a passed pawn. He couldn't stop the pawn from promoting or check so I won, giving me another win over my rival. 

After winning the blitz tournament, the player awards were coming up and I will list them here. But first, here's my new blitz rating.  

Here are the awards: 

Coach of the Year: Mr. Sean Miller

Junior Player of the Year: Aarush Panda

Junior Player of the Year runner-up: Alvin Jordan 

Player of the Year: Arnav Singh

Player of the Year runner-up: Charlotte Jordan

Tournament Director of the Year: Mr. James Brandmair

Most Improver Player: Logan Santos

Most Improved Player runner-up: Chace Nguyen 

Most Active Player: ME???!?!?

I was not expecting to get any awards this at all. But this plaque is a  fine addition to my collection. Let's get onto the classical.

Full recap of April Classical

Run It Back: The Columbia Chess Club Championship: Round 1

Evan Godinich: (744) (Black) (0-1)

Staying Calm: The Columbia Chess Club Championship: Round 2

Tyler Murrah (1832) (White) (0-1)

A Round Of Applause: The Columbia Chess Club Championship: Round 3

Rio Saha (1067) (Black) (0-1)

Undefeated: The Columbia Chess Club Championship: Round 4

Mr. Sean Miller (1751) (Black) (0-1)

Finishing Strong: The Columbia Chess Club Championship: Round 5

Round 5: Erik L Walker (1886) (White) (0-1)

I had lost. Just the stupidest most simple mistake that you would ever see. It's unfortunate that this happened. I couldn't avenge them. Chace and my dad. But come back next month Erik, we'll see how you do then. But that's it, my rating did go up, which I'm thankful for. 

I probably won't be going on Thursday next week, but quad night is very likely. Bye guys.