Wednesday 30th November

Vice Captain's View

In my game we decided to ignore the time control and play blitz. My opponent lost a pawn which turned into a bishop then a rook and eventually the game. This meant I could watch everyone else suffer. 1-0. Board 6 Les seemed to be in control and although the game lasted another hour or so a win was never in much doubt. 2-0. Azmiddin was playing on Board 4. One day I'll ask Azmiddin to explain his games to me. 2½-½. Board 3. Kev had lined up his King and Queen opposite his opponent's rooks across the middle of an open board, it all looked pretty hopeless. So it was no surprise to find him a piece up ten minutes later, with a rather confused look on his opponent's face. Normal chess order was restored when it turned out that Kev couldn't quite hang on to the piece, and a draw was a fair result. 3-1. Board 2. Ian had been under pressure most of the game but seemed to be able to hold on in an uncomfortable position. However when White exercised his right to recapture the screw tightened further and the pressure finally told when Ian played a combination which lost a piece. 3-2. It was all down to Graham's game. Both teams gathered round to watch. Graham had tried to sac two pawns to win a Queen but his opponent had captured one and then, rather than cooperating with Graham's plan, had retreated with his prize. For the rest of the game Graham was now relying on the far distant prospect of opposite coloured Bishops to draw. The game progressed with Graham under intense Queenside pressure but as more and more material was exchanged the opposite coloured Bishops loomed larger and larger. There were a couple of shots but Graham defended actively and held on for an exciting draw and a win for the team.

Paul B