We really were the Mighty Cs last Wednesday against Horfield C. I would have written the match report earlier, but I needed to look up some more superlatives in the dictionary to describe our performance. (Before you ask, yes, superlative was one of the words I looked up).

As a spectator on the night, I was able to watch the match unfold, and gripping it certainly was. The match looked very tight for much of the evening with any result possible (to my uneducated eye anyway).

Elmira was getting the edge in her game, and appeared to have a better understanding of the position than her opponent, whilst our "new boy" Steve was heading towards a rook and pawn ending a pawn down. The other games were unclear though Dave had some promising space to compensate for being a pawn down.

Things then began to move in our direction starting with Elmira safely closing out the win, and then James agreeing a draw in a better but unwinnable position against an opponent who had played well above his grade on the night. Then Jack used the pressure of a secure advanced pawn to gain a winning advantage, and though much of the focus was on some of the other games, his conversion was also of a noticeable high class. So, 2.5 - 0.5, and only one more win needed to take the match.

Well, never mind one, we got three.

Steve showed the end game technique of a very good player and found a way to win. I had been worried about his game for most of the evening, but if he tells me he was comfortably in control I can do nothing other than believe the view of a much better player than I am.

I wish that I had paid more attention to Aron's game for he was in the process of demonstrating how to win a tight and complicated position against a good opponent. He impresses me with his ability, and, yes, also his maturity, week after week, and, as I have said before, and am quite happy to say again, the development of our juniors is jaw dropping, and Downend Chess Club is entitled to be very proud of the support we offer to these talented young players.

This support would count for nothing were it not for the enthusiasm of the juniors themselves, and whilst I do not need to mention their names, we all know who they are, and beyond being talented chess players, they are each and every one of them fine young men and a credit to their families and our club. I suspect that after his performance, Dave is wondering when I was going to get around to mentioning his game.

Patience, Dave, patience.

His win against one of the highest graded players in the division (outside the University) was highly impressive, and if you want to know more, I recommend you look it up as a contender for Game of the Month. Yes, it was that good. So, certainly our best performance and best result of the season, so far. Mid-table security looks to be just about ours, but more performances of a similar standard would advance us further.