A late start to our league fixtures and we received the customary friendly welcome from a strong Horfield side as we sat down expecting a close match.

On Board 6 Peter played in his usual effective style: sac a pawn, get quick development and the initiative, recover the pawn and win another to reach a vastly better ending and then clinch the victory smoothly. A really elegant performance and a boost, especially for me (Nigel) sitting next to him on Board 5.

I had completely misplayed the opening and Peter (Kirby) was putting me under great pressure with his dark square bishop pointing ominously at my King. Fortunately he lost the thread and allowed a discovered check which equalised the game (and maybe more) so both players were happy to settle for the draw.

Attention now shifted to Boards 2 and 4, in each of which we had an isolated d pawn with the ending approaching. Reinhold defended solidly against the ever solid Steve Dilleigh, whilst Haroon whipped up some active play with his Queen. Both games were duly agreed as draws.

2½-1½ up but what would happen in the last two games? Oli had been trying hard to gain some advantage but the symmetrical pawn structure made this difficult. As time ran short for both players he was finally able to infiltrate with his Queen and force a won pawn ending- glorious grinding indeed!

James had been pressing hard all game and had reached a favourable semi-ending but the breakthrough was hard to engineer as Derek defended doggedly. Indeed a rook and knight ending was reached in which Derek had chances, this then became a knight ending with 3 pawns each on the Kingside where it seemed that James might get his knight in round the back. A slip with only seconds on both players’ clocks allowed a knight exchange after which Derek’s active King won the game. A tough result for James but Derek deserves credit for his resilience.

There we have it, a pleasing 3½-2½ win to start the season ,with two more matches to come this month.

Nigel Hosken