Pandomonium Knockout Tournament Results, 17 Mar 11

I don't remember seeing so much intensity in a tournament. The last time I recall seeing so much intensity was when a coworker was going through a custody battle with his wife. I also think back to a bikini fight at the beach about 20 years ago, but my comments need to stop there before my blog gets rated XXX.

Let me start with the fight of the night:

Vela vs Pereira. I was expecting a battle but nothing like this. I can only compare it to two great warships facing each other and firing round after round or two boxers not thinking about defense but just rounding back and attempting to deliver roundhouse knockout blows. Words fail to fully describe this--you would have had to be present to feel the intensity.

There were no losers in this match. Both players played like winners and showed great fighting spirit.

Here's the results:

Rapid Play (G20 w/5 sec delay)
Game 1: Vela vs Pereira 0-1
Game 2: Pereira vs Vela 0-1

Blitz (G3 w/2 sec delay)
Game 1: Vela vs Pereira 1-0
Game 2: Pereira vs Vela 1-0

Armageddon Blitz (White 6 min/Black 5; Black has draw odds)
Vela vs Pereira 1-0

Vela remains in the Winner's Bracket and his next opponent is Todd Imada. Royce drops to the Loser's Bracket and faces Jose Ramirez.

Imada vs Juaregui: This is my pick for runner-up fight of the night. Unfortunately I did not see most of it, but it appeared to be a very close and tense struggle. In game two of the rapid play match, Juaregui played a very strong endgame and delivered mate with the perfect coordination of bishop, knight, king and pawn. Here's the results:

Rapid Play Match (G20 w/5 sec delay)
Game 1: Imada vs Jauregui 1-0
Game 2: Jauregui vs Imada 1-0

Blitz Match (3 min w/2 sec delay)
Game 1: Imada vs Jauregui 1-0
Game 2: Jauregui vs Imada 0-1

Imada advances to face Vela and Jauregui drops to the Loser's Bracket to face the winner of Pereira vs Ramirez.

Bidari vs Burch: The first game looked pretty close. Here's the results:

Rapid Play (G20 w/5 sec delay)
Game 1: Bidari vs Burch 1-0
Game 2: Burch vs Bidari 0-1

Bidari wins and Burch drops to Loser's Bracket.

Becerra vs Debesai: Becerra's play has impressed me in this tournament. I didn't know he played so well. Here's the results:

Rapid Play (G20 w/5 sec delay)
Game 1: Becerra vs Debesai 1-0
Game 2: Debesai vs Becerra 0-1

Becerra advances and Debesai "The Lion Killer" is eliminated from the tournament.

Burns vs Liu: It's amazing to see how Dan's game is improving week after week. He needs to stick to whatever he is doing because it's working.

Rapid Play (G 20 w/5 sec delay)
Game 1: Burns vs Liu 1-0
Game 2: Liu vs Burns 0-1

Burns advances and and Liu is eliminated from the tournament.

Johnson R. vs Rich: I haven't observed Rich's play, but I'm impressed that he seems to keep on winning.

Rapid Play (G20 w/5 sec delay)
Game 1: Johnson vs Rich 0-1
Game 2: Rich vs Johnson 1-0

Rich advances and Johnson is eliminated from the tournament.

Reynolds vs Sinnine: Erik Sinnine has been improving rapidly. I'm not sure what "program" he's downloaded into his brain, but I want a copy of it for myself. My prediction before this match was that Reynolds would win, but I guess things didn't go his way. Here's the results:

Rapid Play (Game 20 w/5 sec delay)
Game 1: Reynolds vs Sissine 0-1
Game 2: Sissine vs Reynolds 1-0

Quinones vs Burns: This looks like a pretty close matchup on paper, but things didn't go Quinones' way. Here's the results:

Rapid Play (G20 w/5 sec delay)
Game 1: Quinones vs Burns 0-1
Game 2: Burns vs Quinones 1-0

Burns advances and Quinones is eliminated. I think Danny's biggest challenge of the night is trying to find his glasses. Someone picked his glasses up off the table and drove home with them. Luckily, we figured it all out and the individual responsible drove back across town to deliver them. At first, I suspect an act of sabatoge--an attempt to force Danny into blindfold blitz. After hearing Danny comment on seeing triple, I suggested that he grab the one in the middle!

Sissine vs Teves: This was a close one. I saw Sissine make a fantastic move only to blunder away what seemed to be a clear win. Sissine has talent and watch out if he continues to improve. Here's the results:

Rapid Play (G20 w/5 sec delay)
Game 1: Sissine vs Teves 0-1
Game 2: Teves vs Sissine 1-0

Teves advances and Sissine is eliminated.

Ramirez vs Becerra: Becerra put up a good fight. Here's the results:

Rapid Play (G20 w/5 sec delay)
Game 1: Ramirez vs Becerra 1-0
Game 2: Becerra vs Ramirez 0-1

Ramirez advances to face Pereira and Becerra is eliminated.

Jauregui vs Burns: A very tough struggle. Jauregui manages to stay alive. Burns' amazing run is over. Here's the result:

Rapid Play (G20 w/5 sec delay)
Game 1: Jauregui vs Burns 1/2-1/2
Game 2: Burns vs Jauregui 0-1

Jauregui advances to face the winning of Pereira vs Ramirez; Burns is eliminated.

Bidari vs Reyes J.: The battle of the titans. Reyes is rated over 2700 on Chesscube! Does anyone know what he eats? I might change my diet. I won't eat Balut though....I think I'll keep my low rating if that's what it takes! Heck, you never know, you might see me at the club with some chicken feet hanging out of my mouth! It might keep my opponent at bay long enough for me to win on time!

Rapid Play (G20 w/5 sec delay)
Game 1: Bidari vs Reyes 0-1
Game 2: Reyes vs Gidari 1-0

Reyes advances and Bidari advances: Reyes will meet the winner of Vela vs Imada. Reyes is my odds-on favourite to win this tournament. Bidari still has a chance, but he will have to take a boat ride through the Cuban swamp to do it and we all know the swamp is full of hungry crocodiles. However, don't count Bidari out yet. He is the victor of a thousand battles and will come back with a vengence.

Rich vs Burch: If Rich had a street nickname it would be "Money" because his investment keeps growing. I suppose it would also fit very nicely with his last name. He keeps on winning. Let's see if he has one more win in him. It will be tough from here on out. Here's the result:

Rapid Play (G20 w/5 sec delay)
Game 1: Rich vs Burch 0-1
Game 2: Burch withdrew

Rich advances as his "stock grows." Burch is eliminated.

Only the strongest in skill level and heart will survive from here on out. The Spanish Torture (Vela, Ramirez and Jauregui) are still in the hunt. However, one of the Spanish Torture will be eliminated soon. Who will be eliminated first? Which one will have a shot at the final four? Vela appears to be the odds-on-favorite, but don't count out the Cubans (Ramirez and Jauregui); if they are eliminated it will not be without a fight. You better come with your "A-Game" and a little luck against any one of these three guys.

Here's my picks for the final four:

1st Place: Reyes J.
2nd Place: Bidari
3rd/4th places: Todd Imada and Spanish Torture player (who I cannot say).

What is your prediction?