Rounds 5-9 didn’t really yield too much, as the top seeds started playing each other, and drawing. Dave unfortunately suffered a loss to one of South Africa’s strongest players, Nick Van der Nat who played some fantastic chess but unfortunately faded in the last 2 rounds, while top seed GM Nigel Short who had fallen half a point off the pace pulled out some important victories to move back into equal first. Gawain continued to play well, despite not capitalizing on some fantastic positions (one against Grover as white, and then against Nigel as Black) which would have seen him clearly in the lead at this point.
During these rounds however, the social life of the tournament really turned on. The Wednesday in particular offered one of the highlights of the tournament. Graham had organized a wonderful night at a local Indian restaurant where we enjoyed ourselves doing what it is that to me really makes going to these sorts of events worthwhile. Exchanging stories, getting to know your fellow competitors and newfound friends a little better, consuming more than the recommended amount of cider and generally just having a relaxing night away from the need to prepare for opponents and trying to remember reams and reams of opening theory. Nights such as these really challenge the stereotypes that are associated with chess players, we just hung out, drinking beer, eating nice food and being slightly too raucous for an Indian establishment. The lowlight of the night came when I received a completely unrejectable challenge…. A Flaming Lamborghini contest (for those who don’t understand, Google it… the only thing I will say is that most menus give this drink a health warning). This time however, there was national pride on the line, with South Africans questioning Australian drinking credentials…
After the Flaming Lamborghinis were done, we then got into discussions about our next social night, which was decided to be on Friday (weren’t we taking this tournament seriously?), and one of our new friends was generous enough to throw a Braii and Beer at his place. We played some blitz; smack talked and generally had a good time, although for me the absolute highlight was beating my childhood chess idol, GM Nigel Short. No need for details about how it happened, or if it was indeed he who got himself into the lost position, but he was generous enough to offer me two rematches (one of which after getting myself to a pawn up and probably a completely won endgame he played Nf5 and said “Now I #&/% you” at which point I horribly dropped my bundle). Playing against my childhood chess hero made the whole trip worthwhile and Nigel was extremely giving of his time, stories and his seemingly irrepressible cheer definitely added to the tournament atmosphere.
The last three rounds really stepped up, with some scintillating play in the GM enclosure (aka the Playboy Mansion). It was fantastic to see the higher seeds really pushing for wins on the top boards, and whilst the Swiss system has its problems, having such aggressive play at the end of the tournament rather than the drawfests you tend to get in round robins, is certainly an appealing characteristic. Dave, despite his earlier poorer results recovered well to score 3/3 in his final games to get himself to a respectable 9/11 and score himself a Commonwealth Bronze Medal – Congratulations mate. GM Gawain Jones on the other hand, didn’t falter in the slightest, continuing his good form from earlier in the tournament to finish on an extremely impressive 9.5/11 to tie with his countryman GM Nigel Short. Fortunately for Gawain, who went into the last round with slightly (staggeringly, having played all the top rivals as outright leader for several rounds) inferior tiebreak’s, his opponents outperformed Nigel’s which resulted in Gawain becoming the Commonwealth Champion! A super result, so once again, congratulations. (On an aside, I wonder if people are aware of the consequences of their games in a tournament such as this, taking rapid draws in the last round because they don’t feel like their game means anything. Games on board 70 turned out to be critical to the outcome of this tournament… could be an opportunity for an enterprising 1200 in the last few rounds perhaps?!)
The last night of tournaments like this are always ones to remember (or not, as the bodies limits may dictate) and for me, it was an opportunity to celebrate the fact that my two friends performed well and also to thank those who had been extremely helpful and hospitable to me. Such events are always touched with a tinge of sadness, as it invariably means saying goodbye to newly made friends. The night may, or may not have included body-shots, lots of pan-galactic-gargleblasters, a bottle of tequila, trash talking blitz, a rendition of “You Raise Me Up”, some drunk dials, excessive amounts of Springboks (my new favorite shot, peppermint liquor with Amarula) and one wayward soul getting to partially live his dream as he clutched to the thigh of the local Statue of David.
To all my new friends, it was lovely to meet you all – I look forward to seeing you again a lot sooner than I had originally planned, sorry to Fitzy (the recipient of his second drunk dial). I also need to, in particular pass on a big thankyou to MER, not only are you an extremely eloquent writer (check his blog out) and provided some great coverage of the tournament you are just a top bloke, so thanks for your hospitality and assistance when it was needed (this assistance included doing three travelers washing at one point). Much appreciated.
Finally, there is no way I can sign off without a special “Dankie” to Graham, mate you ran a smashing tournament – and spared no effort in making sure that all of us foreign participants had an absolutely sensational time at the tournament. Mr Jurgensen I look forward to beers at a Boxing Day test in the not too distant future!
I declare my 2011 South African adventure closed, your shores are once again one less obnoxious Aussie better off. Dit was Lacka.
