Maybe it was because they won last year or perhaps because of the proximity, but for some reason I especially wanted the New York team to beat New Jersey. I was scheduled to play NJ in the morning. This was my opportunity to do my part for the team! And what do you think happened? Yes, it is sad - I lost. It was my first loss of the tournament (thankfully it would be my only loss).  But I moved on. 

The next round I was paired against Kansas.  I remembered that I had played the girl from Kansas at a different tournament and we had drawn.  I needed to change it up this time. I called my coach, Tamaz, and just an hour before the round he taught me a new response to the opening she played.  He also sent me several famous games with that setup to look at as model games.  In the game, sure enough, the girl played the Sicilian and I was able to execute what I had just learned.  A solid attack gave me the win. Later I won the best game award for that game (I submitted it to a contest). I'll tell you what the prize was later. One more game tomorrow!

Before the round with Veronika from Oklahoma.