A better week than last week for H&R.
The C team rolled Keynsham 6-0 and the E team held a strong Grendel B 3-3.
The C team were 1-0 up by 8.00 as Malcolm failed to arrive on top board for the visitors allowing Alan an early night. Then very shortly afterwards John resigned against James on board 2. Black had given up a piece for two pawns to try to stop the kingside attack but with all white’s pieces pointing at the king including both rooks and the h pawn ready to crash into black’s defences John decided enough was enough. Joaquim made it 3-0 with a straightforward win over Chris and then Joe took us 4-0 up and secured the match points after ignoring queenside threats and breaking through in the centre against Will’s un-castled king. Piotr, road testing a new opening, smoothly won against Jim. White dominated the centre of the board and created significant pressure converting it into a won position. Finally, Pete came through in a mainly even game against Duncan. Black had a slight edge throughout and in time trouble Duncan couldn’t find the right defence and 6-0 it was. We are certainly in the mix for a top-two finish. Muscular
The E team scrapped and scraped through to a draw. Jack won early on board one and Scott lost early. Then Ash found Felipe too good and the visitors were 2-1 up. Boards 3 and 4 looked stodgy and board 6 looked very much advantage to the visitors in a queen and pawn endgame. However, Alex, as wily as a fox, got his queen behind black’s pawns and delivered a mate to level the match allowing Mike and Graham to bring the match to a conclusion with honours even. A touch lucky maybe
Horfield & Redland Chess Club 