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Pre-game analysis: In Colding-Muhammad, Colding's tactical skills will be hard-pressed to penetrate Muhammad's preparation and farsightedness. Schleifer-Simutowe has the making of a explosive battle. . . both with a preference for double-edged positions. Rogers-Simpson could be a tactical melée if Simpson has his way. However, Rogers will play solid, but aggressive with the white pieces. In Morrison-Kobese, you can expect a sharp struggle as both like maneuvering chess, but also like to build up momentum as the game progresses. Nsubuga-Solomon is an interesting matchup in that the two players have contrasting styles, but have good board discipline and won't beat themselves with careless mistakes. . . probably neutral. |
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Muhammad-Colding, 1-0 |
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Post-mortem analysis: Colding couldn't quite solve his opening problems against Muhammad and his position deteriorated after Muhammad mounted pressure on his weaknesses. The Simutowe-Schleifer encounter had the makings of a classic double-edged battle before the Zambian IM overlooked a diversionary tactical shot that immediately cost him a rook. Rogers-Simpson was an interesting battle as white developed a space advantage while black looked for counterplay. Simpson perhaps missed some chances to seize an initiative. A complicated ending ensued and a draw seemed the probable result before Rogers developed unstoppable queen-side pawns. Morrison-Kobese was a classic Ruy Lopez struggle that ended with white having a better structural position vs. black's slight edge in piece activity. The players decided that these two factors presented equal chances and agreed to a draw. Nsubuga-Solomon was a positional game that saw white take a positional advantage only to lose it and allow black counterplay. The game turned into a tactical ending as both sides had to walk a tightrope to hold the position. When the smoke cleared only two kings were left standing. |
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Top: Simutowe (L) vs. Schleifer; Bottom: Simpson (L) vs. Rogers. IM Watu Kobese (far right) stands while waiting on FM William Morrison. |
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