With familiar faces old and new, Twenty -Two players brought their "A" game for Round 2 of the Columbia Chess Club Championship. With so many byes in round 1 the pairings looked on paper as many mismatches rating-wise but the fighting spirit was in full force. In the end, all the higher rateds won, with one draw but that doesn't tell the full story of how hard and well the underdogs played.
Current Crosstable is here.
On Board 1, Ben Caiello(2115), fresh off his 5-0 performance at the SC State Scholastic Championship, defeated up and comer Josh Goley(1140) to stay in the lead and move to 2-0.
On Board 2, Marty Anderson(1139) put up a tremendous battle against Keith Eubanks(2069) but finally succumbing to the stronger player. This game looked like a draw early on then better for black and in the end Keith claimed victory moving to 2-0 to keep pace with the defending champion.
James MacDougall(2017), returned to rated play determined not to falter and quickly equaled up as black in a tame Sicilian, then never gave up the initiative against Daniel Smith(1404). Sam Copeland(2303) pulled the King's Gambit from his bag of tricks and claimed the point against a determined David Stoner(1643).
Adam Shaw(1879) welcomed stalwart club member Mike Mayfield(1391) back to the club by exerting the power of the bishops and moving to 1.5 points. Coming off a near upset in week one, Richard Watts(1257) could not deter Gil Holmes(1739) from his goal in round 2, also moving to Round 2.
Shaun McCoy(1382) returned to the club and played a fine game against a higher rated Robert Folts(1735). In the end, after a minor piece and pawns endgame the game ended in a draw, the only of the night.
Runner up SC State Scholastic Champion Ian Bell(1588) defeated Ed Stewart(949). David Boyd(1368), playing with black returned to the club to defeat Luke Copeland(617). Mark Woodman(995) bounced back from a round 1 loss to defeat new club member Tim Watkins and Jared Whiting(1045) defeated a talented new member in Olivia Watkins.
Current leaders after 2 rounds with much chess to be played.
Ben Caiello and Keith Eubanks 2 points
U1600 Ian Bell, Shaun McCoy, David Boyd with 1 point
U1200 Josh Goley, Marty Anderson, Jared Whiting, and Mark Woodman with 1 point.
Round 3 continues the tournament on March 12. Reserve your spot by 7:15 pm to be counted.
As a highlight to the fighting spirit I will recycle a post form 2010. This was submitted by Donny Gray and originally published in the TN Chess News. Donny gave me permission to share this. It may give you a better outlook next time you play someone much higher rated that you.
When playing someone that is vastly higher rated than you it is very easy to get discouraged and almost be defeated before you even move one pawn. There is the other side of this subject as well. What about when you are the higher-rated player in this situation? Then you have the tendency to play fast and careless.
But the truth is that anyone can play way over their head on occasion. You just have to forget ratings and go for it!At the recent TN Senior Open my 2nd round game had all the above and then some. Most likely in all my tournaments my 2nd round opponent was the lowest player I have ever played. If I have played others in his rating range I have forgotten. - Donny Gray
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