Both teams went into this final round bottom in their respective groups. The news wasn't all bad though, as both were also playing relegation rivals, with any others also facing tough opposition. Given that Downend 1 escaped relegation last season thanks to non-returning teams and Downend 2 were bumped up a division despite a mid-table finish, and perhaps because earlier in the day I'd just played a Titanic-themed escape room, I was wondering if perhaps we too were unsinkable.
Every time I checked in on Rob's game, I had to remind myself that it would likely come out fine. The best commentary came from one of Oxford's members who kibbitzed abuse into the void for the whole game.
Meadows, Michael vs Staples, Neil
My opponent played the Hippo and so came under immense pressure in the centre before they were fully ready. A piece was lost and, despite my faffing, I managed to just about convert the ending.
Neatherway, Philip vs Saunders, Aron
Aron's wild line in the Caro may not be objectively better for either side (on the other hand, it might be - I don't know) but it sure should use up time on white's clock. In this case white survived into the endgame, and then immediately overloaded a rook. With a piece about to drop, white threw in the towel.
Pickup, Ian vs Tishkin, Andrey
Ian's was another for the fans. Things looked to be going well as pawns were getting hoovered up, but the queen was running out of escape routes. Nevertheless, white did find an out and had four pawns for a minor piece. The endgame grind looked promising (if long), but black made it easier by allowing a great knight manoeuvre that won the material back. Ian simplified and had no trouble converting the rest.
** Downend 2 2.5 - 1.5 Bishop Knights**
When a Dragon goes wrong for black it goes very wrong and makes you question the soundness of the entire opening. This game looked like theory until black resigned. Even though it wasn't objectively as winning for white as one might (and I did) assume at first glance, positionally, black's exposed king was too much of a target.
Probably the only proper positional game of the night, Shaun did well to stake a good claim in the centre but the tactics went awry later on and the heavy pieces were tangled in the wrong corner.
Bleeg, Elliott vs Edmundson, Deborah
You can guarantee Elliott will come out of the opening well. This time, he got to the ending with an extra pawn and good attacking chances. With the evening marching on and not seeing a clear plan of how to convert, Elliott took the sensible decision to claim the half point for the team.
Brown, Fergus vs Lewis, Catherine
Perhaps lucky to not have lost a piece in the opening, Catherine was simplifying against an IQP when white went all-in for an attack. Finding some great (and patient) defensive moves white's pieces started dropping in an effort to maintain their attack but ultimately it was a lost endgame for white.
The good news comes for Downend 2 who, despite results elsewhere not entirely favouring us, leapt two places to finish in a more midtable-position and retain their Division 4 spot. Downend 1 on the other hand, despite their romping, didn't quite escape the relegation zone as Catford Cosmonauts also pulled it out of the bag to keep us second from bottom. Still, second from bottom is better than bottom. We'll just have to wait and see what division we are placed in next time.