New Milton v Highcliffe B

With Reenen stuck on the M3 due to a major accident closing the road, we ended up defaulting on top board. Johann scored an honorable draw on his return to league chess but Rachel went down to Ron. I won the exchange with a nifty combination but with the match already lost and with a long evening ahead to try to convert the advantage to a win, I offered draw for an early night.

It was a bright Tuesday evening when Highcliffe ventured to play the away side of our local derby against New Milton. Always a pleasure to play at New Milton and for 3/4 of our team the venue was closer to home than our own home venue! None the less we were ready for a good evenings worth of chess. Reenen very unfortunately was detained in traffic so board 1 was defaulted. But the rest of the games had already gotten underway and it looked like it would remain a close night. Board 4 were first to finish after Dan and Johann got into a closed and very indecisive endgame involving a board covered in pawns, the result was a draw. Board 3 was quick to finish as well and after a very close run in Ron was able to edge ahead winning a decisive past pawn in the endgame, well played Ron. Finally in my game I had made a proper hash of my opening which stunted most of my development. But in my attempt to complicate the position John played the brilliant and unforeseeable move that offered it as a sacrifice however it had opened up a deadly attack on my queen from his central rook and the bishop itself was now threatening my central rook. After going the exchange up and clearly demonstrating strong chess skill, John then offered me a draw. (Queens were still on the board, pawns were solidly on the 2nd and 7th rank, kings were castled into safety and pieces on both sides had been hemmed into tight development) Continuation of the game would have been long and a test of stamina since the clocks were already half way. We agreed a draw and ended the night, thank you New Milton you were very worthy opponents and congratulations Highcliffe B who can now look to take the lead in a very close table.

Regards Thomas