With promotion safely not a concern for Downend 1, we rested our top players, or they were unavailable. Our opponents Liverpool, like their Premier League counterparts had only lost one match and were dominating their group. The Rook1Es were also unconcerned with promotion having secured it last week, but they decided to push hard regardless. There was a mix-up with pairings that was quickly resolved before default time at the cost of a default point (John has humorously described this as his one contribution to the team). Downend 2 had to fight to secure their spot, but they were up against a strong local rival Clevedon who were also dealing with their own promotion concerns.
** Downend 1 2 - 2 Liverpool**
Meadows, Michael vs Ali, Rashid Mohammed Amin
I decided to book myself up on an old prep-bomb of Daniel's from when we had an over the board 4NCL team. Then Liverpool changed their top board for their final game. So when your general approach is "mix things up and see who survives", it can be hard to play against such accurate opposition. Needless to say, mistakes were made and were pounced upon.
Clarke, Michael vs Thompson, Robert
Rob didn't have much to do in the opening other than defend, but once black was given half a chance in the endgame, the final rook became active and gobbled off the kingside defences. The rest was straightforward.
Burroughs, Adam vs Korsinskij, Nikolas
Adam capped off his unbelievable performance with a final win. While black played aggressively, getting a rook to the seventh was the key for white. If every you doubted Nimzowitsch's advice, this is one for you.
Korsinskij, Marek vs Williams, Stephen
Stephen had a good crack at chucking a pawn storm against the white king. It's a shame it came a few moves too late as white had already begun their schemes against his. With little space, defence was tricky for the bishops and white's heavy pieces sealed the deal.
** The Rook1Es 3 - 1 West is Best 2**
Stubbs, Oliver vs Homer, Stephen
This would've been the local rivalry in 4NCL normally, but Downend 2 steal that title. Oli went with a textbook London and played it to perfection. An excellent tactic that looked, at first, like a piece exchange, won a piece for white with black never quite managing to win the piece back.
Max went for the ever-fun Nimzowitsch Defence and while white took all the space, it left a number of holes for black to control. The game then took on a strangely King's Indian Defence feel. Attempting a clever tactic, white dropped a piece and the game ended soon after.
Black showed in Ian's game why the Barry Attack doesn't work from the other side. Objectively white won with a minority attack, but it may have had something to do with the rooks and queen that came smashing through.
Davis, Ashley vs Saunders, Aron
Another game with very strong opposition, Aron sacrificed an exchange for compensation in the form of queenside domination. Tactics were fought, but it was a losing battle despite strong efforts.
This could've been a Bristol League match. Both teams were hoping for promotion but Downend 2 were being pressed hard by the teams below. Every game went into exciting time scrambles too, so it really felt like another night at the clubs. Dave had a great game against Stuart's Polish Opening. White attacked hard but black's defences were equal to it and sacrificed material started to look increasingly like lost material until a knight fork ended the game.
More nonsense openings! Not to be outdone with black's Latvian, Ian employed some Blackmar-Diemer tactics. The excitement was found all over the board and while the endgame certainly gave black a pull, the final piece getting trapped offside was what earnt the point.
Development was the problem for both sides in this game, but white was quicker to untangle and invade on the queenside. When a rook was lost, Bilal decided it was time to throw in the towel.
Benkhoucha, Samy vs Chindelevitch, Leonid
It was a level game for the longest time, with symmetrical pawns and exchanges simplifying to an endgame. While Samy went for a knight and bishop for a rook and pawn, the pieces proved too exposed and Samy resigned before black could mop up.
** Brentwood 0 - 4 CSC 3**
I assume Toby's just missing the club and wants to come back into the fold, because CSC 3 have also earnt promotion keeping them in line with The Rook1Es. Toby fought hard against the dullest opening (looking at you Rob!). An invasion with Qxh7 simplified the game and won some pawns in the process, followed by some more spectacular tactics to get to an easy endgame.
Unfortunately for Downend 2, this loss has cost them a promotion spot, but The Rook1Es will be fighting in the playoff spots next week!