DCL1 Wimborne 2.5 vs Poole 1.5

B1 Mike (w) vs Mark Littleton was drawn with no clear route to an advantage for either side.

B4 Jamie (b) vs Edward Barker was an interesting attacking game. Jamie broke through on the queenside and had a promising position, but his white-squared bishop was stuck on a8 pointing only at his own pawn, meaning he had fewer pieces involved in the fight. Jamie’s pawn advances ultimately allowed Edward to counter attack and infiltrate for the win.

This left B3 John (w) vs Ian Clarke and B2 Nick (b) vs William Adaway. John had played a nice combination to win a decisive material advantage, and Nick had blundered a few times to be a piece down. However Ian played a characteristic swindle to reach an opposite-coloured bishop ending where John’s extra pawn wasn’t enough to make progress. And Nick somehow managed to activate, win back a pawn and simplify, with both sides almost down to increment. Both games were drawn.

This leaves Poole at the top of the table, but Wimborne are only a point behind with a game in hand, and looking strong.

Nick Lee
February 1, 2024