Master!!!!

After getting back from the World Youth, I took a break for a couple of weeks. However at my next tournament, the Cupertino Octos, I swept the top octos with 3/3 and took home prize money and twenty-six rating points which brought me to 2191 from 2165. When the World Youth got rated, I only got one point for 8/11. Therefore, I needed eight points for my master title. This weekend, I played in the Winter Open. I drew with Dana Mackenzie, a 2117, in the first round. I was tired as I had a huge science test and was studying late the previous night and early that morning. In the  next round, I outplayed Siddarth Banik, a 2033, in the Keres Attack. I won the third round quickly against Josiah Steerman, an 1812, on a tactic. After this game, I only needed 3 points to become a master. I was paired with Mike Splane, a 2264 in the fourth round. He played a6 on the first move and his dark squares were weak throughout the game. I gradually outplayed him and then sacrificed a piece to win. I decided not to play the fifth round to guarantee becoming a master and now my rating is 2206! As promised long ago, my dad will get me a puppy and take care of it while my brother and I get to play with it. I want a golden retriever puppy, but my parents are trying to convince me to get a labrador or a pomeranian. On Christmas day, I am going on a five day trip to Los Angeles/San Diego and then am coming back in time for the U.S. Chess School in San Francisco. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

WYCC 2012 Poem

In school, we had a rare chance for an extra credit activity in language arts. We were supposed to make a poem about an event. Originally it was assigned before Thanksgiving break to be written about Thanksgiving, but my teacher gave me the option of writing the poem about my tournament. Here is the poem:

The Games Have Begun!

Drowsy from flight

Jetlag sets in

As chess players settle in for the night

The games have begun!

The ambassador comes

Amazing all Americans

The players twiddle their thumbs

The games have begun!

Round 1 starts

Good for USA and me

Wins are off the charts

The games have begun!

Round 2 is done

A loss saddens me

But I must move on and continue the long run

The games have begun!

Third and fourth rounds are won fast

As I am fueled by thoughts of revenge

To put round 2 into the past

The games have begun!

The double day is what I dread

1 win and loss to finish the first half

4 out of 6 as I go to bed

The games have begun!

Rest day comes and goes

 Pizza for lunch and dinner

As time slows

The games have begun!

Round 7 is a scare

Blunder early, but fight back

Mistakes happen, and then I take care

The games have begun!

Two tough games follow

But I stay strong

As the playing field starts to hollow

The games have begun!

Round 10 brings a heartbreaking loss

As my medal chances are shot

I need to finish strong even for a lost cause

The games have begun!

After the tournament is like

A crazy party

It’s all fun and games till the speaker takes the mike

The games have concluded!

-By Vignesh Panchanatham

on my experience at the World Youth Chess Championships 2012

Round 11 and end of tournament

I won my last game against my new friend from Seattle, Bryce Tiglon. After a hedgehog-like position out of the opening, I did a tactic which got me the pair of bishops. Then I did another tactic which won me a piece. I tied for 6th, but tiebreaks were not on my side. I finished just outside of the top ten, number 11 on tiebreaks.

Round 10

Today I played the number 3 seed, of the section, from Russia, Saveliy Golubov. I got a worse position from the opening and then lost a pawn. I lost another pawn and he converted the opposite color bishop endgame. After this loss, I lost my chances at a medal, but I can still have a strong finish if I win the next one.

Round 9

Today I played against my friend from Seattle, Roland Feng. I did a lot of prep and was able to get a better position out of the opening. After a little bit, I converted my advantage into a two pawn-up endgame. I converted that with a little bit of difficulty. At first, when the result was up, it said I drew. That probably gave my dad a scare! After two minutes, the real result came up and he could breathe again. Two more tough rounds to go!

Round 8

Today I played against Olexandr Triapishko, the number one Ukrainian. He was very hard to prepare for as he goes under two names, Alexandr Trjpishko and the name above. In the game, he took a lot of time for the opening, but still got a worse position. In the middlegame, I attacked his king. He tried to do the same, but in doing so he lost a piece. Then I had mate in 2 and he resigned. He was under time pressure the whole game. I continue on with 6/8 with three more rounds to go. 

Round 7

Today I played against a Lithuanian, Matas Samulionis. Out of the opening, a Caro-kann, I made a mistake and got a much worse position with my king exposed. I managed to survive and go into a rook endgame down a piece for two pawns. Since I had complicated the position, he was low on time and made a blunder. I was then able to win. I got lucky, but hopefully I won't need this much luck to win next time.