Double the Report on D-Team Victory
The D Team entertained Burton & Lichfield D on a packed night at the club on Tuesday (28/01/25). In a split from normal reporting practice we are “tag-teaming” the match report.
First section from Alan Kennedy
Seyed's first game for the club was close- he was winning by a couple of pawns. Then he made a slightly unwise sacrifice followed by missing a mate in one. However, he deserved to win and should be commended for the really excellent first full length competitive game.
I was equal in the opening but my opponent was just getting the upper hand when I claimed a draw due to three fold repetition. Fortunately for me he missed a tactic that would have given him an large and probably winning advantage.
(Having analysed this game with Alan, he was a little unfortunate not to gain the advantage in the middle game. The right ideas, just not executed with enough vigour! - Kevin).
Second section from Colin Ross
On board 2, I had the white pieces and was able to plant a knight on an outpost (f6) almost from the start. Graeme eventually swapped off a rook for the knight and a pawn. However, his king was in the open and I had doubled rooks on an open file and an active queen. I was able to convert the point leaving the score at 1½ points each with just Tony’s game to conclude.
Tony with black on board three, had bishop and a pawn versus Terry’s 3 pawns, one of which was on the kingside and racing for the finish alongside a protective white king. Tony kept an eye on the queening square from afar with his bishop. He now could sacrifice the bishop for the pawn if it queened and White’s king was now far away from the kingside. With that knowledge he was able to go after Terry’s other two (connected) pawns and convert his one remaining pawn. A well played endgame that won us the match.
Well done everyone!
| Derby D | 2½ - 1½ | Burton & Lichfield D | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennedy, Alan | 1701 | ½ - ½ | Natoniewski, Piotr | 1500 |
| 2 | Ross, Colin | 1489 | 1 - 0 | Drayton, Graeme | 1300 |
| 3 | O'Donovan, Tony | 1306 | 1 - 0 | Knight, Terry | 1310 |
| 4 | Almaleki, Seyed SM | 0000 | 0 - 1 | Frost, Rob | 1302 |
Colin Ross & Alan Kennedy 29/01/25