Another night of frustration for the C team as they are held yet again. The withdrawal of Marc meant a rare appearance for Mrs Hat. Having arrived early for this contest, Mrs H proceeded to the bar only to discover that the pub only had ½ a bottle of red wine left (she had wanted to order an Industrial Bulk Container)! This was the start of what was to be another disappointing night for the C team warriors. Protocol forbids me from commenting on Mrs Hat’s performance when she loses so I won’t be mentioning it again. Played a good game against a text book Pirc defence only to lose a piece and then when the Ladies came off the board on move 31 it became a straightforward win for Neil D. John was promoted up the order and still managed to win over the vastly experienced Trefor after first winning a pawn and then trading up to an exchange and then a full piece. Again, once the ladies were off the board, a straightforward win and its 1-1 and 5/5 for John. Denzil on top board finished early after the wood was clattered off in quick time. I stared at the final position not able to work it out but it looked to be a gloriously complicated King + Pawns endgame and winning these are always good for the soul if indeed I can remember the feeling. A win for Denzil over David means its 2-1 in our favour. Joachim was playing Neil D and seemed to be locked in a bruising encounter, never any more than a pawn in it and a draw was agreed. The last rites were then read for Man with Hat who was able to skilfully create a passed pawn but it was too little too late. My grading is plummeting faster than the gravity that keeps me from my next home in the sun. Well played to Antony and well played Marple who were heavily out graded on the top 3 boards.
Man with Hat