The C team were at Downend on Wednesday and came away with the points. Joaquim finished early after falling to a Greek Gift. From that point the evening got better and better. Joe won a pawn out of the opening on board 6. John tried for a few tactical tricks but Joe had it in hand and eased through to level up the match and secure his ninth straight league win. Shortly afterwards Scott drew his game on board 5. He had pressed hard on the kingside and built a space advantage, but interlocked pawns allowed David to hold the position.
On board 3 I put us ahead on the evening with a win against Dave. White was better out of the opening and then pressure down the open files and a bishop on a3 stopping black castling. Dave was reduced to a passive position and shortly afterwards I managed to force the loss of material and the game was up. So a point needed from the top two boards and it looked alright. Nigel was having much the better of Alan but James’ position looked a little dodgy.
James had gone all in for a mating attack but Elmira was able to hold it off and emerged passed pawns up on the queenside. White however assessed the situation well and swapped off into an opposite-coloured bishop endgame where his king was mobile and blacks was stuck in the corner. This allowed James to capture of restrict Elmira’s extra three pawns and a draw was agreed.
Finally, Nigel had won material early and once he had held off Alan’s kingside attack and traded down he entered an endgame a full knight and pawn ahead meaning white conceded and the match win was confirmed.
We’ve turned around our early season setbacks and are very much in the race to finish in the top two. Top of the table Yate next up.
Score card here: C team wins!
Horfield & Redland Chess Club 