Learning Opportunities

You may learn much more from a game you lose than from a game you win. You will have to lose hundreds of games before becoming a good player.
- José Raul Capablanca (World Champion 1921-1927)

Despite this quote being a bit rich coming from a guy who once went eight years without losing a single game, there is real truth in it. It is in the nature of a tournament that losers will outnumber winners by a wide margin and so as I wrapped up my tournament with a loss to my neighbour Denis (@denisbouchard) in Section C I consoled myself with Capablanca's words.

In that same section Scott (@godot321) had clinched first prize even before the round began. That he did so with a score of 3½/5 is an indication of how competitive this section was. Each of us had at least one opportunity to learn from a painful loss. Perhaps the prettiest game played was @godot321 v @datasmith in which Scott transformed a vulnerable king-side into a winning attack (admittedly with some help from his opponent). The game is worth a look:

In Section D @godot123's OTB sparring partner Tom (@MrPithers), turned in a perfect score and a performance rating of 1827 to win that section. His current lichess classical rating is now 1833 so Tom's next HCC tournament will likely offer him a bit more challenge. I should also note a good performance (3/4 with a performance rating of 1692) by Oscar (@chavezo) whose only loss came at the hands of the winner of the section. Oscar has been playing in HCC tournaments for a while now and when we were running Swiss events often found himself faced with very tough opponents. He has always been a very good sport and it is nice to see him have some success.

There is more interesting chess to play in sections A & B which still have a round to go. Pascal (@pascalg) and @Flexxooo (sorry, I don't know your name) have both secured first place in their respective groups but we are all playing for the fun - and some of us for Capablanca's learning opportunities - so I expect the games to be all hard fought and interesting to watch.

Thanks to everyone for playing. Keep an eye on your lichess inbox for info on our next events.

David