Match Result
| Season | 09/10 |
| Date | Tue 06 Apr 2010 |
| Competition: | Thames Valley League Division 2 |
| Fixture |
Ealing 'B' v Wimbledon 'C'
|
| Result | W: 5.5-1.5 |
Scorecard
| Board | Grade | Ealing 'B' | v | Wimbledon 'C' | Grade |
| 1 |
|
Tony Wells |
1-0 |
Macdonald-Ross, Stephen |
159 |
| 2 |
|
Nevenko Grozdanic |
0.5-0.5 |
Wilcox R John |
155 |
| 3 |
|
Milinko Stevic |
1-0 |
Hughes, Anthony |
146 |
| 4 |
|
Simon Healeas |
1-0 |
Williams, Michael D |
143 |
| 5 |
|
Dale Gibbons |
0.5-0.5 |
Sompuillai, Selvar |
130 |
| 6 |
|
Mark Winterbotham |
0.5-0.5 |
Brugger, Trevor |
121 |
| 7 |
|
Alastair Johnstone |
1-0 |
Sprackett, John |
104 |
| Total | | | 5.5-1.5 | | |
Captains Comment
Lose this one and Ealing B's chances of survival in Div.2 of the TVL would have been hanging by a thread, but with no slip-ups in an impressively focussed display, we live to fight another day.
I (Alastair) was first to finish. The loss of a central pawn had certainly not been part of any grand strategic plan, but the material deficit proved irrelevant with the resultant open lines allowing all my pieces access to the Black king. It was not long before my Queen was able to invade my opponent's position with terminal consequences.
Next to me, on Board 7, Mark chose a cautious reponse to the provocative 1.b4!? I watched with interest, as I had faced the same opening myself at Hounslow and had ultimately lost. Thankfully, Mark fared better, agreeing the draw after multiple exchanges with no evident scope for complications. Shortly after this, Dale also agreed a draw on Board 6.
A third draw followed on Nevenko's board when, after rejecting a very early draw offer (20 minutes into the match?), the result became a theoretical inevitability some two hours later.
So far, so good. But could we stride forward to victory? In a busy match room, with the Middlesex 1st team also in play, it was difficult to get a clear view of all the boards. Tony looked OK, as did Milinko. But with Simon's opponent crouched over the board I couldn't get a clear view of the position and Simon's furtive glances at the clock (which I could also not see) made me wonder if he was in time trouble. We captains suffer so, you know.
As it transpired, my fears were groundless. Milinko seems to enjoy the adrenaline-filled chaos of quickplay finishes and once again calmly converted a slender endgame advantage to deliver the full point.
By this stage I had also been able to see that Simon was a clear piece up with time to spare. Aas you will have gathered, I can't give much detail on how this coup was achieved but, when time was called, his opponent accepted the inevitable and resigned.
Finally, on top board, Tony held a slight but seemingly telling advantage when time was called. His game will be sent for adjudication with a win claimed.
So, a must-win game duly won. Another one follows next Thursday when we take on Surbiton at the Harvester.
