Downend A opened their account with an heroic win over this Season's previously unbeaten South Bristol club, and their League leading A Team. Their average grading of 181 made us clear underdogs, at least on paper. When their strongest player defaulted on board 3, however, our team morale improved somewhat!

Nigel played solidly to achieve a Grandmaster type draw. Both Ians were performing admirably until a weakening move by Ian Pickup led to many problems which he struggled to fight through and his position became hopeless. Ian Ponter won a-pawn but ran short of time, leading to a mistake. Time pressure then dominated the game which inevitably slipped away.

In my game, Shane helpfully trapped his knight. With many complications, I decided to return material for a solid-pawn advantage although Shane had some reasonable counter-attacking chances. I was then given a chance for a quick attack - almost too quick as I nearly moved my queen to the wrong square! This was followed by some forcing moves that led to resignation.

Simon over-reached himself trying to escape a positional bind and left himself open to tactics. These worked nicely for Michael and resulted in him being up two pawns in a queen, knight and-pawns ending. He had no trouble winning and bringing home the bacon for the team.

There's no time to relax before our next match on Tuesday, though, as Clevedon A have already beaten last year's Champions.