Iowa Open Chess Tournament 2016

The Iowa Open is the most popular chess tournament in the state, with more than 200 participants.  And it is one I never like to miss--and haven't missed for four years.  Like last year, it was held in the Conference Center at the Marriott Hotel in Coralville, Iowa.

August 27th, Charity, Daniel, and I ate breakfast and then left home at about 7:30; we arrived in Coralville with time to spare.  The rest of the family had left earlier than we to go to a 10K and half marathon at Beeds Lake in Hampton.  

I had pre-registed to avoid having to stand in line to check-in.  I had also booked a room at the Marriott well in advance, since last year all the rooms were filled quickly, and we ended up having to drive over to Best Western for accommodations.  Apparently, booking early turned out to be a very good idea. Finding a room in Coralville was even more challenging for procrastinators this year, as a concert the same weekend filled just about every hotel in town.

After letting Mark Capron, the tournament organizer, know we had arrived, I ran into Tony Dutiel, the bughouse player.  He proceeded to tell me what a tragedy it was no bughouse games were being played...and within about a minute, that wrong was righted with the help of Steven Cusumano and my sister Charity.

Chess players "relax" over bughouse games later in the day.

A little after 10:00, pairings were posted.  My first opponent was A. J. Kozich (1437).  Although I had seen him at many tournaments, I don't believe I'd ever played him before.

I (rated 1677) was surprised to have a lower-rated opponent in the first round.  Usually I'm assigned as the victim for some higher-rated player in the first round, and in subsequent rounds things improve.  This time I was expected to win my first game.

A.J. allowed me to open with the Sicilian Dragon, which I love.  But then he castled kingside, which left me slightly disappointed and befuddled.  I really prefer when my opponents castle queenside, so I can launch a pawn-rolling attack.  I decided to push my pawns anyway and gain queenside space.

My pieces were nicely positioned, and I managed to pick up a couple of his pawns.  Kozich blundered with 35. Rxa5, but I missed the winning 35...Nf4 (and a couple other good moves), and the game evened out.  He attempted to keep me in check, but when checks ran out, he played 44. b4 (best was Ne3).  This gave me something like forced mate in 15.  I, of course, couldn't see that far ahead, but after 50. Qg3, played in hopes of stalemate (the b-pawn was forgotten), I had mate.

This game lasted a long time.  I barely had time to eat before the next round.

My second game was against James Hodina (1950).  It seems every tournament I see him, I end up playing him.

Move 6. Nf3 was an inaccuracy on my part.  Better would have been the more ambitious Ndb5.  My opening was very clumsy (especially considering how many times I've played the Sicilian as white).  Although I survived the opening, I ended up with isolated doubled pawns.  

Then on move 15, I had a brain-slip and dropped a bishop!  I tried to play on a bit, but it was hopeless.  Mr. Hodina is a formidable opponent--not the type of player you can expect to recover against when playing a piece down.

James Hodina, deep in thought.

 Daniel, Charity, and I drove a few blocks until we found a Subway, and stopped there for supper.  Charity, the artist of the family, designed our subways for us; they were delicious.  

Back at the tournament, the last round started at 7:30 p.m.  I was surprised to face an even higher-rated opponent, Daniel Parmet (1981).

I figured the best I could do against Parmet was draw, so I gladly traded pieces, hoping to get to a drawn endgame.  I was able to win a pawn...and then another pawn.  I was very happy with my position (who wouldn't be with two beautiful extra connected pawns just itching to become passers?!).  

But as the hours ticked by I could feel my energy draining as weariness set in.  I lacked the mental fortitude to press on, and blundered with 30. Qd6, dropping my second piece of the tournament by overloading my queen with responsibilities!  The game was over.  Well played by Parmet.

Parmet v. B. Carson

I compared notes with Charity, who had finished her last game in the Iowa Reserve, and found she had won two games and lost two.  

Daniel (1660), who had won his first game and lost his second, was still fighting it out with his third opponent, Abhyudhaya Venkat (1931).

Daniel Carson, pondering his next move.

I had some time to chat with Bill Feldman, the Illinois Chess Association webmaster.  His website won the Chess Journalist of America award last year.  Since I just started as IASCA webmaster this year, I was very interested in hearing his helpful pointers on how he keeps the Illinois website interesting.  Bill had just spent the whole day helping direct the RBO section of the tournament.

 Daniel's game lasted past midnight, and Venkat won in the end.  I was dead tired when he, Charity, and I headed up to retire.  Guests from a wedding also held in the hotel filled the lobby and were gradually finding their way to their rooms...and they were quite drunk! 

I had noticed earlier in the day drinking had started before the ceremony--not a good sign!  So, we were very happy to get past the revelers to our room and go to sleep.

We had to be awake and eat breakfast before the next round Sunday morning at 9:30!

Stay tuned for Part 2.