Match Details

Match Report

Author:  John Belli

Date:  27 Mar 2017

“Belli’s Bandito’s” were gunned down by Plymouth in this top of the table shoot out at the Regal corral.
Plymouth fielded a strong team but were slightly outgraded on all top three boards. However the pressure of playing at home; rather like Newcastle United, seemed to tell and the team who has played better.
On Board one Roy played a very tricky opponent who refused a draw and then gained a pawn and despite numerous attempts to not only draw but take the initiative to win, Roy went down fighting and was the last man standing.
On Board two Chris felt he had an inferior position early on “almost a pawn down” and despite efforts to gain an initiative took a draw when offered.
Board three saw Alan was almost sent to sleep by his well known to us renegade opponent who managed to create a stagnated game which was only ever going to be a draw. Alan kept on trying to open up the game but agreed a draw when there really was no alternative.
On Board 4, I unfortunately thought we were playing with increments and was quite happy to take my time early on and used up most of my time before I learned the truth! Derek my opponent played python like chess slowly strangling my efforts to open up the position and then when I touched and subsequently moved my king in error; having calculated a rook exchange in a fairly even position, my opponent took the rook and went on to close out the game.
A disappointing result overall and I was very unhappy with my personal stupidity. Plymouth have two to play and are now odds on favourites to take the title.
My thanks to Chris, Roy and Alan for once again being great team players and showing their prowess on behalf of the club once again. Well done to Plymouth on two fine victories over us. They left the club on Thursday happy and somewhat surprised they had managed to win.