|
ROUND 5
MATCH SCHEDULE
|
|
|
017
|
Excalibur Saber IV
|
1 - 0
|
SciSys Rapier
|
|
018
|
Excalibur E-chess
|
1/2 - 1/2
|
Fidelity C C Sensory Voice
|
|
019
|
Fidelity Mini C C
|
1 - 0
|
Fidelity Chess Challenger 1
|
|
020
|
Saitek Alchemist
|
0 - 1
|
Fidelity Marauder
|
|
B Y E - Saitek Mk 12 Trainer
|
|
|
|
MATCH REPORTS
Game 17:
A Queen’s Gambit Accepted that was spoiled quickly by Rapier when it placed it’s Bishop in front of the King’s pawn on e7 on move 7.
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RAPIER BLOCKS PIECE DEVELOPMENT AFTER MOVE 7. ... Be6?
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This cramped Black’s position and made it impossible for Rapier to develop it’s pieces. Worse still Rapier now had no choice but to castle queen side which further assisted Saber IV in it’s plans to open open up the center on d-file. It did not take long for Saber IV to develop a strong attack and the game was quickly won with a checkmate on move 34.
Game 18:
E-chess played a not so convincing Centre Game opening which gave Sensory Voice the advantage from the start. In fact, Sensory Voice steadily expanded it’s advantage to the point that by move 35 it was ahead with 4 black pawns against 2 white pawns.
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POSITION AFTER 35. Kxd4
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|
It just seemed a matter of time before CC Voice would promote a pawn and win the game. Sensory Voice finally on move 50 got it’s promotion after several very indecisive and very pointless moves. Now, the win should have been a formality one would have thought with Sensory Voice leading after move 55 by a Queen, King and pawn against a solitary King.
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SENSORY VOICE FAILS TO WIN THIS POSITION
|
|
But astonishingly at this point all knowledge of how to play an end game disappeared resulting in 30 moves of pointless Queen moves until finally a draw was adjudicated. E-chess was fortunate to come away with a draw in this game whereas Sensory Voice has shown in this game a serious lack of end game knowledge.
Game 19:
CC 1 tried to castle into check in this game which had to be corrected before the game could continue. Not that it mattered. Mini CC easily and quickly destroyed CC 1. CC 1 remains without points.
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CC 1 TRIED AN ILLEGAL CASTLE.
|
|
Game 20:
Alchemist lost it’s Queen on move 4. It did not take long for Marauder to punish the failings of it’s opponent.
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|
ALCHEMIST ABOUT TO LOSE IT’S QUEEN AFTER 3. ... Nc2+
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|
Alchemist together with CC 1 is firmly entrenched at the foot of the table with zero points after five rounds.
ROUND 5 TABLE
|
|
POS
|
CONTESTANT
|
GAMES
|
POINTS
|
|
1
|
Excalibur E-chess
|
5
|
4.5
|
|
2
|
Excalibur Saber IV
|
5
|
4.5
|
|
3
|
Saitek Mk 12 Trainer
|
4
|
3.0
|
|
4
|
Fidelity Mini C C
|
4
|
2.5
|
|
5
|
Fidelity Marauder
|
5
|
2.0
|
|
6
|
Fidelity C C Sensory Voice
|
4
|
2.0
|
|
7
|
SciSys Rapier
|
4
|
1.5
|
|
8
|
Fidelity Chess Challenger 1
|
5
|
0.0
|
|
9
|
Saitek Alchemist
|
4
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Mini CC leapfrogs Sensory Voice into a promotion spot.
ROUND 6
MATCH SCHEDULE
|
|
|
021
|
Saitek Alchemist
|
1/2 - 1/2
|
Fidelity Chess Challenger 1
|
|
022
|
Fidelity C C Sensory Voice
|
1/2 - 1/2
|
Fidelity Mini C C
|
|
023
|
SciSys Rapier
|
0 - 1
|
Excalibur E-chess
|
|
024
|
Saitek Mk 12 Trainer
|
1/2 - 1/2
|
Excalibur Saber IV
|
|
B Y E - Fidelity Marauder
|
|
|
|
MATCH REPORTS
Game 21:
This match was an opportunity for both contestants to get some points on the score board. Playing a Queen’s Gambit Accepted, the early play favored Alchemist but nothing came out of this and very quickly both machines played out a friendly draw after only 26 moves.
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CC1 AHEAD AFTER MOVE 20. Rb7?
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|
A sharing of the spoils was a fair result for these two low riders.
Game 22:
A Ruy Lopez Berlin Defense game which for the first 30 moves lived up to it’s name with Mini CC building a strong defense against the threatening Sensory Voice. Then as a result of several mistakes by Mini CC, Sensory Voice was given it’s first opportunity to win the match with a check mate in 8 moves chance on move 34 and again on move 35.
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|
|
MATE IN 2 AFTER 34. ... Rhh8??
|
|
Both were missed. However Sensory Voice did finally manage later to promote a pawn to a Queen with it’s final pawn, setting up a Queen plus King against King ending. But as in Round 5, Sensory Voice’s lack of end game knowledge cost it a win.
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|
|
SENSORY VOICE COULD NOT WIN THIS ENDGAME
|
|
The draw by 50 moves rule was adjudicated on move 153. Sensory Voice just loves to throw away unnecessary points.
Game 23:
As with humans, the better athlete even on a bad day, in the end always manages to find ways to defeat his opponent. This was the same in this game. For the first 20 or so moves the game was fairly close, perhaps slightly favoring Rapier.
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|
|
POSITION TIED AFTER 20. Qe3
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|
Then, typical for a lesser player the mistakes happened which E-chess pounced on, making sure that the final outcome was never really in doubt. E-chess remains top of Group A.
Game 24:
An interesting encounter between 2nd place Saber IV and 3rd place Mk 12. Mk 12 worked it’s way into a pawn advantage in the middle game but could not hang on to it. As the game progressed Saber IV equalized and then strengthened it’s game to the point where in the end even though material was the same, positionally it stood much better.
|
|
|
SABER IV ACCEPTS DRAW IN A WON POSITON
|
|
As with all U1400 chess computers, Saber IV does not have the ability to look too deeply into positions therefore it was content to play a draw by repetition although it’s position was better at the time.
.
ROUND 6 TABLE
|
|
POS
|
CONTESTANT
|
GAMES
|
POINTS
|
|
1
|
Excalibur E-chess
|
6
|
5.5
|
|
2
|
Excalibur Saber IV
|
6
|
5.0
|
|
3
|
Saitek Mk 12 Trainer
|
5
|
3.5
|
|
4
|
Fidelity Mini C C
|
5
|
3.0
|
|
5
|
Fidelity C C Sensory Voice
|
5
|
2.5
|
|
6
|
Fidelity Marauder
|
5
|
2.0
|
|
7
|
SciSys Rapier
|
5
|
1.5
|
|
8
|
Fidelity Chess Challenger 1
|
6
|
0.5
|
|
9
|
Saitek Alchemist
|
5
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
E-chess takes a 1/2 point lead at the top.
ROUND 7
MATCH SCHEDULE
|
|
|
025
|
Excalibur E-chess
|
1 - 0
|
Saitek Mk 12 Trainer
|
|
026
|
Fidelity Mini C C
|
0 - 1
|
SciSys Rapier
|
|
027
|
Saitek Alchemist
|
1/2 - 1/2
|
Fidelity C C Sensory Voice
|
|
028
|
Fidelity Marauder
|
1/2 - 1/2
|
Fidelity Chess Challenger 1
|
|
B Y E - Excalibur Saber IV
|
|
|
|
MATCH REPORTS
Game 25:
Mk 12 foolishly lost a Knight in the opening for two pawns and then struggled hard to equalize. However, some good attacking play allowed it to get back into the game. By move 33 it actually looked as if Mk 12 would end up winning this game. The move 33. Qa2 would have assured the win.
|
|
|
MK 12 AHEAD BUT BLUNDERS WITH NEXT MOVE 33. ... e5?
|
|
Unfortunately instead 33. e5 was played which instantly changed the game for E-chess from an expected defeat to an immediate win. Once again E-chess turns defeat into a win due to an opponent’s mistake.
Game 26:
In an advantageous position Mini CC blunders badly and gift wraps Rapier a check mate in 1 opportunity which Rapier thankfully accepts.
|
|
|
MINI CC PLAYS 18. Rc3?? AND IS CHECKMATED.
|
|
This defeat costs Mini CC the promotion spot it held in the previous two rounds.
Game 27:
Gruenfeld Defense. Based on Alchemist’s performances so far, this should be a quick win for Sensory Voice. Not so. Sensory Voice struggled in this opening and for the first 25 moves the advantage was held by Alchemist. Then through the expected inaccuracies in the play of Alchemist, Sensory Voice works it’s way into a two pawn advantage by move 43 and the end game was reached.
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|
|
2 PAWNS UP SENSORY VOICE FAILS TO WIN
|
|
Sensory Voice’s end game failures already witnessed so often in this tournament once again took effect and by move 73 the game was finally adjudicated as a draw. A further loss of a half point for Sensory Voice. This is becoming very costly.
Game 28:
Marauder who started the tournament with some interesting games, amazingly struggles to get going in this Queen’s Gambit Accepted against CC 1. For the first 26 moves CC 1 actually had the better play. With a bad move on move 29 CC 1 finally made it’s expected first major mistake. At this stage Marauder took a commanding lead which mysteriously it did not realize it had and blundered the advantage right back to CC 1.
|
|
|
CC 1 HAS BIG LEAD AFTER 33. h3?
|
|
Of course, CC 1 missed it’s opportunity on move 33 for a massive advantage and Marauder was extremely relieved to play this match out to a draw by repetition.
ROUND 7 TABLE
|
|
POS
|
CONTESTANT
|
GAMES
|
POINTS
|
|
1
|
Excalibur E-chess
|
7
|
6.5
|
|
2
|
Excalibur Saber IV
|
6
|
5.0
|
|
3
|
Saitek Mk 12 Trainer
|
6
|
3.5
|
|
4
|
Fidelity C C Sensory Voice
|
6
|
3.0
|
|
5
|
Fidelity Mini C C
|
6
|
3.0
|
|
6
|
SciSys Rapier
|
6
|
2.5
|
|
7
|
Fidelity Marauder
|
6
|
2.5
|
|
8
|
Saitek Alchemist
|
6
|
1.0
|
|
9
|
Fidelity Chess Challenger 1
|
7
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
E-chess takes a commanding lead at the top.
ROUND 8
MATCH SCHEDULE
|
|
|
029
|
Fidelity C C Sensory Voice
|
1 - 0
|
Fidelity Marauder
|
|
030
|
SciSys Rapier
|
1/2 - 1/2
|
Saitek Alchemist
|
|
031
|
Saitek Mk 12 Trainer
|
1 - 0
|
Fidelity Mini C C
|
|
032
|
Excalibur Saber IV
|
1 - 0
|
Excalibur E-chess
|
|
B Y E - Fidelity Chess Challenger 1
|
|
|
|
MATCH REPORTS
Game 29:
This was an important game for both Sensory Voice and Marauder in their fight for a promotion spot with defeat for either machine a costly setback. This time Sensory Voice did not wait for an end game to appear and instead went about it’s task of tearing it’s opponent apart in the middle game where it check mated Marauder on move 50.
|
|
|
SENSORY VOICE COMFORTABLY AHEAD
|
|
Sensory Voice wins back a promotion spot with this important win.
Game 30:
Four moves into this Ponziani Opening Rapier already has a clear advantage. What followed next was a long drawn out process of Rapier trying to convert the advantage to a win against Alchemist. Finally on move 50 it was successful.
|
|
|
RAPIER ALREADY AHEAD AFTER 4 MOVES
|
|
With this win Rapier stays in contact just a half point away from a promotion spot.
Game 31:
Not much in the way of chances for Mini CC in this Two Knights game. Mk 12 establishes a quick lead and then it was just a matter of time before it defeats Mini CC.
|
|
|
MK 12 AHEAD AFTER 13. ... Nc2?
|
|
This win keeps the Saitek representative in 3rd place half a point ahead of it’s nearest challenger.
Game 32:
In round 8 comes the much anticipated match between the top two contestants so far in Group A. 40 moves into this Scotch Game which was played very well up to this point, Saber IV takes a commanding lead in a complicated Rook, Knight and Pawn middle game position.
|
|
|
SABER IV MISSED PLAYING 42. h7!
|
|
On move 44 Saber IV pushed the advanced h-pawn too late and the advantage was gone with the game even once more. On move 61, E-chess goes ahead by one pawn and the game now favors E-chess. By move 70 with the final rooks gone from the board it looks as if E-chess may find the win due to it’s extra pawn.
|
|
|
E-CHESS PLAYS 73. ... Kb3?? AND LOSES
|
|
E-chess needed however to cover the advanced white passed pawn. The critical position arises on move 73., Saber IV having defended well, just checked the white King. E-chess had to protect it’s own Knight with 73. Kc3 for the match to remain in balance. Possibly due to over confidence because of it’s pawn advantage, E-chess decided instead to exchange Knights with the losing move 73. Kb3? This miscalculated move allowed White’s remaining pawn to march unmolested up the board and win this critical game for Saber IV.
.
ROUND 8 TABLE
|
|
POS
|
CONTESTANT
|
GAMES
|
POINTS
|
|
1
|
Excalibur E-chess
|
8
|
6.5
|
|
2
|
Excalibur Saber IV
|
7
|
6.0
|
|
3
|
Saitek Mk 12 Trainer
|
7
|
4.5
|
|
4
|
Fidelity C C Sensory Voice
|
7
|
4.0
|
|
5
|
SciSys Rapier
|
7
|
3.5
|
|
6
|
Fidelity Mini C C
|
7
|
3.0
|
|
7
|
Fidelity Marauder
|
7
|
2.5
|
|
8
|
Saitek Alchemist
|
7
|
1.0
|
|
9
|
Fidelity Chess Challenger 1
|
7
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
Saber IV catches E-chess after a win in Round 8!
ROUND 9
MATCH SCHEDULE
|
|
|
033
|
Fidelity Mini C C
|
0 - 1
|
Excalibur Saber IV
|
|
034
|
Saitek Alchemist
|
1 - 0
|
Saitek Mk 12 Trainer
|
|
035
|
Fidelity Marauder
|
1 - 0
|
SciSys Rapier
|
|
036
|
Fidelity C C Sensory Voice
|
1 - 0
|
Fidelity Chess Challenger 1
|
|
B Y E - Excalibur E-chess
|
|
|
|
MATCH REPORTS
Game 33:
A win in this game would give Saber IV the top spot at the half way stage in Group A. Mini CC played an uninspired game and it did not take long for Saber IV to build a commanding lead.
|
|
|
MINI CC IN TROUBLE AFTER 21. Bf4?
|
|
There was very little that Mini CC could do in this match with the game ending in a checkmate on move 38. Saber IV now leads the group at the half way stage, half a point ahead of E-chess, with 7 points out of a possible 8 points.
Game 34:
Not a lot of money would have been placed on Alchemist to win this game against 3rd placed Mk 12 before the start of this match. In this Slav defense Alchemist started well but after move 12, Mk 12 as expected took control. But the advantage for Mk 12 only lasted a short time before it played weak move on move 19 that allowed Alchemist to regain a slight advantage.
|
|
|
ALCHEMIST WINS THIS ENDGAME AS WHITE!
|
|
What happened next was amazing, no more slip-ups from Alchemist! In fact, Alchemist slowly improved the advantage gained on move 19 and impressively wins this game after 79 moves. This has to be the biggest surprise of the tournament so far. This result causes Mk 12 to drop down a place in the table. This is the first win for Alchemist in 8 games.
Game 35:
Rapier played the opening very badly in this Round 9 game. Marauder obtained an advantage which it safely maneuvered into a quick win with a checkmate on move 42.
|
|
|
BLACK IN A MESS AFTER 11. ... Rh7?
|
|
This win allowed Marauder to swap places with Rapier and take fifth place in the group. More importantly it kept Marauder in touch of a promotion spot, just 1 point behind Mk 12. Marauder is playing just below .500 with 3.5 points from a possible 8 at the half way stage.
Game 36:
Sensory Voice seeking to capitalize on Mk 12’s defeat in order to jump into third place plays CC 1 in a game that should be a formality. After just 8 moves Sensory Voice wins a rook.
|
|
|
CC 1 LOSES ROOK AFTER 8. Nxh8
|
|
But then after this early success it seemed forever before Sensory Voice managed to checkmate CC 1, taking 68 moves in the process. This win moves Sensory Voice into 3rd place with a half point lead over Mk 12.
.
ROUND 9 TABLE
|
|
POS
|
CONTESTANT
|
GAMES
|
POINTS
|
|
1
|
Excalibur Saber IV
|
8
|
7.0
|
|
2
|
Excalibur E-chess
|
8
|
6.5
|
|
3
|
Fidelity C C Sensory Voice
|
8
|
5.0
|
|
4
|
Saitek Mk 12 Trainer
|
8
|
4.5
|
|
5
|
Fidelity Marauder
|
8
|
3.5
|
|
6
|
SciSys Rapier
|
8
|
3.5
|
|
7
|
Fidelity Mini C C
|
8
|
3.0
|
|
8
|
Saitek Alchemist
|
8
|
2.0
|
|
9
|
Fidelity Chess Challenger 1
|
8
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
Saber IV leads at the halfway stage.
|
