A couple of OTB woes

Greetings players and fellow patzers,

I write this in a horrible mood after today's performances in the Doncaster Congress.

This was a tougher tournament than usual, for I had entered the Intermediate,
so my opponents were at a higher level compared to whom I have played previously.

Before today, I was sitting on 2.5/3 points, so in good shape.
... I then took only half a point from 2 games that should have both been won.

White to play, spot the winning move/idea


I played Re6+ with the idea that after Kxf5 I play g7
and if he takes my Rook I get to promote with check... important as otherwise Ra8+ is a draw.
I had simply overlooked Rxg7 and my Rook is hanging.

-------------------

This next one is even worse.

Black to play, spot the winning move/idea (Edit: Black is going up the board this time, obviously)


I was Black, the game ended up being a dead draw but I refused to take repetitions.
Stupid pride got in the way and I ended up losing.

-------------------------

I won't be doing a full tournament report like usual,
which is a shame because some of the games were interesting.

Something tells me I wouldn't have made these mistakes online.
OTB is a cruel world.

If anyone is interested in seeing any full games, let me know and I can PM you the pgn's.

Cheers,
Zak

I can understand the first one, easily done. but the second one!
First take the pawn and the three pawns out run the Bishop. You use
the BK to get a pawn to c4 and run the a-pawn, it only has to reach a2.

Hello Zak,
A real shame about that last one, especially. If it helps, I yesterday had a bit of a breakdown and finished 0/3 in a tournament; won't be doing a tournament for that one, either, so you're not the only one in your boat. Anyway, best of luck with the next one, if you do get back out there.

I just laugh about the second one now... a Rook and 3 pawns loses to a Bishop and 1 pawn... simply ridiculous.

The worst part was there were a lot of people stood around watching,
so a lot of people saw my meltdown.

He was rated ECF 145, joint highest in my section,
so I can at least say "I had a win against him", even if it didn't materialise.

My next tournament is in 3 weeks, Blackpool... ECF 135 or under.
Considering my 2 wins this weekend were against a 136 and a 140, my aim is to win the section outright.

I hope to bring good news...

@64squaresofpain said
Greetings players and fellow patzers,

I write this in a horrible mood after today's performances in the Doncaster Congress.

This was a tougher tournament than usual, for I had entered the Intermediate,
so my opponents were at a higher level compared to whom I have played previously.

Before today, I was sitting on 2.5/3 points, so in good shape.
... I then t ...[text shortened]... yone is interested in seeing any full games, let me know and I can PM you the pgn's.

Cheers,
Zak

Something tells me I wouldn't have made these mistakes online. OTB is a cruel world.


This is why I left OTB years ago, to make matters worse, It is proper to congratulate the winner, and shake their hand, when you'd much prefer to take a pick-axe to the back of their skull! 😠

@mchill
Yeah, well I shook his hand, but didn't exactly heap on the praise.

Some of the crowd that watched were eager to tell me about the move I missed,
which I instantly said "I know, I know, I have no idea why I didn't play it"

What's worse is, if I won, I would have tied for 1st place.
Because of the loss, I got nada.

Eh well, I can take away the positives, it's a good lesson to learn.

The fact I was winning vs. an ECF145 player shows I've come a long way from stomping minor and standard sections.