Tuesday saw the B team and the E team playing at home. The B team were up against University A and fell in the last game of the match with Nigel unable to hold on in the end game. Good win for Mike on board 2 and a creditable draw with the black pieces on board 1 for Andy. The E team had enough to beat Downend F and record their first win of the season. Joe on 1 had a reality frills-free win against John and Mark more interestingly gave up a piece for a couple of pawns to create unbalance which paid off against Shaun.
Wednesday saw the A team away to Bath B who have impressed against stronger teams so far this season. However not so much this time as it turned out to be a pretty straightforward for our boys with wins on the top four boards for Matias, Tom, Derek, and Peter as the team won their second match of the season. Match card here.
Finally the C team were away to Thornbury on Thursday in a top of the table clash. Pete took an early draw with Andrew on board 4 followed shortly afterwards by Duncan playing an excellent combination to win significant material and force Chris to resign on board 5. On board 2 Alan then accepted a draw in a slightly worse position to keep us ahead. James stood better but unfortunately got lost in a complex position and dropped a piece to Lynda and the match was level. On board 1 John was the exchange down in an endgame but had enough counter threats on the queenside and with excellently mobile bishops was good for his well-earned draw. All eyes to board 6 where Joe was two pawns down in a rook and pawn ending. He managed to get one back and after 80 moves of slog Joaquin was unable to find a way to win the rook and pawn vs rook ending and a drawn game led to a drawn match. Card here.
Horfield & Redland Chess Club 