With our opponents sitting one point ahead of us at the top of division two, tonight's match would maybe be our only real opportunity to unseat them, and position ourselves well for the final push over the remaining few games. South Bristol only needed a draw to stay on top, and I'm sure they would settle for that. They had a new player, and unknown quantity on board three, and we had drafted in Mark Morris from the F team after Shaun kindly agreed to the loan. Our opponents spiced things up by switching their board one and two players, and we were all set for an enthralling match, with only board one having players who may have played each other before.

I briefly headed downstairs to attend to yet another potential new member who had turned up. I returned about 10 minutes later to see that the tone for the games had already been set. Peter's game was developing steadily with no great shocks so far. Ian's looked balanced but Ian seemed to be doing more probing. Mark was playing against the Najdorf in a line that looked sure to lead to an exciting game. Steve's game was getting pretty tense straight away having maybe erred slightly in the opening allowing early threats.

I headed back downstairs for a quick game against a newish member thinking it would be a light distraction, only to realise Reinhold played for the A team, so I was given a tough workout. Back upstairs boards two and three had taken on more violent undertones, with precious signs of them heading for draws. Jon had gobbled up three of Steve's pawn, and although there was plenty of play in the game, it looked like an uphill struggle. Meanwhile, Mark was having a rip-roaring game against Richard, with both players' un-castled kings knees knocking, surrounded by a storm of minor pieces. With Steve's game looking precarious I decided to overt my gaze again for a while, and hope for the best downstairs.

When I returned to the match, Ian's game was a level looking rook and five pawns end game. Although Ian had a passed pawn, with his rook in front of it, it was difficult to make that pay, and after a little more play a draw was agreed.

Steve's game had taken a massive turn for the better when Jon missed a tactic and lost a rook. Although behind on time that game was looking safe now.

Mark's swashbuckling game continued apace. His king was still looking a little worried, but his bishops and queen were all well placed and active and ready to weave their way through open paths to black's king at any time.

Peter's game was well balanced with most pieces still in play, but I had no doubt Peter could turn the screws as it progressed.

Before long, Mark had managed to smuggle his queen deep into enemy territory, get his king safe and let rip his bishops to support the queen for a quick brutal finish.

Peter agreed a draw with Tony, guaranteeing at least a draw for the match. All we had to do now was wait for Steve to press home his advantage. But Steve decided we hadn't had enough entertainment for the evening, and his clock was down to seconds (11 at one point) as we gathered to watch him corral Jon's king into ever decreasing bolt holes, until the game and the match was finally and decisively won.