The struggle between Baniel and Drake will be a fight for second place. The game to watch is Duke vs. King. Both players will be motivated to draw if they want to enhance their chances for making the team but we shall see how this particular contest plays out. The last four rounds will be more about trying to make the team now.
Baniel and Drake settled the game peacefully in just ten moves. Both are assured of spots in the team with three rounds left to go. A tense game developed between Duke and King. Both are new to All-Army Chess and instead of halving the point early, both decided to fight for the point. This strategy benefits one and hurts the other. Veteran players over time have adopted a strategy, borne out of experience, guaranteeing a spot in the top six. The strategy involves playing to draw against equal or stronger opposition and play to win against weaker opponents.
Macaspac and Pitts finished their games fairly quickly. Both are entertaining games especially Pitts'. He was behind two pawns but West’s 19…d5 was an error. He underestimated and reacted poorly to Pitts’ king-side aggression. Allowing the queen to stay on g5 allowed the knight fork on h5. West seemed oblivious to the threat because he recaptured on f6 with the queen instead of the rook which would just cost him an exchange.
Although I have written two books: Children and Chess (A Guide for Educators) and Science, Math, Checkmate , I have never had a blog before. I am excited about the prospect of quick feedback from MonRoi Web site visitors. I look forward to providing fun and helpful chess information to you. As you can tell from my book titles, I am primarily interested in how chess might be used as an educational tool.
The battle between co-leaders was decided quickly in round 4. Pitts blundered a pawn without any compensation. The game since then was lopsided in Black’s favor. Macaspac efficiently converted his advantage into a win. Macaspac has one more tough game with Baniel in round 6 tomorrow. If he overcomes him, he will easily become the champion this year.
The remaining games are between the current top four players. The results will likely change the ranking order. The top four after round six will likely make the All-Army Chess Team.
Watch it live.
Essentially, only the last two spots will be fought out in the remaining rounds. Duke, West and King are the heavy favorites for the remaining spots.
Drake won against Pitts. Drake is now in clear second place. Baniel vs. Macaspac was fairly even but now Macaspac has some serious winning chances. Baniel seemed to have overestimated his chances in a drawn game. Now, he is fighting for a draw.
Macaspac won as I predicted. Now, he is 6-0. His path to the crown is now set. He just has to avoid accidents in the remaining five rounds. Drake is now clearly second. Baniel and Pitts follow in third and fourth places, respectively.
Round 3 is underway. It took us (mostly Ron Braud) only two rounds to figure out a way to start the round on time. We try to do things on time that being the Army way. You can watch the ongoing action live here in Monroi. Today, we started exactly at 0800 hours.
