After surviving last week's sweltering heat in the Student's Union, it was nearly as hot at the Townhouse, as was the opposition.

Early indications were moderately promising. Henry appeared to have a favourable opening against Chris but it was much too difficult a position for a mere onlooker to fathom properly. Meanwhile John had gambited a pawn against Michael - one of those positions that would require gritty determination to hang in there and make the pawn count. Mike had a promising game against Alan and the others were too close to call.

Nigel was the first to finish, obtaining a draw against Jody by perpetual check to maintain his excellent unbeaten record. Then, in fairly close succession, Mike and Michael both forced catastrophic loss of material on their opponents. That left us up by 2.5 to 0.5 but the match result was by no means certain.

Richard and Chris had complicated games which could go either way. Fortunately both their opponents went astray. Dominic missed a sequence against Richard which would have led to terminal material gain but he went on to run out of time in a totally lost queen and pawn ending. Nick also missed at least a drawing variation against Chris but in the end a series of piece exchanges left him with a calamitous loss of material.

That made the advantage 4.5 to 0.5 so all eyes were on the top board which was now into 40 plus moves. Not many of us could have survived so long on either side of that contest and it was fair enough that they shook hands when time was running out rather than subject all our nerves to a blitz finish!

A flattering score in the end against opponents who put up a tough fight but very welcome nonetheless. Two more matches to go now. Nothing is certain in what will be a very close end to the season.

Good luck, A team!