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I just played a GM in round 7 of the World Open. We got a draw. But he missed a win in the endgame. He was in time trouble. Here Qxd3 is the only winning move, but both of us thought it was drawn since his pawns are doubled. Even now I don't understand why I'm losing. 😃

I played an IM in round 8 of the World Open. We drew. He offered it in the position below. The engine says it's equal. I thought I may be better since I have the 2 bishops, but I wasn't completely sure. Also, I was down on the clock (as usual). I'll go take a nap now. 🤷‍♀️

Now I'm in New York to play in an IM norm event at the world-famous Marshall Chess Club (Marshall Chess Club). Round 1 is tonight! The tournament should be on DGT boards with broadcasts on lichess.org and Chess.com. I need to score 6.5 / 9 to earn an IM norm. I'll do my best! 🍀🤞

I just played a CM in round 1 of my norm tournament. We got a draw. I got lucky. Below he played Be6 quickly. Now it's a draw after Rxf5 Bxf5 Kh5 and I take his h-pawn. There are 2 winning moves for black: Kc6 and Rg5, if Bxd5 then Kb6 with an easily winning rook endgame. 🫤

I played an NM in round 2 of my norm tournament. I lost. Below I played Nc1. This is a blunder due to Qd2 Rf3 Bxh3 and now Kxh3 fails to g4+ since Kxg4 Qg5+ is mate next move. Instead I am winning if I play Qxd7 here, but during the game I thought I only had perpetual. 😭

I played an NM in round 3 of my norm event. I won. Below he erred with Rh3. I played d5, and this basically wins an exchange. For example after exd5 Bd6 Rc4 exd5 Nxd5 Bxh3 gxh3. Now I have 1.5/3 after playing down 3 times. I was hoping for better at this point, but okay. 🙂

I played a GM in round 4 of my norm tournament. We got a draw. My prep ended in the position below. I'm down a pawn, but I have the bishop pair and more active pieces. I wanted to get an imbalanced position because he's an older GM and has had a lot of quick draws recently.

I just played a GM in round 5 of my norm event. We got a draw. I was lucky. Below he played Kg2. Now it's equal. His only good move was Rd8+. After Kg7 Rd7+ Kg8 Rb7 I can't protect b6 with Rb3 due to Bf7+ so I go Ra3, but he defends this with Be8 so I lose the b6 pawn. 🤷‍♀️

I played an FM in round 6 of my norm event. I lost. In the position below I played Rd1. This is bad after Rb2. The game continued Rd4 Rb1+ Kg2 Rh8 and I lose my queen. Instead the only good move was Rb4, so as to not allow his rook to infiltrate. a5 then allows Rxc4. ☹️

I played an IM in round 7 of my norm event. I lost. I was black, and he prepped a novelty vs. my defense. I think I've been playing this defense too often. Just 2 rounds left, 1 tonight and 1 tomorrow. And then, tomorrow night, I'm flying to Saint Louis for the Junior Girls.

I played an NM in round 8 of my norm event. I lost. Below I took Qxh6. Now I'm losing after Qe2+ Kg1 Qd1+ Kf2 Nf3 Bxf3 gxf3. My queen is unable to stop the pawn. The only drawing move was Qd8+. After Kh7 multiple moves draw, such as Qe7 or Qf8 threatening perpetual check.

Today I played WIM Chloe Gaw in round 1 of the Junior Girls. And I won! I had an opening "novelty" prepared for her on move 4. But I was worse for most of the early middlegame. Later she allowed me to trap her bishop. She did get 3 pawns for it and I had to convert. 😃

youtube.com/watch?v=NsQZs_…