After a postponement of our match at Grendel in the autumn, due to a venue problem, we were happy to welcome them to our venue as a replacement fixture.

We had a bonus of a win by default on Board 5, a cheap and valuable point for Mark.

My game against Richard Johnson, an old sparring partner and friend, reached a complex position in which I overlooked a zwischenzug which meant that I lost a piece for a couple of pawns. I fought on into the ending but Richard was too experienced to let it slip and ended up with a bishop and the correct rook’s pawn - the match was tied again.

Meanwhile Oli had reached a very favourable position against Jerry and he was able to convert this to restore our lead.

James and Alistair on Board 2 contrived to block everything up, a draw.

Reinhold on Board 3 obtained a promisingly aggressive position against a King’s Indian and duly collected the point to win the match.

Peter on Board 6 had played his usual opening but unusually his opponent was able to castle to safety. Peter remained down on material but the opposite coloured bishops gave attacking chances for both sides. After assorted adventures Peter forced an exchange of queens after which the ending was easy to hold despite the pawn deficit.

A final score of 4-2 in our favour, but Grendel always give us a tough fight.