Downend B’s return to Division 1 saw them pitted against last year’s champions, Downend A, in a local derby. Downend B were somewhat below full strength but were sure to pose a formidable challenge. This did indeed prove to be the case as by 10.15 only one game had finished.

This was my game (Nigel) (A Team) on board 4 where we had castled on opposite sides and Carolus had launched a dangerous attack against my King. He got a threatening albeit vulnerable pawn on b6 and I was relieved to be able to exchange into an ending where the b6 pawn succumbed and then my mobile a and b pawns rolled up the board in unstoppable fashion.

The remaining games were far from clear. Boards 1 and 2 looked about level, Reinhold (A team) on board 3 had played a quiet opening and had a slight pull with much work to be done. Mark (A team) and Dave T had produced 15 moves of theory after which Mark had won a pawn which was doubled on the c file, so not so strong, whilst on board 6 Alejando (B team) had won Queen for knight and rook leaving Tom (A team) fighting to hold on.

Board 2 was next to finish, Peter (B team) had been trying to find a way through in a near symmetrical position, and indeed he did miss a fleeting chance with a tactic based on Ne8 (never an easy move to spot) and James (A team) was able to reach a three times repeated position.

Next came a win for Reinhold. He had kept pressing and this paid off as Aleksei blundered when short of time in a position where he was going to lose at least a pawn. Reinhold claimed it was like a Kramnik game; the spectators were not so sure.

Board 6 provided the A team with the point which secured the match. Alejandro was on the cusp of victory when he blundered his Queen to a skewer; Tom was relieved but also a tad embarrassed.

Mark displayed excellent endgame skill on board 5 as his active pieces made the extra pawn count.

It was left to Oli (A team) on board 1 to continue the pattern from last year where he reached a rook ending after 33 moves and finally squeezed a easily theoretically won position after 63 moves in a long and difficult ending which was probably drawn with best play.

The final score, 5½-½, flattered the A team. The B team will surely be a capable presence in Division 1 this season.