Two matches this week. See below for Phil’s A team report for the match vs Bath. Match card.
Bath put out a surprisingly strong team, heavily outgrading us on the top 3 so a drawn match would seem to be a good result but in the end this was one that got away.
The venue’s website had promised a live band specialising in the hucklebuck. As it turned out our chilly outbuilding was well away from any exhortations to wiggle like a snake or waddle like a duck, but Tom and Dave were taking no chances and agreed a draw before 9pm when the performance was due to start. Derek played an opening he knew well and put on a pretty flawless display. Roy looked less comfortable, burning a lot of time before his flag fell after 24 moves in a lost position. Matias lost but we still had a decent return from our top half. Steve and Paul played out a theoretical position similar to games they had played in the past. Peter seemed to have a positional advantage whilst Ben threw some pawns at his opponent’s king but the net result was Peter emerging a bishop up in an ending. When we both stopped recording in my game my queen, rook and knight were well placed, I was a pawn up and white’s king had no pawn cover, which gave a –3.4 evaluation. And did I mention I was ahead on time too? I’m not sure quite sure where it went wrong but Patrick kept a cool head to avoid any tricks and when the rooks came off he managed to push his passed d pawn which cost me my knight and the game. That’s the sort of drama they should put on TV, but then again maybe not.
The E team had a really good win against Harambee on Tuesday. Match card here. Super win for Joaquim against Lloyd on board 1. Excellent draw on board 2 for Scott and wins for Graham and Ashish to round off the match. Still unbeaten and only two fixtures to go; but against the other two teams in the mix; Clifton H, then Bristol 4 Knights.
Horfield & Redland Chess Club 