Al Ufer Memorial

I played in my first tournament in nearly five months at the 5th Al Ufer Memorial tournament. In the first round, against a 1620, I got a great attack going which was only stopped by winning the exchange, and then proceeded to pick off several pawns in the late middle-game. By the time I gave the exchange back, I was three passed pawns ahead and won easily in the end game. In the second game, against a 2030, I was worse all game but sacrificed a pawn in order to get into a fairly equal queen and opposite-bishop endgame. After the trade of queens, a draw became inevitable. In round 3, I played a 1880 and won the exchange with a great attack on the queen. Unfortunately I drifted in the middle-game, and my opponent found a good combination to win a piece and a pawn, and won the two pieces vs rook endgame fairly easily. My last game against a 1750 also had a strong attack that I sacrificed a rook for. I didn't get the mate I was looking for, but I managed to decimiate the kingside and win four pawns, making material almost even. The position was about equal when I tried to activate my king, but instead walked into a forced mate by two bishops and a rook.

All in all, even though I scored only 1.5/4 and lost 15 rating points to 1843, I felt pretty good about my games. I had chances in all four games, emerged from the opening with honor in all my games, and took advantage of many tactical chances. Four weeks til the Portsmouth open.