My memorable tournaments: Berkeley Summer International Master Norm Tournament, 2019

Holding my first Woman International Master (WIM) norm certificate, Berkeley 2019

Elizabeth Shaughnessy, the founder of Berkeley Chess School and the organizer of this tournament, sent me a personal invite a year before the event. Because I have been away from competitive chess for several years, I graciously declined the offer at the time. In May 2019, one random Saturday morning, I decided to enter in the tournament, that was happening at the Marshall Chess Club. Despite having lack of practice and confidence, I surprisingly did very well and even gained 20 USCF rating points. Immediately that evening, I called up Elizabeth and told her that I changed my mind and want to participate in the tournament. She was thrilled. Besides, it was a great excuse to visit the Bay Area, place where I have lived for ten years.


Just landed in SF, on my way to Berkeley! (I was posting some updates on my Instagram page (@byambaauyanga))

In summer 2019, in addition to my full time work, I was taking Real Analysis course at Columbia. My final exam was scheduled right before the day of the tournament. As soon as my three hour final exam was over, I rushed to JFK taking 7 hour flight to SFO from NYC. As soon as I settled in Berkeley at my friends house, with no rest, I immediately had to play my first round. 5 more hours of chess awaiting for me, all at the same day! Not an ideal situation to start the tournament! But, I was extremely excited to finishing my course, taking my first vacation from work, and going to see my friends in the Bay Area.

Berkeley Summer Invitational, 2019 /pictured with Berkeley Chess School Founder Elizabeth Shaughnessy, WGM Carla Heredia Serrano (ECU), IM Carolina Lujan (ARG), IM Lisandra Ordaz Valdés (CUB), WGM Agnieszka Matras-Clement (CAN), and WGM Yuleisy Hernandez Moya (CUB) /

Round 1: Against WIM Thalia Cervantes (2118)

Click here to see the game

Despite being physically and mentally exhausted before the game starts, I had to push myself beyond limitation to do everything I can do to play fighting chess. The game was extremely dynamic and tactical, every move required accurate calculation. I even had to sacrifice my queen for some compensation. Unfortunately, I missed a forced draw in time scrabble at the end.

The round 1 was rough.

Round 2: Against Saikhanchimeg Tsogtsaikhan (2011)

In round 2, I was paired against my fellow Mongolian, Saikhanchimeg. The game was quite dramatic. I played my opening like someone who is rated twelve hundred. Despite being in deep trouble in the early middlegame, I somehow swindled my way out for a comeback.The game was chosen to be "the game of the round 2" and analyzed by a special guest. The game analysis can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2SVzDyLAFU&fbclid=IwAR04h8oKPUjZI4d39EIpG7_Tvh9mLCRMt3Z2ddyFS0_0AGCNHrQLw3YBnts

Click here to see the game

Round 3: IM Carolina Lujan (2352), #1 rated Female player from Argentina

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Thrown away completely winning endgame! Made lot of blunders in time pressure and scored only half point, which supposed to be a full point. Even though it ended in a disappointing result, I was happy with my overall play. I feel that as each round goes by, I was playing stronger. She an strong International Master and #1 female chess player from Argentina. She showed her strong experience and resourcefulness at the end - sacrificed her knight to forced the position into a theoretical draw.
Almost in all of my games, I was getting into severe time pressure. Having very little experience in that particular time control didn't help my situation. Figuring out how to play with an increment was an another challenge. 30 sec can be a lot of time or it can be nothing!

Round 4: Against IM-Elect Annie Wang (2321)

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Round 5: Against WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia (2191)

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It was great to score a full point, after a tough loss in the previous round.
Interview after the round : https://www.facebook.com/berkeleychessschool/videos/644829289332297/

Round 6: Against IM Lisandra Ordaz Valdes (2393), #1 rated female player in Cuba

Round 6, Berkeley Summer IM Norm International

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Round 7: Against GM Irina Krush (2417)

Round 7, Berkeley Summer International Master Norm tournament

Irina played a same opening as Annie Wang played against me. I knew I was worse in the opening in that game, so I had to come up with something different against Irina's test. Unfortunately, I still didn't achieve an equal position out of the opening. Nevertheless, the position was still dynamic and complicated, I was able to secure a draw by perpetual. If I don't make the draw, I was worse. Besides, drawing against a Grandmaster was an achievement for me.

Click here to see the game

The last day has came. I needed 1.5 out of 2 to qualify for a WIM norm.
Round 8: WIM Agnieszka Matras-Clement (2260), #1 rated female player in Canada

Game analysis with Carla: https://www.facebook.com/berkeleychessschool/videos/2604862586224828/

My opponent needed a win for this round to pursue her WGM norm possibility. Both players in time pressure, she made a very tricky move, which cost her the game. However, in her situation, it was a practical decision.

Click here to see the game

Round 9: WGM Yuleisy Hernandez Moya (2199)

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I was very surprised by her opening choice. Facing against Yugoslav Attack, without fear, I confidently played my Sicilian Dragon and got an comfortable position with extra healthy pawn. Though chess never is simple, the position was getting complicated. It was too risky for me to push for a win when all I need was a draw.

Closing Ceremony:

Overall, I had a great performance! Coming in, I had low expectations. I knew I didn't have the best preparation, but I made sure that in each game, I played my heart out. Never would have thought beating #1 ranked female player from Canada, drawing against #1 female ranked player from Argentina and 7-times US Woman's Chess Champion GM Irina Krush and qualifying for Woman International Master (WIM) norm after taking a break from tournament chess for three years. Being part of this amazing event and competing against such strong opposition really sparked my interest in getting back to chess again.

Thank you to the amazing organizers!

Thank you Berkeley Chess School for organizing this amazing event!

Representing Mongolia and holding my norm certificate!

Time to celebrate for our success!

A message from a fan:

More recaps on the tournament:

US Chess Online: https://new.uschess.org/news/krush-wang-win-berkeley-im-tournament/
Chessbase: https://en.chessbase.com/post/krush-and-wang-take-berkeley-im-tournament
American Chess Magazine: Check out my interview on page 62, November issue 2019