tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681850489432318981.post4858187774732542725..comments2023-03-23T11:12:13.191-07:00Comments on US Chess League News: Wildcard Game #7Arun Sharmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17502944059031864655noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681850489432318981.post-14212404750585941562010-12-19T22:01:40.841-08:002010-12-19T22:01:40.841-08:00Mr. Tarr, are you by any chance from the Boston ar...Mr. Tarr, are you by any chance from the Boston area? :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681850489432318981.post-85147221247369231502010-12-19T20:15:52.375-08:002010-12-19T20:15:52.375-08:00My humble guide to the top three games of the year...My humble guide to the top three games of the year. <br /><br /><br />Kacheishvili-Shankland<br /><br />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. <br /><br /><br />Hungaski-Schroer<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br />Christiansen-Kraai<br /><br />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.bruce tarrnoreply@blogger.com