Storm Doris wrought havoc across the UK, and also played its part in the match. Ravi was stuck in London due to the weather, as was Adrian Matthews (perhaps they could have played on the replacement bus?).
John very kindly stepped in as Ravi’s understudy and his 1 Start clock proved enough to win the game by default on Board 5. Not a satisfactory way to win a game, but enough to give the home team a lead.
The other four games were very keenly contested. On Board 1, Andy always appeared under pressure against Evgeny Tukpetov, who launched a sustained attack in the centre and kingside. Andy’s pieces seemed to get tied up on the back rank and when he lost on time the position looked pretty terminal.
The game of the night was on Board 3 with the battle of Steves (Pike and Law). A Winawer French Defence saw Steve P dangle the offer of the g7 pawn which was gratefully accepted and it then turned into a vicious attack. Black’s position looked terminal, but a neat tactic allowed Steve P to regain the pawn and simplify the position to a rook and opposite coloured bishop ending. The endgame saw Steve P have pressure down the c file, and an inaccuracy by his opponent meant that he won a pawn and had two passed pawns on the queenside. The presence of opposite coloured bishops always made a draw the most likely result, but to the casual observer the end position still looked good for Steve P (it would be interesting to see what the computer thinks!). [my captain is very kind and as a cathartic gesture, you can all laugh at the blunderfest here – incidentally we have far too few games (brilliant, mad, bad, criminal, ridiculous all welcome) on the site at present so please send me some, particularly the newer players – whatever you send, it can’t be as bad as this one! – Ed]
Marc and Andy Tinker were engaged in a cat-and-mouse affair on Board 4. Andy has pressure on the kingside, but Marc opened up and had control of the b file, plonking a rook squarely on b7. However, he was not able to establish a clear advantage and a draw was agreed.
With the scores level, it was down to the battle of the captains as Alex faced Kevin Williamson. After an good opening Alex appeared to have a good position and some chances. Kevin’s defence held and it came down to a rook and pawn ending with Alex being slightly tied down. Although Kevin managed to create a passed pawn which got as far as c3, somehow white’s position held and a draw was agreed.
Overall a 2.5.-2.5 draw which was a fantastic result for the team, and helps the A Team in their quest for the title.