South Hams Chess Club
South Hams Chess Club

Match Details

TCL Division 1: South Hams v Plymouth 10 Mar 2016

Bd South Hams Col Grade ECF Result Plymouth Col Grade ECF PGN
1 Levy, Steve B 177 134450L ½-½ Stephens, John W 196 155629A View
2 Archer, David W 138 300734A 0-1 Sivrev, Plamen B 172 290413F View
3 Wilkinson, Ben B 124 162703L 0-1 Stinton-Brownbridge, Michael W 158 157349E Submit
4 McConnell, Phil W 115 285386D 0-1 Butland, Nick B 155 107796L View
Overall Match554½-3½681
 

Match Report

Author:  Phil McConnell

Date:  10 Mar 2016

(Submitted on behalf of Steven Levy.)

South Hams were massively outgraded on all 4 boards, and in reality played rather well against the odds - better than the scoreline would suggest.

On Board 1 Steve had a cracking game, and was cross with himself afterwards for erring and failing to convert what should have been a winning advantage. Nevertheless, a draw against an opponent graded 196 is an excellent result.

Board 2 went right dwon to the wire. In a complicated middle game, David's oppponent went 2 pawns up, but the situation became very tense, with both players' clocks running down and a large crowd gathered around the table to watch the fun. Towards the end, David swung the balance of advantage back in his favour, and right at the end both players were moving as fast as physically possible. Unfortunately, Davids' clock fell with his opponent having about 50 seconds left. Very unlucky - with another minute or so David might have been able to convert his advantage into a win.

On Board 3, Ben was "in with a shout" for much of the game, but eventually the disparity of 34 grading points told and he succombed.

It was a similar story on Baord 4, where Phil had a slight advantage after the opening, but the combined "squeeze" of time pressure and good play by his opponent left him well beaten in the end.

So, an honourable defeat against a strong Plymouth team - and a very enjoyble evening, with the club really "buzzing".