We arrived to the usual friendly welcome, with many familiar faces to oppose us, together with one new one, Jeremy Hart.
Play got underway promptly and it was not long before the two Steves had agreed a draw on Board 4. Mr Meek had gone for an aggressive approach against Mr Dilleigh’s customary French Defence but the tension was resolved too soon and an early handshake made sense.

Not long after, we lost on Board 1, where Aron’s opening went wrong and his development was delayed. Mathias made good use of his initiative and clinched the win effectively.

So there was ground to make up and there was hope. Oscar had played a sharp opening line which produced a complex position which gave chances for both sides. Max had got an isolated d pawn with several minor pieces exchanged, drawish but with some chances for Phil to force a favourable ending.

I (Nigel) had space advantage against John’s Grunfeld and was hoping to convert with a king’s side attack. Peter had certainly at least equalised with the black side of a Sicillian and his pieces were coordinating better than Jeremy’s.

Peter duly broke through with a neat mating pattern, whilst Max continued to simplify into a knight ending, still with the isolated d pawn, but with only 4 pawns each no progress could be made.

On Board 5 John had attempted to break out with a f5 thrust against my pawn centre, well-motivated strategically but tactically flawed so I won a pawn and the exchange. John had a strong knight on d5 and my bishop was hindered by pawns, so the win was not easy but I managed to free it after some tricky moments and simplify to a won ending.

3-2 up now with just Board 2 left. Oscar was in his customary time trouble, and had shed a pawn, but there was still sufficient complexity in the position for it to be hard for Peter to get the win he needed to tie the match. In seeking the narrow path to victory he ran short of time, and indeed lost on time when he still stood well, a sacrifice for the team.

Overall a somewhat lucky 4-2 win, so now on to face league leaders Bath on Dec 13th.

Nigel Hosken