Over the last few months I decided I would pursue an MBA in the fall. The good news, I got into the school I want: University of Toronto. The bad news: I have to move before the club championship will be over. Last night my friend came into town and I decided to just concede my match because I will not be able to play in the finals and I wanted to hang out with my friend. I know, very anti-climactic.

I am not really happy with my game from Thursday although it is very very interesting. Basically I closed the position up completely leaving my opponent with one file with which to penetrate which was not enough for him to find an advantage. After 30 moves of trying to get in while I just moved my king back and forth (some other pieces too but in reality I was doing nothing for the last 30 moves of the game). My opponent gave up and agreed to a draw. I set up a fortress and waited for him to give up.

At some point during the day I decided that I would rather try to win with White and take all the pressure off. I'm not sure that this was the best choice and I really wish the match was over already but I lived to fight another day. After butchering the opening I was in no position to make a real fight for the advantage so I just drew and moved on.

Also charging king is back with a new blog just wanted to let everybody know, check it out!

Since LEP asked so nicely, here is the game.

The original pawn sacrifice 13.f4 may be a little worse for White but I wanted to give the position the rather distinct character that I have been achieving good results in lately. After 22...Qxd2 Black forfeits all chances of winning and for the rest of the game I am never worse, there are times Black is able to put up more resistance but in essence I am risking absolutely nothing and playing to win on a mistake from Black. The beauty of the queen trade is that Black is forcing the pawn up endgame he achieves after the exchange of rooks on c3 and this seems to make him an overwhelming favorite, so it is difficult to resist. But once he accomplishes this position he realizes that the ball is really in my court. This was an ideal position for me to be in considering if I lost I would be eliminated. Tonight is the same, if I lose it is over. But... if I win it is over too...