ISRG Chess 2011

Well, remember I have said that I would not play in this event due to having a lousy team? Yeah, the team is lousy indeed (the two of them didn't even show their face during the event and I am the only one playing, which doesn't matter anyway).

I would not play if it weren't for the individual prizes.

Indeed, my performance is really good, with a straight 6 wins out of 7 before going down on the 7th round. Very frustrating indeed, especially when you are on a fantastic run before falling short in the end. That's a lesson to be learned.

The good thing is I avenged my defeat in IHG to one of NTU's strongest player, Gabriel, by a fantastic Nxf7 sacrifice, which he didn't see obviously. And when he blundered another rook in the ending, the victory is 100% for me. To be honest, this is the first time I saw a player who had played international tournaments to blunder a full rook especially when there is still a lot of time remaining for both parties :)

The bad thing is ... I lost to Jer Shin (from hall 10) whom I have defeated in IHG previously. To make things worse, I was using the same color as I have used against him in IHG (white) but only different openings since I thought that opening would have a higher chance to draw. It was indeed frustrating. IF I manage to draw the game, the champion title would go to me, but alas, I have to settle for second place due to my poor tie break against Gabriel's superior tie break (which I am still curious on how it happens)

Well, things like that do happen. Just when you thought everything is smooth going, there might be a final obstacle in the way. Applicable to life in a way. However, what matters most is how you get over the defeat and to improve yourself further.

Just like studies. Studies is indeed getting tougher every sem, and defeats over the past 3 semesters wouldn't hinder me to give my best even though I might not score positive results every sem. :)