Week 5 Game of the Week

GM Christiansen continues to lead the so far unstoppable Blitz with another impressive win over IM Milman (Christiansen won game of the week last season with a win over Milman - ed). This game was particularly difficult for me to really analyze in terms of finding any potential errors or great moves from either side and this is actually one of the big reasons I think this game was so good (What Arun is trying to say is that he's too weak to figure out whats going on - ed). As usual the game was hotly debated online, many feeling White had the better of it in the early middlegame due to the tenuous nature of Black's King, but IM Milman was unable to find a way to take advantage of this and GM Christiansen slowly but surely broke through on the queenside and then finished off the game with the solid blow 40... Qa3! (solid is just about the worst adjective ever to describe this move - ed) which ended the game immediately (Black was completely winning at least 3 moves before Qa3 - ed). With this win it's going to be extremely difficult for any team to challenge the Blitz for the division win as their lead is rather large already. If they make the playoffs as division champs, which I believe they are very likely to do, they will be a huge favorite to reach the finals with draw odds in the Semi's and a ridiculous 1-2 punch of Christiansen and Perelshteyn.

Milman vs Christiansen - Black to move after 40. Ka1
Black found the "solid" move 40...Qa3. This move not
only solidifies the black position but also forces mate
in 7 according to Fritz!

A very nice tactical win from IM Friedel who via an exchange sac in the early middlegame sent the Black King on walk first from the Kingside to the Queenside and then up the board before finally delivering mate. Along with the exchange sac itself, 22. Rf1! was also a very nice move (Don't worry, Arun originally called this move "solid", I decided to edit it this time - ed) as most felt White would likely try 22. Qh4 after which Black can play 22... Kd7-c8 allowing the Black King to make it to the Queenside in a much cleaner fashion than the game allowed. Also, another good win for the San Fransisco team who are now where I predicted them to be at the beginning of the season, atop their division. Although they have been playing very well, they still have their work cut out for them if they want that division crown as they have a brutal schedule for the rest of the season having to face New York, the second place Seattle twice, and Miami again.

Friedel vs Burnett - White to move ater 31...Kc4

A big win for the previously slumping FM Rogers, and it couldn't have come at a much better time or in much more dominating fashion. Launching a Fried Liver type assault with 12. Nxf7! (hmmm, according to Arun this move wasn't "solid" - ed), FM Rogers gained a vicious attack which he carried out expertly, eventually winning the Black Queen to gain a winning advantage. NM Rouleau defended gamely, but White simply had too many threats, and he was overwhelmed. Despite their 0-4 start the Masterminds have to be considered a big playoff threat at this time as they are only one match behind the current third place Baltimore Kingfishers and with GM Ehlvest joining the effort next week, the Masterminds can wield a very feirce lineup capable of beating any other team in the league.

Rogers vs Rouleau - white to move after 13...Ke6
It was walk your king to the center of the board day
in the USCL this week. Black was unable to survive
white's onslaught after 14. Re1 and 15.d4