I was optimistic about the C Team’s chances given that the D Team’s usual strong board 1 Steve Pike (clearly not required! – Ed) was unable to play.
Andy boldly stepped up to take Steve’s place and gave Callum a run for his money. When I last saw the game I couldn’t see that either had made much headway but Callum is is in fine form. Since losing to Steve in the first game of the season he has won every league game against higher rated opponents and this was to be no exception. I understand that having matched him for much of the evening Andy fell for a winning tactic.
On board 2 Robert, who had won every game so far this season, slipped up against Ramsey who needed no second chance. He won a piece for nothing and soon after the game.
On board 3 I thought Richard had won a pawn against Alex but material was steadily whittled away and a draw was agreed.
Board 5 was a clash between two of this year’s new club members. James won a pawn but Robert seemed to have a very strong passed pawn and his doubled rooks looked to have provided adequate compensation. However it turned out to be not enough.
That left me to save a drawn match at least by beating Lucian. He played a Dragon Sicilian which always spooks me and I was content to keep things quiet. However Lucian was not remotely interested in a draw and we pressed on into a pawn and bishop ending. We reached a position in which I could choose to win by promoting on the King side (just my passed pawn) or the Queen side (two pawns to one). Unfortunately I had completely forgotten my clock. When Lucian pointed out the dreaded flag my first thought was that this was the 70 minute flag – we had long since exceeded 35 moves so no worries! I ought to have wondered how we could have reached 10.45 pm or thereabouts without passing the first time control. To quote Liz Truss PA-THET-IC!
So for the second time this year Bedford D humbled the C Team – something that no other team has managed to do. Bedford C and D are now level on points with Milton Keynes C in League 2. Bedford are still just top of League 2 by virtue of total games won. Everything is still to play for!
So:-
Bedford C Bedford D
Callum Shields 1-0 Andy Evans
Robert Walker 0-1 Ramsey Dairi
Richard McMorran 0.5-0.5 Alex Potts
Peter Gill 0-1 Lucian Cox
Rob Wilson 0-1 James Grimdictch
1.5-3.5