4-Match Monday

This Monday got very busy, the highest amount of games outside the Two Towns match, we were really at capacity.

B&DCL Poole D 2 – 2 Wimborne C

B&DCL Poole G 1 – 3 Bournemouth E

Dorset League Poole B 2 – 2 Wimborne A

Dorset League Poole C 1 – 3 Purbeck B

(Tuesday) B&DCL Poole C 3 – 1 Bournemouth B

There were some excellent matches with Poole D and Poole B both being going down to the last game. With 16 players on the same night there were some logistical issues especially where the games were across the B&DCL and Dorset League where people are eligible for multiple teams. We managed to negotiate our own teams, to the detriment of some admittedly, but huge thanks to Ellis and Harshal for working around the other teams and each other to get all boards sorted and competitive games at that.

Poole C was one board short on the night with a player last minute cancelling which unfortunately sometimes happens, but with so little slack there was nobody left to fill the gap. Despite this, Andy got a solid win on top board and Bailey managed to get a pawn advantage going into the endgame against a very strong opponent which bodes extremely well for his coming season.

Poole G were playing their first match, all players very new to the club, and half the team playing their first competitive games – both of those were very close with Ciaran getting a win and Calum sacrificing a piece for an aggressive position and pawn advantage which certainly makes for more interesting games.

Poole D, Tim shirked his usual position of being last game to decide the match in a tense position to let me take that honour. I spotted a revealed attack on my queen that also attacked my bishop…and then forgot about it, however, taking the ‘free’ bishop improved my position by +3 according to Stockfish. I certainly wasn’t complaining over the board as it allowed me to control the d and f files with his king on e. That win finished the overall match in a draw.

Zander was against Ian Clark for Poole B which went late into the night with the scores level – winner takes all! And then there was no winner, so an amicable draw.

On Tuesday B&DCL Poole C were playing in Bournemouth, Ellis managed to secure a win and Martin was a piece up to make it 2-0. Leo was then in a symmetrical pawn endgame and as Bournemouth needed a win to keep the match alive, they may have push for a win where there was only a draw allowing Leo to capitalise and seal the match.

Tarik
November 1, 2024