I joined the the Saturday Hivechess Arena last July 19 hosted by @sam.chess at lichess.org. In the previous week, I was in 10th place and won 2.5 HIVE. This week, I was out of the top ten and only placed 12th. The tournament is very competitive with very strong players. The time control is three minutes blitz and in this fast time control, games are exciting with a lot of tactics and blunders.

Here's one game where I was losing and I escaped not only with a draw but with a win.

I only had 22 seconds left in the game against my opponent's 45 seconds and he caught me in a fork. The game continued with 34. Qd2 Nxd1 35. Qxd1 Qxb5? a mistake. The Black Queen has to guard the e7 square.

I saw a chance to draw the game with 36. Ne7+ Kh8?? a blunder. Kf8 is drawish. 37. Nxf7#

Link to game: https://lichess.org/ggMKhvlR#0

My favorite game was against @stayoutofherz. I felt I had good control of the position having the a file and the center. Eventually I gambled and exchanged two pieces for a rook and pawn.

The game continued with 25. Nxf7 Kxf7 26. Bxc7 Qxc7 27. Ra7 Qc8 where my control of a file and Black's weak e6 pawn is compensation for the exchange. The position offers chances to both players but in blitz game, the attacker has the upper hand. The moves come more naturally and it saves time rather than defending.

Link to game: https://lichess.org/IOm0eqJk#0

Congratulations to the winners! The tournament is tough with a lot of strong players. Thanks to @sam.chess for hosting the tournament and scheduling it for my time zone. It's a great way to promote Hive to chess players. I'll try to join the next tournament on July 26!

Link to tournament: https://lichess.org/tournament/0OI4N7Td