NJ Open Roundup

I apologize for the delay, but I am finally home to blog about the NJ Open.

First we have the obligatory links to games & results.  The games were compiled by Pete Tamburro, the Star Ledger Chess Columnist.

NJ Open Selected Games

NJ Open Results List

This was one of the strongest NJ Opens I can ever remember.  The Organizers wanted to invite two GMs to the tournament.  They initially struck out on the second person, so they got a third person.  However, the GMs might have a chess playing thread active, as after the first two accepted, 5 more GMs came!  We had 7 GMs & 5 IMs, the most that I could ever remember, & over 1/3 of the Open Field was Master Level Strength (2200) or higher.

The only lowlight of the tournament was an outburst in the 5th Round.  I was tucked away in a corner when all of a sudden a player on the other side of the room starts slamming pieces at his opponent.  After he was escorted out, he yells even louder - so loud that you could hear him through the closed doors.  I really hope that all the other players don't get scared off of this tournament by this guy.  I have since been informed that he will be dealt with, as his behavior was extremely unprofessional & extremely childlike.

The Morristown Hyatt is a really nice site.  There are places galore to eat within a mile walking distance.  The hotel staff is very attentive, the playing room was nicely lit, & the parking situation is not problematic for the players.

I finished with 3 points out of 6 rounds.  You can see some of my games, especially the losses to both IM Zlotnikov & NM Milovanovic in the first link above.  I went up a piece against Zlotnikov, but there was really no choice but to offer a draw as he had perpetual check.  I opted to press on & eventually lost the game.

Against Milovanovic, we played a deep main line of the King's Indian Defense.  The game was very exciting, & both of us squandered at least one or two chances to take control of this game.

Pete was nice enough to help me out going over some games after a few of my rounds.  He published a book earlier this year called Openings for Amateurs.  I am about a third of the way through the book, & it's a really good resource for players 1300-1900.  He's really instructive, & actively challenges you to find out what you did wrong, as well as ask you why you did what you did in the game.

That concludes my brief report.