The big local derby started with Downend B wanting the points to help to stave off the relegation threat and with the A team just wanting the points. Early rumours had suggested that the B team would be on the weak side but this turned out not to be the case and so battle was joined.

I (Nigel) quickly got myself into trouble with it being very difficult to coordinate my pieces and despite wriggling desperately Oscar is too good a player to let me off the hook and he gained a deserved victory. By then Keith had won decisively with the black pieces so the scores were level.

It was some time before another game finished. Steve had a well placed knight on e4 but Haroon kept some counter-play and exchanges led to a drawn knight ending.

Dave, playing in positional style, had faced some aggressive f pawns, of which Tom had two, which both stormed up the board. Dave nullified the attack and cut off the enemy bishop, after which he converted safely as time ran short.

Reinhold had strong control on the d file which James tried to counter by advancing his queenside pawns. The central play and better development proved to be decisive and we were 3½-2½ up.

In the final game on Board 4 Peter gave up a pawn to free his position and get some activity. Martin calmly nullified this by returning the pawn and a draw was agreed to conclude the match 4-2 in the A team’s favour. Off to the seaside for the next match!

Nigel Hosken