An important match, from which we needed a favourable result to retain our title hopes. We had our top side out, whilst Clifton were missing a couple of familiar names, Valentine’s Day commitments?

Boards 2 and 4 ended quickly in draws. Steve got nowhere against a line in the Sicilian which our captain often plays; Mark was equally unsuccessful in getting any advantage against the usual solid play from John.

The next games to finish were the lowest two boards. Peter had given up/lost a pawn but had some play in the black side of a Benko type position. Gareth managed to unravel with some convoluted manoeuvres and forced the extra pawn home in a knight ending. I (Nigel) had some advantage against Igor as his bishop was trapped offside on g6, a common occurrence in the Slav. I was able to exploit its absence from the queenside to win material and then the game. The score 2-2.

The remaining boards did not look good for us. Oscar was a pawn down and short of time; not unusual. Aron had been under pressure all game as Chris’s pieces were a tad more active. Oscar was not able to generate chances, a rare event for him, so he lost. Aron fought on into an ending which looked lost to me, but time and possible fatigue took their toll and his staunch resistance enabled him to hold the draw.

So a loss 2.5-3.5 and we now rely on other results going our way before what could be a title decider in our last match at Bath

Nigel Hosken