We visited Bath's new venue for the critical return fixture, just four weeks after our slender win against them at home. Their room was more spacious than the last, managing to accommodate two matches. Bath had a stronger team than last time, whilst ours was weakened with an average grade of just 165: we were out–graded on every board and by an average of over 17 points. Our last three matches all ended in wins or losses by the narrowest possible margin, but on paper this one didn't look to be heading that close.
The evening started predictably enough with bottom board being first to finish and a defeat, despite his best efforts, for our latest substitute Abid who is 40 grading points adrift of Rob. Michael's incredible run had to come to an end sometime, which it did when Matthew managed to find a strong attack which netted an exchange and two pawns before liquidating to a won endgame. At this point my game wasn't looking so good, having given up a-pawn for what didn't seem that much compensation. Fortunately, things were looking promising on the other boards; Ian looked to be holding and both Nigel and Martin had clear advantages.
Martin had built up a fantastic position, with his pieces all centralised whilst Adam's kingside was largely undeveloped and his King still on its starting square. Martin continued to restrict Adam's development and attack with an advanced central pawn as well as bishops on either wing creating an inescapable mating net, with his opponent's King unmoved. It wasn't long before they shook hands. Nigel found a nice move to pick up a-pawn and looked to have a comfortable position. David did manage to win back the-pawn, although this was possibly poisoned as Nigel soon had a dangerous central passed-pawn which forced David to give up a piece – which maybe he thought he would recover via a pin. Yet Nigel's passed-pawn was far too strong – the pin easily circumvented – and victory was assured.
Four wins for the white players but it didn't continue. Ian played well with the black pieces to justify his promotion up the board order and gain a solid looking positional draw against Peter, who is still unbeaten this Season. This left mine as the last game to finish. I had won a rook for bishop and two pawns and arrived in an ending which I thought was drawn yet at the same time probably gave me more practical chances to win. With the clock down to a few minutes each, I was harassing Andy's king and a backward-pawn in what was certainly a difficult position for him to hold. The pressure probably finally told on my opponent as he moved his king to the wrong square which lost a-pawn and later the game. My win was possibly unjust but exactly what I needed after my poor recent form.
It was therefore another 3.5–2.5 win for us, this time set up through well–earned performances. We're now looking more secure of a realistic central table finish. Bath's strong team must surely also climb the table to leave several clubs fighting for survival.