TCC-39 Round 1 Games

Vadim used many tempo gaining moves in order to gain space and initiative. David Ball defenses seemed to be holding until he got into trouble with 27...Ree7 getting in his monarch's way.

Paschal played the middlegame very well and I had very little to be proud of.  I would have taken his draw offer but due to rating considerations I felt compelled to play on. The ending was winning for me but I was careless and Paschal could have secured a draw on move 45.Rxc2 with equality.  Instead he elected to keep the Rooks on the board and I managed to win the pawn race.

Mike's semi Tarrasch is serving him well and I like the position he creates for a comfortable middlegame but he plays for a trap later in the game with 24...Bg5 when a more circumspect move like 24...Rfe8 would have highlighted his positional advantage.

King's piece activity is countered well by Mennella until he forgets about the Bc7's defensive powers and plays the awful 22...Ng3??  King plays well enough but I think I would have played 37.h4 keeping the black king under pressure. King lets James trade too many of his remaining pawns and the win evaporates dispite having an extra piece.