| U.S. Championship - Sixth Round |
| Written by Bryan Smith | |
|
Today I played very badly against GM Perelshteyn. I didn't expect his first move e5, and decided to play the ancient opening which Nakamura used last round to defeat GM Yermolinsky. I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? Well, actually I was just worried about what Eugene would play against the Ruy Lopez, and I had looked at Nakamura's opening last night and thought it was interesting. Unfortunately it didn't work out. I got a bad position, but then apparently Eugene made a mistake. I didn't believe it when Jaan Ehlvest told me after the game that 16.Re1 gives me a big advantage, but it is true. Instead I played the routine 16.cxd4, which is losing. Shabalov's streak finally came to the end when he lost a beautiful game against Alexander Onischuk. Shabalov is still a half point ahead, and tomorrow plays Ehlvest with white. I play against FM Michael Langer tomorrow, with black. -Bryan |