Downend scored 1½ and Horfield 4½.
Keith was on board one with the white pieces. He played white in a Tarrasch French against a strong player with deep opening knowledge. He got into a winning position but at the cost of a significant time deficit, and in the end his opponent's resourceful play won out.
Greg was on board two with the black pieces. He was up against a strong player, Alan Clarke, rated 1856, exactly 400 points higher than Greg. Playing the Pirc defence, Greg avoided any significant blunders but was eventually outplayed by his opponent. Alan was ahead from the beginning and increased his lead slowly but steadily as the game progressed. In the end game, Greg was two pawns down and unable to rebut Alan’s passed pawns leading to victory for Alan.
John was on board three with the white pieces. He faced Judd Chidwick who is rated more than 300 points higher than him. Judd played the Caro-Kann Defence and although John was comfortable facing it and developed his pieces nicely, he left a weakness on his Q side trying to avoid having a bad bishop. Judd played aggressively and mounted a strong attack on John’s K side after he had castled. John avoided mate but Judd was able to force the capture of a piece and John resigned soon afterwards.
Shaun was on board four with the black pieces. He played Scott White who was rated 200 points higher than Shaun. The game started with d4 - Nf6, Nc3 - d5, Bg5. Shaun expected e4 so played e6,a French set up. But Scott responded with a solid e3. Shaun persevered in the French style by opening up the partial c file and doubling rooks on the file. Meanwhile Scott had 3 pawns versus 2 on the Queen side. Scott offered an exchange of Queens after activity in the centre. Shaun kept the pressure on the c pawn by bringing his knight into the attack but had a bad bishop on A8. Scott defended his c pawn with 3 pieces. Shaun then missed an opportunity to open the diagonal for his bishop and a potential winning tactic, but not that easy to find. With Shaun focused on attacking the c pawn, Scott defending and neither side willing to take any risks, a draw was agreed.
Nick was on board five with the white pieces. He was playing Ash Taylor ranked 200 points higher than Nick. Nick opened with e4, Ash played the Caro Kann and so Nick played the Panov Botvinnik attack. He managed to get a pawn storm going on the queen's side. Nick had a protected passed pawn on b6 which stopped Ash activating his rook, knight and bishop for some time. Ash attacked on the King side but after a bit of defending Nick pinned his bishop to his Queen with Nick’s rook and was able to take the bishop for free. He then exchanged a bishop for a rook. The game ended with Nick still having both rooks, Queen and knight against just Ash’s Queen so with the superior fire power it was straightforward for Nick to get a checkmate.
Per was on board six with the black pieces, playing Ashish Antony. The Queen’s Gambit was declined and they proceeded through a theoretical opening. In the middle game, white was generally on the attack but was unable to break through. Eventually a series of exchanges led to a slight material advantage for black, and the game arrived at a two knights v one rook ending in which black had the advantage. However, the clock was ticking and white was resourceful, playing a superior end game which led to black’s downfall.
Gregory Sumner