Did they play the Queen's Gambit on you? These openings require a well-timed dxc4. Play the ChessMaster and you will realize it's not easy. I beated my National Master chess coach (NM) using a symmetrical English opening, and I won with a Queenside expansion, he had central play.
I also won on time. (I was Black, he was White). Over-the-board with kids spectating! Ouch, considering the 2002 Junior Orange Bowl Chess Scholastic Championship in Florida, and the 2003 World Open in Philadelphia.
Did Kramnik make everyone a finagle detection expert?