2012 Oregon Winter Open Part 4

Unfortunately despite my plans to get lots of sleep Saturday night, I went to my friends house, and our mutual friend had just gotten back from Indiana, so we went out and had a few drinks. Nothing too raucous, but I don't think I got to sleep until 2 or 3? Anyway, I wasn't at 100% Sunday morning, but I was still pumped up from my performance on Saturday, and eager to play.

With 1.5/3 I was paired against Steven Witt. I haven't played him before so I didn't know what to expect. We chatted before the round started and he seemed like a nice fellow ~20? ~25?. I had white against him, and he was my lowest rated opponent of the tournament at 1860, so I figured I would have good chances.

An interesting game where I get in a slightly worse/cramped position in the opening, and maneuver my pieces back to equality. After he pushes a bit, I get him to a passive position and he blunders with Qxa5 allowing me to push my c pawn home. I haven't checked this against the computer for blunders, but to me it feels like my best game of the tournament. And now I was 2.5/4! Better than my wildest expectations heading in.