Thanks to the non-returning teams, last season's sad final note is null and void. So null and void, in fact, that not only have Downend 1 retained a Division 1 spot, but Downend 2 also bumped themselves up to Division 4!
** Downend 1 2 - 2 Alba Bon Accord**
Meadows, Michael vs Mitchell, Jeremy
I actually engaged in a little pre-game snoop of my opponent's openings and chose an unsual 5th move. It was all for naught after my opponent's more unusual 5th move. A fairly predictable game followed with exchanges in the centre and despite my slight edge thanks to open file control, a draw would probably have been the result if not for black exchanging into a losing king and pawn ending.
Gordon, Frederick vs Saunders, Aron
As we've all come to expect, Aron's game was a great one to watch. There were moments I thought white had a slight edge, and there were moments I thought Aron's attack was crushing. White seemed to wriggle free from the midgame onslaught to an endgame that was probably level, but in which white held more of the cards.
default vs Brennan, J Ross
As ever with the new season, there's always the chance a player ends up being a no show and we were not the only team to fall victim! Nevertheless, there was a wild friendly game played at a shorter time control after the default time.
McLeod, Alisdair vs Pickup, Ian
Ian had an excellent miniature that shows an instructive black attack but also perhaps why you should avoid going into theoretical lines without a bit of background in the ideas of the opening. White goes pawn and piece hunting when there are more pressing matters to attend to.
** Hebden Bridge 3 1.5 - 2.5 Downend 2**
Blinkhorn, Joshua vs Ash, Thomas
Speaking of theoretical openings, Thomas went in for the most theoretical of them all and took all the iniative. Pieces were exchanged and things appeared to be slightly better for black, mostly because they were. Watching without analysing, I thought it was a risk to simplify into an opposite coloured bishop ending, but there were two extra black pawns and it was the pawns that mattered most!
Meadows, James vs Gledhill, Paul
James (no relation) is clearly a new member to watch out for. First, playing the Adams Attack like a pro, and then playing a thematic Nd5 sacrifice to wobble the central black king. Some days these attacks work and some days they don't. Needless to say, if play like this continues, I'll have to start checking on ancestry to see if we are, in fact, related.
Sullivan, Terry vs Walsh, Shaun
There was more theory to had on board 3, though I don't know it. Black seemed a tempo away from launching the crushing kingside attack, but was distracted by white's shenanigans on the queenside. The game ended after white successfully invaded with a remaining rook, and then, realising there was no further attack to be had, went for a repetition.
Bleeg, Elliott vs Nolan, Matthew
Elliott wasted no time in his game and was winning before most of us had even settled in. White taught black valuable lessons regarding the e8-h5 diagonal, the f-pawn, and Qh5+ when there's a knight poised to take on g6. After that, Elliott battered the black king across the board until there was no room left for it to hide.
A solid point to start for Downend 1 and the full two for Downend 2, playing a full division higher than expected! We do still have a space or two in the squad if anyone else is interested, but the team slots fill up fast so get in quick!