Final result 5-1
Dan Parcell had the white pieces on board 1. He says: I played a good game against Baptiste, battling well and getting a really great position. I was really pleased with how I played and how it was going, but I saw ghosts in this position, which is +4.5 for me, and missed the winning move. After this I pressed on too hard and made some mistakes under time pressure, which Baptiste easily noticed and punished me for. So close to a big win against an opponent 400 points higher, bit of a theme this season, here’s hoping I can convert one next season. Dan adds: I briefly thought about the move Nd6 but saw ghosts because it left f2 attacked 3 times and defended twice. I had enough time to run through it and work it out though 😫 I think after my move Rf1 it’s still winning anyway?!
Mark Thwaites had the black pieces on board 2. He says: Andrew Borkowski (1764k grading) started with Nf3. It proceeded Nf6, 2 d4 d5 to become a tame queen pawn opening. Nothing went particularly wrong in the first 23 moves, although having analysed it, we both seemed to be missing the best moves. Unfortunately, he failed to take my toxic b-pawn and he always had the edge and managed to plant a knight deep in my territory. I eventually blundered a pawn and didn't manage to hang on in the endgame.
John Paines had the white pieces on board 3. He says: I played Tim Withers who beat me easily last season. He played the Sicilian Dragon and the game developed into a cagey affair where neither of us had a decisive advantage but Tim had more space and better pawns. In the endgame we had bishops of the same colour and five pawns each, with my bishop stuck on c1 protecting a weak pawn on a3. I thought Tim might be able to use the mobility of his own bishop to press me into zugzwang and force the win, but he accepted a draw.
I had the black pieces on board 4 vs Edward Ames and played my usual Black Lion system. For much of the game, we were even but I lacked accuracy in the rook and pawn endgame and my opponent, Ed, was able to promote a passed pawn, leading to my defeat. Overall, the engine gave me 79% whilst Ed managed 88%. And it rated my performance 1950 whilst Ed scored 2350.
Shaun Walsh had the white pieces on board 5. He says: After e4 Black played e6 and we went into the Tarrasch variation of the French and Black exchanged on e4. Going into the middle game Black gave away a centre pawn, White clearly on top. Before the game there was a conversation in the car about trapping your own pieces and I trapped my Knight. But I sacrificed it to blow open his King's defence. I then managed to set up a strong attack including 2 doubled up Rooks. But I moved the wrong Rook to attack his Queen which would have put me 5 up. Instead we finished with a draw after perpetual checks. Must be more careful next season!
Nick Woods had the black pieces on board 6. I have no information on his game but unfortunately he didn’t win.
Gregory Sumner