So after our cup success last week we welcomed Bath to our home venue with Downend A strengthened by the presence of Rob Thompson and Reinhold Heinlein. The early excitement was provided on board 6 where Aron managed to quell the early activity of the black pieces and then, as in his previous game at Horfield, won a piece with g4 after which the black king was subjected to a fatal attack.

A quick look around the other games saw Aldrin seeking a breakout from a standard Maroczy Bind position, Rob applying pressure against a weak c6 pawn, Reinhold with sufficient play, whilst Steve and Nigel were both embroiled in heavy King's Indian positions.

Events then sharpened up on Boards 3 and 5. On board 5 Aldrin managed to get in the thematic b5 break, which Clive might have tried to stop with an earlier a4. Aldrin's bishops and rooks then sprang into action and, with Clive trying hard to avoid the loss of the exchange, the bishops caught him in a neat mate. On board 3 Adam had prised open the h file and Reinhold's king was caught by a rapid attack down the file. Score 2-1.

The next game to finish was board 2. Rob had increased the pressure impressively and won the weak c pawn while allowing his opponent no counterplay and then simplified down to an easily won ending. 3-1.

On Board 1 Steve had lost control of the vital e4 square, then a pawn went and then Roy got a decisive attack on the weak king's position. 3-2. It was left to Nigel to convert a positional advantage he had been nursing for some time. The black pieces had been struggling for active play and, with time running short, Rob Hearne speculated on an exchange sac which gave practical chances but Nigel snuffed them out efficiently and got the queens off whereupon his passed e pawn clinched the match. 4-2!