With both sides on 100% so far in the league this match could be significant for the season.
The early excitement came on boards 2 and 5. Haroon played aggressively against Roy Philips’ Pirc Defence, opened up the h file and forced a decisive material gain - a fine win. On board 5 Peter had played aggressively with a pawn sacrifice. His opponent developed sensibly but passively which induced Peter to lunge forward with his king side pawns and gain an initiative. He sacrificed the exchange when a calm retreat would have secured an advantage, after which some mutually dubious tactical play enabled Cameron to escape with a perpetual check.
Somewhat surprisingly there was also early excitement in my (Nigel) game on board 4. Despite an early queen exchange I whipped up a strong attack against Paul’s uncastled king. He defended resourcefully as I got carried away and tried for a brilliant finish. The position simplified and I still had a win with an unusual Re8 and Ne8 manoeuvre. Instead I allowed a double rook ending with Paul’s rooks doubled on the 7th rank. Unusually, I had a chance to lay a trap involving a back rank mate of his king into which he fell and I was able to force off one pair of rooks after which my extra pawns proved decisive.
The games on Boards 1 and 3 developed initially in parallel fashion, with a classical line of the French Defence, and in both games White gave away his small advantage with a premature f5 thrust. The outcomes differed, James’ opponent on Board 3 had castled queenside and he was obliterated with a strong attack down the c and b files during which James produced a rook sacrifice to clinch the game. Board 1 was more sedate as David had castled kingside and infiltrated down the d file. Oli could have left the enemy queen on d7 as the tactics would have turned out in his favour but the situation was very double edged and he settled for some sharp plan which produced lots of exchanges and a drawn bishop ending. Oli persevered and after a series of bishop moves David slipped as time became short and the draw slipped away. Well done to Oli for his resolution.
The match was secured with Board 6 still going. Mark had gained a lead in development which led to the gain of a pawn. He didn’t continue in the most precise way and black got some swindling chances on the kingside. Mark kept calm and defused the situation into a won rook ending which he did win after some variable endgame technique.
A decisive 5½-½ win and something of a cold shower for Bath.
Nigel Hosken