Yermo's Travels: The USA in Rhodes (part 2)

Living it up and in the lead

Topsy-turvy is the best way to describe the U.S. Team performance in Rounds 5 and 6, but first the game I promised you at the end of my previous report.

Shabalov is leading our team in more ways than one. Not only he plays near every game (and wins!) on Board 1, Alex excels in a delicate task of handling a bunch of stubborn old men with ingrained bad habits. Thanks to El Capitan we eat right (well, to a degree) and exercise (however moderately).

A Classical Guide to the French Defence

This DVD gives you the key to start out with the French Defence. GM Yannick Pelletier is a specialist of this opening, and believes that the most efficient way to understand its ideas, plans, and typical structures is to study classical lines.

Shabalov (click or tap to enlarge)

In Round 5 we played Italy, and it was Shabalov's fifth game in a row. He took an early draw with Michele Godena and went back to his room accompanied by yours truly to watch the games (no one is allowed to remain in the playing hall but players with games in progress). What he saw must have added to some grey to his hair, although it's hard to tell because Alex shaves his head.

The Sicilian with 3.Bb5

The Rossolimo Variation of the Sicilian Defence (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5) is always an excellent choice with White if you want to avoid the deeply analysed main lines of the Open Sicilian. Alexei Shirov provides you with the requisite understanding of the opening's subtleties, by annotating extensively his most important games in this variation. During his career, he has played the 3.Bb5 system with both colours and he shares with you on this DVD his valuable experience.

In some ways Ehlvest-Bruno was even harder to watch. Having sat on a nice advantage out of the Exchange French, Jaan literally sat there doing nothing but watching it evaporate. White's position didn't seem better at all, when suddenly we spotted a tactical shot for Jaan. That's when the game froze. No moves were coming and no result was posted online. It turned out Jaan saw the shot, but for some mysterious reason he preceded it by sacrificing his entire queenside. By his own admission, Ehlvest stood worse at the start of second time control, but Bruno went wrong somewhere and in the end Jaan had mate in 18 (computer-checked). Team considerations once again prompted his to offer a draw, as by that time it would clinch the match. The hero of the day was Joel Benjamin who ground down Garcia Palermo in a long endgame. We survived and beat Italy 2½:1½.

The next day Shabba took a well-deserved rest. He went back to Old Town to visit the famous Grandmaster Palace. Of course, us chess players consider it our own because of the name, but in reality it's a historical site.

Click or tap to enlarge

It turns out the Order Of Malta was originally established here on Rhodes, but in 1522 it was persuaded by the expansion of Ottoman Empire to seek safer shores.

See for yourself how our ship sailed in cold Icelandic waters without Captain at the helm.

The Sicilian Tajmanov-Scheveningen

The Sicilian has been known for decades as the most reliable way for Black to obtain an unbalanced but good position. Among the most popular Sicilians at the top level the two that certainly stand out are the Najdorf and the Paulsen.

While we might lament the way a possible 4:0 turned into 2:2, but a tie wasn't such a bad result. Armenia and England drew, so we were still ahead by two match points, facing Israel in round seven.

While I'm finishing up this report Shabalov and Ehlvest are at the pool.

Nice view of the pool, eh?!

On Monday, we again were triumphant against the Israeli squad by 2½:1½, with my win the margin of victory, giving us a commanding two point lead with two rounds to go.

Standings after Round 7 (top 10)

Round 8 live

All available games (Rounds 1-7)

Links

• Yermo's Travels: The USA in Rhodes (part 1)
• Official site
• Full results (Chess-Results)