Settling Above 1100

The cycle of life ebbs and flows with some periods being more demanding than others. August to October of this year has been particularly demanding, which forced me to cut down on my chess writing and playing. Curiously, that break preceded a jump in my online game successes both in live challenges and on the damnable [Chess.com Tactics Trainer](). My online ELO currently sits at 1101, which is the first time it has surpassed that benchmark since March 13 of this year.

Pretty charts, but still a long way to go. (Credit: Chess.com/Campfire Chess)

Of course, some of my recent wins were clearly undeserved (abandoned by opponent, etc.) but I believe that many of them are starting to reflect my constant dedication to studying and learning about the game. For example,

[pgn]
[Event “Live Chess”]
[Site “Chess.com”]
[Date “2016.09.25”]
[Round “?”]
[White “Internet Opponent”]
[Black “AmishHacker”]
[Result “0-1”]
[ECO “A00”]
[WhiteElo “1081”]
[BlackElo “1074”]
[Annotator “Surber, Wesley A. “]
[PlyCount “28”]
[EventDate “2016.??.??”]
[Source “Campfire Chess”]
[SourceDate “2014.10.11”]
[TimeControl “900+10”]
[WhiteClock “0:16:08”]
[BlackClock “0:16:38”]

1. h3 {0 I cannot remember the last time I seen this used as an opening move
against a Chess.com opponent. My wife uses it at times, always to her peril.}
d5 {2 Almost ignoring White’s opening move, I played for control of the center.
} 2. e3 {3 No doubt sensing the coming buildup, White engages on the e3 square.
} Nc6 {1} 3. a3 $2 {3 Another unusual move. White seemed less interested in
building up his forces in the center and more interested in guarding the
outside files…} Bf5 {2 Putting pressure on the c2 pawn in the event White
wanted to play to c4. With such an unusual collection of opening moves, it
seemed as though anything could happen.} 4. d4 {6 White blocks the d-pawn from
advancing and intends to force an engagement on e5 or c5 if I were to advance.}
e6 {2 Reinforcement for the d5 pawn.} 5. Be2 {6} Nf6 {3 An attempt to
pressurize White’s kingside by preparing a combo attack.} 6. Nc3 {6 White made
an empty threat to the d5 pawn, but had no option unless he wanted to lose
material.} Bd6 {2 An attempt to assert control of the d6-h2 diagonal and
prevent any future castle option for White.} 7. h4 $4 {12 I am still unsure
why this move was made…} O-O {2 Safety!} 8. g4 {2 White forces an exchange
of pieces.} Be4 {3} 9. Nxe4 {2} Nxe4 {3 I am typically not happy with trading
Bishops for Knights, but White’s counterplay made the Knights much more
powerful for the scenario.} 10. Bd3 {17} Qf6 $6 {2 This was a gamble to see if
White noticed the #1 move. Of course, he did and I was prepared for the
counterplay.} 11. Bxe4 {4} dxe4 {2} 12. g5 {4} Qf5 {7} 13. Ne2 {5} Qf3 $1 {
8 Dangerous territory given the potential for a trap by the Queen and Rook.}
14. Nc3 $4 {2 White made a tragic mistake that changed the course of the game
entirely. The Rook (and the game) is lost.} Qxh1+ {AmishHacker won by
resignation} 0-1
[/pgn]

Winning and losing in chess is like the tides, so I am trying to prepare myself mentally for the time when the wins don’t come and the only way ahead seems to be down, like this heartbreaking loss:

[pgn]
[Event “Live Chess”]
[Site “Chess.com”]
[Date “2016.09.25”]
[Round “?”]
[White “Internet Opponent”]
[Black “AmishHacker”]
[Result “1-0”]
[ECO “D00”]
[WhiteElo “1041”]
[BlackElo “1064”]
[PlyCount “41”]
[EventDate “2016.??.??”]
[Source “Campfire Chess”]
[SourceDate “2014.10.11”]
[TimeControl “900+10”]
[WhiteClock “0:13:54”]
[BlackClock “0:15:43”]

1. d4 {3} d5 {3} 2. Nc3 {8} Nf6 {3} 3. f3 {14} Nc6 {6} 4. Bg5 {6} e6 {4} 5.
Bxf6 {3} Qxf6 {2} 6. e4 {56} dxe4 {12} 7. Nxe4 {5} Qf5 {14} 8. Bb5 {10} Bd7 {3}
9. g4 {28} Qd5 {12} 10. Bxc6 {6} Bxc6 {3} 11. c3 {13} O-O-O {2} 12. Ne2 {7} f5
{11} 13. gxf5 {27} exf5 {4} 14. Nf4 {7} Qc4 {10} 15. b3 {9} Qa6 {9} 16. Ng5 {23
} Re8+ {8} 17. Ne2 {13} h6 {15} 18. Nf7 {6} Bxf3 {3} 19. O-O {17} Bxe2 {17} 20.
Qe1 {4} Bh5 {16} 21. Qxe8# {Internet Opponent won by checkmate} 1-0
[/pgn]

Until next time, keep the flame burning, campers!