A win for the A-team in this match would mean a great deal to the B-team who are currently competing with Clevedon A in the fight to avoid relegation. If you have followed the exploits of the A-team this season, you'll know that this is not a team upon which you want to depend. Fortunately for us, Clevedon A arrived with only four players which began the "who gets to drop out" argument. (Note that this is different from the "who has to drop out" argument seen at most clubs.) In the end it was decided that top-performing Richard and undefeated Jerry would prop up the bar and yell obscenities at the England-Netherlands match.
With most games starting in their usual quiet style, I decided to spice things up with a Blackmar-Diemer gambit. Jerry naturally redirected his obscenities at me. Besides, Vardy had scored. Charlie decided to play to his strengths and grabbed a-pawn only to spend the midgame defending a backward, pinned, doubled-pawn.
Chris appeared to have move-ordered himself into a pretty standard mainline, of which he knew nothing and was therefore devastated. Henry was being Henry, so it's safe to say that regardless of how his position looked, it was probably ok.
In fact, as the match wore on, it became increasingly clear to the rest of us that he may even have an edge. Chris was also on the comfortable side of a level position with a huge space advantage and more time on the clock. Charlie had kept his pawn and was slashing and burning all material to get to that winning endgame. I had regained my pawn, which I was not happy about. I was pressing for an attack though with an airy position. When Paul played a-pawn break I miscalculated some complications and in the ensuing mess mislaid a bishop (in Paul's collection of captured pieces).
Not to worry, Henry was converting smoothly, though I won't tell him so. Chris and Charlie looked to pushing us comfortably to two points.
My game was lost not long after. As time scrambles loomed, David misplayed in a difficult position allowing a mate which allowed Chris to secure the match. Charlie only took a few more minutes to convert his same-coloured bishop ending, tightening the screws in a manner rarely seen outside of IKEA home-assembly.
As it stands, the B-team are one point above Clevedon A, with an extra game in hand. Clevedon A are yet to play Grendel, while the B-team have yet to face Bath A and Horfield B. One can't help but feel there will be some tense and tough matches ahead!