Blitz Battles in the Brooklyn! New York vs. Chicago
Shawn Martinez vs. Daniel X Jones
Video by Johnny Strapp
The time has arrived. After months of banter and trashtalk, this evening will mark a hotly-contest blitz battle featuring two marquee cities. Chicago Chess Blitzers, who are sponsored by the Chicago Chess Club, have begun the overture by traveling to Brooklyn. Daniel X Jones and Kay Kaulule were caught live on Flatbush Avenue and had a message for the audience… and for their opponents Shawn Martinez and Tyrell Harriott.
Video by Nathan Kelly
This comes after another video circulated on Facebook with New York players asserting their supremacy as a chess city. Of course, New York’s pedigree is unmatched as far as history, but that is happening now is the beginning of another tradition. With the growth of technology, it is possible to reach so many different corners of the chess community and the blitz community will be watching this with with their snacks.
“At the end of the day on September 9th, Shawn Martinez is going to handle business for New York and represent the truth about who’s better.”
~Christian Whitted, New York Chess & Games
New York had upped the stakes after this video featuring owner of New York Chess and Games, Christian Whitted sparring with Nathan Kelly, organizer and catalyst for Chicago Chess Club. Shawn, Donell and Chris also chimed in. It was a brutal assault. They referred to Chicago as “Chiraq,” a moniker coined by Brooklyn’s Spike Lee and seen as an insult by Chicagoans.
Kelly, a Brooklyn native, survived and held his ground, but Christian was also adamant. New York would win in a rout and be the victor in the September 9th match! So.. here we are… it’s September 9th! Who will it be? Who will win home court advantage for the upcoming New York-Chicago showdown? Will it be Shawn “The Silent Assassin” Martinez or Daniel “The Baby-Faced Assassin” Jones. New York is only big enough for one assassin. So gentleman… take your seats… shake hands… FIGHT!
Shawn Martinez vs. Daniel X Jones
Tyrell Harriott vs. Kay Kaulule
Saturday, September 9th, 2017
New York Chess & Games
192 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, NY
https://www.newyorkchessandgames.com/
At the Internet Chess Club (ICC) type in “observe 31”
beats Jones 8-6
Brooklyn Master Shawn Martinez had mentioned that he battled with Daniel X Jones years ago. Martinez said that he got the better of Jones, who was rated 1700 at the time. Since then Jones has gotten noticeably stronger and is helping to lead a movement of team blitz chess. Coming off of a win against blitz phenom Tavon Carter, Martinez knew Jones would be coming into the match with soaring confidence. The pre-match hype was epic. When the Chicago entourage arrived they were resolutely positive.
Video by Nathan Kelly
Chicago had come to iconic Brooklyn, two cities that Bobby Fischer has in common and proceeded to throw down a fierce gladiator battle. The hype was real in the buildup. Jones-Martinez had a boxing ring to it and the Kaulule-Harriott undercard didn’t disappoint. The matches had a bit of everything including controversy. First up, the Zambian against the Jamaican.
NM Kela Kay Kaulule (Chicago) beats NM Tyrell Harriott (New York) 11-9
Zambia’s Kela Kay Kaulule
Kela Kaulule came to Chicago to visit a relative, but has found a home in the Chicago Chess Club. He was chosen as the player in an “undercard” match against National Master Tyrell Harriott. Going into the match, there was not the hype of the main event and Kela was very calm as usual. The match started with the Zambian winning the first two games, but of course, Harriott came fighting back. Kaulule had a small lead before a controversy threw the match in disarray.
The controversy occurred when Kaulule repeatedly adjusted pieces after hitting his clock. Kaulule confirmed this with The Chess Drum. It is apparently a habit developed over a long period of time. Club owner and organizer Christian Whitted intervened and penalties were assessed. Even after a 20-minute delay, the next game was delayed for the same issue. In fact, the ICC had seen enough and stopped relaying the games at 8.5-8.5. After the smoke cleared, a draw put the score at 9-9. Kaulule then closed the match with two wins.
Video by Nathan Kelly
There were some technical difficulties in the match with the network connection and the DGT board managed from Atlanta by Frank Johnson. Chicago Chess Club’s Nathan Kelly was broadcasting the games on his cell phone, but the viewing quality was not of standard. There was a better angle for the games, but the connection was spotty at best. The team worked feverishly to correct the issue and should be commended.
The games were originally set to be broadcast at the Internet Chess Club, but the management cut the relay after the Kay Kaulule-Tyrell Harriott match became snarled in controversy. This meant that the main event would be seen only through DGT wifi relay.
Daniel X Jones (Chicago) and Shawn Martinez (New York)
The match was a seesaw affair with both players staying close until the end. Martinez held the lead early but the games were even at 2.5 after five games. Again, Brooklyn edged out to a lead before Chicago roared back to take a 5.5-3.5 lead. Jones secured the lead at the end of the 5-minute and 3-minute segments. It appeared that Martinez caught his groove and rallied to victory with 4.5 in last five games for an 8-6 win.
The games finished in the wee hours of the morning and it was truly a gladiator battle. While the composite score in the two matches was 17-17, New York will win home court advantage with Martinez’s win. The technical issues will have to be improved for the NYC-CHI match, but the excitement is high and now the cities will prepare to battle in the fall.
The event has spawned possibilities and hopefully other cities will take note and join the action.
…and
…and last but certainly not least…