Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 8

Picture #1 - One of the longest lasting games. And these little girls are serious
Picture #2 - My opponent Audun Hoem playing during this years 5 minute blitz

I am playing a little more aggressive and I feel that I am on a roll. Kind off lucky too. With one more victory I might just get out of the middle of class 4 and move upwards. My opponent is Audun Hoem from the chess club Kristiansund. He has a rating of 1095. Now, there are a few individuals that I did not really want to meet. Audun is one of them. One evening during the championships, there is a 5 minute blitz championship held. Last year I met Audun twice, and lost both games. So he does have a psychological advantage. At least from my perspective. That said, if there is someone that I would want to meet in a real game.. and win, Audun is one of those individuals.

He has great development, but I gain a pawn. It's something I do a lot in correspondance chess and sometimes it works out, other times not at all. But I am lucky, because I believe, it's not the recommended way to go about it. I hold on to the pawn during his attack, but I have my own plans.

1095 Audun Hoem, Kristiansund, White, 0
0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Trondheim, Black, 1

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 7

Picture 1 - Fredrik Heggelund from Mo Chess Club. Rating 1191
Picture 2 - Another entrance to Gamlebyen

Game 7 - OOOPS and YESS!
I haven't really got off to a good start in the tournament, but I really don't have anything to complain about either. But if I want to climb up on the list toward the top, I need to start now. I am finally listening to International Master Torstein Bae and place my bishop outside my pawn chain. I also play a little more aggressive. I do not want to give up my bishop pair and while he chases them around with his knights, I am suddenly aware that he has more than one mating attack against me. After the first attack were he makes the game very unbalanced, he has miscalulated a little. And when I finally get my attack going, I never let go.

0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Trondheim, White, 1
1191 Fredrik Heggelund, Mo, Black, 0

Analyzing My Games With Torstein Bae (The Chess House / Sjakkhuset)

Picture #1 - Analyzing one of my games with International Master Torstein Bae

"Sjakkhuset" which correctly translated, I believe would be "Chess House" or "The Chess House" is an up and coming company and a great addition to the Norwegian chess environment. The three "major players" are Woman International Master Silje Bjerke, International Master Torbjørn Ringdal Hansen and International Master Torstein Bae.

They brought with them a collection of chess books, videos and other chess stuff we might want to buy. But the interesting thing for me.. and off course them.. was something else they were offering. Chess preperations for your upcoming game and alanyses of the games you play. With 499 participants in this year's  Norwegian Chess Championship and nine games played over eight days, that spells M.O.N.E.Y and the first thing that came to mind when I saw the signs was... SMART. That said, why not? I have been looking forward to this tournament for the longest time. Why shouldn't I take advantage of this? At least the analyses part.

After a game, win.. draw.. or loss, you sit there and wonder where and when did I gain that edge.. or .. at what time did it all go so wrong? Could I have done something different? Am I seeing the whole picture? And then you do your own analyses or together with your opponent after the game. In class 4, I am guessing my opponents and myself might have missed out on a few things. So, .. when do you ever get the chance to have your games analysed by International FIDE Masters with ratings over 2400? At least not me, because even though I play for Trondheim Chess Club, I haven't set my foot in the door these last 20 years. And if they do have members of that caliber, how much nagging from my part is needed to get them to look over my games?

So yes, I paid up front for all my nine games (which by the way gives you a discount..ok, enough marketing) and had them analysed. I get to say what I thought at the time of the moves, my plans or desperation.. and then what Mr. 2400 thinks of my decisions. And the fun part, which is a little bit out of context, but what the hell.. Remember all the times you were sitting there with a chess book, going on move 23 and then comes a few variations, and after you try your best, you just can't revind or remember where the pieces go, and then you have to start from scratch, over, and over and over again.. until you just dread opening that book? Well, there is no problem. You could have done this, Mr. 2400 says and shows 10 moves into the future.. or this.. and the funny part is that when it comes time to place the pieces back to where they were, Mr. 2400 does that. It's the perfect revind.

Ok. Back to bussiness. My analyzer was Torstein Bae. And yes. It was worth the money. He was able to tell me where I went astray, or my opponent for that sake. And I did pick up a few pointers. We didn't really get started with the ananlyses before well into the tournament, but I did eventually (even though he has 2400 in rating.. i am unfortunately not easily convinced) listen to what he said... and won my last three games. Inverted Philidor with white is a no..no. And for Gods Sake Man, be more aggressive. At least put some pieces beyond the third rank. He put it more diplomatic, but the message came through.. (eventually).

And one other little tidbit. I feel comfortable with the endgame. I just want to survive the opening and I feel all swell. Well, for those of you watching my videos and hearing me say I haven't got a clue about openings or the theory after move two.. watch out. Because that is definately one of the things I need to work on before next year's Norwegian Chess Championship. According to Torstein Bae.

I haven't talked to seriously about this with "The Chess House, my wife or myself yet, but I might just take a few lessons before next year's tournament in Oslo.

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 6

Picture #1 - My opponent Tormod Thingstad with a 1061 rating

Picture #2 - One of the entrances to "Gamlebyen" Fredrikstad

Game 6 - My psychological advantage isn't helping !
In game 6 I am playing against Tormod Thingstad. He plays for the chess club Hønefoss and he has 1061 in rating. I played against him in last year's championship. I won. I got a great combination in during an attack he was making. Talking to him a few days later he was still not happy.

Now I had a psychological advantage. And rumer had it that he wasn't to keen on playing against me. But last year he had 966 in rating, so he had improved.. and also played 8 tournaments since last time. And I really needed a victory.

I must say, I really tried to drive home a victory. I pushed forward in the center and before I knew it, I am once again on the defensive. But I chance it and hope for a bishop endgame. But whatever I do, it still comes out to a draw.

1061 Tormod Thingstad, Hønefoss, White, 1/2
0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Black, 1/2

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 5

Picture 1 - My opponent Christian Koyama Poppe with a rating of 1168
Picture 2 - A scene from "Gamlebyen" Fredrikstad

Game 5 - My opponent asks for a draw, I decline... and loose.
Once again I have the white pieces, and once again I play to defensively. My opponent Christian Poppe starts a very early attack which puts my castled position into shambles. But just before the attack, he asks for a draw. And what can I say? I am used to playing in cramped positions, I have gained a pawn on him, and if I can only ride it out for a little while longer, I will be fine. I decline. But I never recover. In the end I am hoping for a draw by three-fold-repetition and possibly checking his king with my queen for 50 moves, but it never happens.

I never get my own attack started. Torstein Bae, International master with a FIDE rating over 2400 analizes my games. And once again he tells me that I got to stop blocking in my bishop with my pawns. When it comes to accepting or declining the proposed draw, he tells me that even though I am a pawn ahead, with a deadly attack hitting my casatled position from all sides, without any way to actually get out of the line of fire... I should have accepted the draw.

This is my second, and luckily my last defeat during this tournament. And if there isn't some very special circumstances telling me otherwise, this is the last time I will play this defensively with the white pieces. "Inverted Philidor" with white. Who does that, except me?

0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Trondheim, White, 0
1168 Christian Koyama Poppe, 1911, Black, 1

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 4

Picture 1 - My opponent Stian Valle from the chess club Akademisk. Rating 1237

Picture 2 - From "Gamlebyen". Military barracks from the 1780's. (And my barracks in 1983).

Game 4. A very tricky opponent
Last year in Bergen, we played one game each day for 9 consecutive days. In Oslo, where the Norwegian Chess Championship is being held next year, we do the same thing. Unfortunately, here in Fredrikstad we only play for 8 days, and that off course means one day with a double round. This morning I had my first defeat. And I wasn't feeling very cheerful, before my second match.

My opponent was Stian Valle from the chess club Akademisk. He had a rating of 1237, and was the highest rated player in class 4. Not exactly who I wanted to meet. He could tell me that he had played in the last 10 championship tournaments. The downside is that he definately had routine on his side. The good thing, for me, is that he wasn't neccessarily up and coming.

I got a pawn very early in the game, and I was able to hold on to it. He had a tremendous attack on my castled position, but what sets him apart from others I have played, is the way he musters an attack and at the same time keeps setting up these traps for me. I had to thread carefully the whole game.

1237, Stian Valle, Akademisk, White, 0
0000, Gaute Michel Ferstad, Black, 1

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 3

Picture 1 - A great angle to see how young these chessplayers are.
Picture 2 - View from our house. "Gamlebyen" is a few hundred yards to the left.

Game 3.. I AM LEARNING MY LESSON THE HARD WAY... AS ALWAYS
My opponent is Allan Lilleøren from Lørenskog Chess Club. He has a rating of 1038, which is close to the bottom of the class rating. I looked on the internet yesterday to see if he played in last years tournament. He did. Same class. He came in close to last place. So I am reckoning that with fair play during the year, he must have improved over his rating.

He is playing the black pieces and opens with the Sicilian Defence. An opening I used myself in the 1980's, but long since fogotten. I'm not sure I would feel comfortable playing this opening today, had I learned it again, but one should always know the main lines, so one can counterattack. What I end up doing is playing my own game and looking at my castled position, I see that I have given away every advantage there is to having the white pieces. Today's lesson must be to stop opening the way I do with the white pieces. I googled it. It's called "The Inverted Philidor". A mirror image of how I play with the black pieces.

My opponent gets an attack going on the queen side before I can mount a credible attack on his kings side where he has castled. I soon find myself in trouble.

0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Trondheim, White, 0
1038 Allan Lilleøren, Lørenskog, Black, 1

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 2

Picture 1 - From the tournement, Kongstenhallen

Picture 2 - My opponent Lars Hope

I met an elderly man today. He told me that we have played together before. In the 1980's. I must say, everyone does their preperations. He had a rating of 1136, which is almost identical to my previous opponent. Rumor has it that he playes very defensively. Hm.. does that sound familiar? And he likes draws.

Well, in the beginning, that might be true. Because the action happened elsewhere. The player on my right side sat down with his newly bought coffee and spilled it all over the table. The player to my left side, thought he had put his cellphone on "silent". And in ticked a text message, bip-bip and game over. Cell phones equals loss. And my wife thinks I'm paranoid for leaving my cell phone in the car.

Then out of nowhere, my little sheltered world is crumbling around me. An enormous attack on my castled position. I come out of it damaged. I get a bishop. He gets a rook and a pawn. And the attack is barely beginning. But somehow he can't finish me off. I get my remaining pieces in action, and being under in material, I manage the impossible. A draw. (He ends up as number 31 out of 49).

1136 Lars Hope, Brønnøysund, White, 1/2

0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Black, 1/2

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010 Class 4 Game 1

Picture 1 - Our rented house for the 9 days the tournament lasts. Thank you, Vidar.

Picture 2 - The view from the house. All these luxury boats pass us to our enjoyment.
Picture 3 - Yngve and Vidar trying to analyze a game, while the soccer semifinals are on.

Game 1 - I turned down a draw and won.

It was so strange and yet so wonderful to be back at tournament play and the Norwegian Championship. Having only played on the internet this last year, it was odd to not see a two-dimensional board. It was even more odd to have your opponent actually sitting right in front off you.

I opened more defensive than ever. Introverted Philodor I believe it is called. So I actually give away any advantage I have with having the white pieces. And after some moves, my pieces have barely budged, while my opponents pieces where baring down on me all over.

I use approximately 20 minutes on move 19. A move that causes unbalance, or so I believe in my mind. To everybody else it's just an ordinary move. Somehow, my opponent Arne Hallsjø trades off some of his active pieces. On move 22 he asks for a draw. I turn him down. A few moves later I still feel his position is better than mine, but I gradually get my pieces where I want them. He gets a few isolated pawns which I take advantage off. I am happy for the victory which eventually comes. (He ends up in 38th place overall.)

0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Trondheim, White, 1
1132 Arne Hallsjø, Sevland, Black, 0

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Intro

Chess Info
The Norwegian Chess Championship 2010 is held in Fredrikstad, July 3-11. There are 486 participants in different classes. There are 9 matches to be played. The difference in this year's tournament and last year's tournament is that this year we have a double round. Which means the games themselves will be shortened by a day and we will have one hell of a monday. Without a rating, with only last year's 9 games under my belt, and playing against some unrated players last year, I have no idea how qualified I am to play in class 4. There has to be a class difference, but I reckon that my second place in class 5 last year, will at least place me somewhere in class 4 that is not neccessarily bottom. So I believe a reasonable goal would be to position myself somewhere around place 15-25.

2300->>>> Elite (20) Participants
2000-2299 Master (38)
1750-1999 Class 1 (45)
1500-1749 Class 2 (63)
1250-1499 Class 3 (52)
1000-1249 Class 4 (49) (My class now)
<<<<-0999 Class 5 (36) (I came in as number 2 of 41 in 2009)

Tidbit
I should have booked a hotel room well in advance of the tournament, but I didn't. So the first night I have to spend in Sarpsborg, which isn't that far from Fredrikstad. I haven't been to this part of the country since 1984, when "Gamlebyen", the Old Fortress part of the town was my home during military bootcamp. Vidar Gjære, one of my aquantances from last year's tournament, has rented a house not more than 15 minutes away from where we will be playing. This is where Vidar, a friend of him, Yngve Rasdal, and I will be staying during the tournament week.

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Preperations

From the moment last year's Norwegian Chess Championship 2009 ended, I had already decided to enter this year's Championship. I had planned a lot of chess activities, including chess tutoring, books and dvd's, especially those emphasizing the endgame. And even though there still isn't any time to play chess at a chess club, I would be there when they had lectures and maybe take contact with some of the players for private play. To make a long story short, nothing much happened.

I did continue to play at the website "Letsplaychess". Alltogether I have played 609 games, but only 137 this time, compared to 472 for last year's preperations. I have during this time played in stronger internet tournaments, where the opposition is more or less my own strength. That doesn't really show on the rating info, which has come up from 1704 to 1728. We are still talking about "Letsplaychess"'s rating system for their database systems. Nothing official yet.

And playing 137 games doesn't neccessarily improve your chess capabilities much. At least not at my age. For that I need to bury myself into some books and DVD's. So I am a little embarrassed to say that I will have to see what happens.