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