A well-matched encounter wherein the balance of good fortune fell to the home side.
Jonathan opened up with characteristic initiative, soon having the exposed Black king facing 2 rooks and an advanced pawn spike ; but Oleskii calmly held him off and looked set for a trip to the bank with extra material – until stumbling into a stalemate!
Clifton’s misfortune was compounded later by John Tiplady resigning from a probably drawn position. Elsewhere matters proceeded pretty evenly. Sam stayed commendably cool after the late start to his game; and with the match at least drawn I reached a level position only requiring the move for mate in two. Instead of allowing a draw by repetitive checks I decided to run for cover – fatally overlooking a forced queen exchange. So it goes…
(1) Clarke 0.5 – 0.5 Dinhuber
(2) Millbank 0 – 1 Jankowski
(3) Jennings 1 – 0 Smolka
(4) Turner 1 – 0 Carver
(5) Facey 1 – 0 Tiplady
(6). Zeng 0.5 – 0.5 Novakov
HORFIELD D 4 – 2 CLIFTON C
NB: Horfield were black on boards 1, 3 and 5.
Horfield & Redland Chess Club 