The new Dyfed League season is underway, and Aberystwyth A began with a match against Haverfordwest B on Wednesday 26th September at the Emlyn Cafe, Tanygroes. Aber were strong favourites on paper, with a grading difference of several hundred points per board, and the match took the predicted course, though only after some lengthy resistance on Boards 2 and 3 in particular. On top board Rudy van Kemenade was far too well prepared to be fazed by Scott Hammett's King's Gambit. He was soon up an exchange and a couple of pawns, and when White got a bishop trapped as well, it was only a matter of time - and it is never very much time in Rudy's case as he plays with computer-like speed. Julie van Kemenade's game on Board 2 had reached a balanced Sicilian position when Jan Sendall overstretched himself trying to generate a kingside attack, giving away his queenside pawns in the process. Though both sides made mistakes thereafter, Julie was able to push a pawn on to queen, and hold her kingside together till the reinforcement arrived. I weakened my king's position against Tim Kirby's Reti opening, but had compensation in the form of a strong centre and two bishops. He overestimated his chances in sacrificing a knight for the attack, and while, again, both players committed further inaccuracies, White never had enough for the material. The game on Board 4 was the first to finish as Tony Geraghty established a deadly pin on Margaret Baron's queen's knight, and then used it as the basis of an assault on the queenside-castled king, ending with a pretty mate.The final score was 4-0 to Aberystwyth.
Meanwhile the club held a special evening at Aberystwyth Arts Centre Bookshop on 25th September, when members took on all comers. Tuesday evening meetings have now started again at the St David's Club, Eastgate, Aberystwyth, 7.15. Players of all levels of ability are welcome to drop in for a game - there is no charge for a first visit.
Scott Hammett - Rudy van Kemenade 0-1
Julie van Kemenade - Jan Sendall 1-0
Tim Kirby - Matthew Francis 0-1
Tony Geraghty - Margaret Baron 1-0
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