79th Kumbaya Tournament

I just played in the 79th Kumbaya chess tournament, and for the first time, in the 1600+ section.  Unfortunately there were only three of us (one guy didn't show up), but the two games we had were interesting.

Round 1:  I played white.

Round 2:  I played black.

Pretty good tournament for me.  I was happy to draw against higher rated opponents.  Let me know what you think of the games; analysis is always helpful.

Sorry I got some of the information wrong.  My rating was 1665, and Scott Drier was 1821.

You were definitely won in that final position. The problem for white is that black's passed pawn is protected by another pawn, and thus can't be defended. You can also benefit from opposition, as demonstrated below.

Haven't looked at the first game - in the second, I'm seeing a win for black in the endgame (haven't looked over the earlier part yet.)

Sorry, didn't see Selwink's comment

In the 2nd game...

I was thinking on 29.  ....Qc2+, then Qc3 was winning.  Shredder agrees.. -1.91  White wouldn't trade queens, b/c it's getting your pawn further up the board, and you'd take white center pawn on the d file.

gg's!

Yeah I was thinking about Qc2+ followed by Qc3, but I didn't like it for some reason.  I think I didn't like Qxh6, but I think you are right and I probably would have been ok.  And I guess I was winning in that endgame.  Too bad I didn't play it out.

I wonder if you'd have played differently if you didn't know his ranking, like when you played against Penny....  

Nice to play good players like that!

Well I knew he was above 1600 because that was the section I was in, so I knew he'd be good.  I also knew that he was New Trier's 2nd board (he'd be first if NM George Li hadn't come).  I was a little scared, but Hiro did beat him so that gave me some hope.