Ted Edlich Memorial Tournament 2023

I learned of this tournament the Wednesday before it happened so I was certainly not prepared. Not to mention my alarm didn't go off so I arrived merely minutes before registering would have ended; luckily for me one Philip Harmon, to who this post now needs dedicated, offered to register me after I asked if he could inquire on how strict the on-site deadline was (It wasn't, but I would have missed round 1).

Round 1: Frustration

I was told later that he may be rated 100, but I don't necessarily believe that, and I can't find an active Tyler Hoover for the USCF (There is a 100-rated Tyler Hoover in Florida, but I seriously doubt that my opponent's last rated tournament was in 2001 [or that they could have been born before 2001]) So, a frustrating start, I refused to shake my opponents hand after because I was so upset

Round 2: The rage continues to build

Another slightly frustrating game, but a little less annoying than the first, so far the wins aren't very satisfying, though my expectations were low enough that it didn't suck too bad. Also, free rating!

Round 3: Ahh, Refreshing

I actually felt better after this game than any other, playing actual chess and losing feels better than playing terrible chess and winning. It's also easy to get caught up on my mistakes, but can we appreciate that after making 1 mistake, Mr. Harmon surgically punishes said mistake and takes that advantage all the way to the end.

Last, and certainly not least, an easy win. I am a little mad that I don't even get a single exclam from the engine for that Bishop saq at the end, sadge.

All in all (the clock is slow) I had a good tournament, drank wayy too much Mountain Dew, as one does, and definitely (maybe) gained some points. I tied for second with 3/4 points, and got 5th overall due to average opponent rating, so I took home a modest trophy. I am a little (lot) upset that the actual winner of the tournament didn't have to play more than 1 top seed, that being the previously mentioned Gabe Kaczor, and was practically handed the win because of it. I'm happy with my play, even if a little unsatisfying at times due to my opponents, and I'm excited to go back in April for whatever they're calling that tournament.

Thanks For reading, and I Hope you enjoyed (and learned),

      N. Zuraw

A special thanks to:

Benjamin Dubuque - You've been a good sparring opponent and teacher

Isaac Spence - You've helped hone my openings (I'll try to memorize the entire LiChess study)

Phil Harmon - Would not have been possible without your registering me on-site when I was late

(Edit: Ratings are now correct, post-event, uscf ratings; boards are oriented correctly)