Mark had the white pieces on board 1. He opened with d4 Nc3 and Bf4, Jobava London style but failed to block black’s e-pawn which proceeded to threaten the bishop and then go on to e4 to fork two other minor pieces - a well known pattern which Mark was disappointed to fall into. White went 4.5 points down but gained back all his material with his remaining bishop causing havoc by opening up black’s King and also was helped by black giving up one of his bishops for 2 pawns, the exchange and a fruitless attack. A draw was agreed instead of pursuing an endgame with equal material. Although black had a bishop for a knight, 3 of their pawns were disconnected, so both were OK with the draw after an eventful 25 moves.

John had the black pieces on board 2. He says: “I had black against Szabolcs Szigethy who is graded 1576 and had beaten me previously. He opened 1 e4 c5 2 c3, which I never seem to play very well against, and was soon launching an attack on my uncastled King. I managed to repel this and negotiate matters fairly safely until the late middle game, when Szabolcs was able to open a file and start eating my pawns with an advanced rook. With my time ticking away (junior rates!) the game eventually resolved into KR on each side with three passed pawns for my opponent and one for me. Fortunately I was able to use my greater experience in such endings to push the pawn with my rook behind it, capture two of Szabolcs’ pawns, and oblige him to accept a draw.”

I had the white pieces on board 3. I played the Colle System and scored a great result when I was able to play 10 e4 and 12 Nxf6+ setting up 13 Qe4, simultaneously threatening mate and my opponent’s rook on a8. Capturing the rook, I took the lead and was able to convert it to a win with 94% accuracy, according to the engine. The game went: 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 d5 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 c4 6. Bc2 Bd6 7. Nbd2 a6 8. O-O O-O 9. Qe2 b5 10. e4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Be7 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. Qe4 g6 14. Qxa8 Qc7 15. Qe4 Bb7 16. Qe2 Re8 17. Be4 Bc8 18. Bg5 Bg7 19. Bh4 f5 20. Bg3 f4 21. Bh4 Nd7 22. g3 e5 23. Rae1 Nf8 24. gxf4 Bh3 25. fxe5 Ne6 26. Bd5 Kh8 27. Bxe6 Rxe6 28. Ng5 Bxf1 29. Nxe6 Qd7 30. Rxf1 Qxe6 31. Qf3 h6 32. Bf6 Kh7 33. Bxg7 Kxg7 34. Qf6+ Qxf6 35. exf6+ Kxf6 36. Re1 g5 37. d5 Black resigned.

Shaun had black on board 4. White opened with the Trompowsky and Black responded with the sharp c5 variation, but didn't follow up with Q x b7 after White played Nc3. White pushed forward in the opening cramping black. In the middle game White had a better position, so Black exchanged some of White's attacking pieces and White was left with a pawn hanging on c4, which Black grabbed. Later there was further opening up leading to another pawn grab. The end game finished with Black 2 pawns up but in a defensive position and failed to release his passive rook and allowed the White king to join the party leading to some inaccurate play and an eventual loss. A good game with both sides having chances. The critical positions are posted on WhatsApp.

Nick had white on board 5. He was on the back foot for most of the game but pulled it out of the bag when he put together a checkmating attack later in the game. He was really pleased with it and said “it was one of the best I ever played”.

Danny had black on board 6. He says: "I played black on board 6 against a junior opponent, I took an early rook advantage but the match evened up and went in White's favour until my opponent blundered. Much later on White resigned when only his King remained on the board and my remaining pawn was 2 moves away from promotion."

So we beat Bath D 4-2 on the night, which was pro-rated to 2½-1½ for the league table.