As we embark on the remaining few games of the season, we aimed to keep our nerve as we face another strong team at Yate.

Watching the opening salvos of the match, Tom was up against the Sicilian Alapin variation against Kevin and Dave was engaged in a Caro-Kann with Ben. After a big think on move 3, Ian was out of book in the Sicilian promising an interesting game and Steve was playing the Torre attack with Andy.

I spent some time having an enjoyable game against a new recruit from Yate before returning to the action. Tom had taken an early lead after Kevin slipped up and missed his hanging queen. Dave seemed in control in his game with Ben having two sets of doubled pawns and an exposed king. Ian had managed to grab a pawn in an otherwise fairly level game. Steve was under pressure, being a pawn down but with the compensation of having a couple of well-advanced a & b pawns waiting for their chance.

Tom's game finished first as Kevin resigned to the inevitable. Dave spent much time seeking out weak spots in Ben's position, just trying to open the door wide enough to get in a decisive blow, but Ben defended well. Eventually, despite a great exchange sacrifice from Dave netting him a passed pawn, a draw was agreed with a complicated end game, and Dave no doubt down on time.

When I returned to Ian's game on move 17, Ian looked under attack and needed a few precise moves in a delicate position to attend to some potentially loose pieces, despite being a pawn up. Ian negotiated the potholes better than his opponent, and came out of this mid game skirmish with better piece activity and a safer king. Before long Ian finished with a nice mating net utilising his remaining Rook, Bishop and pawns.

Steve seemed to be under even more pressure now until on move 31, after his opponent made what no doubt seemed like a decisive winning move, Steve spotted and unleash a brilliant queen sacrifice (32. Qe8+!!) which then allowed him to work to free the two advanced pawns to create threats that Black has to lose material stopping, and Black resigns not long after.

Another great result under some pressure from Yate.