This wild draw, with many ups and downs takes a middle spot in the Game of the Year Contest.
This is the tenth part in a series of articles which will count down to revealing what game was voted as the 2012 USCL Game of the Year. For more information on exactly how this process works and the prize information, please refer to: Game of the Year Contest
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
11th Place: FM Eric Rodriguez (MIA) vs IM Justin Sarkar (CON) 1/2-1/2
In a wild game, the incredibly tricky 30… d2! 31. hxg7+ Kh7 32. Ngf5 Rd3!! was one interesting path to victory
GM-elect Robert Hungaski (2nd Place, 19 Points): I love tough struggles! I love being a part of them when I play, and I love watching them when it’s others putting on the show. Personally, my so called “tough” games tend to go in more subtle directions as opposed to these blow-for-blow slugfests. I usually find that tactical skirmishes simply can’t be held to as high standards given the margin for error and the usually quick resolution of events. However, in this game it was move after move of blow after blow, with surprisingly few mistakes. Not easy to come across these days!
FM Alisa Melekhina (6th Place, 15 Points): A game that was as entertaining to analyze as it must have been for the spectators to watch. Since 14. b4, practically every move made by both sides was a threat or a capture – not a tempo was wasted in the ensuing complications. Black’s head must have been spinning after the craziness on the board, so missing the saving 30… d2 is of course forgiveable. Both players displayed commendable fighting spirit and vivacity, especially Rodriguez who kept his higher-rated opponent on his toes. A draw was a mutually well-deserved result. The game could have had more finesse, but scores major points for perseverance from Sarkar and immense resourcefulness and creativity from Rodriguez. A true nail-biter that will serve as an exemplar of a USCL game.
GM Alejandro Ramirez (7th Place, 14 Points): This game was quite cool. A heartstopper at the end, with a perpetual that I’m sure both players had no idea was really a perpetual or even mate when the g5 resource started. However I can’t put it higher on the list because honestly the quality of this game is very low.
FM Ron Young (13th Place, 8 Points): Looking at this game after 18 moves, I was reminded of a time I witnessed Nick de Firmian analyze a position with William Lombardy. Black was up something like a Queen and two Rooks, but White’s game looked somehow so nice, together, comme il faut, hail-fellow-well-met, and comfortable in its own skin that Nick was reluctant to give it up. Nonetheless he did, as it seems White would have had to in this game had Black found the plan with … d2 and the later interference move … Rd3, when I should certainly have ranked it among the top handful.
IM David Pruess (15th Place, 6 Points): Nice creative play by Rodriguez! This was a very original and interesting game all the way through. I wish he’d found a way to gain an advantage and have a longer game with an endgame, rather than settling for a perpetual; I would have liked to have more of this game.
GM Alex Yermolinsky (17th Place, 4 Points): Sarkar knew this line of the Catalan well. He played 10… Qf5 quickly, the move that significantly improves on other Queen retreats, but only has been seen in a few games. Rodriguez replied in the most creative way: he made his Pawn sacrifice permanent by removing the c4-pawn and letting that Pawn Queen! For a while it seemed Black had to have a winning line in his disposal, but Rodriguez saw deeper and the game went on. For a while Sarkar played the best moves, but he missed a forced win (30… d2 instead of 30… de2), and his King had to go for a walk. White was no longer in danger, and the game ended with the perpetual.
Total Score of Rodriguez vs Sarkar: (11th Place, 66 Points)
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Stay tuned for ten more such articles as the field shrinks by one game almost every day to see which of the following games will be the 2012 Game of the Year!
Week 3: SM Robert Perez (MIA) vs GM Julio Sadorra (DAL) 0-1 Article
Week 5: GM Vladimir Romanenko (MAN) vs GM Alex Stripunsky (NJ) 0-1 Article
Week 8: GM Tamaz Gelashvili (NY) vs GM Sam Shankland (NE) 1-0 Article
Week 9: GM Tamaz Gelashvili (NY) vs SM William Fisher (PHI) 1/2-1/2 Article
Week 10: FM Kazim Gulamali (BOS) vs GM Larry Kaufman (BAL) 1-0 Article
Quarterfinals: SM Matt Herman (NY) vs IM Eli Vovsha (MAN) 1-0 Article
Wildcard #1: GM Mikheil Kekelidze (CON) vs FM Kassa Korley (CAR) 0-1 Article
Wildcard #2: GM Alex Stripunsky (NJ) vs GM Tamaz Gelashvili (NY) 0-1 Article
Wildcard #4: IM Priyadharshan Kannappan (STL) vs FM Kassa Korley (CAR) 1-0 Article
Wildcard #7: GM Alex Stripunsky (NJ) vs SM Jorge Sammour-Hasbun (BOS) 0-1 Article
Eliminated:
11th Place (66 Points): FM Eric Rodriguez (MIA) vs IM Justin Sarkar (CON) 1/2-1/2 Article Elimination Article
12th Place (59 Points): IM Mackenzie Molner (ARZ) vs IM Jonathan Schroer (CAR) 1-0 Article Elimination Article
13th Place (59 Points): GM Vladimir Romanenko (MAN) vs GM Tamaz Gelashvili (NY) 1-0 Article Elimination Article
14th Place (58 Points): IM Georgi Orlov (SEA) vs GM Conrad Holt (DAL) 1-0 Article Elimination Article
15th Place (57 Points): NM Jared Defibaugh (BAL) vs NM Justus Williams (NY) 1-0 Article Elimination Article
16th Place (48 Points): GM Ben Finegold (STL) vs GM Niclas Huschenbeth (BAL) 1-0 Article Elimination Article
17th Place (37 Points): NM Joshua Sinanan (SEA) vs IM Shahin Mohandesi (ARZ) 1-0 Article Elimination Article
18th Place (33 Points): SM Denys Shmelov (BOS) vs GM Conrad Holt (DAL) 1/2-1/2 Article Elimination Article
19th Place (30 Points): FM Ralph Zimmer (BAL) vs NM Joshua Colas (CON) 1-0 Article Elimination Article
20th Place (17 Points): IM Georgi Orlov (SEA) vs SM William Fisher (PHI) 1/2-1/2 Article Elimination Article