We set out on our defence of the cup with a visit to Hanham. They have an excellent venue, spacious and quiet, and were very welcoming. We had a large rating advantage across the whole team, but the games start level.

We gained an early lead; Steve on board 2 quickly established a strong centre and used it as a platform to launch an attack on the King which proved to be decisive. Soon afterwards Mark had opened up some tactics from a quiet Closed Sicilian position and delivered a winning attack. All was going to plan and this pattern continued as Carolus won a pawn and had a potential avalanche of pawns on the Queenside. He allowed his opponent some counter-play, but kept sufficient control to march the pawns to victory.

Meanwhile on Board 8 Dave’s almost encyclopaedic opening knowledge enabled him to win a piece for three not very dangerous Queenside pawns and get some very active play. The game reached an endgame with Dave still with an extra piece. His opponent thrust his Queenside pawns forward and Dave’s endgame technique looked vulnerable as drawing chances appeared - Dave had to return the extra piece. A drawish rook endgame was reached then Dave got a second wind and managed to win. 4-0 up now.

It fell to me (Nigel) to score the winning point on board 5. I had a strong centre from the opening and, after centralising all my pieces, I could push forward and win the exchange. My opponent fought resourcefully before I was able to secure simplification to a winning ending, which was shortened when he blundered a piece. The remaining boards were not inclined to ease up. Peter on board 3 had played a reversed Closed Sicilian which allowed his opponent to venture into a Kingside attack which might well have won with correct play. However he slipped and Peter was able to block the Kingside before storming home with a Queenside counterattack.

Martin on Board 7 had played solidly to obtain a small advantage with pressure down the e file, With the match already decided, he chose not to try for more by pushing the d pawn, preferring instead to exchange off all the major pieces to a level ending and offer a draw. His opponent spurned the offer and then loosened his pawn structure, allowing Martin’s King to infiltrate and then the long expected d pawn advance won the game.

Finally James, on top board, had had a long game in which he gained some early pressure but then allowed the enemy Queen in on some weak White squares. James lost the exchange and was in big trouble as time ran short and he was left with knight and 2 pawns v rook and 1 pawn. With the enemy King far from the action James was able to push his Queenside pawns forward (a feature of many of the games in this match) to eliminate the last pawn and force a draw by repetition.

A decisive 7½-½ win; as so often several games could easily have had different results. Off to Clevedon for some sea air next.

Thanks to Peter for sorting the team and Dave for providing the game scores.