Draughts Weekend in Hrusky: Match Czech Republic — Slovakia 33:17 (Blitz 5+5), Hrušky 23. 9. 2012. See results and PHOTO
Draughts Weekendin Hrusky
Traditional weekend get-together of Czech draughts players took place in the village of Hrusky in the middle of wine growing area of Southern Moravia. Series of blitz tournaments was dominated — as usually — by almost local player Jiri Sysel who won all individual competitions. They counted Friday´s scrumpy (fresh new half-fermented wine very popular all over the Czech Republic) warm-up tournament in Czech Dama, Saturday´s blitz championship in international draughts and Sunday´s international tournament in Czech Dama attended by group of Slovak players. Second place in all events was taken — as usually, too — by Vaclav Krista followed from distance by group of other players. One of traditions, match Moravia — Bohemia, was not held this time because of a pleasant change. We managed to contact Slovak draughts players and agreed on organization of tournament and match. As Slovaks play only Czech Dama, both competitions were played in Czech Dama. In spite of fact that games in Hrusky were the first encounters with opponents abroad, Slovak players showed high class of play. They took 3rd to 6th place
among 11 participants in individual tournament. Draughts weekend highlight was historically first draughts match between Czech Republic and Slovakia onSunday, September 23 afternoon.
Czech Republic — Slovakia 33:17
Slovak players who play mostly only on internet were big mistery for us before the match and it was expected with curiosity how they would handle life playing with all its tricks. It is possible to use computer programs or advice of experienced friends while playing on internet which is not considered fair. All suchgimmicks fail in life games. Some Slovak players pointed out that they might make technical mistakes such as forget to pick up jumped-over men, forget to press clock, not follow touch-play rule etc. All these sins were grossely tolerated by most experienced Czech counterparts and all match was played in very friendly atmosphere. However, Sunday morning blitz tournament sent clear warning to us that very strong group of players joined family of Czech Draughts.
1st Round 6:4
The start of match brought big shock. So far unbeaten Jiri Sysel lost to Dusan Gachulinec on the sencond board! It was obvious how Gachulinec enjoyed the victory. Due to loss of Lumir Gatnar to Jan Chvala on the last fifth board, Vaclav Krista had to save victory in unclear ending againt Peter Milata on the first board.
| Česko (černými) | Slovensko (bílými) |
6-4 |
| Václav Křišta | Peter Milata |
2-0 |
| Jiří Sysel | Dušan Gachulinec |
0-2 |
| Pavel Kadeřábek | Slavomír Weiss |
2-0 |
| Luboš Vlach | Peter Voznický |
2-0 |
| Lumír Gatnar | Ján Chvála |
0-2 |
2nd Round 8:2
This time, everything worked well for us except for loss of Lubos Vlach to well playing Chvala on the last board.
| Česko (bílými) | Slovensko (černými) |
8-2 |
| Lumír Gatnar | Peter Milata |
2-0 |
| Václav Křišta | Dušan Gachulinec |
2-0 |
| Jiří Sysel | Slavomír Weiss |
2-0 |
| Pavel Kadeřábek | Peter Voznický |
2-0 |
| Luboš Vlach | Ján Chvála |
0-2 |
3rd Round 4:6
We were supposed to play two rounds only but all players — enthousiastic to play new opponent from another country first time in life — agreed to continue full five round which meant that each player from a team meets each player from opponent´s team. And the third round meant trouble for us. Milata dominated over Vlach on the first board, Krista on the third board lost his first point drawing Slavomir Weiss, bronze medal winner of previous blitz tournament. As Gatnar drew Gachulinec and Chvala won his third straight game against Pavel Kaderabek this time, Sysel´s victory on Peter Voznicky could not prevent us from loss.
| Česko (černými) | Slovensko (bílými) |
4-6 |
| Luboš Vlach | Peter Milata |
0-2 |
| Lumír Gatnar | Dušan Gachulinec |
1-1 |
| Václav Křišta | Slavomír Weiss |
1-1 |
| Jiří Sysel | Peter Voznický |
2-0 |
| Pavel Kadeřábek | Ján Chvála |
0-2 |
4th Round 6:4
Gatnar lost to well playing Weiss who continued his great performance from individual tournament. Kaderabek drew Milata, Vlach drew Gachulinec, Krista squeezed two points for victory in otherwise even ending with Voznicky and thus we were grateful for our tight victory to Sysel who beat till that time hundred percent winner Chvala.
| Česko (bílými) | Slovensko (černými) |
6-4 |
| Pavel Kadeřábek | Peter Milata |
1-1 |
| Luboš Vlach | Dušan Gachulinec |
1-1 |
| Lumír Gatnar | Slavomír Weiss |
0-2 |
| Václav Křišta | Peter Voznický |
2-0 |
| Jiří Sysel | Ján Chvála |
2-0 |
5th Round 9:1
We led by 18:12 before the last round which looked just fine but in case of a theoretical loss of 0:10 we could have lost all match. This fact might have helped concentration of our players who played their best mini match. Vlach drew under circumstances favorized Weiss. Krista was a cause for the second straight loss of Chvala and remaining games ended up by our victory, too.
| Česko (černými) | Slovensko (bílými) |
9-1 |
| Jiří Sysel | Peter Milata |
2-0 |
| Pavel Kadeřábek | Dušan Gachulinec |
2-0 |
| Luboš Vlach | Slavomír Weiss |
1-1 |
| Lumír Gatnar | Peter Voznický |
2-0 |
| Václav Křišta | Ján Chvála |
2-0 |
The best players of our team were, as usually, Krista (9 point) and Sysel (8) followed by Kaderabek (7). Taking into account unexpectedly high level of Slovak players, it is necessary to appreciate results of Gatnar (5) and Vlach (4) who would not have played if we had optimal line up. The best players among Slovaks were Chvala (6), Weiss and Gachulinec (both 4) and Milata (3). Voznicky (0) showed quite good games but he was losing in endings where he has possibility for improvement.
Czechs say «end good, everything good». Match hinted that our new Slovak friends might become even tougher opponents for our top players after hard training. In any case, we have promised to each other to meet over the board in future again.
Vaclav Krista
Septemeber 30, 2012