Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wildcard Game #7
Wildcard #7: IM Robert Hungaski (NE) vs IM Jonathan Schroer (CAR) 1-0
Greg Shahade: This game seemed to be overlooked by the judges, in what I suspect was largely due to the fact that Black seemed to have great compensation for his material deficit, but it eventually fizzled out. In reality, after an intense series of moves and wild exchanges, White was actually always doing ok, which was my feeling at the time and also backed up by computer analysis. A fine piece of calculation and courage from the Rookie of the Year.
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So the twenty games in the GOTY Contest are officially set! They are:
Week 1: GM Yury Shulman (STL) vs GM Melikset Khachiyan (LA) 1-0 Article
Week 2: GM Yury Shulman (STL) vs IM Florin Felecan (CHC) 0-1 Article
Week 3: IM Daniel Rensch (ARZ) vs WFM Tatev Abrahamyan (LA) 1-0 Article
Week 4: GM Josh Friedel (SF) vs GM Varuzhan Akobian (SEA) 1-0 Article
Week 5: FM Charles Galofre (MIA) vs FM Marcel Milat (SEA) 1-0 Article
Week 6: GM Larry Christiansen (BOS) vs GM Jesse Kraai (SF) 1-0 Article
Week 7: IM Jonathan Schroer (CAR) vs GM Giorgi Kacheishvili (NY) 1-0 Article
Week 8: IM Jonathan Schroer (CAR) vs GM Larry Christiansen (BOS) 0-1 Article
Week 9: GM Varuzhan Akobian (SEA) vs GM Josh Friedel (SF) 1-0 Article
Week 10: SM Jorge Sammour-Hasbun (BOS) vs GM Giorgi Kacheishvili (NY) 1-0 Article
Quarterfinals: NM Ilya Krasik (BOS) vs NM Adithya Balasubramanian (BAL) 1-0 Article
Semifinals: Nicholas Rosenthal (MIA) vs NM Nick Thompson (ARZ) 1-0 Article
Championship: IM Sam Shankland (NE) vs GM Julio Becerra (MIA) 1-0 Article
Wildcard #1: NM Eric Rosen (CHC) vs Alex Guo (SEA) 0-1 Article
Wildcard #2: GM Varuzhan Akobian (SEA) vs GM Yury Shulman (STL) 1-0 Article
Wildcard #3: GM Giorgi Kacheishvili (NY) vs IM Sam Shankland (NE) 0-1 Article
Wildcard #4: GM Alex Stripunsky (MAN) vs GM Sergey Erenburg (BAL) 0-1 Article
Wildcard #5: SM Jorge Sammour-Hasbun (BOS) vs IM Sasha Kaplan (BAL) 1-0 Article
Wildcard #6: GM Dmitry Gurevich (CHC) vs IM Rogelio Barcenilla (ARZ) 1-0 Article
Wildcard #7: IM Robert Hungaski (NE) vs IM Jonathan Schroer (CAR) 1-0 Article
And so the Game of the Year Contest is ready to begin and so all that is left is for that to actually happen. That will occur in the next few days with the first elimination so be certain to keep checking the USCL site so you don't miss any of the action!
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2 comments:
My humble guide to the top three games of the year.
Kacheishvili-Shankland
Remember that first year you realized Tom Brady was Tom Brady? When the Patriots shined head above the rest? Up until the very end when there was only a few games to pick from did Sam Shankland get any sort of recognition. Going by expert opinion, and fan appreciation, this game was voted for heavily when it wasn't chosen, and now leads the poll on which wildcard game will do the best in the Game of the Year. Without pumped up voting, and a realistic poll outcome, its clear to see that others also enjoyed this extraordinary game and the abilities of a great player turned phenomenal over night. Week to week the doubt of the Nor'easters and Sam Shankland grew, with wins! Everyone thought Kacheishvili would man-handle Sam Shankland, and with black pieces Shankland showed us bar none the most impressive end game of the year. The team spirit and beyond masterful mentoring from Manager David Vigorito also nudged me to rank this first. My only qualm is its sheer polymath play, I felt it may have lacked enthusiasm with such a well crafted opening, but Sam Shankland was the silent superbness of the season, and this was a shining example.
Hungaski-Schroer
I'm still amazed at how many wins Robert Hungaski put up this year, I'm even more amazed by this game. I thought I was the only one that felt a tsunami in my veins every time I reviewed this game, I'm surprised to see it on everyone's top five list lately. Hungaski has proven he has more bravado than Charles Bronson himself. With a tired Lennox Lewis approach to most wins added in the Game of the Year contest, this is Roy Jones Jr. excitement. I think this stands out in entertainment and unseen play over every other game in the running combined.
Christiansen-Kraai
Consistency can be key, we need to have stand out players that are respected as the future hall-of-famers that they are. While everyone seems to be on the bandwagon of two brainiacs that played a somewhat flawed game, I think you are forgetting the other powerhouse. It was one of Larry Christiansens more silent years, but still he brought us broken slabs of cement in week six. In every other sport we herald our greats, bias or not Larry Christiansens games should be looked over a second time over others just on sheer all-star power, hes earned that honor. Not to mention this game was a rare unanimous game of the week winner, and yet its being shelved on everyone's list? Every now and then we need to celebrate aggressiveness and scorn weakness, Larry Christiansen does just that in this chest thumping beat down. This is an incredible game, this is the Christiansen style we love, this is an excellent GM win, this is the Game of the Year. Storming the Barricades.
Mr. Tarr, are you by any chance from the Boston area? :)
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