Chess in the Paradise of Ortisei!

A picture with the magnificent wood carved trophy

Moving on to the Chess tournament, it was much bigger than the previous one I played, and there were many GM’s and IM’s. The chess tournament venue was fantastic – it was the hall at the Cultural Center in Ortisei, and on display throughout was a “smaller” replica of a famous head carving of a project called “Movement.” The real one is about 20ft high.

The playing Hall with “Woody” our giant head friend.  Appropriate art for a Chess tournament 🙂

The first round I was paired with a GM. Maybe it was time to continue where I left off with GM Naumkin!  Unfortunately it didn’t work out that way, and I played a rather weak game, missing chances to equalize and played kind of uninspiringly.

Here we go!

After prevailing in the next round against a lower rated player, I was back to playing a titled player, this time an IM. It was some sort of a Catalan hybrid. It was really complicated and there was a point when I had two potential moves. One led to equality and the other one lost it for me. I picked the wrong one 🙁

The following round I was paired with a 2051, who played in a manner which my chess coach refers to as “bunker chess” – openings which give the opponent an indisputable advantage, but with no real weaknesses to play on.  After improving my pieces I went for a Kingside attack.  But I had managed my time so poorly that when I was about to make the decisive breakthrough I was rushed into making a poor move which nearly lost the game for me.  The opponent was a bit worried about playing me further, and he offered a Draw which I accepted.  The key thing was not to push any further and recognizing the position on the board was not the best for me at that time.  I didn’t spend too much time worrying that the opponent was lower rated to me – a lesson from the past.

The customary handshake at the start of the game with Erhard Trefzer

Round 5 had me paired with one of the organizers of the chess tournament. He was also rated 2150 and very experienced. It was an interesting game where he secured an advantage but then misplayed. At that point I became a pawn up. Later on I discovered that I also missed a quicker win. As the game continued, I managed to bog him down further. Just when I thought I was winning a clear exchange with a fork, I overlooked that he could save his rooks by swinging one over to the King-side and threatening mate! Luckily for me, my experienced opponent was in time pressure and he misplayed allowing me to finally close it out.  A long tiring chess game which could have been shorter if I hadn’t missed the elementary Qa5!  Also, I would suspect that it must have been fatiguing for my opponent to both play and be involved in daily organizing-related activities.

Akshat Chandra playing with Ruben Bernardi

In the sixth round I had another chance to play a titled player – an IM rated 2420. I liked an idea I found during the game and I developed a good position without much problem. However, in hindsight, I made an idiotic decision by opening up a good position. The chess board became favorable for him as my knights turned fairly clumsy and awkwardly positioned, while his pieces could coordinate much faster. I was again in time pressure and so I set a little trick. The trap was that if he takes my Pawn with his Knight, I have the amazing Rh8, which would win the game. Play teetered on and he became Pawn up, but I still had chances. He then made a mistake and I had a brilliant opportunity to Draw. Rh8!!  Something that we see in chess studies. Elementary! Once again, I missed it. But that wasn’t the end of the game. We went into a rook endgame. It should have been a Draw with correct play. I defended accurately till a point, until I slipped in time pressure. There were far too many lines to calculate in limited time. It was sad since I was playing well but losing in tenable games.

Akshat playing with IM Ayssio

Playing with Giulio Simeone

In round 7 I was paired with a 1972 rated player Guilio Simeone, and I lucked out after he missed a strong continuation (as Guilio pointed out in the comments section). From there on I got the initiative and won fairly comfortably. The penultimate round was with a titled player again – an FM with a 2370 rating. Another chance to create some upsets. The opponent made a very dubious push in the pawn center and I immediately grabbed the upper hand. I was Pawn up and just had to get my queen side pawns rolling to close it out. I moved c4 expecting him to set up some sort of blockade on the dark squares. But to my amazement he played b5?? hanging a piece. I responded with c5! which wins his Bishop and from there on it was just a matter of technique, and finally a win!.

Akshat Chandra playing with Kenny Solomon under the  watchful eye of a few chess lovers and of course, Woody 🙂

I came 16th overall in the tournament, and also won the U-14 prize. I was happy. 

Akshat with Mr. Moroder, sponsor, co-organizer and  my cheerful supporter, receiving the U-14 cup

The chess tournament in Ortisei was absolutely fantastic – it was well-organized, professional and the organizers were warm and caring.  I made many friends.  One of them, Ezio, could not speak a word of English (well, maybe “hi”), but he became my biggest cheer leader.  Every time he will see me, he will start talking effusively in Italian to me.  Full of encouragement and love.  What a great guy!

For so many reasons, I would love an opportunity to play in Ortisei again.