This was our first match of the Season. We were missing several players including our Captain. There were debut appearances from our new recruits Robert and Richard L, joining us from over the Border. South Bristol's team sheet was without any major surprises and on paper we out-graded our opponents by an average of about 20 grading points. However, we know that grading and actual performance are not entirely related, particularly if you relax too much thinking that the match is already in the bag.
On 1, Robert's game produced a solid interlocking central pawn structure which showed no signs of letting anything pass. Despite him trying to attack Andy on the flanks, there was nothing in the position other than to agree a comfortable draw. On 6, Richard L looked to have nearly equalised in the opening against South Bristol's newcomer Paul. On Board 5, on the other hand, Richard P had built up what seemed like a definite plus against Jason and he appeared to be the most likely of our players to get a full point. Dramatically fortunes reversed. Both games finished rather sharply and unexpectedly, each following the blunder of a piece, although Paul's was comprehensible after he got caught in a strong attack that came from virtually nowhere. This left the match all square at 1.5 each.
Meanwhile, James on Board 4 looked to have a rather difficult position to negotiate, with apparent discovered threats looming from Rod. It was, however, all an illusion and afterwards James confirmed that he had everything perfectly under control; after some exchanges James was left a clear pawn up. Further trades of pieces resulted in a winning-pawn ending which was too much for Rod to withstand: 2.5-1.5.
Last to finish were Neil and myself in a tense final 15 minutes where things might have gone either way. On 2, Neil was playing well and had built up an attack although later analysis revealed that it was probably not too dangerous. Conversely, on the other side of the board, Colin was pushing-pawns and trying to open up an attack for himself. I didn't see much of the conclusion of the game, understandably, but both attacks came to nothing and a draw was finally agreed.
That left me to get at least a draw against a team that I have struggled against in recent years. An unusual opening, pawn thrusts and opposite side castling left a rather unbalanced position with my King looking more vulnerable to attack than my opponent's and my pieces looking somewhat uncoordinated. After Dorota looked to be breaking through, I managed to build up pressure against a central pawn and gain some momentum before she found some good counter-play and a knight fork which left me worse. Luckily, by this stage time was becoming an increasingly important factor which almost certainly caused Dorota to miss a winning move which would have been well deserved. A quick play finish then saw a twist of fate. I shepherded two pawns to their queening square and with less than a minute remaining on her clock my opponent resigned.
A tough match and full credit to South Bristol who so nearly picked up a point.