We had an incredible run at the first #Chesstival dreamed up by Derrick Rose @drose and @MagnusCarlsen !✨
Teaming up with @Grant2Will Grant Williams was great fun! He is not only interested in chess. He also shows his determination and focus on the chessboard. The first game was tough as I did not know much about either my partner or his chess, and it was also a new experience for me to play freestyle with @RajonRondo & @GMHikaru. We all come from the sports field. It does not matter if you are a chess player or a basketball player, because it is in our blood that we want to win. So it was a cheerful moment winning the game.🙂
The semifinal was tough again, but since I understood my partner's chess level, I felt that I could help him with better guidance during the fight vs. @viditchess & @ThisIsJRE Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. They played in full harmony. But at one point, they had to make a follow-up move and got lost in time trouble.
The finals vs. @FabianoCaruana & Tony Snell @TonySnell21_ ? It seemed to be a great opening for us. But the white pieces got into action. At some point, it was scary for us. Anyway, we did not give up, fought on, and with some critical defensive moves by Grant, we were able to hold on, and even win at the end in great time trouble.
I am proud of Grant.🙂 He showed great fighting spirit, good nerves, and huge curiosity while we were creating our strategy for each game. His time management was a key factor in our victory. ⏱💪
It was a great pleasure to hold the 25.000 dollar check, donated by @chesscom, is going for charity to the #GrantWilliamsFamilyFoundation, that supports the next generation.❤
#ChessConnectsUs @chess_freestyle
#CharlotteHornets