Called the Tournament Director Over

I had a good tournament at Carl's Jr. last Wednesday. Twenty people showed up, nine rated over 1800. I scored 3.5/4 and tied for 1st place ($13 prize).  In Round 2, something peculiar happened.

Carl's Jr. G/20, Mesa, AZ, Mar. 13, 2013

Round 2

Randy (2008) - Joe (1905)

Black's last move was 36...Ba4-b5+. I had 20 seconds on my clock (3 second delay) and I did not see the check. I touched my rook on a2. Then I realized that I was in check. What would you do? Out of confusion, I stopped the clock and one of the observers called the tournament director. The ruling was that since I did not make an illegal move, the game would continue without penalty. 37. Kf3 Rc3+ 38. Kf4 Rc4+ 39. Kf3 Rc3+ draw agreed.

Next time this happens, I will move the rook back to a2 (since there is no legal move with that rook), play Kf3, and press the clock.

Trapped my own piece

Here is a position from last night's game at Carl's Jr. (g/20), round 1.

I was White and it is White's move. White is up two pawns and about to win the pawn on a4. Instead of playing the simple Rxa4, I played 19. b3? d5! My bishop is lost. 20. Rxa4 dxc4 21. Rxa8 Qd5! 22. f3 Bxa8 23. bxc4? Qd4+ 24. Kf1 Qxa1+ 25. Ke2 0-1

Lessons to be Learned:
1. Do not relax when up two pawns. Need to be alert for opponent's tactics
2. Need to anticipate Qd5 and Qd4+. Those moves surprised me during the game.
3. Need better board vision