Poly Champs. Round 5
Games played at various times through month, and my usual tramp through the games not really possible, particularly as otherwise engaged on the Championship night. My insider info describes a tense game between Alex and Scott. The latter won a pawn, then another, and looked well set…so he hung a rook. Alex now in ascendancy, but Scott’s passed pawns caused major problems, and Alex lost on time.
Meanwhile, Alexey beat an out-of-sorts Eric, while Keiran bested fellow-newcomer Sam with Black. Matt confirmed the strength in depth of those newbies with a win over Bob, as did James – continuing a recovery from his slow start with a third consecutive win, this time over Jim Prentice. Danny confirmed his return to form with victory over Jim O’Neill.
Top match saw another in-form player, Robert, busting the tournament wide open with a ground-out win against Graeme, apparently never looking in trouble (as chess.com tends to say…about my opponent).
This left much to fight for in some of the postponed matches. Craig won a pawn, then another, against Dairena and gradually simplified to a won endgame. Brian and Ron seemed to have an even game, but I turned my back, and Brian turned a small edge into a win (DO YOU PEOPLE NOT KNOW HOW TO DRAW??). Finally, Michael had a chance to recover from his defeat to Graeme, with a match against another of the favourites. Chris seemed to be coasting, a piece up. But many pieces remained, and Michael had a very dangerous passed e-pawn, with threats around its advance to the sixth rank near an exposed Black King. Chris defended calmly. Many of his the threats were restrained by a potential two-move knight fork, and eventually in time trouble a seductive manoeuvre fell to this.
The Competition heating up with two rounds left.
4.5 R Gibb
4 G King, C Fay, C Yapp
3.5 D Breslin
The top 4 face each other and Danny has the chance to catch up on at least some of them.
Quite looking forward to the next round.
Might not play many “bounce matches” at all.
