Over this past Thanksgiving Break, two of WGM Irina Levitina’s students competed at the National Chess Congress in Philadelphia. We are thrilled to announce that both Rouven Essig and Juno Moon performed exceptionally over six grueling games in their respective sections. In particular, Rouven tied for first place in the Under 2200 Section, while Juno undisputedly took second place in the Under 1200 Section! Congratulations to both of our players and WGM Irina for this amazing feat.
In addition, we would like to thank Rouven for both analyzing several of his games and discussing his preparation before the tournament. Without any further ado, here is “The National Chess Congress, from Rouven’s Perspective”!
After more than 20 years away from competitive chess, I started practicing chess again about 2 years ago and started playing OTB chess again earlier this year. I did not have too high expectations when I entered the National Chess Congress tournament held in Philadelphia over the Thanksgiving weekend, with my rating being in the bottom half of the 1800-2199 section. However, the tournament went very well, and I ended in joint first place with 5/6 points (4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 half-point bye). I also succeeded in obtaining a rating of above 2000, which was one of my goals after returning to competitive chess. As a result, I got my first USCF candidate master norm. During the last two years, I have tried to improve all aspects of my chess. I have also been taking online lessons in WGM Irina Levitina’s Master Class. Besides being an exceptional player, WGM Irina is also a fantastic coach, and with her help, I have been able to improve my endgame, positional play, tactics, and calculation abilities!
I will first analyze my game against a player who also ended with 5/6 points in joint first. In this game, I was playing as black.
After 17. … e4, in addition to attacking the queen, Rouven had clear control of the center. The game progressed: 18. Qe2 f3. 19. Nf1 exf2+. 20. Qxfs2 Ne4. 21. Qf3 Ne7. 22. Bb2 Ng6. 23. Ng2 Ng5. 24. Qe3 Bf4. 25. Nxf4 Qxf4. 26. Nh2 Rce8. 27. Qd3 Nh4. 28. Kh1
At this point, even though Rouven was only up a bishop, his advantage is clear to see: four of his pieces are directly involved in the attack, and more damage was to come!
However, as all good chess players do, Rouven not only provided us with his positive moments: but he also provided us with a drawn game which he knows he should have won! It is commendable to share games in which one struggled in as well, as other players can learn from the mistakes made.
And here is a somewhat painful moment, from my only game that ended in a draw. If I would have won this game I would have ended in sole first place and (assuming that I did the calculation correctly…) achieved a Life Master Norm.
I (white) had plenty of chances, but the clearest one came after move 48. Kf6.
The position is a draw with 48. … Be8, but the game continued instead: 48. … Ke3?? 49. Kxg6 Kf2. Now I found the best move: 50. Kxh6 Kxf1.
And white is winning with either 51. H4 or 51. Kg5. However, instead I played 51. G4?? And the game ended in a draw after: 51. … Kg2. 52. Kg5 Kxh3. 53. Kxf5 Bd7+.
And this concludes Rouven’s analysis of his experience at the National Chess Congress! If you are a chess player who, like Rouven and Juno, wants to level up your chess game, we highly recommend WGM Irina Levitia’s Future Master and Master Classes!
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