This is the last game of the match. Jose desperately needs a win and there's not a doubt in the world that he will play the English Opening.
The question in Jose's mind probably is: "Will Vela transpose into the King's Indian Defense? I hope he does, because he lost the last two games with it. Or has he done his homework and does he have something waiting for me in the King's Indidan Defense. He imporved on his first game with it and will likely improve on it again.
Jose decides to try a tricky line of the English with 2. g3--tricky that is, if the opening is kept in English lines. 2. g3 rules out any Black ideas of Nc3 followed by ...Bb4. So White can move this move-order to limit Black's options.
Vela plays it pretty good and gets a pretty nice position. For a moment it looks like Jose will be covered with a blanket and given a beating. I think Vela got "Queen happy" in this game. He lost some tempo by doing, but it wasn't harmful until he grabbed a pawn with the queen. Then the game turned into a position that Jose excels in--an active position ripe for tactics and combinations. The rest of the game featured a few nice tactical shots by Jose punctuated with a beautiful combo to end it.
The match is tied at 8 games apiece.
Congratulations to both players on the best chess match that I've ever seen. It featured every thing a great sporting event has: drama, nerves, tension, instructive play and a see-saw tug-of-war which even featured both players coming from behind to even the score.
Next year Juan Jauregi will be entering the match with Jose and Vela. Juan, predicts that "it'll be a walk in the park" for him, but I'm not so sure about that. It appears he might be overconfident and might forget to put in the effort to face his opposition. From what I can see Vela has improved a lot. The only think that I see he has to work on for next year is a method of meeting the English Opening and preparing for Juan. Juan, Jose and Vela are pretty much equal strengh. Juan has immense talent for the game and is not even close to reaching his potential. Jose and Vela could become so focused on each other that they forget all about Juan. Who will win next year? It's anyone's guess.
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Thank you again Paul. The comments to our Match were great. I'm sorry, let me say it again: They were GREAT! All in caps, because you did a fantastic job, I really enjoyed it very much and appreciate your witty, candid, honest and very funny comments, especially the one were you got some help form the Ebonics guy. My wife thought I was crazy for laughing so hard to the laptop.
ReplyDeleteI also think you are absolutely right about Juan being overconfident, he has told us he doesn't care whether he gets white or black, or whether he plays a match or a single game, he will win it almost effortless...well, I guess we'll see. Right now our ratings predict that he will win by close to 2 points, but he doesn't have the unique experience that 149 match games gives you, and that could be a big, huge factor against him, so...we'll see. Of course he can win, anyone can, but not as easy as 'walking in the park'
It will be different from having only two guys killing each other, and that will make it even harder and more interesting than ever.
The "Spanish Torture Match 2011" will consist of 24 games in total, each person will play 8 games against the other 2, 16 in total, and we have included the Sophia rules into the match format, so there's no draw offers before move 40, and since I kept my "Title" by drawing the 2010 Match, we also have draw odds for the champion (Vela) and in order for either Juan or Jose to win the match, they have to finish with at least 1/2 point above myself.
I am looking forward to a great Match, against two of my best friends and teammates, to decide the 2011 Las Vegas Hispanic Chess Champion.
Thank you Paul, and take care.
-Paco Vela.
Paul great comments. My preparation for the match is covering a variety of subjects including meditation,I have to keep my team of seconds secret.Soon I going to start a training match with two players that play like Jose and Paco,to simulate real combat experience. I have a GURU taking care of the database part of the match.It is true that 149 macth games are a significant amount of experience but in the other hand so many annotated games available make the opponent preparation easier,the games start in a couple of weeks and like I said they do no have time to change their repertoire so that part is a walk in the park.I know I am going to be facing two dangerous players probably the already infamous walk in the park line is an exageration but my mind frame is set up for a fight,elegant or brutal chess. When I step out to the arena of the coliseum I going to be ready for what ever comes out of the gates.Good luck to my friend Paco and Jose.
ReplyDeleteThey psychological duel has already begun. Like Ryan Phillip's recent post on Facebook, "A battle is usually won before it takes place." It looks like Juan might have "taken the bait" by revealing some details of his preparation. Either that, or Juan feels his plan and is so good that even revealing it will not matter. In my opinion, its impossible to overcome the experience of someone with over 149 match games! Boxing is not different. There's no way a fighter with 10 fights can compete with the experience of a boxer with 30-40 fights under his belt--unless the more experienced fighter is "over the hill" or took too many head shots. I guess it comes down to this: Who do you pick, Experience or Talent? It seems that Juan has taken preparation to the next level by recruiting a talented team of seconds, much like Kasparov did. Kasparov's seconds researched and created the novelties, all Kasparov had to do was remember it. Since Juan is unwilling to reveal the name of his assistants; in the future, I'll refer to them as "The Corporation." NOTE: Not the Cuban Miami Mafia syndicate with the same name. At least I hope not! Here's one scenario on what may occur. It looks like these two "bulls" will be a a big struggle in the ring until El Matador, Jose steps in, gores one bull then another. That might happen. Jose will be forgotten about and to everyone's surprise he takes the prize. That's only one scenario, but it's possible. Like I said anything can happen.
ReplyDeleteRight now I am just doing board visualization exercises, I spent two hours in front of an empty board and what I saw blew my mind away..I saw the future, mystical beasts roaming in the garden of chess, it was amazing!
ReplyDeleteJuan Pablo, I hope the "seconds help" was a joke! We don't do that kind of lazy thing! We prepare ourselves, we study ourselves and we fight ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThe opening is very important, but other factors that I will not mention here are way, way more important than just memory and theory and experience does not guarantees an advantage but it certainly is a great tool. As a Serious Match Virgin, you will find out, after a period of trial an error, just hope that it won't be too late!!
I don't need to change anything in my openings, just have to use them wisely against my two very different opponents. Both of you: Be ready! The Aztec warrior is thirsty and is looking for blood!! Not just any kind, but blood from the Caribbean Sea...with some Rum and Cigar flavor to it....mmmmmhhhhh.
Paul, Have you seen any Cuban people around lately? I am thirsty!!
Hey Guys I"m here now!!!! Keep dreaming! I'm the real fighter, you two are just a pushing wood! I will take your blood and drink it with pleasure, be ready for a crazy game of chess. NO FEAR JOSE IS HERE!!!
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