Another Close Match

After their close first match against Haverfordwest A, the B Team's second match, against Gwyddbwyll.com on Tuesday 18th October, was also very well contested. Iwan Griffiths and I had a tense if unspectacular battle in an unusual line of the Tarrasch defence, which abruptly resolved into a drawn position. James Cook, returning to the club after several years away, also drew with Owen Llywelyn in the main line Caro-Kann, an opening both players know well. On Board 3, Ian Finlay dropped a piece against David Moore, an evenly matched but inexperienced opponent who showed great composure in driving home his advantage. Only on bottom board was there a significant discrepancy in rating between the two players, and John Basterfield justified his higher rank by working up a fine attack in the Ruy Lopez. Tegwyn Jones didn't seem to do a lot wrong, but he was already lost when he hastened the end by touching his queen in error and resigning immediately. It was the first home match this season to be held in the St David's Club, and it was particularly gratifying that several other players (including some new ones) turned up and played friendly games at the same time. The singing of the Heartsong choir in the next room didn't seem to put anyone off (for my part I find it helps me concentrate). The match was drawn, 2-2.


Iwan Griffiths - Matthew Francis ½-½

James Cook - Owen Llywelyn ½-½

David Moore - Ian Finlay 1-0

John Basterfield - Tegwyn Jones 1-0

A-Team Follow Suit

Cardigan B had the normal difficulty at the start of the season in raising a full team, so started one board short. Mark kept a slight edge against Tony Haigh’s favourite Trompovsky, and accurate rook endgame play brought the result
(though of course computers can always find quicker wins). Roland Spencer chose a Black line that was uncommon for him, but unfortunately it allowed one of Rudy’s favourite lines, where the Black side lay passive, waiting for the final onslaught. Dave, perhaps a little rusty after the break, had several good chances to try for tricks, but missed a key defensive move. Perhaps a little fortunately, Awne Osinga seemed impressed by Dave’s higher grade and offered the draw. 3½-½ to Aber, an improvement on last year's rather uncertain start against the same team.[Report by Rudy.]

Tony Haigh - Mark Talbot 0-1

Rudy van Kemenade - Roland Spencer 1-0

Awne Osinga - David Ferguson ½-½

B Team Win First Match

The first match of the season was played between Aberystwyth B and Haverfordwest A in the Emlyn Cafe, Tanygroes, on Monday 3rd October. The two teams were well matched on paper and the result was in doubt until the very end of the evening. On Board 4 Georgina Gray scored an impressive early victory, conjuring an attack out of nowhere against Robbie Coles's unorthodox opening, though computer analysis shows that White could have defended it. But Aber was soon in trouble on Board 2, where Ian Finlay lost a piece in a series of exchanges to the higher-rated Ron Wade. He defended resolutely, winning back some material, but eventually succumbed to a passed pawn. On Board 3, Tony Geraghty was involved in an intricate tactical skirmish against Jan Sendall, but his pieces were better co-ordinated, and his opponent's position abruptly fell to pieces. With the score at 2-1 to Aber, that left only the game on top board to be decided. I had started slowly against Colin Denham, but the advantage swung this way and that as the pressure built up. Both players were in time trouble and began to make blunders. Finally Colin was left with rook and king against lone king, but in a desperate time-scramble with all the other players looking on he was unable to force mate before his flag fell, resulting in a draw. So an exciting first match finished in a win to Aberystwyth B, 2½-1½.

Matthew Francis - Colin Denham ½-½

Ron Wade - Ian Finlay 1-0

Tony Geraghty - Jan Sendall 1-0

Robbie Coles - Georgina Gray 0-1