Author: José Carlos
Date: 05:12:22 05/29/01
I was sad before the tournament begun, because I wasn't able to finish my new version on time. A million excuses could be given to explain why, but I prefer simply saying 'I wasn't able'. As the new version is a complete rewrite, and not even a single line of code of the previous version has been used, I felt that playing this tournament was pointless. However, I had singed time before, and I cosidered 'not correct' to withdraw in the last minute. The tournament would be hurt for the odd number of players and I didn't want that to happen. I agree with most people that this event is much more that a simple tournament. People talk about many interesting things, IM Shorer (correct spell?) did great commenting the games, and you watch very interesting chess. I don't know if this is only my problem, but I can't manage to read comments, watch games, talk to people, analyze my prog's game, speak with my operator... everything at the same time! It's an incredible mess in my screen, full of text, programs kibitzing pv's and evals, people talking... :) It's great, but for some reason, I feel I'm the only one that can't enjoy it for the big confusion in my screen! Or maybe I was just sad about not having my new version ready. But let's talk about the games: Round 1: Averno - SOS 0-1 I was sure SOS would kill me very quick, but to my surprise, it made some mistakes in the opening and, at some point, Averno was two pawns up. Then, I still cant understand why, Averno blundered with 24 Kd1, and later with 28 Nh2. The rest was easy for SOS. [D]r3k1r1/1p1b1p1p/p1n1p2q/2b1P3/2PN1P2/2PP1N1P/PQ4B1/R3K1R1 w Qq - 0 24 24 Kd1?? Round 2: Terra - Averno 1/2 Surprising opening: 1. b4 c6 2. Bb2 Qb6 After some moves, Averno felt happy with the position but too many exchanges led to a very difficult ending. Terra had a good passer in a line, and finally managed to exchange the rooks. The pawn ending seemd lost at first sight, but it finally was a draw (after a queens ending a pawn up!) [D]8/2k2p2/2prp3/5p1p/PPK2P1P/3R2P1/8/8 b - - 0 51 Round 3: Yace - Averno 1-0 Too strong for Averno. Yace killed us easily in a Benoni where my program played a wrong plan. Round 4: Averno - Monsoon 1/2 IMO the best game from Averno in this tournament. I was very pleased with it's strategical play. From this position: [D]1r3r1k/pp1b1pqp/2np2p1/2p1p3/2P1P3/P2P1NPP/1P1Q1PB1/2R2RK1 w - - 0 18 18. b4 Nd4 19. Nd4 cd4 20. f4 f5 21. Kh2 fe4 23. de4 Rf7 24. c5! After winning a pawn, Averno let Monsoon's rook activate, and could no longer win the game. Round 5: Hossa - Averno 1-0 Unsound pawn sac just after the book and quick loss. A wrong term in the eval. Hossa smoked Averno. Round 6: Averno - Celes 1-0 I was very dissapointed with my program for allowin such a pin and the f line open: [D]r2q1rk1/ppp1b1pp/3p1n2/4p3/3n2b1/2NP1NP1/PPP2PBP/R1BQR2K w - - 0 11 Celes could have killed me, but in some moment, it played Bf3? After that, the game turn favourable for Averno. Round 7: Sjeng - Averno 1-0 Very interesting game, IMO. Averno sacced a pawn and got a very strong position. [D]r5k1/6p1/b4q2/r1pp4/Pn2pPN1/1PR1P1P1/3Q2B1/3R2K1 b - - 0 31 Here, Averno played Qf5 after failing low for the logical Qg6. I haven't anayzed it yet, but I feel Qg6 was enough not to lose. Round 8: Averno - Armageddon 1-0 Very 'computer-like' game with absurd move for both sides. Armageddon blundered a piece, and Averno grabbed it. So this is all from me. Not very interesting review, I know, but what can I say? :) At least, I have interesting positions where Averno made big mistakes to test new version. Only one thing more. Thanks to everyone involved in the tournament, but specially to my operator Roger Davis. José C.
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