Very nice games Erik, congratulations!!
How did Erik do in the National Open??

Very nice is an overstatement :P. But honestly... making 1600's look like 1600's is a testament to your strength, whether you feel you deserve it or not. Great blog. Thanks and congratz!!!

Sorry Erik for writing, but I read your article about your winning National Open section <1600 rating. I have seen your play and no matter how you "defence" for me everything is clear: YOU DESERVED your winning! In those games you showed how tough player you are and what crazy things (in positive meaning) you may play! Your defence skills are amazing! You know how to play with unbalanced positions and you know about strategy (weak posts, outpost, open line) much more than average 1600 player! I'm bit stronger than you on ELO scale (1863 ELO - playing something like 1700-1720 now), but I think our games would have been very close!
You have showed great performance and you were "more lucky" than your opponents! Remeber what said Capablanca (or Alekhine): "The winner is the player who has got more luck" Did you understand what I would like to tell you?
Find out here:
http://blog.chess.com/erik/an-apology-to-my-opponents-in-the-national-open-09
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