TCCL 2014 - Final

The 2014 season of the TCCL is finished, and the Rochester teams managed to finish solidly (more or less) in the middle of the pack in all three divisions.

This is confirmation of the Rochester Chess Club's attempt to field teams that are competitive in all three divisions.

Our gold team did have some nervous moments in the last round. We needed to do better than the Twin Knights to secure our place in the Gold, but their opponents first board did not show, and the Twin Knights got a 4-0 sweep by forfeit. We were able to manage a 4-0 sweep by games.

Overall, I am satisfied with my performance this year. I think I improved in how I prepared for an opponent, but I think my overall chess strength has not increased as much as prior years. I am hoping the annotation of games I am doing for "Following Kaufman" will help me progress.

TCCL 2014 round 5

I played Zach Adams, again, and lost, again. The rest of the team did well, but the match turned on my game. We need to get at least a whole point out of the next two matches to stay in the Gold.

It was not a good night for Rochester, as the other teams lost, also.

I had a good idea that did not work tactically. I missed a pin that spoiled the combination. The combination was to open up the center while his king was stuck there.

I misjudged the team situation, and I should have played more solidly.